TEXAS TENNIS OPEN & THE HEARTLINE FESTIVAL OF HOPE

This weekend was pretty packed to put it mildly!

Friday night, I got to don my tuxedo once again and go out to a fantastic annual charity event for Heartline: Festival of Hope. It was a gorgeous event, and honestly the food was absolutely delicious!  There was a silent auction, and I bid on a couple of items… however, unless I’ve missed their calls, I didn’t win lol. Which I’m really bummed about because there was a painting there I was pretty much in love with.

Saturday – bright and early, I got up to go to breakfast with a couple friends at a little local “hole-in-the-wall” restaurant – Ozzie’s – here in Norman… at 7 AM!!!  Because after that I had to hit the road and head to the first ever final for the Texas Tennis Open!

There were two finals – doubles and singles. The doubles involved: Alberta Brianti and Sorana Cirstea (Italy and Romania respectively) against Alize Cornet and Pauline Parmentier (from France… of course). It was a VERY entertaining match and lasted for quite a bit… but I have to say, the 106 degree weather without sunscreen made it a little less than pleasurable ha.

Sorana Cristea is really beautiful! Texas Tennis Open

After the doubles, I went in a mad dash in search of food before the singles final between Sabine Lisicki (about 20th in the world from Germany) and Aravane Rezai (from France… naturally). Ironically, both Frenchies lost lol. Sabine was absolutely AMAZING and totally blew her away. Rezai just ended up giving up towards the end.

The evening I was pretty much exhausted so called it an early night and woke up bright and early the next morning to go meet by better half (and new Dallas resident) Dominique for brunch at Breadwinners. I had banana bread french toast — my life is now complete.

All in all, a very good weekend! Hope yours was equally amazing!

It’s going to be a whirlwind next 6 weeks and I won’t be home ANY of the weekends – so I’ll try to do posts more regularly to keep you up to date!

Have a great night.

-Andrew

Oh and I ended the weekend with painting my bathroom a color (not done justice here) I now affectionately have dubbed “Expectant Baby Boy Blue”

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ELTON JOHN’S OSCAR PARTY

So I guess it was three weekends ago now- yes, yes, I’m slow to post- I attended Elton John’s Oscar Party which is a HUGE fundraiser for his AIDS Charity. I was lucky enough to be invited to the event by a new business partner and went with none other than Steven Tyler and his amazing girlfriend Erin. It was a truly magical night (not to mention the entire weekend!) full of amazing people, and I know I will remember it for the rest of my life.

Also- I got some video of Florence + The Machine performing at the event (she came and did an entire SET) including some of her and Elton performing Tiny Dancer which really completed my life!  I’ll try to get them up on Youtube and post links as well!

I hope to make it back next year, and someday soon bump myself up to the actual Oscars and the Governor’s Ball!  Hope you are enjoying your weekend!!!

-Andrew J

Inside the cocktail and later after party portion of the event tent- check out the mirrored dance floor. It gave me vertigo every time  I stepped on, but it will hold a very dear place in my heart because of a little encounter I had with none other than Vanessa Hudgens there.  Sigh- she’s pretty stunning in person, not going to lie.

This is Sean Parker who is an amazing personal trainer and fitness model in the UK. Super nice guy. P.S. he’s 6’4″!
And then- also from the UK, my friend LUCY!!! Who I have to credit for all of these pictures :). Isn’t she gorgeous? Not to mention she was rocking the heck out of that dress.

At our table inside the dinner and watch party portion of the event.

I love Erin, she is such a fascinating lady and so beautiful! On a side note- SHE is rocking HER Gucci dress like no other.  (Also, never realized till it was pointed out to me… but we look like we are related ha)

And to my left, Mr. Gale Harold from Queer as Folk. Also a very nice guy!

Finally- had to get my picture with Mr. Chase Crawford!  Such a fun night!!!

THE RACE FOR DEREK

Hey Guys, sorry for the slow down in posts. Things have been going fast and honestly I just haven’t been feeling extremely “inspired” to blog haha. Hoping that will change soon, but summer tends to put me outside a lot more and thus a slowdown in blogging. Slight change of pace today, a friend of mine from my hometown contacted me recently asking if I would please put up on Me & Marisa a short blurb about a fundraiser race that is being put on to benefit a guy from my hometown named Derek who has contracted cancer. Of course I said yes as I felt it was the least I could do to help out. So please read it over, check out the website, and if you feel so compelled to do so, attend the race or donate to help Derek and his family through this hard time. Hope you are all having a great week.
-Andrew J

The race is going to take place on May 22, and will start at 8 am at First Baptist Church in Claremore.  There is a 5K or 1 mile fun run option. You can walk or run either one that you want.  The cost is $20 per person and everyone that registers by May 12th will be guaranteed a tee shirt. The link I’m putting in here is a website that has anything and everything anyone could want to know. It has stuff about Derek, his battle, pictures, and of course the race.  Anyone that has questions or needs help with anything can call, text, or email Heahter.  Phone number is (918) 814-8581 and email is Heather.m.ping-1@ou.edu.
http://tkollock.com/raceforderek
-Heather Ping