the world is your acorn

Yesterday I took a quick day trip down to Atlanta to see 6 day old Baby Superhero. Not a moment too soon, either. I had a decent day on Thursday, keeping busy with meetings and teaching and even a happy hour, but an empty calendar for Friday was going to be a challenge. Instead of trying to have a productive day on my own, I hit the road.

There’s something about long drives that is absolutely soothing for me. It’s somehow not the same as being alone and trapped with my thoughts at home. There’s the contextual element of being in motion, having just left something behind, with something ahead to look forward to. And in the meanwhile, there’s nothing you can do but keep driving, so you can forgive yourself for whatever’s being neglected. It doesn’t make much sense, but that’s how it happens for me. When I’m in the car on a long road trip, I somehow find a kind of peace. Yesterday I thought I’d enjoy catching up on podcasts and maybe even start an audiobook, but instead I just blasted music, let my thoughts wander, and looked around.

When I got to Atlanta I met Baby Superhero, held him for hours while he slept and grunted and twitched and waved his arms around. I put random things in his cargo pants pockets (yes, he has cargo pants), danced with him, and chatted with him about his future. We also hit Flip Burger as a nice treat for us all.

It was hard to say goodbye, but in the end I even made it home in time to watch (most of) a really shitty movie with The Little Red Haired Girl.

On Wednesday, Lady E. and I drove to Williams, AZ, an hour South of the Grand Canyon. We got there in time to hang out a little in Williams, a cute little town, before we hit the hay for an early morning wakeup to see the sun rise. It was cold, but beautiful.

Roswell: bizarre place. We didn’t really do our homework and see the things you are supposed to see. Instead we went to Target, had dinner, and beered up at the hotel bar while catching up on email and such.

Albuquerque: difficult to spell. We stopped for lunch here on our way to the Grand CanyonWe checked out Roadfood.com and discovered that we must go to Route 66 Diner along “historic Route 66,” so we did. Quite delicious, and cheap. Lady E. went with Frito Pie (her first), and I had a green chile cheeseburger. And, of all the delightful finds, Red Cream Soda, which Lady E. has been hunting for years.

So, from Austin we headed to Waco to see Peaches. We had a fantastic time sampling the local fare and happy hours. We also went bowling, one of my all time favorite activities that I rarely get to partake in.

It’s true, I’m a few days behind on updating. But, frankly, I’m lazy.

Lady E. and I are on our way to San Diego. She’s moving there, and I’ve joined up for the ride starting from Nashville. Tonight we were in New Orleans.

I wanted sushi so badly when we went to San Diego that I made The Little Red Haired Girl and Mrs. Superhero go twice. The first time was ok, but the second time, at Ichiban on the Rocks, was freaking delicious. We had escaped conventionland on the bus to explore the Hillcrest Neighborhood for the afternoon, and sort of randomly picked this place. We were nervous because it was in a strip mall, but the urban spoon reviews were decent, so we went for it. Are we ever glad we did. The lady serving us was super cute and friendly, and we ordered 3 somewhat unconventional rolls and a tuna nigiri with quail egg on top. Everything we ordered was fantastic. I wish I could remember what anything was called.

Ichiban on the Rocks
1288 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 220-0009

NYE 2007 small plate extravaganza

Chinese New Year party

Crawfish birthday for Mrs. Superhero

AERA in nyc

Oliver’s first ride on the boat

The Little Red Haired Girl graduates!

4th of July on the river

The Superheroes move on to their new life in NC

Dr. J moves on to her new life in Chicago

Dim sum comes to Nashville

My special special weekend (stagette)

I turn 30

1st mani pedi ever

8 course Chinese banquet rehearsal dinner

Married!

Fantastic Boston/Ptown honeymoon

“An historic election”

Trader Joe’s comes to Nashville

Thanksgiving in the new house

We make friends with our neighbors, finally

Holi-day-of-eating at New Little Buddies’ house

NYE 2008 in New Orleans

I visited New York a couple weeks ago with The Little Red Haired Girl, Lady E, and The Superheroes. Here are some of the delicious things we ate while there:

Noodle Soup with Chicken at Mee Noodle Shop on 9th at 53rd:

Foie Gras at Les Halles on Park Ave (it looked way better that this photo):

Noodle soup with duck at Noodles on 28 on 3rd at 28th:

Ceviche, steamed crab in banana leaf, and plantain encrusted goat cheese at Esperanto on C and 9th:

I’m in Bermuda this weekend for a good friend’s wedding. It is so freaking beautiful here. This is the view from the little balcony in my hotel room. The little putting green is weird, but other than that it’s fantastic. The water is gorgeous, and the weather is perfect. The Little Red Haired Girl couldn’t come with me cause of her opening, so I’m here alone. Not really, a good friend from college also did not bring a +1 so we are rooming together. It has been pretty fun. We got here yesterday afternoon, sat out by the little pool restaurant for a while, then rehearsal dinner. Delicious. I had scallops, chicken on the best risotto I’ve ever had, and cheese plate for dessert. Then lots of dark and stormys at one of the hotel bars. Today we are going to hang by the pool I think. Our hotel is close to town but far from beach, so there is a ferry to get there. The schedule doesn’t fit ours though, so we’ll have to stay around here, which is a bummer. Not that I’m complaining about chilling by the pool in Bermuda.