Now Playing in my Jeep

1. Eels, Souljacker
2. Neil Diamond, 12 Songs
3. The Police, Reggatta de Blanc
4. The Police, Synchronicity
5. The Police, Ghost in the Machine

Things that Made Me Miss the 90's Today

(I know - like I don't always miss the 90's)
1. Had a dream about my old 1972 Volkswagon Superbeetle, that I drove from 1992 to 1998.
2. Drove past U of M on my way to a meeting and saw people jay-walking to get to class. It made me miss the simplicity of going to school and being responsible for myself, and not having to settle any arguments about washed aggregate vs. broom finished concrete.
3. Also drove past Brother Juniper's - possibly the main highlight of my 7+ years of school. H and I would do anything we could to get there, even skipping class! And it was always worth it.
4. Wore jeans and tennis shoes to my meeting - because it was at a construction site - and remembered when I was in school and wore jeans & tennis shoes everyday. With a flannel shirt, which I don't really miss at all.

What I Did with my Free Ticket to the Dixon Gallery & Gardens

1. Upon entering the museum, got caught making a face when I saw the fiberglass cow painted with the Blue Dog.
2. Walked into the first gallery and turned my nose up at the Blue Dog.
3. Reflected on how much I enjoy feeling superior.
4. Spent some time looking at the decorative art, which I usually skip in any museum.
5. Breathed a sigh of relief as I entered the Dixon residence, my favorite part of the museum with its musty old house smell and its lovely little Constable & Corot paintings.
6. Reveled in the jewel-like plein air paintings by 19th century artists.
7. Decided that if I were going to take 1 piece of art home with me today, it would be a tiny little painting by Henri-Joseph Harpignies, who I've never heard of, but whose application of paint is delicious.
8. Even though it's 157 degrees outside, I walked around the gardens because I had more of the Police's "Outlandos d'Amour" to listen to on my iPod.


9. Drew this fountain.

18 Years Ago, Things RJA Would Have Done if Stopped by a Traffic Cop

1. Turned down the radio.
2. Put on his shoes.
3. Removed the earring.
(Happy Birthday Old Man)

Seinfeld: the Kids' Perspective

• "I like Kramer - he's the funniest guy."
• "One time Kramer acted like he was going to hit a ball and he really hit it."
• "This other guy told a story and the people were scared."
• "There was another guy that was funny but he was only on it once. He threw something out the window."
• Conversation:
• Kid #1: "One time Kramer threw his shoe and it hit somebody. He was trying to get something out of it."
• Adult: "What was he trying to get out of his shoe?"
• Kid #1: "I don't know...maybe sand."
• Kid #2: "Yeah, that's what I was thinking.

What We Ate in Ft. Lauderdale

1. Delicious shrimp po-boy at Shuck-n-Dive - not the best shrimp po-boy I've ever had, which was at the Shuck-n-Dive but earlier this year.
2. Cuban food! Hallelujah! We have been sorely missing Cuban food since the ONE Cuban place in Memphis closed. Cuban sandwiches and one of my favorite foods in the whole wide world, mariquitas.



3. Birthday cake! Made by my sister...yellow cake with chocolate icing...also one of my favorite foods in the whole world. This was consumed repeatedly throughout the weekend.
4. Weird eggs at the Hampton Inn breakfast bar. I wish I'd thought to take pictures of them.
5. Organic pizza from Pizza Fusion. Delivered in a hybrid vehicle...just doing our part.
6. Fish tacos from The Whole Enchilada, a.k.a. The Whole Fresh Enchilada. Either way it's tasty.
7. A wonderful Italian meal with half of the family (even at half there are 8 of us) at Franco & Vinnies, complete with a carafe of Chianti, antipasto platter, lots of pasta, and a cappuccino. Molto bene. (Recommended by the lovely Terron.)
8. A pretty good snapper sandwich at Tarpon Bend on the riverfront. Would have been a better experience if the hostess had not sat us, including my sister holding the 2-month-old, in front of the speakers for the band that was about to play.
9. More organic pizza.
10. Another shrimp po-boy from Shuck-n-Dive! This time with tater tots!