Ashley Harris

Okay, a story. A funny one. Today my friend Melissa (yes, of the big green eyes) was bemoaning the fact that there exists no musical tribute to “green eyes.” It’s only about brown or blue eyes, she says, citing Van Morrison’s “Brown-Eyed Girl,” Elton John’s “Blue Eyes,” and dare we forget (I almost had!): Crystal Gale’s: Don’t it make my brown eyes blue….”

Well, driving home today, of all days, what song do you think came across the radio? Cliff Richard’s 1970ish hit, “Devil Woman.”

“I drank the potion she offered me. I found myself on the floor. Then I looked in those big green eyes, and I wondered what I came there for!”

My carpooler and I sang along and giggled for the rest of the ride home. Of course we called Melissa, couldn’t get her, and so we left her a  musical tribute of our own. Now, is this kind of tribute she had in mind? Maybe not. Is it worthy of her green eyes? Definitely not. Would most of us like to be called “Devil Woman?” Certainly not. But if anything, it was a fitting end to the kind of day that only “La Belle Dame Sans Merci” could appreciate.

Interesting day. Started out sunny, then turned rainy and teetered between the two extremes all day. It was hot, too, so it wasn’t a bad day to be at work, after all. Had a lot of catching up to do since my vacation but it’s always a pleasure to see my co-workers, especially my car-pool buddy. We keep each other amused the whole way to work and back, particularly laughing at the antics of our husbands and pets. Had she been born a couple of centuries before, she might well have been the subject of Byron’s classic: “She walks in beauty like the night…..”

Tomorrow, meetings, ugh. Ever since I read The 4-hour Workweek by Timothy Ferris–I admit I’ve had a rather negative view of them. The good news is that my trip to an annual strategic marketing seminar in Chicago was approved. I’ll be going there in July, which is a great time to be in the Windy City. And the conference itself is simply fantastic. I always return more energized, for work and life. And I’m sure there’s bound to be a creperie or two. Stomach is growling just thinking about it…..:)

Hi! Welcome to my website. Today, I’m getting ready to return to work after a relaxing, albeit short, vacation. During this time, I travelled to San Francisco, where I visited my dear, dear friend, Deborah, whom I’ve known since elementary school.

I’d never been to California before so it was quite the adventure. Very laid-back city, with stunning views all around. I hope to upload some pictures very soon. We toured the usual touristy spots–from Alcatraz to Fisherman’s Wharf and the saucy little town of Sausalito–but what I most enjoyed was reconnecting with Deb! We have the most wonderful friendship in the world. Our careers have taken us in different directions, and days, even years may pass by before we see each other, however, when we do it is like no time has passed at all.

Here’s to you, Deb, and to Elton John, Captain and Tennille, those late-night, off-off-Broadway shows, and those seemingly endless summers at Atlantic and Carolina Beach. I’m going to sign off now, and retreat to bed with the loveliest memories in my head. Sleep tight, world.