Detour to VEGAS BABY!

HEMME POWERED COLUMN: DETOUR
By TNA Knockout Christy Hemme

Hot desert air blows across my tired face, as I sit passenger in my own car. My friend is driving us home through the desolate, barren landscape, on our way back to Los Angeles. I can taste leftover party in my mouth, feel it steam off my skin and hear it in my fading voice. We could only be coming from one place... VEGAS BABY!

3 days earlier...

In my work and personal life, I have been very busy. I have to make a list right when I wake in the morning, just to keep everything I've got cookin, on the hot plate of the day. I am as ambitious in my professional career as I am in my hunger for life. But as of late, I've had some major decision's that needed immediate attention. Doesn't it always work out that way... everything kid of hits at once. Well, for a girl who likes to lay back in a situation to let it happen the way it is supposed to, I was thrown onto my own hot plate, with the weight of life holding me in the center of its heat.

When I need to think peacefully, I go to the beach, but when need to think with a little more intensity... I hike. I go to Runyun Canyon, which is in the Hollywood Hills, overlooking all of Los Angeles. Its the best workout ever, and through some aggressive trails I always get a clear rush of answers when I need them.

At the base of the hill I stopped at the AM/PM, because I had to pee likea race horse. I stood in line to buy a bottle of water, in order to politely ask where the restroom was and if I could use it. Like a scene out of a movie, my quick pee break turned into a 20 minute debacle. I hid in my own mind until, the ruckus outside demanded my attention. All at one time 5 costumers had completely unrelated problems that they each felt had an immediate sense of urgency. They were all yelling at each-other, the patrons in line and the cashiers. I would usually get very irritated at a scene of nonsense like this, but in light of all the things that were so much more important before my walking into the "convenient" store. I started giggling under my breath, as the whole scene became very silly. When I finally reached the front of the line the young cashier told me the bathroom was out of order. Of course it was I sighed, knowing it was just on of those days.

As I turned to walk out, one of the angry men arguing earlier was rushing back in, full force without even noticing me. Oh yes there was a major collision, that involved an entire rack of snacks. The man's anger drained from his face in light of my body sprawled out and padded with chips and nuts. He apologized sincerely and helped me up and out the door forgetting why his anger brought him back in to argue more. I looked at his softened face that was so rude to the poor cashier earlier, and asked him why he was so mad. "I work really hard everyday, and this is the only time of the day I get a break to myself... I guess I am just tired and taking it out on people who don't deserve it" he said with exhaust. "It sounds like you need a vacation" I said back. "Maybe so, if I could I would, we all need one sometimes" he said as he walked away from me to his truck. As I walked to my car, I got a text from Jess Ward (TNA production) that her and Leticia Cline (TNA hostess) were on their way to Vegas and since I was so close I should come on up... I thought about it for all of 2 seconds...

What brilliant timing... it was a sign, I had to go!! Or at least it was a great excuse, he-he.

Let's just say I never made it to Runyun Canyon. I turned around, picked up another friend always down for last minute shenanigans, and we made a road trip out of it. 6 hours, one In and out burger drive through break, 2 pee stops and much belly hurting laughter later, we found ourselves in Sin City. Not only was it Cinco de mayo weekend but also the De La Hoya vs. Mayfield fight as well, so there were a few people in town, lol. With a blur of dubotchorous behavior that I cant remember too many details of, we had a damn good time and Rehab at the Palms RULES!!

As I sit here lazily driving through this fantastic desert scenery, writing you a letter, I glance over at my list from a couple days ago.

Looking down the list, the items on it don't look as big as the day I wrote them. A tad overwhelmed, but not enough to fully admit it, lol... as my vision of order blurred, spilling into the things that swelled with their craving to be neglected for just a minute. I guess I just needed a little vacation too ;-).

Vegas must haves =

- At least one partner in crime... hehe

- A cute but comfortable pair of shoes... you may get stuck in them for a while.

- A bathing suit, cuz the pool parties ROCK!

- Goodies hangover powder, a huge glass of water and a Carl's Jr bacon western cheeseburger for the trip home... you'll be good as new!