It Certainly Is Easy To Get Sunburn Here

It was seriously easy for me to wake up early yesterday. With my body’s time clock still on Eastern Time I was awake before dawn. My only problem was figuring out what time it really was since most of my electronics were set to Eastern Time and I didn’t know the time difference between Atlanta and Tempe.

As you read this I am already on the road, headed for the Petrified Forest. Or not, as I “overslept” and am finally getting going at 4am MST.

I Don’t Know Where I Will Spend My Geriatric Years, But It Will Not Be Here
Take the heat of the desert and add in some of the traffic woes of Atlanta and you have Tempe / Scottsdale. I have yet to make it to Phoenix proper.

One thing is certain, I doubt that I will ever move here. On top of all of the stuff mentioned above this place seems depressing and ugly to me.

On a positive note however, I see that Tempe is putting in a light rail system for public transportation. What a concept!

ITP Flickr Pic
I just love the juxtaposition of the BOA logo and the cactus.

Walk into either and you suffer.

For The Campus For “America’s Greatest Architect” It Sure Is Run Down
I paid $35 for the three-hour Insider’s Tour of Taliesin West. I am not disappointed at all. In addition to seeing parts of the campus not shown on other tours we were treated to fruits, cakes, and soft drinks midway through the tour. The tour started with a short lecture from Wright’s former personal doctor. The man was easily in his mid-eighties and had the facial features that only age can deliver. I sneakily took one picture of him, but my settings were not properly set forthe conditions so the shot came out blurry. I was too scared to make another attempt. To this day Taliesin West is a functioning school so we were not allowed into part where apprentices were working on projects.

While I wish the tour was a little more educational and factual, a lot of it consisted of tales about a man whose ego was larger than life, it was rather interesting to go into the buildings he called his home.

Jack Is Going To Be So Jealous When He Finds Out How I’ve Been Pimping Jill
Jill (aka my Garmin Nuvi 350) may be the greatest purchase that I have ever made. Yesterday she navigated me to Taliesin West, REI, Best Buy, Fry’s Electronics and back to my hotel (can you surmise that I needed something and spent even more money yesterday?).

As Luck Would Have It, Part 1
I arrived at the REI shopping center a little past lunch time. Having eaten sweets and fruit earlier suppressed some of my hunger, but not all of it. I looked to my left and saw a Schlotzky’s Deli, but declined because I can get that anywhere. Then I saw a sign that read “Taco Nazo Mexican Food.” Yahtzee!

I ordered one carnitas, one carne asada, and one lengua taco. I will admit now that when I ordered lengua that I didn’t know that lengua is cow’s tongue (my cow Stacy & Phil). I knew it wasn’t tripe (cow’s stomach) because I know that is called tripa, so I at least I had that going for me. I will say now that all three tacos were absolutely delicious. Will I order lengua again now that I know it’s cow’s tongue? Probably not…

As Luck Would Have It, Part 2
Back in my hotel room I had one thing on my mind — beer. I Googled for a local brewpub and came up with a place which was located a block from the hotel room. Unfortunately the key word in that sentence was “was” as it apparently closed shop some time ago. I was not completely out of luck however since just a few more blocks farther away was Four Peaks Brewing Company.

I should have carried Jill with me as even though the place was so close I lost my bearings a little on the walk. Or perhaps I should have walked up to strangers and ask them to take me there like they do on Amazing Race.

My efforts and persistence for finding Four Peaks were highly rewarded. Four Peaks only serves beer made on the premises. I started with the nine-beer sampler tray. Pictures of this exist on my phone because I could never get the tray situated on the bar and get a good shot of it with my camera.

The sampler tray was followed by a pint of their Kiltlifter Scottish Ale and plate of carne adovada which were huge chunks of spiced pork served with Mexican rice, refried beans, and burrito shells.

Whataburger, Jack In The Box, In And Out Burgers, Carl’s Jr.
Man I wish that I had more time. I’d love to eat in all of these burger chains that have not penetrated the East Coast.

Items Forgotten, Items Found, Items Purchased
– prescription sunglasses (forgotten)
– sunblock (fogotten, probably couldn’t get past TSA anyway)
– Moleskine notebook (found)
– Floppy hat to retard sun (purchased)
– Circular Polarization lens filters — 62mm, 72mm, 77mm (purchased)

And now for some ideas stolen from LiveJournal…
Current Mood – full
Current Music – none
Website Of The Day – I referred to so much food today that it only seems fitting to link to a food blog. Today you should check out Chocolate and Zucchini.
Exercise (b)Log – walking a lot
Mode Of Transportation To Work – None because I am not at work.

May Goals
1) Lose two pounds. (starting weight 200 lbs)
2) Exercise at least five days per week.
3) Read two books, specifically
3a) “722 Miles: The Building of the Subways and How They Transformed New York”
3b) “The Evolution Of Useful Things…”

Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]