A Right of Passage

When Lara came back from Alabama with some additional wedding gifts that had to be left behind after the wedding, I knew that the time had come when I could use the term "man" to accurately describe myself. For in one of the gifts the power of manhood resides: a Lowe's gift card. Instantly I knew what must be done; I must buy a grill.

I mistakenly took the little lady to help choose which grill will bring the most joy for many years to come. I say "mistakenly" because she gave the grills one look and left me to go look at garden hoses. I called her back for her opinion on the matter only to find that she picked a small transportable 4 burger grill and deemed it sufficiently adequate. I laughed, "no." That's when I had an epiphany: choosing a grill is my solemn duty, one that I shall not take lightly. Serious questions needed answering.

Sure charcoal is the only way to go for taste; but in times that call for quick preparation, does charcoal produce the best use of my time? What if I wanted to invite the whole class over for burgers? Or, ribs? How many square inches is the "perfect" cooking area? Is a grill supposed to be shiny? Are all these "bells and whistles" necessary for success, or do they compensate for something else?

At first these questions were overwhelming, but I shook myself clear of this convolusive trap. I chose a beauty that can handle 30 burgers or 4 racks of ribs or, well, you can figure out where I'm going with this... And, following the advice of grilling master from Arlen, Texas, I chose clean burning sweet lady propane and propane accessories to evenly cook my meats (and veggies.)

I am yet to bring it home and install it near my back porch, but I already feel wiser and more confident.

Gone from the Wind

The foulness is gone. Thank you Little Rock for turning on your fans and blowing that away - far away. I've been told that it was Pine Bluff. No offense to the PB, but that was bad. I mean, B-A-D bad. I did not appreciate that bouquet of stink at all. Not at all.

It is odd, however, that none of my colleagues - not at AEDC and not at the school - noticed a thing. I asked myself, "did I imagine that smell?" I contend that, no, I certainly did not imagine anything. Somehow people grow immune to that. Or, maybe I got up earlier than they did, and the winds changed before they roused themselves this morning.

Anyway, it is time to rejoice. Glory glory glory be the smell of nature and sweet summertime in Arkansas.

Lunch Time

I stepped outside this morning to catch a breath of fresh Arkansas goodness only to find that the sweet aromas of honeysuckle, magnolia, and freshly mowed grass were not present. They had been replaced by "stink" - an overpowering malodorous gut-wrenching rot, decay, and souring. LR smells horrible today...really bad. I mean, something dropped a big one in central Arkansas. I thought it was just my neighborhood (such a thing has been known to happen); but, as I have no A/C in my car and must ride with windows down, I found that the "stink" had formed an ominous cloud of putridity over the city.

Therefore, I have decided to take my lunch in the office today rather than brave the foulness. I have confined myself to my office and my fifth cup of coffee which is doubling as a hazelnut potpourri. Arkansas' summertime smells have been invaded by something sinister...and the City better get it figured out by quitting time today.

Thoughts While Archiving Video After a Long Day At AEDC

I find myself currently staring at the NARA building and the new stairs on the terraces behind the School. I'm archiving tonight, and the download is taking a while...

I love reading the stories from all of my fellow classmates who are stationed around the world. I probably check their blogs at least 5 times a day, full of hope that each one of them has relayed some tale of their lives in the distant lands across the vast oceans full of pirates and seamonsters. One would think that after reading the most recent posts, I'd give up. But, no. Several hours later I get the itch, and I check again. Maybe Julie, Jay, and Marquita can't sleep and have some profound experience that needs to be immediately documented. Maybe Boots the Cat has waged bloody war on rodents in the house to the horror of Sanford, Ryan, and Sarah. Maybe Carly and Molly met a sherpa and took a midnight hike up Everest. Or maybe Sara and Amanda found a city of bones... Maybe Lukman caught a would-be mugger. Maybe Hunter has met everyone in Cameroon and colonized it in the Name of North Little Rock. Maybe James and Chances are ministers in this new "North Little Rockeroon." Maybe Emily has become a meat-arian. Or, maybe Jose met Obama, and in a backroom deal, convinced him to cede victory to Hillary. Maybe Idonia kidnapped Jose. Maybe J.D. won't get sunburned in Hawaii this week. Maybe Lindsey really is a doctor. Maybe all of those without blogs are freeing pandas from the earthquake or backpacking with indigenous peoples of South America, etc. Who knows... Anyway, more often than not, my hopes are dashed. But, my imagination is active.

Well, President Cardoso's public program is now immortalized in the Video Archives, and I'm closing in on finishing the Spring 2007 archive...so, I must go home to the little lady before I get in trouble.