Mississippi Blogging

Hmmm...we're a few days into our Biloxi vacation and I'm just not feeling it. It's pretty small and the Gulf is not as inviting as I had hoped. Pretty dirty water, although the sand is beautiful. Joshua is taking to the apartment pool well. Except for a few swallows of water, he's really enjoying swimming and kicking around in his floaties. And the whole purpose of the trip was to visit his grandmother, my mother-in-law, Nama. It's wonderful to take a lazy week and enjoy this family time. It's a blessing be Nama's son-in-law and I'm always grateful for her kindness and love.

But back to Biloxi. I need to explore a bit more now because this is one boring town. If it has hidden charms, I need to find them. I did have my first casino experience. It was kind of cool, but I feel no pull to go back. Granted, I know my budget so I stayed with the penny slots and people-watched. As I sat at my machine, I could actually feel my rear getting larger. (Note to self: jog along the beach at some point.)

It's now been five days since I have shaved. In true Béziat fashion, this means that I now look like I haven't shaved since this morning. "Whatta man, whatta man!"

More later...have fun all.

Friday, July 1:

I am growing to love this town. No way would I leave Nashville for it, but I am settling into its charm. I have explored it a bit more and will continue to do more exploring today. With my lovely wife and cherubs visiting a friend in Mobile, Alabama, Biloxi is mine to wander about with no responsibilities otherwise. Jefferson Davis' home is one option, although I am not much of a history buff. Speaking of buff, there is a nude beach nearby, but I can already envision myself nervous and wanting to shove my hands into my pockets - and finding no pockets.

I think I will head down to the beach and get some good walking in. Too bad I am without camera today; hopefully tomorrow we'll have no rain and I can take some nice pics of the area. I'll just call today a scouting day.

And tonight, at a friendly blogger's request, I will give the casinos one more shot and hit the progressive nickel slots. I hear there is some good money to be made at the progressive slots, and I could really enjoy good money. Of course, in tribute to one of the coolest movies ever made, I may play a little blackjack just so I can say "double down." I'm so money and I don't even know it.

And yes Susan, when I get home, pictures will be posted. See y'all.

Goodbye Nashville. See you in a week.

There's this place named Biloxi. It's got mothers-in-law and it's got beaches. Well, just one of each as pertaining to me. So, for the next week, I'll be wearing no work uniforms, and I might not even shave. Although, I imagine that my lovely wife will make sure that I remember to pack my razor.

I've GoogleMapped the area and have marked the important places:

a) library - because I must check my email and my favorite blogs

b) walgreens - because I need to be able to put my pics on disc and keep my memory stick clean

c) hooters - I doubt I'll go. It's just nice to know it's there

d) waffle house - it's my palate's guilty pleasure

Yep, that should about cover it. The two year old cherub will love the beach big time. We'll just do what we want, when we want. And maybe I'll go to my first casino ever. I'm getting giddy.

Anyone know Biloxi well enough to tell me what I should not miss? I welcome your comments.

The Sit-in Continues

My step-mother Pam.

Read up on the TennCare sit-in. There are many opinions on Gov. Bredeson's choice to cut TennCare. Many based on intellect and emotion. Was it just a mismanaged program unable to deliver on its promises? Can it be tweaked and saved? We are one of very few states with such a program. Where do our obligations to help end? I would like to think that in humanity, we will always make the choice that if we are to err, then we should do so on the side of compassion.

I am nowhere close to understanding all that I should about what is so very important to so many Tennesseans. I can only read as much as I can find on the subject. Here are some starting points: TIMC and Pith in the Wind.

No Small Feat

The Power Of One Voice.

View the PSAs at FreedomCenter.org

There's a new favorite ice cream in town.

My friend Vince is from Brenham, Texas. He often would remark about the great Blue Bell Ice Cream that was famously made in his hometown. He would sometimes drive from Tennessee to somewhere deep in Alabama, just to get a taste of his storied and loved dessert. Well, around here in Nashville, we have Purity, who I always thought made the best ice cream a man could have.

About two weeks ago, I learned that Blue Bell was opening up distribution in Nolensville, TN. I waited with bated breath to have my taste of it and see if Vince really knew anything about anything. He did, after all, tell me I was going to learn to love his Houston Oilers when they moved here. So, maybe he might be onto something about this Blue Bell brand.

Vince, you should know that the good people here at Chéz Béz have tried your Blue Bell Ice Cream, and it's unanimous. It's way better than Purity and we would drive to Alabama for it too.

I only go for the coffee bar. Honest.

"Hustler Hollywood is an adult superstore that includes a coffee bar with high-end gourmet foods and pastries." - from www.bizjournals.com

Opening today in my fair city. Free pastries with the purchase of pasties maybe?

Paige and Joshua at the park

For Kate's Sake

A coworker and valued friend of mine sent me this link. Join me in wishing her nieces well.

Strange Fruit

Senate apologizes for lynchings: article

Here is a better article, with the story of James Cameron, who is the only known survivor of any lynching.

"Strange Fruit" refers to a moving Nina Simone song on the subject.

Piper At The G8s Of Dawn

It doesn't thrill me like it would have ten or fifteen years ago, but I was happy to read that Roger Waters and Pink Floyd have briefly reunited to perform at Live 8 "to persuade the G8 leaders to make huge commitments to the relief of poverty." It's nice that cross boys can shrug a grudge aside from time to time to the benefit of those less fortunate.

The related news from this weekend is that the G8 has agreed to write off 55 billion US dollars owed to it by 38 poverty stricken countries. And the concert hasn't yet begun. My friend, Sam Davidson, wrote about this with more eloquence and links at his blog. Read up and learn more.

Bonnaroom At The Inn

At my hotel this weekend, we had three different types of travelers. Country music fans for CMT's Fan Fest, racing fans for the race at Nashville Speedway, and many a fan and artist for Manchester's Bonnaroo. What do all of these people have in common? They all think that all it does here is rain.

I'm not a racing fan, nor do I really care for country music all that much. Bonnaroo however...how cool it would have been to have gone. I really miss going to shows, but I'm all grown up now (and it helps that I am generally broke). I still fill my head with music; I just do so via the computer. I listen to famous eclectic radio stations on the web and stream tunes with Rhapsody. Currently, thanks to the Garden State soundtrack, The Shins are getting strong airplay in my automobile, and I'm always looking for the next cool thing.

Back at the hotel, I was happy to meet Adam Topol (pictured), drummer for Jack Johnson. An exceptionally nice and cool guy, and he really sounds great on Jack's CDs. He seems to be considering a move to Nashville. I gave him a Nashville Scene, told him about Grimey's, and gave him a glowing review of my fair city. Come on over, Adam. It's sunny today.

Thank you, Hard Rock Poolcam

Hard Rock Hotel Poolcam - For those hot days around the house, in the summer, with no AC, and no money. A warm respite indeed!

This Playlist Is So Money

1. Fever - Peggy Lee
2. Jack, You're Dead - Louis Jordan
3. Take Five - The Dave Brubeck Quartet
4. Reefer Man - Cab Calloway
5. Peter Gunn - Henry Mancini
6. But I Was Cool - Oscar Brown Jr.
7. Walk On The Wild Side - Jimmy Smith
8. Twisted - Lambert, Hendricks & Ross
9. Beat Girl - John Barry
10. (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66 - Nat King Cole
11. Manteca - Dizzy Gillespie
12. The Ballad Of All The Sad Young Man - Anita O'Day

Our Flaming Thumbtack in USA Today

Nice to see what we have known for years in the national media.

It's My Bliss And I'll Complain If I Want To

I'm a nice guy with a loving family. I have a mortgage, two cars, a lovely wife, 3 healthy and good children, and a dog who greets me when I come home each night. I have a wonderful job with great coworkers who I call my friends. I have so much more than millions will ever have. Yes, I am blessed. That said...I'm hot and I'm cranky. My AC is out and I come home to discomfort. My haven is not hospitable. It's too hot. No longer under warranty for labor, it turns out that my unit is the eyesore of its industry. Great. My choice: Save up for the $600 it'll cost to fix an unreliable unit? Or save up for 6 or 7 times that amount and get a better brand put in? (Warning: I feel a rant coming up.)

• I wake up this morning to my cherub falling off of my bed. He's fine but screaming from the shock and fear of falling.
• Then my wife informs me that my work check had an error on it. $40 for a week's worth of work? I don't think so.
• Did I mention it's hot in the house? My general crankiness is well on its way now.
• My hero/father comes over but I have no time to visit b/c I have to go to work.
• I go to work. We are not busy so I am at peace with not making a lot of money today, but I get drama anyway. Someone has told a petty lie about me and now my integrity is questioned by someone whose friendship I value.
• I come home at midnight to a loving home which is, as previously mentioned, hot, hot, hot. My poor family had to deal with this all day? Maybe I had the good day instead. At least I was in a cool, comfortable hotel all day.

In truth, one factor to my discontent might be that I spent a portion of my morning watching booktv on cspan. (Yes, ladies. I am a hot date.) General envy seemed to find its way into my subconscious, watching authors and editors discussing writing and the marketing of writing. I could have watched them talk all day long. I have gone through my day, stressed about money and pissy about something I can't quite put my finger on. I realize now that I know I am not doing what I am supposed to be doing. I like it, it is serving its purpose, and I am dedicated to doing it well each day, but it shouldn't be my life's work.

I'm good, but I could be so much better.