Key West Days!

HER: Recently I took a girl trip, accompanied by our friend Carrie Chastain and her friend Lynne Summers, to the famous city of Key West.

We were Key West virgins in a not so virgin land, but it didn't take us very long to acclimate to this city. There were awesome art galleries showing gorgeous pottery and beautiful paintings with a notch of eccentricity. Jewelry stores showing a very elegant collection of jewels, apparel, clothing, knickknack stores........ there was even a COACH factory store!!!

Beautiful weather, amazing food, great company, and fun adventures have left some very good memories.

The Hard Reality

HIM: Now, this isn't really a place of philosophical or historical discussion, but the recent news on the Palestinian front inspires a little banter on the topic of legitimate nation states.

There is a civil war raging on Israel's border right now. Different muslim activist factions are to blame. In fact, the infighting really frames the political atmosphere of all modern Islamic regimes. The delicate balance between support of extremist activities and totalitarian societal control can be tipped as soon as one group begins to shout louder than the current leadership. Whatever apparent solidarity the forces previously showed, has been broken by the fact that all the while they were shaking hands, they were silently maneuvering for each other's throats like predatory pack animals.

"This is a coup... against the Palestinian cause," Palestinian legislator Saeb Erakat told CNN yesterday.

The real question that the world is asking itself, as the EU retrieves $100M in allocated aid for the region, is what exactly is the "Palestinian Cause"? For years, Arafat bulldogged neighbors with the premise that it was nothing short of military overthrow of the nation of Israel. With all manner of side agendas occurring simultaneously, at least the international community recognized the reality of that engagement. At best, the figurehead Alpha of the Palestinians was afraid to chastise extreme factions for fear of extreme reprisals. At worst, and most likely, Arafat was channeling state support for all sorts of military activists abroad.

What's happening right now is a breakdown common to all activist leadership structures. The modern wave of brainwashed grunts passes basic training in some remote terrorist training facility. The leadership structure is well defined. "We are training this group of activists for 'X' purpose," leaders say, while thinking and discussing among themselves something different. "We are really using these thugs for 'Y' purpose." Telling jihadists that they have a divine purpose, while planning and organizing very terrestrial mechanations...

Once the cell leaders have trained and implemented a plan of attack, the individuals in that leadership hierarchy may move on to other things, leaving behind a wake of abandoned, saintly-meaning, but ill-tempered youngsters who will in turn become the next generation of leadership to an old cause. What we have at this stage becomes leadership that preaches "X" and thinks "X" without "Y" entering into the equasion. Any leader who steps forward at this stage discussing "Y" becomes "soft" or "ineffective". As a result, splinter groups of radicals within radicals emerge and the whole cycle repeats itself.

In Palestine today, the dismissed Prime Minister Ismail Haniya (which appears ironically like a dyslexic corruption of "Hayina" -- like "hyena"...) held on to his office, reminding us that a pseudo-democratic system that preaches hate and violence is most immediately at risk of hate and violence itself. Unfortunately, Palestinian moderates are surely trampled by the brutal environment of the rabid political dogfighting.

Who knows how this will all turn out...? What is for certain, though, is the facade of "legitimate" islamic militantism has been set back 50 years. Pretending to serve a common good, the violence and mahem only serve to waylay the sanctity of real Muslims, family, neighbors, friends, and allies. People around the world are reminded again, just how terrible these sand vipers really are.

Becoming Dinosaurs!!!

Frank, Sebastian and I, dressed like dinosaurs at the Children's Museum in Indianapolis.

"PLATERO Y YO"

HER: While I was growing up, there were only a few books that would catch my attention. Trying to develop a taste for literature, I was presented with a book called "Platero y Yo" (translated: Platero and I) writen by a Spanish author named Juan Ramon Jimenez.

It was one of those books that becomes a favorite for a reason. This book poetically recreates the life and death of the donkey Silversmith. It is an adult text, although by its simplicity and transparency fits perfectly to the imagination of children. I recently found a summarized version of this book so I decided to share it with Sebastian.

While visiting the Louisville Zoo, I asked Sebastian what he thought we should name a donkey while we were petting it... He said... Platero!!

Cheeseburger Platter in Paradise

HIM: For those who didn't already hear, Matt has decided to go Meatitarian! He abandoned his Veggivorous eating habits in favor of the fleshy alternative. Okay, maybe he still eats veggies, but soy is no longer his only protein source! I supported his meatlessness, learning about the merits of the lifestyle (read: Roots Restaurant in Bloomington), but he claims to have found it difficult on others around him. His family was apparently having a hard time coming up with creative new dinner options at get-togethers. Regardless, in honor of this occasion, Matt, Misty, Vanessa, Sebastian, and I paid a visit to Cheeseburger in Paradise in Bloomington.

Here we are with our Carnivorous Platters -- Mini Cheeseburgers, Chicken Wings, Ribs, and a sprinkling of Onion Peels. Supposedly an appetizer, it can be consumed as a meal with fridge leftovers to spare for the next day.

We are back!!!

HER: Yes, yes.... We made it back from Indy, good and safe.... It was a 3 day mini vacation and we had a great time!!! (Sometimes it is so nice to get away for just a few days....).

We left on a Tuesday after work and a little later. Had dinner at a Long Horn in Bloomington and we were on our way to Indianapolis. We arrive at the Hilton Garden Inn, late enough to jump in the hot tub and go to bed. Got up a little late on Wednesday and again on our way out to the Indianapolis Zoo.

The weather was perfect... sunny but not too hot.

At the zoo we got to visit with the animals and even feed a few!!

A meer cat looking pensive... while posing for the camera.

Sebastian and Frank behind a tree trying to feed an ostrich.

Us feeding the parrots....

Indianapolis Trip

HIM: We returned from Indianapolis, having stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn (May 22 - 24) right off of the downtown Circle Plaza. It was a great time! We made it to the Zoo, Children's Museum, swimming, dining at a Peruvian restaurant, and sat outside Starbucks reading and chatting the last morning of our stay.

Here we are at the Indianpolis Zoo watching dolphins do flips in the air.

In this picture, I act as translator for a very pleasant hyena, so that Sebastian can make a new (plastic) friend at the Indy Zoo.

Sebastian looking "awesomely cool" in his shades on our ride to the Peruvian restaurant north of Indianapolis.


Sebastian made friends at the Children's Museum. He also landed a seat at the head of the table in this mock household and was served his food like a king. The others don't seem to mind, though. Some people just need a purpose in life, as observed through the behaviors of young children... :)

In another interactive wing of the Children's Museum, Sebastian and I attempt to build a "movie theater" just like the Ancient Egyptians had. Sebastian had all sorts of revolutionary ideas about seating and roof support. I think in this picture he's envisioning the building of a pyramid multiplex, while directing a crew of undercaste in its creation (namely myself).

In this Children's Museum photo, Sebastian is captain of a submarine with his mother making a rare sighting of the bizarre Frankfish from a side observation window.

On the way home from Indy, we had a little fun with some SOAR! clown noses. Vanessa looks cute, even with an enlarged red watusi. There is also a brief glimpse of her mother sitting in the seat behind her.

On To Indy

HIM: I'm waiting for Vanessa, her mom and Sebastian to arrive in Bedford. The work day is essentially over, but in 10 minutes we'll be on our way to Indianapolis for the next 2 days. We're staying at the Hilton Garden Inn just off of the Circle downtown. Hopefully, we'll get some swimming and hot tub time, in addition to the requisite museum/zoo'ish visitation while we're in Indy. We'll have a full review of the trip when we get back, so be sure to check back. Who knows what we'll encounter on this adventure...

Jesus Comes to Dinner...

HIM: While common in the Spanish-speaking world, there are few Americans who pay Jesus the Christ homage by naming their children after him. As a result, it is a surprise to most who hear the name spoken here. Now, Vanessa's father is named Jesus (pronounced hay-soo-s in Spanish) and I don't hesitate to make my friends do a double-take. I rather enjoy the questioning look and comical pause I get when saying "Jesus is coming to dinner tomorrow," or "I met Jesus last week."

That being said, Jesus had dinner with us last night. Delegates from Vanessa's family met with delegates from my family for Mother's Day. The results were good.

We got the night off to a shaky start, though, when my mom seemed to forget that we were bringing and cooking dinner for the group. She thawed steaks and readied the sides while we were on the other side of town doing the same. I say "we", but I really mean Vanessa. She has a fluency of coordination in the kitchen that renders my assistance, at best, somewhat helpful. Regardless, we got the prime rib, pasta, spinach dip, and mousse loaded up in the car and headed over to my parents' house.

The introductions went well, from what I gather. While unloading the dishes, our parents seemed to approach each other without too much nudging. :)

We succeeded in grilling the steaks and plating the food while our parents talked and my sisters (Annie and Vanessa -- 'Ness) entertained themselves. Dinner was delicious, as expected, and everyone slid into the living room to digest their meal.

Unfortunately, my mom has no sense of comfort, so Vanessa's parents awkwardly eeked out a spot after some prompting and sat down. In what could be a very engaging and entertaining gathering place, the room succeeds in neither asthetics nor function. The walls are cluttered with knick-knacks and furniture that have no place (in the universe, let alone the house), so they should obviously be prominently featured in the most important room. [End housekeeping critique]

Vanessa's mom gave mine a beautiful, handmade, silver peacock that she brought from Peru as a visitor's gift. It was a very nice gesture. To round it out, Vanessa offered my sisters access to some clothing that she was thinking of donating to Goodwill. The girls were invited to come over and dig through her collection another night.

Sebastian got to spend some time awake (having napped through dinner) and played for a while with his toys and Ness. It wasn't long, though, before everyone sank low into their seats, too fatigued themselves to rally any stirring conversation or activities.

We had a great 3 hours at my parents' house. It was a memorable time and I look forward to more nights like it.

Having discussed the evening's events, I have to say that I feel sorry that there hasn't been more for Vanessa's parents to do while they've been here these last 2 weeks. We don't have the breadth of activities that the big city offers in Salem, and many of the activities that we did in the city were shopping related. Hopefully, they're not too bored and are having a good time. I know that it's been exciting for them to visit with Sebastian and I'm very happy to meet them. However, Jesus leaves on Wednesday and there is just so much more we could have done...

Vanessa's Parents Arrive

HIM: Vanessa's parents arrived from Lima on Wednesday. Since then we have been out AND in to dinner (blue cheese and portabella mushroom prime rib last night!), seen Spider Man 3, explored French Lick Casino (where Vanessa broke even with a $5.00 investment...), tasted some wines at the French Lick Winery, and drove through Indiana University's Bloomington campus. After last night's delicious feast, Sebastian and I took his little toy work bench outside and sanded down his walking stick. We got it nice and smooth, then sealed it with some spray stain.