AU vs AL A&M

Yesterday, Jillian and I took a trip up to Auburn to see the Alabama A&M band play at halftime. Just kidding; although I have a feeling that some people did attend the game for that very purpose. Before I go any further, I will simply state that their halftime show was somewhere between a train wreck and an unintentional joke... not the dancing spectacular that some would tout it to be. The microphone operator happened to be the best part as he would occasionally yell things like, "YEAH!" and "POP & LOCK IT NOW". Moving on...

The game was enjoyable as it was one of the few wins Auburn has experienced this season and I had the opportunity to catch up with a friend from college. Prior to the game we were able to walk around and see the new additions to campus; the new buildings and statues in front of the stadium shown below. Afterwards we walked back by what remains of the dead/dying Toomer Oaks to see them being rolled for, possibly, one of the final times. Enjoy the photos.

Barber Vintage Motorcycle Festival '12

I actually made an opening video... how 'bout that;

This was my second Barber Vintage Festival. There were only a few things different about this year than last. We missed side car races... again. This year we attempted to watch the dirt-bike race and missed it, so that was strike two. We did however catch the dirt bike stunt show:

Since Jillian was able to bring her bike this year she entered it in a vintage bike competition and, more importantly, was able to sneak onto the track and make a couple laps, before she was arrested...

Just kidding, no arrests. An unfortunate truth is that I don't have a decent video showing her ride down the main stretch. The trip ended well, as we made a celebratory trip to PF Changs and, as stated in the last post, was able to sneak away and speak with Jillian's father about the prospect of an upcoming engagement.

I'm Engaged!

It took me a while to get around to posting this, as I've been engaged since October 20th, but if you were to ask Jillian she would tell you it took even longer getting around to proposing. She was somewhat expecting it back when we went to Gatlinburg. As I hadn't had the the chance to speak with her dad yet, I was forced to disappoint her. We recently took a trip up to Birmingham for the Barber Vintage Festival and I was lucky enough to find a little time to sneak away and accomplish that task. so, with ring in hand and parental blessing, the time was at hand. She had recently suggested trying out the dining hall at the Grand Hotel in Fairhope, so I thought it was a perfect opportunity. Turns out, she thought the same thing and was why she suggested it. Sneaky one she is.
Well, we went early in the evening to try and catch the sunset from a window seat and just missed it. The atmosphere of the restaurant was very nice (but COLD); There was even a woman playing elevator music on the piano and taking requests. A side note: I requested "Girl from Ipanema" but left before she had the chance to play it. The food was as pricey as expected but delicious and the chef decided that we were hungry enough to send us complimentary chocolate truffles and strawberries after our desert. Stuffed, I asked her to join me for a stroll along the water.
My plan was to have her walk with me to a swing we had once sat in the night of a friends wedding, but a current wedding reception blocked us and was blaring, what I seem to remember as, 80's rap music. She convinced me to walk the other direction and we sat at an equally lovely spot with a great view of the shore line and out of earshot of the reception. I'll spare you all the things I said, but I ended on my knee and she said, "yes".
Here's a photo of the ring:

We've since made a website for our wedding, planned for next October. Feel free to check it out here.