Sometimes my job is really too good to be true and this weekend proves that. The South Walton tourism board sent us on a 3 day trip over the weekend.  This area is really one of my favorite places to go.  The beaches are gorgeous, there are great restaurants and even though parts of 30A (the main drag there) can be a little touristy—for the most part the area is pretty close to perfect.  We stayed in Grayton Beach which is kinda like the hippy part of the beach communities.  We had a group of 6 including Sully, Elizabeth, Will (marketing director for dave fm), Michael (sales guy) and Steven (camera guy).  We did a live broadcast Friday to encourage people to visit this part of Florida.

I didn’t want to tell them that I already KNEW how fabulous this area is because I’ve been going there every year for our annual “girls weekend” (or as Elizabeth calls it “old woman’s weekend”).  They wined, dined, schmoozed and showered us with fun and activities. There were jocks from all over the Southeast and in general it was super fun. You’ll be hearing me yak about it on air the next few weeks.  In the meantime you can check out all of the photos and videos here at the dave.fm webpage.

Tomorrow is Charlie’s first day of school and I think I have more anxiety about it than he does!  You will never believe what happened regarding his first day of school.  We live on a line of two public schools in our area.  For the longest time we thought he’d be going to this one school.  They confirmed with us, had us to the school for open houses, the whole nine. Well on FRIDAY I get a call from this school saying “ooops, turns out he’s going to the other school”.  Meanwhile I’m dying inside because I’m away and want to go there and chew someone’s head off and couldn’t (Mike took care of it).  In the end it all worked out because the new school he’s going to is just as good and maybe even better.  I just can’t believe they could screw up this close to the first day of school!  The good news is that Charlie is so well adjusted and is totally into the new school.  I just can’t believe the time has flown by so fast.  I remember like it was yesterday when he was a baby.  Crazy!!!

Did you know I am obsessed with fine hotels?  I love everything from the fancy sheets to the kiss ass service all the way to the products in the bathroom.  I am seriously that into it.  My goal in life is to make enough money to always  stay five star. I know this sounds ultra snotty and elitist and it is but a girl can dream, no?  Since my goal obviously isn’t possible now Mike took me to the Ritz Carlton Reynolds Plantation for the night.  Its my birthday Thursday and it was a great treat.

Overall, the best part by far was the food.  Everything in every restaurant was absolutely delicious (especially Gaby’s).  The infinity pool area over looking Lake Oconee was nice but it seemed a little small for the amount of people there.  We also weren’t feeling the room patios being so close to the next room.

Um, hi neighbor?

Thankfully the amazing service and overall look of the property made up for it.  On the way home we stopped through historic Madison which is a town I’ve always wanted to see.  We walked around and browsed through antique shops which was kinda romantic and fun (you can gag here, it’s OK).

On the work front we had some great interviews last week.  We chatted with Heather McDonald who is comedian on Chelsea Handler’s show.  We actually did stop by her book signing at Outwrite on Friday but there was no way to get an interview because it was too crowded.  Meanwhile, I give her and every celebrity credit who goes there to sign books.  Outwrite is an Atlanta icon and anything to drive people there is a great thing.  We also talked to Jenna Fischer who was really, really nice.

There is one other thing that happened which is why I took a personal day Friday—but I can’t say much about it.  All I can tell you is it involves one of my all time favorite things that I write about here all the time.  It was a random on how I got involved and I can’t wait to tell you the story when I can (sometime this fall!!).

Is it just me or has this week been super slow?  It’s probably because Charlie was gone all week in St. Simons with his grandparents.  We were there with him the week before and it was a really great family trip.  It was a change having the peace and quiet in the house for a bit but it was weird?!  Having him back just feels a little more normal.

It was slow on the interview front, I only talked to Kevin James who was pretty nice.  Next week we’ll be talking to James Lipton who is calling to promote “Inside The Actor’s Studio” with Jennifer Aniston.  Also, HLN’s Robin Meade is popping in to promote her country album “Brand New Day”.

I have to ask her if she knew Sting has an album with the same title?

Because I’m constantly prepping for work with the internet, magazines and newspapers it’s rare that I get to read novels.  I LOVE chick lit, so thankfully on vacation I did have a chance to finish “Fly Away Home” by Jennifer Weiner.  I have pretty much read all of her stuff and they keep getting better.  She has a new book coming out that I can’t wait to get–and hopefully she will be doing a press tour.

Mike and I just started watching “Breaking Bad” which is awesome.  Everyone has been telling me to watch and now finally AMC is running a marathon. We’re stocking up on the DVR so we can catch up to the new season.  Of course I’m still addicted to Bravo with my new favorite “Million Dollar Decorators”.  How great is that show???  Love all of the designers they are fantastic.  I’m thrilled “Flipping Out” is back with the hilarious Jeff Lewis.  He really needs a talk show, he is so funny.  I’m not feeling RHONJ, I don’t know what it is with those girls but I just can’t get into it.  NYC is another story, I’m kind of obsessed.  And obsessed with Countess Luann’s new song/video.  Um, amazing.

Just got back from the Pearl River Resort where Dave-FM took a bunch of listeners to gamble and see Sugarland.  Ther best part of the trip was seeing the concert and having a chance to interview Jennifer Nettles.  We walked onto Jennifer’s tour bus and she started by telling me how she’s been listening for years, loves Radio Free Lunch and “how is your mom”? Clearly she is not jerking my chain and is an actual listener.  After all of this I’m about to tear up because it was so overwhelming to hear this from a huge star like her.  The interview went GREAT and I have it on tape that she will come in to the Dave-FM studios and do a takeover.  We learned so much about the tour, what she does to stay in shape, how she keeps her voice healthy and working with Jon Bon Jovi.  Meanwhile those are just the highlights—we talked for about a half hour.  When I asked for a photo she was weary about it because she was wearing no make up (still looking beautiful though).  She invited us backstage to make up for this.  That worked .

The concert itself was FANTASTIC.  I’ve always been a Sugarland fan but seeing them perform live was a whole different story.  I especially dug the covers they did like “Bootylicious” by Destiny’s Child and “Like A Prayer” by Madonna.  Of course the hits were amazing too—I just love “Stay” and “Stuck Like Glue”.  After the show we met up with her and she had already changed into a robe and was apologetic about it (come on!).   She had already taken off her make up.  Meanwhile–look at this beautiful face:

Gorgeous right?  My favorite part of backstage was how she kept asking about my mom!  I can’t wait to see Sugarland again in October when they come back to Phillips Arena!  Arlene is thrilled about all of this and will probably fly in for the show.  I’ll keep you posted on when she comes in the studio.

Daryl is a freaking legend, an icon a powerhouse in pop music!!  I can’t believe I got to sit and hang out with him. A friend of mine (thx Cathleen, OMG!) is old friends with him so she went backstage to bring him dinner.  It was clear these two have history together as he was thrilled to see her.  It was so surreal but surprisingly I felt very comfortable in his presence. He was mostly excited about his new album that is coming out in September.  Hopefully there will be a solo tour that will make it’s way back to Atlanta.  I felt like such a nerd asking for this pic since this was so not a press meet and greet but he was SO NICE and was happy to oblige.  We did see John Oates on the way out and I wanted to say hello but he was hustling through backstage on the phone.  What an awesome night!!  LOVE Daryl Hall!!!

Last weekend was the junket in Sedona, AZ for the show “Falling Skies” which debuts Sunday night.  It’s a really good sci fi show and I’m not just saying this because they wined and dined me.  OK, Well, maybe a little.  Anyway, meeting and interviewing the cast was a real treat.  Noah Wyle is a really nice guy.

He actually came to the party with all of the DJ’s and just hung out with everyone.  There are a lot of Hollywood douches who wouldn’t do this.  He really didn’t seem affected at all which we totally loved.  The other star of FS is Moon Bloodgood who is absolutely gorgeous and had a great sense of humor.

We really dug her.  OK so, I’m not going to rag on my friend Dayle (yes I am) who wanted to turn in early the first night.

Had we stayed out like I asked to (which is rare since I’m usually the first to go to bed) we would have been hanging with Noah and the cast like my new friend Ted Stryker did.  Ted is a jock at KROQ in LA which is a legendary rock station.

If anyone deserves to be a Hollywood douche it’s this guy—which is why it was surprising that he was soooooo cool and down to earth.  Getting to know Ted and another couple (Todd and Beth from LA) was actually a big highlight of the trip.  For audio, video and more pics from the junket—you can see a recap here.

When I got back I emceed an event at the Fox Theater for the Tony Awards.  It was fun to co host with legendary CNN host and overall Atlanta legend Bill Tush.  He was a really nice guy.  Here we are looking like we are headed to prom.

This weekend Mike and I went to support our good pal Kevin Rathbun at Atlanta’s “Dancing With The Stars” which was a benefit for the Alzheimers Association.  It was actually really, really fun!  My favorite part were the judges, Monica Pearson and Justin Farmer from Channel 2.  She was totally the Simon Cowell (mean and snippy!  loved it!) which was hilarious. And Justin is a really FUNNY guy which is surprising since he’s kind of stiff and news-y on TV.  I know he has to be that’s why it was refreshing to see him so loose. Former Mayor Shirley Franklin stole the show, she was freaking awesome.

Today I’m kinda bummed about Clarence Clemmons—what a loss for rock and roll.  Isn’t it so wild that the last kind of appearance from him is with Lady Gaga?  Check out her new video “Edge Of Glory” with CC in it.  So sad.  RIP CC.

While we’re talking GAGA I am so obsessed with her new record and can’t stop listening to it.   We will have that on full blast for the upcoming “Gambling Girls Weekend” to Golden Moon/Pearl River Resort this week.  What’s great about this trip is that we are going to see/interview Sugarland.  Oh and gambling for work doesn’t completely suck either

This week we did an interview with the legendary Daryl Hall.  A friend of mine knows him pretty well so I’m going to the Hall and Oates concert tonight.  We are going backstage to say hello and I’m nervous/excited to see him in person.  He’s such a legend!  I will keep you posted.

Have a great week—-and sorry for the slow posting (whatever Fishman).

I’m still exhausted from last weekend’s GIRLS WEEKEND— 7 of some of my closest friends go away for a long weekend every year.  This time we went to the Rosemary Beach area (near Destin, Florida).  I just LOVE this part of the country.  Here are some of us on our way out on a night on the town.

That’s Jill, Beth, Dayle, Nikki, Shannon and me (not pictured Sharon and Allise).  We had too much fun in a fabulous house right on the beach.  The best part was that when we arrived the house had not been cleaned so we got a night and a half free!!  As usual we hit the delicious George’s on Alys Beach and the Red Bar in Grayton Beach.  Two super fun restaurants with great atmosphere.

Upon returning from a weekend of pure debauchery (don’t ask) it was work in full swing.  You can only imagine how stoked I was when my friend and publicist Michelle Sisco (thx girl!) invited us to visit the set of Drop Dead Diva where Kathy Griffin was filming an episode.   Elizabeth, Yvonne Monet and I drove to Peachtree City and boy was it worth it.  Not only was the cast and crew of DDD amazing—so was Kathy.

She was clearly working her ASS off but still took time to talk to us.  You can see more photos here and also listen to the HILARIOUS interview.  And on top of all of this her assistant Tiffany tweeted me to tell me that they were listening to Dave-FM on the way to the airport!  Um, amazing!!!  Thanks Tiffany!!

We also did some fun phone interviews this week with Maya Rudolph (love her) and Melissa Gorga from the Real Housewives of New Jersey (will post Monday).  We also talked to Daryl Hall (amazing!) and I’ll post that closer to the show date.

Today I spent the day shopping for house stuff—I’ve enlisted one of my good friends Tom to help Mike and I make our house more grown up—as in our house still kinda looks like a college apartment. So we hit some great Atlanta design and antique stores like Savvy Snoot (OBSESSED), Room and Board and Decades on Cheshire Bridge.  Meanwhile, I don’t know what’s more entertaining about this kind of shopping, looking at the items or the fabulously gay clientele at antique stores (double Love).  I will keep you posted on our progress.

As I write this we are about to go to Paul Simon.  Thankfully the rapture didn’t happen so the show will go on. What a relief!!!

Listen Tuesday for my fun interview with Kristin Wiig from SNL and Wendy McClendon-Covey from Reno 911.  It’ll be on RFL and I’ll do a “friend” theme They are both in the new movie Bridesmaids which is pretty cute.  I also had the chance to see “Something Borrowed” yesterday for Mother’s Day and it was really, really good.  For a chick flick that is.   I so want to hate Kate Hudson but she was actually pretty good.  Dammit.  Counting down to Wednesday—first I go to Charlie’s school for Mom’s Day which he’s been talking about for weeks.  Then I’m off to Sea Grove (near Destin) for my annual girls weekend!!  8 girls away from work, husbands and kids?  WATCH OUT.

Was awesomely busy and you know I love that.  Dying to see the movie “Something Borrowed” after talking to Ginnifer Goodwin who is too much fun.  A few days later the gorgeous and talented author of the book, Emily Giffin came in.  I now have a total girl crush on her because of the outfit, her charm and her asian (gay, i think?) assistant.  HOT.  See the full photo gallery here and the interview with video will be posted next week.  Now I really have to read her books, I hear they are awesome.

On Friday I invited a bunch of girls to hang out in the studio.  This was beyond fun and I loved them all!!  Thanks to Intimacy, Stella And Dot, Woo Cosmetics and Sun In My Belly for providing goodies for the gals.  The best part was how none of them knew each other and they all came away friends.  I feel like I made new friends too.

Photo by Liz Bradley

This weekend I’m chilling in preparation for my annual girls trip which starts on Wednesday.  8 of us go somewhere every year and the girls come from all over Portland, OR, North Carolina, Minneapolis, Boston and Alpharetta.  This year we are going (again) so Sea Grove, Florida (near Seaside).  SO excited for this you have no idea.

Tonight I’m planning on torturing Mike by watching the Lady Gaga concert on HBO tonight instead of going out.  And while we’re talking about GAGA I’m so not feeling the Judas video.  I was ALMOST over her until I then saw her on Oprah performing my new favorite song “You And I”.  This performance is SO Elton John and I’m kind of obsessing over it.  I wish she would stick to stuff like this instead of lame dance videos that are kinda obvious.  This is the reason why I am a little monster.  Watch it soon before Harpo takes it down: