Going Walkies, Part I

Tea: Mandarin Green, iced.

Music: The Proclaimers, "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)"

Time: Afternoon.

Just got in from another ten-mile hike, this one at Fleming Park in Blue Springs, Missouri.

The time was better, the trails largely meh. The "rougher" trail disappeared at times into long grass (always fun in tick country), and the trail to which it connected presented little physical challenge beyond the distance involved.

Plus which, the foraging opportunities were all but nonexistent. There were no wood ears to be found, the prickly pears are at least a week short of ripeness -- and the only blackberry patch we located was guarded jealously by a stand of poison ivy.

Oh, well. The two-plus hours alone with my son did give us time to talk -- and for me to reassure him that, if need be, I can still take him.

Now, I'm headed up to Kansas City, Kansas, for a walk of another sort -- the Second Friday Art Walk. And I'm wearing my "Carnivore" shirt.

There might be barbecue foraging opportunities, you know.

Tune in next time for "Going Walkies, Part II." Because this time, it's personal.

Put it Back.

Tea: Chai with an added espresso shot

Music: Bobby Vee, "Take Good Care of My Baby"

Time: Night.

The weekly free concert at Broadmoor Park brought home a simple but oft-ignored truth: If you're going to do somebody else's song, don't rearrange it unless you can make it better.

The headlining band had some talented musicians -- especially the drummer (a friend of my son and a future rock star if he catches the right breaks) and the bassist. The problem was with the vocal mix (thin and reedy + blues = fail) and the arrangements.

"Not Fade Away" sounded like "Kansas City" sounded like "Summertime Blues" -- and they all sounded vaguely like "I Fought the Law," which wasn't even on the set list.

Oh, well. At least it was cool out, and there were still some crabapples on the trees. I'll take my pleasures where I can find them.

Taking it Off

Tea: Blood Orange

Music: Metallica, "Enter Sandman"

Time: Night.

This will be short. I'm tired.

But I just weighed in after going to the gym tonight, and I'm down eight pounds over the last month. And that feels pretty good.

Just have to shed another 18 or so now ...

Strike Party of One

Tea: Mandarin Green, iced.

Music: Bruce Springsteen, "One Step Up"

Time: Night.

I took down my second photo show tonight. Eight hours to hang the thing, give or take, and it came off the walls in under two hours.

It was a different sort of ending, compared to the first show. That one had to come down early because the venue -- the late, lamented Nighthawks Coffeehouse -- was closing. This one lasted a month longer than I had expected.

Still, there's a part of the night that feels like a wake. I expect to see some of the sold pieces again, but others ... who knows? (I don't sell duplicate prints.)

Oh, well. I learned a lot, met some good people and managed to raise a few bucks for the American Cancer Society. Can't ask for much more than that.

Long Distance Cravings

Tea: Blood Orange, iced.

Music: Chicago, "25 or 6 to 4"

Time: Evening.

Apologies for the lapse. The leg went bad again yesterday, although it's doing better today.

I got a "You need to hear this" call today. For the next few minutes, I listened to the recitation of the menu from a Jamaican food stand in New York. (This kind of thing happens to me on a fairly regular basis.)

And you know what? Now I want street food, too.

I want the carnitas you can get from the stands in Liberal, Kansas. I want Mexican ice cream (grape, please) from Puerto Anapra. I want fried fish from the truck that used to set up outside my old office.

And boy, do I ever want jerk chicken, escoveitched fish and beef feet from a stand in New York ...

Friday Follow-Up, Part I

Tea: Chinese Melon Seed.

Music: Live, "Lightning Crashes"

Time: Night.

So, here's another cool moment from last night's First Friday outing.

I went to the Belger Arts Center for another look at the quilts exhibit I recently reviewed. (That review isn't out yet, but here is the Kansas City Star's story from a filmcentric perspective. While you're there, check out Rich Sugg's photos. Then get yourself down to the Crossroads and see the quilts for yourself.)

The artist, Sun Smith-Foret, was there, and we got to talking about art and movies and the like. Before long, she was showing me the backs of quilts that were hung against the wall, and pulling out and unfolding another piece that wasn't even on display.

Does that make me extra cool? Nah. Makes me pretty fortunate, I'd say. It's a fine thing to get a look behind the scenes -- or in this case, on the back side of the quilt.

Art Walk .. and Walk ... and Walk ...

Tea: Jacob's Dream

Music: Street drumming

Time: Almost midnight.

Another First Friday, and this one really got its hooks into me -- in a good way, that is.

I almost didn't go (headache), but roused myself in time to get down to the Crossroads by six. I figured I'd get in a few of the usual stops, collect some business cards for story ideas, and shut things down early.

Instead, I just got in and it's almost ... well, you saw the time in the header.

Life is, as they say, in the detours.

I'll post some links to the coolest stuff soon. Right now, I'm about to crash.

I will say that one of the highest points came early in the evening, at the Arts Incubator. Just to the right on the second level, there's a photo show with images from big cities around the country -- especially New York. (Rumor has it the photographer will be showing there next First Friday, too. Go check him out.)

The photos from New York took me back. Pretty soon, I think, it'll be time for me to be back in person.