Whose That Bird?

Two weekends ago, I made my debut into the Kentuckian lifestyle with participation in Derby Weekend. On Friday night, I took part in the highly-anticipated annual "celebrity stalking event" that Stephanie goes to every year with her Louisville friends. Basically, Patricia and Priscilla Barnstable (you know, the Doublemint Twins?) host a huge fundraiser gala benefiting The Barnstable Brown Kentucky Diabetes and Obesity Center every year before the Derby, which attracts wealthy donors and celebrities from around the nation. As each celeb is dropped off at the bottom of the Barnstable drive, replete with classy decor and red carpet-like festivities, an emcee announces them and plays theme music when appropriate. This year, we spotted En Vogue, Boys II Men, Larry Burkhead, Paris Hilton, Travis Trent, Nick and Drew Lachey, and coolest for me, Terry O'Quinn (who plays John Locke on Lost). He came right over to us and even talked for a second with one of my friends.



On Saturday, I braved the Derby with my friend, Leigh Anne, and her cronies from Greensboro, NC. We had a great time admiring the hats, suits, and horses at Churchill Downs. Here Leigh Anne and her friends sport their personally-crafted chapeaux.



What would the Derby be without a mint julep? Here Leigh Anne and I enjoy the tradition.



From celebrity stalking to midnight pancakes to Derby Day, apartment shopping, and visiting Sojourn, a potential Louisville church home, it was a great weekend. I definitely feel more Kentuckian. Now I just have to work on that accent, y'all...