Friends – Page 2 – Aubrey Up Close

May 12, 2015May 13, 2015

Wedding Bells in Sin City

I just spent an extended weekend in Las Vegas for my younger sister Adrienne’s neon-themed wedding – she the older of my 2 younger sisters! We weren’t on the strip, but in DTLV (downtown Las Vegas) and it was filled with fun festivities, true to the style of the couple we were there to celebrate. We stayed at the Downtown Grand Hotel which is a block off from Fremont Street, recently remodeled and very comfortable (and reasonably priced). We did head over to “the strip” for one night of table and bottle service partying, but everything else was within walking distance to the hotel, which was really nice. From the Container Park to Gold Spike, The Neon Museum and her post-ceremony venues of Le Thai and Commonwealth, it was the perfect wedding weekend. Many congratulations to my sister and new brother in law, may their marriage be blessed and filled with endless love.

Check out some of my favorite photos from our Sin City festivities…

March 25, 2015April 15, 2015

It’s a FastBreak Reunion

One of the things that people always like to “remember” about me is that I am a former Oakland Raiderette…and I am. However, before I ever stepped foot on an NFL sideline, I had the honor of dancing among some of the most beautiful dancers I have ever shared the stage with…as a member of the Sacramento Kings FastBreak Dance Team. It was the first professional (sports) dance team I had ever been part of, and it was a very memorable experience, from the great friends I made, to the the excitement of dancing on an NBA court and being part of the Sacramento Kings community.

Well, this past weekend we had a “reunion,” where the Kings invited back FastBreak Alumni to once again hit the hardwood and dance for the crowd during its game versus the Washington Wizards. Not all the ladies made it back, but there was about 30 alumni who were able to make it for the performance. It was such good times…a real sisterhood and pleasure for me to stand among the same beautiful dancers.

We did a minute and a half dance routine to “Uptown Funk,” during a second quarter timeout and overall, we all still “got it!” 🙂 And — one of the things that made this extra special for me was to have my family by my side, because for me, there’s no point in doing what you love if you can’t share it with the ones you love! <3

Watch a video of our performance, and see some pictures from the event below…

February 10, 2015February 10, 2015

Trivia Crack and ME

I had never even heard of “Trivia Crack” before the other day. It’s an online game, app, etc… Google Play lists it as:

Trivia Crack is the international smash hit game that pits friend against friend in different categories to determine who has the most trivia knowledge.

Okay, so the reason I am even mentioning this is because one of my friends apparently plays this and the other day a question about yours truly came up in the “entertainment” category! Imagine that…me a trivia question! haha

Anyway, she was amused by it and sent me a screen shot (BELOW). And — I’m happy to report she did answer that correctly. So, I guess this makes it official..I’m famous, right!?!? 😉

January 28, 2015

Live from the MIA

A good friend of mine is launching a new radio station “LIVE from the MIA!” It’s being billed as “Your Station for Every Generation!” It’ll offer a great mix of news, pop culture, movie reviews, celebrity interview and of course MUSIC!

Check it out at http://livefromthemia.tumblr.com/

WATCH the promo below for a taste of Live from the MIA…

November 23, 2014November 23, 2014

Troy Simmons at Context Art Fair

I couldn’t be more excited for Troy Simmons and his solo show at the Context Art Fair. I met Troy some years back through his wife who is also in the TV biz and since then I’ve become more familiar with his art, and it’s just so impressive how far he has been able to take his craft through his hard work and dedication. And – early December in Miami is kind of a big deal in the art world when Art Basel sets up shop and the world’s focus on art shift to the spotlight on South Florida. Congratulations to Troy and I wish him continued success!!

See the official press release below.

Local artist Troy Simmons has immersed himself in his latest artwork, exploring the evolution of urbanism and nature’s persistence to coexist. A consistent theme, which echoes true to his intense fascination with nature and modern Brutalist Architecture.

Under the direction of JanKossen Contemporary Art Gallery in Basel, Switzerland, Simmons will showcase his new concrete work during a solo show at CONTEXT Miami Art Fair December 2nd-7th at booth #E75. He will also have several pieces on display at SCOPE Art Show Miami Beach.

His massive, large-scale concrete canvases are a mix of acrylic paints and raw materials. At first glance, the magnitude of his work is clearly realized. Most of his pieces weigh more than 100 pounds. A rough and raw relationship often described as a cataclysmic illustration of urbanism.

Simmons calls his work a “re-incarnation of the Arte Povera genre” where the inclusion of simple natural elements, such as wood and soil takes an integral part in the creation of the art. His intended goal is to create a playful mix of the hard and soft, expressing the ideological perceptions of binary relationships.

Rochi Llaneza, Former Executive Director of Hardcore Contemporary Art, curated his first show in Miami in 2009. She says, “Creating an algorithm of inspired imagery, Simmons’ connection to his ecological charged pieces is clearly reflected in his use of re-purposed materials.”

The inspiration behind his latest collection evolved after a recent trip to Germany. He spent time with his wife’s family exploring Baden-Wurttemberg in the southern part of the country. The postwar architecture is a fragmentation of Germany’s traditional heritage mixed with simple modern construction.

Simmons currently works as a full-time artist, but his educational background is in Architecture and Environmental Science. He studied at Sam Houston State University and worked as an Environmental Lab Technician in Houston, Texas. He later went on to Oklahoma State University and earned a degree in Architectural Design.

Simmons is a Resident Artist at the Bakehouse Artist Complex in Miami’s Wynwood Art District. Sample of his current work at www.TroySimmonsStudio.com.

September 30, 2014September 30, 2014

Birthday in the Nation’s Capitol

I spent my (pre) birthday weekend in the U.S. Capitol with some of my best girlfriend’s. I’m not really big on making a BIG deal out of my birthday as I get up there in age…LOL, but since a few of my girls have relocated to the area and a few others willing to travel to hang out for a girl’s weekend…why not?

My first night in town we had dinner at The Hamilton, which is not only a very tasty DC spot, but they have a great ambiance and a performance venue there as well. A couple of my fellow NFL Pro Cheer Alumni gals (Joi and Mari) came out to break bread with me, and we shared so many laughs…weekend got off to a great start.

The next day we did some sightseeing…whenever you are in DC, a stop at 1600 Penn is a must! It was a beautiful weather over the weekend for walking around and taking in the DC sights…we squeezed in a little shopping too! 😉

That night we enjoyed a yummy dinner at STK in Dupont Circle. Pictured above (l-r) Cat, Dara, Cherisse, Norma, me, Rene and Rohelia. I am so flattered that all these girls made time to hang out…we all get so busy in our lives that sometimes it is tough to find time, and especially as a Mom now, my social calendar revolves around their activities…it was kind of different to be around so many “grown ups!” haha

One of the other big motivators to get to DC that weekend was to see my girl Anjelah Johnson’s show at Warner Theatre! She provided lots of laughs and I even got some one on one time with her at brucnh before we all headed home the next day.

Fun times for sure…it was “Miami” reunited in DC!! 🙂 Love my girls!!!

August 12, 2014August 12, 2014

You KNOW You’re an NFL Cheerleader IF…

I’m a former NFL Cheerleader for 2 different NFL teams (Raiders and Cardinals) and recently we had a reunion with women representing 24 different teams over the past 50 years! Anyhow, my “roomie” for the event was Shannon Oleen, a former KC Chiefs Cheerleader turned Inspirational Speaker. She was one of the speakers during our Saturday night gala and delivered a great message to all the attendees, preceded by her very TRUE and very FUNNY “Top 10 — You know you were a (former) NFL Cheerleader IF…” She tested it (the list) out on me beforehand and she was dead on!!!

So, I wanted to re-post her blog and share it with all of you!!! And — to all my fellow NFL Cheerleaders (Alumni, Current and Future), would love it if you chimed in on just HOW TRUE this all is!!!

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Top 10 Reasons, you know you were a former NFL Cheerleader:

10. You know you were a former NFL Cheerleader, because to this day, you cannot take a photo without the classic top pop.

9. You know you were a former NFL Cheerleader, because you have the best grapevine in your Zumba class.

8. You know you were a former NFL Cheerleader, because you have mastered the art of putting on eyelashes or nails, while driving. Shhhh!

7. You know you were a former NFL Cheerleader, because to this day you can still educate any man about the game of football, all of the rules and you can spot a tight end from a mile away, because you know your football facts!

6. You know you were a former NFL Cheerleader, if you are out for a girls weekend and you happen to bust out into sidelines #6.

5. You know you were a former NFL Cheerleader, because you know exactly which number, and which shade of red lipstick suits you.

4. You know you were a former NFL Cheerleader, because you’ve been asked a 1,000 times how many, and which players you’ve dated.

3. You know you were a former NFL Cheerleader, because to this day, your husband’s cousin’s boyfriend still asks you if you can get free tickets to this year’s season home opener.

2. You know you were a former NFL Cheerleader, because every time you step into a stadium, you get that tingle in your belly when you hear the national anthem.

1. You know you were a former NFL Cheerleader, because at the NFL Cheer Alumni Reunion, we took over the dance floor all night long.

August 4, 2014

24 Hours in Atlanta

I had a whirlwind weekend in Atlanta this past weekend, and while I would’ve loved to have been able to have been there a little longer, it was an unforgettable 24 hours in the ATL. The reason that brought me there was to attend the 2014 national Football Cheerleaders Reunion. The event is still in it’s baby stages, this only being the 2nd reunion ever to include all Alumni from NFL teams across the map. I missed the 1st reunion in 2012, as I had just had my first child, but I knew I wasn’t going to miss this one! The Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders Alumni hosted this event, and did an absolutely amazing job putting it all together. I’m so glad my limited time did not deter me from attending, it was so totally worth it to be there for the Saturday night gala and stand among some 250+ women, all Alumni of the various NFL Cheers teams…even the ones that don’t exist anymore!

There is nothing like being in a room full of women who have gone through the auditions, practices, workouts and game days you love and cherish. It’s an amazing almost indescribable experience, an instant bond, like being in a sorority, a real sisterhood where you KNOW these women KNOW exactly what it’s like to stand and cheer on the NFL sidelines.

All in all, 24 teams spanning 50 years of NFL Cheerleading, were represented, some that don’t even exist anymore. So if you didn’t know…now you do. The Pittsburgh Steelerettes, Chicago Honey Bears and Houston Oilers Derrick Dolls all had alumni in attendance. And –while I was the lone Arizona Cardinals Cheerleader alumni, there was also a former St. Louis Cardinals cheerleader in the building!

In the photo above are current and former directors of NFL Cheer Teams…and in the center is Suzanne Mitchell, the original director for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, a legendary woman, who spoke to us about how it all came to be…it was such an emotional moment feeling the deep love and appreciation everyone in the room has for her, knowing she was a huge part in paving the way for what the opportunity has become today.

I had a great time meeting A Raiderette sister, Elaine, who was an LA Raiderette before moving to Indy where she danced for the Pacers and Colts. I met the very sweet Lisa Guerrero who is a fellow broadcaster and former LA Rams Cheerleader…her resume also includes directing the Falcons and Patriots Cheerleaders. My roomie for the weekend is a fellow AFC West Alumni Cheerleader, Shannon Oleen who was a Chiefs Cheerleader. She is also an amazing public speaker who delivers inspirational messages and impressed at the Alumni Gala with her “10 Reasons You KNOW You’re an NFL Cheerleader.” All of them, so much fun!!!

There is nothing like line dancing and doing the “Wobble” with 200 plus former cheerleaders or busting out with game day choreography with your sisters on the dance floor. Cheers go out to Mickey Crawford who runs the Atlanta Alumni group and made this reunion happen, along with Terri Lamb who is the head of the Redskins Cheer Alumni group. I have had the pleasure of knowing them both for a few years now and I see their vision for uniting all the talented and amazing women who all share the distinction of being NFL Cheerleaders. I feel so blessed to have made so many new friends and just to be part of this elite network of women who are my sisters. I can’t wait for our next shin dig in 2016! Buffalo or bust!!!