Big Tex, Fried Foods and ME!

<click here for video>

We interrupt your irregularly unscheduled programming of Fitness Friday to bring you this important announcement...I am running for public office. Wait, no I'm not. But I AM in the running to be a judge for the Big Tex Choice Awards at the Great State Fair of Texas.

As you know, we have The Sparks Agency Fair Day at work every year. We take the day off work and head to the State Fair. We start the day with a Fletcher's Corny Dog, eaten at the feet of Big Tex, of course. Then, we make our way around the fairgrounds, seeking out the current year's fried food finalists, and judging for ourselves whether we agree with the Best Tasting and Most Creative selections. 

For the past five or six years, I've been trying to figure out how to become a judge for the Big Tex Choice Awards. I've been told that 'they' select judges who are local celebrities. Previous judges have been Mike Hashimoto & Jacquielynn Floyd, from the Dallas Morning News, Corby Davidson & Donovan Lewis, from The Ticket, and Representative Eric Johnson and Andrea Rega (I don't even know who she is!). Those people are celebrities?...pshh. I'll have you know, I've been on Animal Planet (with Speed Bump), on Texas Country Reporter (I met Muffin from Peppermint Place once) and in a car dealership commercial (Randall Noe Ford/Dodge). I'm about 3 1/2 minutes into my 15 minutes of fame. I'm not sure why I'm not "celebrity" enough. 

Not to worry, though. All that makes no difference now. For the 10-year anniversary of the Big Tex Choice Awards, the State Fair is opening the judging table for a citizen, for a fan of the fried food, for a friend of the fair, for --- ME! Well, almost me, anyway.

I need your help. To enter the contest, I submitted a 60 second video explaining why I will be the best judge for the Big Tex Choice Awards. I've been selected as a finalist, and now State Fair Fans (YOU!) have an opportunity to cast your vote for your favorite video (MINE!) and decide who will be representing fairgoers (ME!) on the judging panel. Voting is open between 9:00am on August 15 and 5:00pm on August 18. As they say, vote early and vote often (or at least as often as they'll let you). 

Click here for a link to watch the video and vote now!

It's a short video - they only gave me 60 seconds. I'll tell ya, a minute is a LONG time to do jump squats, but not nearly enough time to list all the reasons why I should be a judge. Here are some that fell on the cutting room floor...

• Not only am I a Native Texan, I grew up in Oak Cliff (where fried food was the only kind of food there was.)
• When the fried choices dwindled on the menu, my parents wisely moved us to East Texas, where fried will never die. 
• Prior knowledge of the layout of Fair Park leads to a near-perfect route, culminating in a ride back on the Texas SkyWay.
• The Butter Sculpture has included Armadillos.
• I cried (real tears, even) when Big Tex caught on fire.
• I fully support Go Texan (and have t-shirts to prove it).
• The Sparks Agency Fair Day includes an open invitation to all our friends to meet us at Big Tex to get the day started.
• I am awestruck by the Texas Star.
• I've made a pilgrimage to Kerens, Texas, the birthplace of Big Tex.
• I've met Miss Fernie, the brilliant mind that brought the Funnel Cake to the Great State Fair of Texas.
• Celebrities are not the only people who know good food when they taste it.
• I know where to buy Shiner Bock for the fewest number of coupons.
• I make sure to ride the Dentzel Carousel every year. 
• I know where the Dodge Mechanical Bull is located. 
• I once rode the DART rail to The Sparks Agency Fair Day.
• I am a TEXpert.

If you haven't already watched the video, go now. Hurry! And vote. 

Why I Should Be a Judge at the Big Tex Choice Awards Video

Cast

MaryEllen Miller - MaryEllenMiller

Fork Guy on Left - Glenn Hillin

Fork Guy on Right - Sparky Sparks

Big Tex Awards Finalists Tasters - Swift Sparks III

                                                                      Melody Tarno

                                                                     Robin "Skinny" Reynolds

                                                                          Matt Loving

                                                                          Dave McConnell

                                                                                                              Sparky Sparks                                    

                                                                           Glenn Hillin

Lead Racing Armadillo - Speed Bump

Mascot Armadillo Racer - Raider Red

Director - Sparky Sparks

Writer(s) - Glenn Hillin, Sparky Sparks, MaryEllen Miller

Executive Producer - The Sparks Agency

Director of Photography- Glenn Hillin
Production Designer - Sparky Sparks
Costumes - Jan Sparks
Craft Services - Becka Brown
This video was made on location at The Sparks Agency, entirely during business hours. 
No armadillos were harmed during the filming of this video.
Characters and incidents portrayed and the names herein are completely real, and any similarity to the name, character or history of any fictitious person is entirely coincidental and unintentional.

Thank you for your votes. 

With warm, deep fried regards, 

~ME:) 

It's true...I'm certifiable

Six years ago, after a brief hiatus from the corporate workforce, I was ready to get a full-time, outside-the-home job again (mainly because my job as a stay-home mom wasn't working out all that well and I think I was perilously close to being fired).  In my job search, I, of course, scanned our local newspaper's classified section.  (That plan had proven successful on two previous occasions, so I figured I'd stick with what works.)  I saw an ad that said something like this, "Office Manager needed for administration duties.  General office skills necessary.  Party planning experience preferred."  

Well, it just so happens that I have mad general office skills.  I can enter data like nobody's business.  Microsoft Office is a walk in the park.  I'm an excellent proofreader (of someone else's work, that is).  Google...let's not even get started on that.  I can answer a phone with a smile in my voice and a pleasant "please hold while I get him on the line for you."  AND, my Sweet Hubby Ryan and I have FOUR kids...I have planned some fabulous parties.  I sent my resume, got the interview (nailed it!) and here I am, six years later, doing work that I LOVE.  

As Chief Executive Factotum at The Sparks Agency, I get to go to work every day with people I really like.  I have a boss who considers me an intellectual equal (although he is way smarter than I am).  I'm part of a creative process that is constantly coming up with new, interesting and fun ideas that translate into memorable events for guests visiting Texas from all over the world.  Yes, I do have to utilize those mad general office skills, but I also get to go to all kinds of fun events.  I have become a Special Events Professional.  But wait, there's more!

In the special events industry, one can become a Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP).  These four letters behind one's name are very prestigious and honorable.  "Being a recipient of the CSEP designation  demonstrates a continuous dedication to enhance individual and professional performance.  The CSEP designation offers a competitive advantage when soliciting business as either a special events industry supplier or planner.  It represents proof of your professional market knowledge."*  All it takes is three years actual work experience (got it!) and an exam.  Oh yeah...there's a test.  It's an essay test, too - the worst kind!  Well, there is also a vocabulary section, but vocab is a piece of cake.  (It's not very good cake, but it is calorie-free.)  

Being the smarty-pants that I am, I decided I MUST have these letters behind my name.  (I mean, all the cool kids have them, and I definitely want to be one of the cool kids.)  Not only will I be able to have the honor and prestige of being introduced as MaryEllen Miller, CSEP, I'll get to go to the private, exclusive CSEP events at ISES events and conferences.  It's like a not-so-secret club.  Oooh!  Oh yeah, as an added bonus, I will gain a lifetime of knowledge that can only enhance my abilities as an employee, an event planner and a human being.  

All that leads to this...I have taken the plunge!  Thanks to a scholarship from TxACOM (a fabulous events industry organization), I applied to take the exam.  So I got to work.  I joined a great group of colleagues from across the industry for a discussion group.  I worked tirelessly to complete the outline that will make up the exam. (OK, not tirelessly, I was WIPED OUT when I finished that sucker!)  I studied the vocabulary words.  I got registered at the testing facility.  (Yeah, I have to go to a testing facility - this is big time, I'm telling ya.)

Our Discussion Group: Leigh, Maggie, ME, Jayna & Kay

On Thursday, July 18, at 10:30am, I will begin the certification process.  When I walk out of there four-and-a-half hours later, I plan to only await the confirmation that I passed.  Three separate CSEP raters will evaluate my answers and will let me know if I pass or fail (I mean, will let me know that I passed).  I have studied hard and I have a great support system.  I'm feeling pretty good about this.    

So, my friends, I'm accepting any and all prayers, well wishes, good lucks and other good vibes you can send my way.  I'm certainly happy to reciprocate when and if you ever need prayers from me.       

Much love and many blessings to you!
~ME:) 

*direct quote from the CSEP website home page