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April 12, 2008

He's Really My Son...

If I had a son, this is what he would be doing (lol)...This young man is amazing! I can't wait to see him in the ring when he gets older. Of course, there is the concern that he might be too young to work out so hard, but the way that he throws his punches is better than some pro's I've seen!


His name is Pretty Boy Bam Bam, and he is 5 years old.

Posted by dvaldesd at 11:01 AM | Comments (0)

April 06, 2008

The 4C's Acronyms

4C's is always so much fun. The locations are usually great, and I get to see people that I wouldn't see otherwise, which is a definite perk. But this year, New Orleans added a new element to the usual thrill. From the time T and I started our journey to The Big Easy, we were inundated with non-stop blog material. I don't even know how I can relate all of the experiences we had, but I think a bulleted list might help me communicate the high points of our adventure, so here goes:

1. CWF (Crazy White Female). One middle aged woman thought she had the right to ask T to unplug her computer in the Atlanta airport (our layover spot). "How long will you be using this outlet"? WHAT? The best was when I took it upon myself to point out where the other AVAILABLE outlets were, and THEN she said "I'm not gonna walk over there to use those". Then Bitch, you must not need an outlet.

OH NO SHE DIDN'T! Now, let me just say that I will always be a "round the way girl". You can wallpaper my home with degrees, and I will always be ready to kick somebody's ass-period. Especially when faced with overt racism, classism, and persons that exhibit this type of entitlement. This lady took me back to a time in my life where only whipping your ass would have made me happy. Thank God for T, because I can't say that I would not have responded like 'back in the day' had she not been there to hold me back. Then the bitch had an attitude and walked away like she was wronged! Hell to the NO.

2. TLD (The Lap Dance). I don't know what it is about T, but no matter the state, time of day, or location, she always manages to get unsolicited lap dances!

The funniest thing about this is that when we sat down at this particular bar on Bourbon Street, we were sitting on very high stools, and the first thing I said to her was "You'll be safe from any lap dances here!" Apparently not. At least this lap dance came with a marriage proposal.

3. THG (The Hand Grenade). The best drink I have ever had. It took me about 8 hours to drink it all.

I would have finished sooner, but I didn't want to show up at my caucus meeting jacked up! That would have been inappropriate, SI?

4. BS (Bourbon Street). The BOMB. What else can be said about a street encompassed by music, history, culture, happy drunk fools, and drink kiosks?

Did you know that Bourbon Street is the only street in the states where it is NOT illegal to have open drinks outside of drinking establishments? And the architecture isn't too shabby either.

5. TR (The Riverwalk)The Riverwalk was great. It houses over 140 shops, and some delicious gumbo that can be enjoyed al fresco while you look at the river.

The gumbo was almost as good as the fried dough. Yeah, I know it's got a fancy French name, but here it's called pizza frite, and in my old neighborhood, they are called zeppoles; bottom line-it's fried dough cover in powdered sugar, and it is DELICIOUS!
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6. ACD (Awesome Cab Driver). On our way back from Bourbon Street, T and I were lucky enough to have a cab driver that gave us a history lesson on New Orleans. For example, New Orleans is home to the largest cathedral in the states.

And, he was so sweet, that after telling us as much history as he could fit into that short cab ride, he asked me what I was bringing home to my daughters, then he proceeded to give me the beads that he had around his rear view mirror for M.

7. N&D (Nickeled and Dimed). The Hilton is no joke. Not only do they want to charge $200 a night to stay there, but they also expect you to pay $15 a day for internet service, and $10 a day to go to the health club. The hotel is gorgeous, but damn. And of course, there was the $20 breakfast buffet.

And they wonder why grad students have to be food hoes.

8. G, W&R (Gumbo, Weather and Restaurants). The two reasons I was so excited to get to New Orleans was to eat Gumbo and bask in the sunshine. Both lived up to my expectations. The gumbo was great everywhere and the weather was so warm I was sorry to come back to Syracuse. The Palace and Houston's were both terrific places eat, although I was surprised to get my first bowl of gumbo in a tin cup! The Palace had a jazz band playing while we ate, and it added a wonderful element of authenticity to the place.

It was great to be in a place where there is such an obvious element of culture everywhere you go. I can't wait to go back for pleasure! And of course, being there just validated my desire to move South.

These are just the most memorable moments; there were many funny moments that I probably will recall after this entry is published, and some that are just best kept off the blogosphere. Either way, the trip was great, and I hope I get to see San Francisco next year!

Posted by dvaldesd at 01:50 PM | Comments (1)