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Wanderlust Sunday: The Gift of Travel

2010-03-21T15:42:00Z

I imagine the following conversation echoing through the halls of university soon...

"Knock knock."

"Who's there?"

"Cecilia."

"Cecilia, who?"

"Cecilia later, alligator... I'm graduating, and moving on."

My dear friend will be Dr. Cecilia this summer.

So what's the deal bringing that up today? Graduation gifts are not in order until June. But today happens to be another gift-giving occasion. Today, Cecilia turns another year old.

She got the gift of a telephone serenade from me. I'm just that kind of generous. But it has me thinking about what I would give if the sky were the limit: A well-deserved vacation.

So I'm going with the thought-that-counts approach, and listing some hypothetical examples... Happy birthday, Cecilia. May the coming year be a great journey.

Dog Days of Summer Camp

Camp Gone to the Dogs
Marlboro, VT

Photo: Camp Gone to the Dogs

Cecilia loves dogs. She has three that are not merely pets, but family. Where's the perfect family vacation spot for a person with four-legged kids? How about Camp Gone To The Dogs in beautiful Marlboro, VT.

Close Your Eyes and Say "Spa-ahhhhhhh"

The Golden Door Spa
Escondido, CA

Photo: SpaFinder.com

The Golden Door Spa is one of the most exclusive spa experiences in the US. In fact, it's even listed as one of the 1,000 Places To See Before You Die. Show of hands: Who doesn't like to be pampered? Thought so. Cecilia's hand isn't in the air either.

Gridiron Getaway

NFL Draft 2010
Radio City Music Hall - NY, NY

If you could see a line-up of everyone I know in common with Cecilia, it would be easy to determine which-one-is-not-like-the-others during football season: Cecilia is the one wearing face paint and a foam finger. So I'm putting tickets to the NFL Draft on this list. New York City in April? I'd even go with.

Haunted Holiday

Cobblestone Ghost Tour
Savannah, GA

Photo: boatjt

One of Cecilia's TV favorites is Syfy's Ghosthunters. She's from New Orleans and has seen an unexplained thing or two. So I include a haunted tour of Savannah, Georgia on this list. The old city is said to be the most haunted in America.

The "Big-City, No-Bra-Wearin', Hairy-Legged Women's Libber" Tour

Mall of America
Bloomington, MN

Cecilia knows every line from her favorite cult-classic movie, Drop Dead Gorgeous, and would recognize this characterization from main character, Gladys Lehman: Big-City, no-bra-wearin', hairy-legged women's libbers!

The girls of this small town Minnesota mockumentary go to the Mall of America in "Sin Cities, AKA Minneapolis - St. Paul" for their performance wear. I'd send Cecilia shopping there too.

Veggie Vacation

Greens Restaurant
San Francisco, CA

Cecilia is a foodie, which is to say that she likes fine fare. As a vegetarian, it's not as easy to find restaurants that cater to meatless tastes. San Francisco's Greens Restaurant is known as a vegetarian's delight. San Francisco is famous for its culinary options -- according to TripAdvisor, Greens is among the best vegetarian restaurants in the country.

How Are You Celebrating National Corn Dog Day?

2010-03-20T17:21:00Z

Photo: denverjeffrey

And you thought today was just the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. For Americans, it's National Corn Dog Day. In this household, we're celebrating something more special on this day of new beginnings and corny traditions: It also happens to be Rufus' birthday!

We're not having corn dogs.

But it does seem somehow apropos. The last year of his being has been documented in a series of carnival-of-life posts.

So if you'll indulge me, I'd like to honor Rufus by taking a look back. How are you celebrating National Corn Dog Day? I'm counting the many reasons why Rufus is a beloved character in my life...

The Introduction: Smarter Than He Looks

Rufus is a codename. The man behind the silly blogger is pretty smart - he knew to choose one that would suit the caricature he'd become. From his debut as a beloved character in my life, it's been clear: He's waaaaaaay smarter than he looks.

I'd Like a Beaver Press, Please

He chose Rufus because he knows me and all my dorky little habits. The fact that I cannot pass through a small town without picking up the local paper, for example, is such a nerd alert, I belong with a Rhymes-with-Doofus. But this little personal quirk sometimes brings great insights. Here's how Rufus inspired a revelation about the whole fledgling industry when I absolutely had to have a Beaver Press.

Non-Spurious Cream and Other Job Hunt Essentials

And though he may make fun of my obsession with newspapers, he's been known to pick up a copy, himself. That's where he found this want ad for an exciting career opportunity. It inspired this ever-so helpful post about Non-Spurious Cream and Other Job Hunt Essentials.

Confucius Rufus Say The Keys to Success

He's not merely smart. He's wise like Confucius. Seriously. Just look at what I found in the kitchen drawer -- Confucius Rufus' Key to Success.

One Small Misstep For Woman On One Grand Jete For Mankind

I do sometimes have to stop and wonder though: Is there a difference between "smart" and "know it all"? Because Rufus does seem to know all. I mean, come on -- he's known all along that there's no such thing as magic boots. It's humbling.

Who Wants To Know If They're a Cougar?

He might understand physics better than I do, but I still claim to have a better grasp on physique. This story is classic "He Said, She Said" on the topic of Cougars. For as long as the question in this most-read column goes unanswered, I'll continue believing I'm right.

How to McGyver a Christmas Tree

Of course, if creativity is any indication of genius, then Rufus proves his smarts all the time. These are skills that can be transferred to year-round projects -- Here's how Rufus demonstrates his ingenuity by teaching us how to McGyver a Christmas Tree.

Please Don't Put JJelly In My Jjambbong, Bob

Of course, even smart guys get tripped up in situations with a language barrier. Not even the server in the Korean restaurant we visited could help free him of ignorance. I don't know how to tell you not to make the same mistake. I think you just have to specify that you don't want jjelly in your jjambbong, just in case.

Green Thumb Against Backdrop of Brown: The Mojave Crop

I think it's obvious that he's smart. But what's more attractive is the fact that he's caring. He's determined and hard-working, as evidenced by his Mojave Crop.

Happy Birthday Baby-- Let spring and your new year begin! How ever the rest of you choose to celebrate -- or not -- Happy National Corn Dog Day to all of you.

Photo Friday: The Legend of Dead Horse Point

2010-03-19T07:01:00Z

Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah
32 miles from Moab, on the way to Canyonlands National Park

Utah! It's often spelled with an exclamation point. Once you visit, it's easy to see why. Since the last two Photo Fridays here have been dedicated to the excited punctuation-worthy Canyonlands(!!!), I thought I'd use today's post to tell you about a different kind of point:

Dead Horse Point!

Oh, it deserves that little punctuation punch too. It's a Utah State Park, located just 32 miles from Moab. You come to the entrance on the way to Island in the Sky, the north district of Canyonlands. I recommend stopping -- It's well worth the extra time.

Dead Horse Point overlooks the Colorado River 2,000 heart-stopping feet below. You're 6,000 feet above sea level, and at least 1,000 miles from your troubles.

It's simply breathtaking.

You wouldn't think a spot with such a grave-sounding name would bring about feelings of peace. Life may not have been entirely peaceful for the early ranchers who survived on this rugged land. This spot was more valued for its utility than scenery.

It was the perfect natural corral for wild horses roped and rounded up. Sheer drops into the canyon made the strip of land inescapable from either side, and the exit easily fenced off. Cowboys broke the best horses for personal use, and sold some to people in other areas -- before the car, I imagine this was big business.

One version of the legend says the "leftovers" were left behind without water. A tragic irony, the captives died within view of the unreachable river. A more romantic version of the story says the gate was left open for the unwanted to run free. For some unexplained reason, they didn't. The spot was too mesmerizing and beautiful is what we're intended to believe.

The human history of the place goes back a whole lot farther than the cowboys. And relative to its geologic history, the story behind the name is just a speck of time. If you're visiting Moab area and headed to Canyonlands, don't miss Dead Horse Point -- these days it's about scenery not utility. The stunning panorama is sure to add another exclamation point to the memories of your trip.

Thanks to Delicious Baby for hosting travel stories for Photo Friday.

The Lazy Worm Survives The Early Bird

2010-03-18T07:15:00Z

Photo: Hooked on Life

"If the damned worm would just learn to sleep in a little longer, the early bird gon' go and eat sum'n else." -- Unknown

This is the philosophy of man I once overheard in New Orleans. I suspect he might have lived on a regular Breakfast of Champions himself. You know -- the kind of breakfast that includes beer and cold pizza . You would probably never hear this kind of sentiment from someone who eats from a Wheaties box.

Oh, sage advocate for laziness - where do you find the stamina to come up with such revolutionary ideas?

It stands to reason, I guess. The lazy worm would survive the early bird... but I bet the feathered lunch crowd is just as hungry. What kind of victory is it for the worm, anyway? It's still got to compete with all the morning risk-takers for its own food.

The late bird catches the lazy worm. The early bird catches sum'n better. Rearranging an adage doesn't reorder the way of the world.

This is all very easy for me to point out, because I am an early bird. I don't know how many proverbial worms I catch because of it, but it's not unusual for me to have my coffee before the birds even start the morning hunt.

My point isn't really about what time to wake up. Sleep as long as you can if that suits you. Have whatever Breakfast of Champions you like. I just think it's curious, this disguised wisdom identifying with the worm, and not the bird. I don't know about you, but I aspire to be higher on the food chain, even if the lazy worm does survive past lunch.

Today's Theme Thursday topic is breakfast. Bon appetit, early birds.

Kiss Me, I'm Foolish: Luck of the [Pretending to Be] Irish

2010-03-17T15:36:00Z

photo: kk

This is not the man I met, but I sure do like his style. KK snapped this shot at an Irish Heritage Festival in Vancouver. Parties celebrating St. Patrick and the Irish are taking place all across the globe today. For a list of fun Irish pubs in the US, see Laura Martone's American Nomad post as a guide.

You know the Irish haven't been particularly lucky, right? Oh, I'm sure there have been individuals who've struck gold or caught the big one. But with the country's history of colonization, starvation and mass emigration, that whole Luck of the Irish thing is ironic.

I have the luck of the Irish. At least, I did when I attended St. Patrick's Day festival in Savannah, GA, which boasts the second largest gathering of green-clad revelers in the US. What a party! It was fantastic! I was all of 20 at the time. And I thank my lucky shamrocks only my ego got hurt.

Don't get the wrong impression of Savannah's annual spectacle just because I had bad luck. It wasn't the crowd that posed a danger. It was that one cute guy in the window of the pub.

It was totally his fault.

See, Savannah's historic district has beautiful centuries-old architecture that lines the pedestrian walk. Many of these buildings now house great cafes and bars with sidewalk seating or big old-style windows that open to the world.

The cute guy was sitting at a table parked in the open window of one of these places. The grand wooden window frame made him seem like a painting I'd like to take home and hang on the wall. He winked at me as my friends and I were parading past on the sidewalk, which was all it took to make the party around me fade into a dream.

I smiled back with flirty "Kiss Me, I'm Pretending to be Irish" eyes. For the record, this is different than "You're Getting Lucky." But it turned out not to matter what my facial expression meant, because it's the look of surprise that came next he'd be more likely to remember.

I heard my name. It was called out in a shrill kind of scream, really. My friend was trying to warn me. But I didn't turn around in time to see the modern fixture in this old-world dreamland. I just tripped right over the fire hydrant.

Airborne.

Over a fire hydrant.

Uh-huh.

Inertia took the top part of my body after my legs had been knocked off balance by the steel obstruction. And as we know, a body in motion will stay in motion until something like, say, a sidewalk pushes against it.

I would like to think the cute guy in the window gave me style points for not chipping a tooth or breaking my neck. But it's more likely he was laughing even harder than my friends.

And let me tell you: they were laughing pretty hard. None of 'em were much help as I tried to untangle my legs from around the hydrant, and right myself in the midst of my own convulsive giggles. But I cut them some slack, because I had help... from the leprechaun who reacted faster.

A man in a green top-hat and tail-coat had seen this scene play out from a distance, and came swinging his shillelagh over as soon as it happened. It's oh-so easy to be humble when passersby gather to watch a spritely man in sequins check your knees and elbows for scrapes.

I was fine. Really, I was. My embarrassed gratitude must have translated to "Kiss Me, I'm Foolish." The nice leprechaun kissed my bruised elbow, and bid us all a lucky day. So to you, dear reader, how ever you maybe celebrating today -- I wish you the kind of luck that's not ironic... unless you want to be kissed by heroic men in tights.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Beware the March of Chides

2010-03-15T18:48:46Z

This is our cat Jackpot doing his Julius Caesar impression this morning. I forgot to tell him to "Beware the Ides of March."

"Beware the Ides of March."

What a great soundbite. If William Shakespeare were living today, he'd surely be inducted into the political spin-zone as a guy who knows how to make public opinion shift.

"Beware the Ides of March" is the line he wrote for a soothsayer -- the character of a first century psychic in an Elizabethan-era play. She said it to warn Caesar of the conspiracy against him. It's short and catchy, suspenseful and a little gossipy without evidence or detail -- perfect for the news of today.

Can't you imagine the montage of pundits and anchors repeating the line again and again? Like an ad campaign, branded. But with plausible deniability about spreading propaganda, because it's merely reporting what some wise oracle said.

Jackpot here doesn't fall for that kind of drama. My little thespian is a satirist at heart. Sure, it happens to be true that Caesar was assassinated on March 15th, and that some accounts of history say he was warned of it. But Jackpot knows that if ancient Roman news producers had given this prediction any attention on the 14th, they would've just been using it as a talking-point to promote agenda, not reporting fact. Before the Ides of March, it would have been about the march of political chides, skewed depending on your demographic.

Beware the march of chides.

Short and catchy, suspenseful and a little gossipy without evidence or detail -- perfect for the blog post of the day.

I know - some of you think I'm exploiting my cute cat. You think he was just napping and I happened to catch him in a Shakespearean pose. Then how do you explain why he's standing at the food bowl reciting Friends Romans Countrymen right now? I must go lend him my ear. He only gives speeches when he needs something.

Wanderlust SUN Day: Places to Celebrate a Long Day

2010-03-14T08:04:00Z

A long day doesn't sound like a thing to look forward to unless you're talking about extended sunlight. Ahhhhh, magnificent sun -- I think losing an hour today is a small price for more of the stuff going forward. Yeah, I know. It's the Earth's rotation that affects when we see the sun, and the Vernal Equinox is still a week away. But as a resident of the Northern Hemisphere in March, I'm okay with the time change to help the long days along.

So I made a list on this first day of Daylight Savings -- Places to celebrate a long day. My selections are limited to the US, but please enlighten us with other suggestions if you'd like to.

Bryce Canyon Sunrise Point
Bryce, UT

Photo: Picture Taking Fool

It's only fitting to start this celebration of sun at first light. Bryce Canyon's famed Sunrise Point is named for its stunning views at dawn. In my opinion, any national park is a reason to celebrate daylight. I have never visited one that I wasn't racing against the sunset to see... do... experience... more of it.

Carlsbad Flower Fields
Carlsbad, CA

Photo: Bill Gracey

Flowers are a pretty phenomenal gift from sunlight, and Carlsbad, CA Flower Fields offer a jaw-dropping display. Fifty acres on a hillside overlooking the Ocean are completely awash with vibrant colors. Located in San Diego's North County, spring comes early -- According to their website, twenty acres are now blooming.

Dane County Farmers' Market
Madison, WI

Photo: beautifulcataya

Fruits and veggies like long days. And I like fruits and veggies. So I highlight Wisconsin's Dane County Farmers' Market in this celebration of sunlight. According to Diddit.com, it ranks as the largest producer-only farmers' market in the US. Of course, you don't have to travel to Madison, WI to shop for fresh produce. But in my opinion, if you're visiting somewhere with a good one, it's worth checking out.

Gauley River Rafting
Lansing, WV

The thing about longer days is that it allows more time to have outdoor fun. That's not news. You know this. Things like hiking, nature watching, and rafting really need natural light. When we rafted the Colorado River last summer, our guide was a lifelong river runner. Though I've never been to The Upper Gauley in West Virginia, I trust his recommendation that it is the wildest, most adventurous white water rafting experience in the country.

Hanalei Bay
Kauai, HI

Photo: Jeremy Hall

It practically goes without saying that time at the beach is a reason to relish longer days. This shot is of Kauai's Hanalei Bay, considered by Petrix to earn top rank among all US beaches. Is it the best spot? That's highly arguable in a category with such tough competition. It just makes me smile and appreciate all the other possibilities.

Rock City
Chattanooga, TN

Photo: aeu04117

Sunlight gives visibility, and this high altitude spot on the Georgia / Tennessee border punctuates how sunlight is needed for that. This is "Lover's Leap" at Rock City, where visitors can look to the horizon and see seven states at once.

Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel
Santa Monica, CA

photo: saarinen

Visiting the famed Santa Monica Pier is a fun way to spend a day, which is reason enough to mention. But did you know the ferris wheel there is the world's first to run on solar power? At night - still powered by solar reserves - it lights up with LED lights.

Photo Friday: Canyonlands Needles

2010-03-12T07:12:02Z

Tent with a view: We used Mike Matson's Moon Utah Camping guide to make decisions on where to set up camp. We wouldn't have found this perfect private spot within view of the Canyonlands Needles without it.

Southern Utah's Canyonlands National Park is divided into north and south districts. The North district is called Island in the Sky, which I shared in last week's post. Just 15 miles as the crow flies, but 137 miles by car is the south district called Needles.

Needles is a lot lower in elevation than The Island, so it offers greater opportunities for extended hiking and 4WD exploration.

We took the Elephant Canyon Trail, though we did not hike the length of the 11-mile loop to see the famed Druid Arch. Even still, our 2ish-mile leisure walk did not disappoint.

Once you get beyond the steep, but short, Elephant Hill, you find yourself on a level trail in a maze of interesting rocks.

Then you get some perspective and get to see what you're walking across the tops of. I don't know what these pillar-like features are called, but it's pretty surreal to walk along them.

Once The Needles are in sight, you start to feel like you're looking at Oz. It reminded me of the skyline of a distant city, but too dreamlike to be of this world.

The Needles themselves are massive red and white eroded sandstone pillars that extend for miles beyond this shot. We were losing daylight and expected rainy weather, so this was as close on the trail as we got.

Thanks as always to Delicious Baby for hosting travel-inspired Photo Friday stories.

One Size Head Fits All Hats

2010-03-11T19:19:00Z

Today's Theme Thursday topic is HAT. And my first thought was: just one?

What hat you wear symbolizes profession -- a visual representation of that thing you do. You know -- that thing -- As if there's only one, for which one size hat fits all. Of course, anyone in the workplace will tell you it doesn't quite work like that. It seems more likely your one size head needs to fit all hats.

I bet you can relate to this...

Photo: Paida70

You put on your thinking cap to solve a problem or come up with a new idea.

Photo: Cooperis

You must then pimp the idea to secure funding.

Once somebody in an accountant's visor peers over the top of his or her glasses to approve, your work is really cut out for you then...

Photo: jmtimages

You wrangle the details...

Photo: GregWake

Detect the potential pitfalls...

Photo: KayVeeInc

Put out the fires...

Photo: Robin Hutton

And police the rules.

Familiar? Sure it is. Bet you've worn even more hats than that. Count your roles as parent, spouse, child, and citizen, and you better have one over-sized hat box. It's good though, this variety. I happen to like lots of costume changes in a day. So if you'll excuse me, I'm going to put on my thinking cap. I need to solve some problems and figure out some new ideas.

How To Make An Impression On The Woman of the Year

2010-03-10T15:00:00Z

Photo: Hustle Roses

You know I can tap dance right? Hey, I'm no Gregory Hines, rest his soul, but I've got some moves.

I don't know how this came up on my second day of work. It was a tid-bit I threw out during a game of "Get To Know The Newbie." My new teammates were gathered round my cube interviewing me to make sure I was their kind of people.

The feisty one with the fun-loving smile asked me to prove it. Her adopted catch phrase around there was, "Love your show!" And she wanted to see mine right then and there.

"Absolutely not." I told her. I was a professional woman -- whatever I thought that meant at age 27. It was fine that she accused me of bluffing -- I would not be auditioning for the role of department clown.

Besides, it was clear the group already had one of those. Ms. "Love Your Show" sincerely loved people, which was obvious from the way they were all drawn to her. She made people laugh with her silly antics, never with catty jokes at someone else's expense. Even on my second day of work I could tell she was a kind soul.

Later that day I went to the restroom. And whose great shoes should appear in the stall next to me, but Ms. "Love Your Show's" This was private time, so I dared not interrupt her thoughts by announcing myself and saying hello.

But the clown in me saw an opportunity. The chance to prove I'm trustworthy and not a liar, at a time she would least expect. Please no Larry Craig jokes here -- I'm being serious. This is the moment we made lifelong friends:

I straightened my skirt and cleared my throat. I said nothing. Just moved my feet:

Tap, hop, step, fa-lap, step, shuffle, hop, toe, heel!

Other side!

Tap, hop, step, fa-lap, step, shuffle, hop, toe, heel!

Have you ever heard an uncontrolled laugh reverberate off a bathroom wall? Try two people laughing, because I started giggling in reaction to her.

That was a decade ago, and we've both moved on to other things since. She's still proving she's a good soul. Obviously, because the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of San Diego, where she volunteers a lot of her time, has nominated her for 2010 Woman of the Year!

"Don't be misled by the name of the campaign, as it is NOT about me or my team," she wrote in the email making this announcement. Humble, like all altruistic good souls are.

"It is simply about raising money to save lives."

Simply about saving lives. No big deal.

It's a ten-week national fund raising competition that kicks-off tomorrow. With your help -- if you're so inclined -- she and the team she's rounded up can reach their $50,000 goal.

Don't go away -- I know you may not have cash. They're planning a charity auction you might be able to contribute to. She's looking for:

"Anything from collector’s items, gift cards, service certificates, restaurant certificates, airline tickets, hotel stays, or even the donating of space for upcoming events."

If you would like to make an impression on this would-be "The Woman of the Year" without tap dancing in a bathroom, you can make a tax deductible donation of money or auction items to this cause. Cash donations are accepted starting March 11th, 2010. Please visit Gellie Go-Meyer's "Woman of the Year Campaign" Fund Raising Page.

Good luck, dear friend - I'm glad I met you. Knew you were an angel from day one. Love your show!

The Shape of Time and Progress

2010-03-09T17:06:00Z

photo: kapungo

Back when Ronni and I knew everything, we'd sit around reflecting on our vast real-world experience. We were old and wise. I mean, seriously - we were legal. So after classes and our minimum-wage jobs wrapped up for the day, we'd take our 21 year-old selves to the bar to talk philosophy.

Sometimes we'd engage in healthy debate.

I argued, essentially, that we were currently living the renaissance of our lives. As we entered the workforce after graduation, our careers would give us increasingly specialized knowledge.

Splat.

What I was describing was a pyramid - like an upside down ice cream cone, Ronni thought. She wondered why I'd want to know less as I got older. She thought the cone should be the other way -- biggest at the top after a lifetime of learning.

Hmmm...

We had a sip of cheap draft and went on to discuss other heady things like where to go for spring break and how it was better to date a guitarist than a drummer.

Like I said. We knew everything.

Now I believe -- read: I don't know, but I think -- we were both wrong about the geometry of knowledge. It's not a cone at all. It's a spiral. Have you noticed this too, or is it just me? Time may march in one direction, but progression through life seems to go in circles.

I don't know how many times I've been surprised to realize I'd "come full-circle" on something since the day I was so sure the shape of things to come was like a cone. I chalk it up to irony when things in the past on life's time line somehow come around again.

Nature goes in circles, you know. Tides, seasons, sunrises and sunsets... they all come and go in predictable cycles. I don't know what that has to do with the shape of time and progress, but it's somehow comforting to know I'm in good company.

Now that I'm older and sure of less than I was at age 21, I laugh at those conversations back then. Not about which way the proverbial cone is facing -- that's so abstract it sounds wise. But our vacation choices and thoughts on men? At least now, on those topics, we are wise, and that's what I call progress.

How a Shrimp Po-boy Solves Problems

2010-03-09T01:20:00Z

Photo: smaedli

I've got things cooking today -- figuratively and literally -- so I haven't made time to write. I was tempted to just order a pizza, but instead I put on a box of Cajun rice. It's on the stove now, and the smell of it reminds me of a story I'll tell quickly:

The day I moved in to my little New Orleans cottage, I tried to order a pizza for dinner. We were starved -- as you might imagine -- after a day of hauling boxes, and I sure wasn't in the mood to unpack dishes.

I called a chain delivery place. They did not service my new address.

"Try the one over on Esplanade," the pizza guy suggested.

So I did.

"No, we don't deliver over there," the guy on Esplanade said. "Try the one on Canal."

At this point, I was bound and determined to find us a pizza. Not just any pizza, but the chain we'd decided on. I refused to believe that it was not possible to have one delivered. I called the restaurant on Canal prepared to accomplish my mission.

"No, we don't go over that way," he said. Then he directed me back to the restaurant I'd just called.

I believe I kept my emotions in check as I explained that I'd already tried there, but mounting frustration coupled with hunger and fatigue is an ugly combination.

"I'm in the heart of the city -- surely you're not telling me I can't get a pizza delivered to this address," I said.

He matched my veiled-anger tone, and said: "Lady, people come from all over the world to eat in the French Quarter, so I don't know what you're calling me for. Try Verti Marte over on Royal. They deliver."

One beat. Two beats. I let that soak in. Then I thanked him for making a suggestion, and turned out to be glad he did.

I never did find a chain pizza joint that would deliver to that address. But I never tried again, because I didn't have to. Twenty-four hours a day any day of week, a guy on a bicycle would bring me a shrimp po-boy sandwich. A shrimp po-boy! Or oysters... or fried chicken... the list goes on. On the nights you're not cooking, it's hard for a pizza guy to compete with that.

Now, I realize it's not likely that you're reading this a stone's throw from Verti Marte. The point of my story is something else:

Try not to get frustrated when you face a problem, because there is usually some alternative solution. If you're inflexible and blind to other possibilities in dogged pursuit of "Plan A", you might well wind up disappointed. But the alternative option is not necessarily a compromise -- like the shrimp po-boy that solved my pizza delivery "problem", sometimes it turns out to be even better.

Wanderlust Sunday: Best Picture

2010-03-07T15:16:00Z

Which tuxedo and sequin-clad Hollywood buzz-makers will get to publicly thank their Moms and The Academy tonight? I make no predictions. I've only actually seen one of this year's Best Picture nominees, if you can believe it. Better to leave any prognosticating to the real insiders.

What I do know about is a different kind of picture: snap shots that become the coveted mementos of any trip. Thanks to artists and travelers who share their travel photos on Flickr, we can all see unique perspectives of places we know and love.

So I made a list. Places that the Deseret News reports are the most photographed places and landmarks in America. Here are my nominees for Best Picture among contributions to the Creative Commons. What other places might you add to this list?

Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon, AZ

It's no surprise to me that THE GRAND CANYON landed at the top of a most-photographed icon list. If you've ever been there yourself, you know that no photo does it justice. But it's so irresistible to try. Cobalt123 did a beautiful job of capturing a Grand Canyon sunset. One of the most magical things about this place is the ever-changing shadows and light.

Statue of Liberty
New York, NY

Laverrue took this shot of LADY LIBERTY, and I like this perspective of her face. Is it my imagination, or did Laverrue capture tear-stained cheeks? Looks like the rain streams down from the corner of her eye. It's kind of stirring to imagine THE STATUE OF LIBERTY crying.

Washington Monument
Washington, DC

zachstern

I like the dreamlike quality of this shot with the cherry blossoms in bloom. The photo has obviously been color edited, because you just know zachstern was there on a day the sky was bright blue. The color tone changes the mood of the scene, highlighting THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT as a bright, shining beacon.

Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls, NY

Corey Ann captured this rainbow at the beautiful and iconic NIAGARA FALLS. I wonder what it looked like from the perspective on the boat below? Could the ferry passengers see the gift of color they were floating near or was it above their heads and out of view? Either way, I like this reminder that no matter how you see something, there's likely someone else who views it differently. Diversity in perspective is a good thing.

Yosemite National Park
Yosemite, CA

Ansel Adams famously captured YOSEMITE's beauty, and his work still doesn't compare to seeing the real thing. Half-Dome, pictured here, is one of the park's most iconic features. Mlhradio worked pretty hard to get this shot, because this angle can't be seen from the car tour. The photographer snapped this from the vantage point of a four-hour hike.

Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco, CA

Anirudh Koul must have been double-fisted when he took this interesting shot. If you've got one of the most photographed landmarks in your viewfinder, it's somehow poetic to take a picture times two. Forget poetry for a second. How about skill? Maybe others have thought of doing this, but not just anyone could pull it off. I know I, for one, couldn't achieve the same result.

Empire State Building
New York, NY

No doubt you've seen THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING in countless movies and pictures. This icon of the New York City skyline is recognized instantly. Punxutawney Phil took this photo through binoculars. Makes you feel like an oracle looking at the city through your crystal ball. If nice composition is an indicator of what's to come, I foretell good things in the future.

Green Thumb Against Backdrop of Brown: The Mojave Crop

2010-03-06T21:26:00Z

It's a nice day out today, so I've brought my computer outside for a bit. I'm sitting in "The Magical Forest." That's what we call our second-story apartment balcony, because half the space is occupied by trees.

See, Rufus likes to grow things. He's got citrus fruits going in every variety. Never mind that neither of us particularly like kumquats -- that's not the point. What's important to him is the fact that the plant that produces them is thriving.

It's one of about eight potted trees....

on a balcony...

in a city...

in the desert.

Then there are all the little pots with sprouts from pits of store-bought produce. Eat a piece of fruit in this house, and Rufus will want the seeds to grow.

Nurturing plants is quite a commitment in a place that's naturally brown. But Rufus would sooner cut off his nose than his green thumb. It's just a part of who he is. So he persists despite the surroundings.

Every other day for the two plus years he's cared for "The Magical Forest," he's toted gallon jugs of water from the bathtub to the balcony. These efforts have been rewarded. With two homemade lemons.

They were delicious, I tell you. We squeezed them over scallops for a special celebratory meal.

His first summer here, he tried his luck with tomatoes. He watered and cared for that plant like it was a family member. Success! Finally -- the heat-stunned baby bore fruit. Pictured is his Mojave Crop.

I really appreciate that about Rufus and find lessons and inspiration in his resolve. He reminds me that just because a set of circumstances requires more work, there's no reason to give up -- Even against a backdrop of brown, a green thumb can find a way to do what he loves.

Photo Friday: Island in the Sky

2010-03-05T07:00:00Z

Canyonlands Arch - Island in the Sky District
Canyonlands National Park -- 30 miles from Moab, Utah

My new Twitter friend @meganhilll2 got a screaming deal on lodging in Moab thanks to Delta Skymiles, so I offered public congratulations. She asked if I were there for a day, what I would do or recommend. This is not an easy question.

Answering it in 140 characters is almost as hard as imagining that area with a one day limit, because it's near impossible to take it all in with a week. In my opinion, Utah canyon country is one of the most incredible places in the American southwest.

Moab, in particular, is the perfect base-camp for exploring nearby Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Yes, yes - her question was hypothetical to make me name my top pick. Good thing. Because if you count the equally phenomenal state parks and other outdoor adventures this natural playground offers, you've got one tough choice for how to spend one day.

If I were absolutely forced to make a choice -- that one place in the Moab area to visit to the exclusion of all others -- I'd head for the north district of Canyonlands called Island in the Sky.

Do you see that road? The faint line along the left of the photo? I'm pretty sure that's the most spectacular scenic drive in America. Pretty bold claim, I know. Especially for someone who has not made the loop herself. We were in a rented SUV, but that's not rugged enough.

It's called the White Rim Road and you need four-wheel drive and nerves of steel to take it. The narrow, unpaved road begins at the elevation this photo was taken, and makes hairpin turns down the canyon. The park service says to plan for the 100-mile loop to take three days.

It's NOT disappointing to visit this part of Canyonlands National Park without taking the adventure road. There's mind blowing scenery to enjoy from the rim. In fact, that's why it's called "Island in the Sky." The north district of the park offers areal views -- The paved scenic loop and well-maintained hiking trails let you see the canyons from above. To explore down in the canyons, you can visit the south district of the park, called Needles, a two+ hour drive away.

I'll share pictures of Needles next week, because it's really like visiting a completely different park. This week I'm smiling at the memory of the Island in the Sky. I know @meganhilll2 is going to have fun.

Thanks to DelicousBaby for hosting Photo Friday. Check out her site for more travel-inspired photo stories. Happy Friday!

It's Not The Rocky Horror Muppet Show

2010-03-04T07:30:00Z

Photo: Shabibi

Kermit the Frog sang about how it ain't easy being green, but I bet Jim Henson couldn't have imagined having to perform it in soprano.

And what about Miss Piggy? She certainly couldn't have imagined something like this. Somebody somewhere is in line for a karate-chop if it happened to the frog of her life.

No, it definitely ain't easy being green -- Not with contaminants like Atrazine in the water. It's a common herbicide used all over the world. And according to researchers, it causes male frogs to grow lady parts.

Sex changes for frogs.

I'm not talking about some Rocky Horror Muppet Show. This is real science. Researchers at Berkeley recently released a study that found this weed killer to be the cause of male frogs under observation becoming egg-laying females.

Obviously Kermit doesn't have to worry about it, and neither -- rest his soul -- does Jim Henson. But I wonder about the rest of us. According to Inhabitat, Atrazine had been a suspected link to certain cancers, and outlawed in Europe since 2003.

Today's Theme Thursday topic is green.

Frankly My Dear, It's Not That Bad

2010-03-03T17:00:00Z

Great balls of fire! Don't bother me anymore, and don't call me Sugar. (Cue music).

I have been auditioning for the role of Scarlett O'Hara around here lately. Even the littlest ol' things can command Academy award-winning performances if you add the right amount of drama. It's exhausting, but makes things more interesting.

Fiddle-dee-dee! This is Rufus and my friend Roxanne collaborating to come to the rescue. I had car trouble. And left my house key with my car keys at the dealer.

I was on foot!

And locked out!

In the rain!

Here are my friends and family waiting with baited breath to find out what's next! They're gathered round to listen as I share cogent, productive thoughts about how to solve my own problems: Economy, economy, economy, all this economy talk's spoiling the fun at every party this spring!

But the truth is that I'm no Vivien Leigh. I'm not even a Lucille Ball, who was among 128 Hollywood A-Listers of the 1930's who wanted but did not get the part. I daresay that the competition for the role of Lead Drama Queen in a contemporary personal biography is even more intense. No thank you.

See, the Scarlett O'Hara thing is just a reflection of some part of me. It's a role I play when I lose perspective. Thankfully, it's easy enough to get perspective back. Those other photos are just figures in a doll house depicting Tara, but this one represents the real me. I'm the one with the creepy, vacant look on my face. Caught in some awkward situation, no one would ever hope to see themselves in.

But there I am. Do you see me? Above the fireplace? In the mirror? I'm the weirdo taking the picture.

Ah, perspective. That reflection of some part of me says, "Frankly my dear, things are not so bad."

These photos were taken at the Gone With The Wind Museum, Marietta, GA.

Baby Got Blog: I Like "Big Buts" And I Cannot Lie

2010-03-02T22:59:00Z

Photo: danmachold

Why would Sir-Mix-A-Lot need to clarify that he's not lying about his affinity for big butts? It's not as if "Baby Got Back" -- his 1993 Grammy award-winning anthem for women with curves -- is so ambiguous we might not otherwise know he's sincere.

"I like big butts," he states firmly as the song's thesis. We know his point of view practically before the music starts.

If he were writing an essay, an editor would tell him to end the sentence right there -- that it's not necessary to qualify such a bold statement with a gratuitous, "and I cannot lie."

If he were writing a blog, a self-made social media guru might tell him not to worry so much about proofreaders' marks. The important success factor is finding a niche.

"You're the Big Butt Guy," a savvy advisor might point out. "Brand yourself and stay on topic. You'll find the audience seeking your particular expertise."

This is very good advice for anyone into online publishing. Like the radio station I heard that song on yesterday, a successful blog needs a consistent format. I know that as a blogger, I am Program Director of the tunes played on this URL "station." I also know from working in radio that no PD worth her salt would figure it out as she goes along.

Yet I still struggle with this. My inner dialog goes something like this...

This blog is a forum for philosophical questions about seventeen year-old hip-hop songs and explorations of other randomly fired synapses in my head.
... But I should write something that's more of a professional showcase
... But I like to write about travel
... But I spend more time reading about media
... But I should be a citizen journalist and write something newsworthy instead
... But I like to indulge my inner seventh-grader
... But I should use my voice to somehow help others or make the world a better place

Yep. You see this coming:

I like big buts, and I cannot lie.

This begs the question: Why do I feel the need to clarify that I'm not lying about my affinity for big buts? It's not as if "Baby Got Blog" -- the 2010 unofficial and spontaneously coined tag line for this forum -- is so specific that you might not otherwise know it doesn't fit a niche. Perhaps I am compelled by the fact that I've seen a number of job postings recently that call for a content creator with a range of voice.

I did not mention Sir-Mix-A-Lot in my cover letters. Or my role as "Program Director" for this personal URL. But it makes me feel better about playing a different kind of music, if you will, from day to day. Just as Sir-Mix-A-Lot proves his thesis statement with overt song lyrics, I'll prove mine with blatant self-promotion. (Come on, you would have to expect some kind of pandering from a person who finds inspiration in songs about butts.) What kind of music do you like?

	COUNTRY Photo Friday: Cowboy Wisdom Before I moved to Las Vegas, I would never have guessed that National Finals Rodeo was among the biggest events in town. But it is, in fact, one of the most anticipated events on the local calendar. Nearly 200,000 cowboys and girls will descend on Vegas over the coming week. For a "city slicker" like me, it's a people watcher's extravaganza. << CONTINUE >>
	ADULT CONTEMPORARY The Uninvited Dinner Guest: A Horror Story Close your eyes and imagine yourself in San Francisco. You're at alinen-draped bistro table on the sidewalk in front of a trendy cafe.The artfully folded napkin that decorated your place setting is drapedelegantly on your lap. You don't know yetif your dining companion has a moral objection to foie gras, and youwant to avoid embarrassing conflicts on this occasion at all cost. So you take a sip of Cabernet Sauvignon while you wait for your $16 heirloom tomato salad appetizer to arrive. You are on a first date. << CONTINUE >>
	CLASSIC ROCK Joshua Tree National Park I love this picture. It was taken earlier this year at southern California's Joshua Tree National Park. Interesting rock formations fill the valley there — this one looks to me like a clenched fist. A clenched fist. That's such an iconic symbol for seeking justice. It's almost as if this piece of Earth is taking a stand. That's why I chose this travel shot for Photo Friday. It seemed somehow poignant on a day debate over the Earth's future is in the headlines. << CONTINUE >>
	RETRO HITS The Karma Chameleon Is Coming For You "Karma Chameleon" -- Culture Club Top-10 Billboard Hit, 1984 I was never quite sure what that song meant, but now I think I get it: If you go around looking like a moron, sooner or later, you will be mocked. Some chameleon at a costume party will think she's cute in her get-up. Until someday when she's older... Karma comes around again. <<CONTINUE >>
	GOSPEL Honey, Where's the Glitter? This time a few years ago, I met a woman who might have been a Christmas Angel. Of course, she may only have been a retired showgirl. Either way, I remember her well. I'd gone to Macy's to do a little holiday shopping. I walked in and breezed through the things-for-others displays. After taking a minute to mourn for all the men who'd find a nose and ear hair groomer under the tree, I was distracted from my selfless mission by the lipstick-for-me section. << CONTINUE >>
	BLUES Stepping On Crazy-Toe's Toes I once read that New Orleans is a non-fiction writer's dream,because you can't make stuff up that's better than what actuallyhappens there. As a former resident and near-annual visitor, I canattest to the truth of that statement. In time, I'll share some experiences to help you see why. << CONTINUE >>
	SHOW TUNES Sing It With Me Now: "But I Did Not Shoot No Dep-u-ty" For a few years when I was in college, I taught tap and jazz classes to little girls. I wasn't particularly good at the dancing — sure, I could clap on beat and do a mean twirl. But I knew how to count music like an expert — and more importantly — was a really excellent role model for the kids. "And a kick... and a turn... and a shake, shake, shake!" << CONTINUE >>

Photo Friday: Prehistoric Effigy Mound in Georgia

2010-02-26T18:31:00Z

Eagle Rock, an ancient native effigy mound approximately an hour southeast of Atlanta in Eatonton, GA.

I spent most of my life within a thirty minute drive from one of the continent's oldest known Native American archeological sites, and never saw it until recently. I didn't know it was there. This astounds me because I even attended middle-school camp at the adjacent property named for it. If there was a nature walk over to this treasure, I must have opted for crafts instead.

Eagle Rock in Eatonton, Georgia is an effigy mound estimated to be some 3,000 years old. Believed to be a burial site, It depicts a bird, measuring a third of a football field's length from head to tail and nearly as far from from wingtip to wingtip. That's no craft project. Near the chest, it measures up to eight feet in height.

If you've ever gathered firewood on a camping trip, then you have some appreciation for what collecting these rocks must have been like... I guess. That's the closest thing I can relate to the people who built it. But it's clearly not a pile of whatever's-around-that-can-be-carried. It's constructed entirely of white quartzite, some boulders that could only have been dragged.

It's one of those places that you really can't see or appreciate without an areal perspective. From the ground, it just looks like a pile of rocks. So the University of Georgia Extension Service which manages the site built an observation tower. There is a plaque placed by a state heritage society at the Eagle's head that reads:

ROCK EAGLE MOUND

"Mound of prehistoric origin, believed to be ceremonial mound, made with white quartz rocks in the shape of an eagle, head turned to east, length 102 feet, spread of wings 120 feet, depth of breast 8 feet. Only two such configurations discovered east of the Mississippi River. Both are in Putnam County."

"Tread softly here white man for long ere you came strange races lived, fought and loved."

Visit Deliciousbaby for more travel inspired Photo Friday stories.

Tom Kelly Probably Didn't Throw Stones

2010-02-25T09:59:00Z

Photo: Bala

"Bottle House" in Rhyolite, Nevada ghost town
Near the eastern edge of Death Valley National Park.

Tom Kelly was an accordion player and owner of an old west saloon. I suppose it's possible he threw a few punches in his day, but I'd bet he never threw stones.

He shouldn't have anyway - the man lived in a glass house. Built it himself out of bottles. Some 50,000 beer, soda and whiskey empties became its walls. In 1906, this kind of recycling program was simply called resourcefulness.

Wood was scarce out in the Mojave desert, but lucky for Tom, beer and booze was easy enough to come by. Must have been delivered by rail when the train came to pick up the lode -- Tom lived in Rhyolite, Nevada during its days as a mining boom town.

These days it's a ghost town. Outside of the east entrance of Death Valley National Park, Rhyolite is the most photographed ghost town of the American west. Tom Kelly's "Bottle House" still stands.

Detailed view of Tom Kelly's "Bottle House" - Rhyolite, NV

Hope Tom had ice to go in that keg bucket, because he sure didn't have air conditioning. Summertime temperatures in this area top 110F degrees regularly.

I've written about Rhyolite before in a post highlighting the Goldwell Open Air Museum. Amid the ruins of this town is a surreal sculpture garden in the solitude of the desert.

And heads up if you live in the desert southwest -- the countdown for flower watchers has begun. Death Valley is expected to have a better than average showing this year. Here's more info about Death Valley in Bloom.