Busy, Busy

When someone asks you how you are, do you ever answer, "Busy"? * I'm guilty. But, as a friend reminded me the other day, busy-ness is not a badge of honor and it does not make us happy. * My friend forwarded me an email explaining that one of the main causes of unhappiness among mothers is busy-ness. * The author made an interesting point that the Chinese symbol for busy is composed of two characters: heart and killing. * When we do too much and get too busy, the first things that get edged out are rest, fun and relaxation. * I do have a point. I'm telling you this because Mother's Day is coming up on Sunday. If you're a mother, may you learn to find ways to bring rest and fun into your life, even if it means the laundry goes unfolded for another day. * If you're not a mother, how about helping a mother get a day of restful, relaxing fun on Sunday? And maybe fold her laundry...

With that said, don't you dare try to do every single thing on the list of Outer Banks events this week! You'd be way too busy...

Wednesday is Cinco de Mayo, always a good reason to go out for Margaritas (as if you need a reason). * Celebrations are going on lots of places, but the Black Pelican in Kitty Hawk is having a benefit for the Outer Banks Relief Foundation from 6 to 9 p.m. with music by Mike Mangum, raffles, specials and more...

It's the opening week of the annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show at Roanoke Island Festival Park. * If you missed the opening reception on Sunday, make it a point to visit the show and see what all the local artists have been up to...

There's also a great show opening at the Dare County Arts Council Gallery this week: Linda Porter's nature and travel photographs. It opens with a reception on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m., which just happens to be First Friday...

The monthly First Friday events in downtown Manteo are getting bigger and better. * Bring the whole family downtown to listen to live music, meet and greet your fellow Outer Bankers, listen to live music, get some great deals in the shops, have a nice dinner out and just hang out in the streets of a small town. It's officially from 6 to 8 p.m., but the music and fun lasts longer. And this month, there's a new feature -- an Inn Crawl -- that allows you to get a closer look at some of Manteo's beautiful places...

Then we've got Shag OBX this weekend. * Get your mind out of the gutter, Austin, this one is a beach-music, shag-dancing celebration of the type that's widely popular at other N.C. and S.C. beaches. * Raising funds for the Community Clinic of Dare, the event will feature live music and dancing with Jim Quick and Coastline and DJ Ed Timberlake and dance lessons with Sam and Lisa West along with food, beer and wine, raffles, auctions and more at Pirate's Cove in Manteo. * See our Outer Banks By Day listings...

Another fun time should be the Wingo De Mayo Wine and Beer Jam and Great Wing Cook-Off at Native Vine in Point Harbor. The Wine and Beer Jam is on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., with about 60 wines and beers to taste plus two local bands per day. Saturday from noon to 3 p.m., you can sample a variety of wings. Advance tickets are available for $25, or it's $30 at the door, plus $10 extra for the wing cook-off. Call 491-5311...

If you don't dawdle, there's still time to register for the 27th Annual Yuengling Nags Head Woods 5K Run on Saturday at 8 a.m. This is the see-and-be-seen event for local runners, an out-and-back course on these beloved training grounds. There's also a 1-Mile Fun Run to follow. * The yellow flies have already made their seasonal debut, but that's good because the faster you run the less they bother you. * Someone told me to carry a sheet of fabric softener and the flies will leave you alone. * Might want to check that tidbit out on Snopes before you go stuffing your jog bra with Bounce...

Also on the fitness front, the free exercise classes in Duck Town Park started this week. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7:30 a.m. you can take a free yoga, tai chi and Pilates class with a certified instructor. * See www.townofduck.com/events...

On Friday all you booty shakers should get out there for Disco Night at Outer Banks Brewing Station to support Outer Banks Mommy & Me. There's a party in the VIP room upstairs from 7 to 9 p.m. and dancing and DJ and costume contest to follow...

Other things to do: On Saturday there will be a nice little event in Manteo with the unveiling of a life-size bronze statue of Richard Etheridge at Collins Park on Sir Walter Raleigh Street at 3 p.m. * Elizabethan Gardens is having its annual Mother's Day Plant Sale this weekend - it's a great place to find healthy plants and garden design inspiration. * On Sunday, Currituck Heritage Park wants moms to come out and fly kites from 1 to 4 p.m. The Fun Fly Festival is free, and moms get a free T-shirt if they fly a kite. At 3 p.m. they'll do a mass ascension to see how many kites they can get in the air at once. * Brunches, brunches everywhere on Sunday in honor of Mom...

And here is one final thing for you to consider: Essential Soul Retreats, brought to you by the good folks at Kitty Hawk Kayaks, is holding its first kayaking, surfing and yoga retreat from May 23-29. If a fitness vacation sounds like it's up your alley, check out www.essentialsoulretreats.com...

That's enough busy-ness for me. I'm going to play. * I'll be back with a new blog next Monday...

Check the site all week as businesses and organizations are adding new stuff here every day. If you've got a business or organization that wants to get the word out about something - a sale, a special, an event or a fund-raiser - click on Get Involved just on the right column of this page...

And put your 2 cents in. If you'd like to contribute or add your voice to this blog, you can do that below. Keep in mind that the blog comments are moderated so that this site is only putting positive vibes into cyberspace * We'd really love to hear from you...