Bye Baton Rouge

So I am getting ready to leave Baton Rouge to start my journey back. I should note that last night (in a completely sober state) I got a tattoo. I have been thinking about a tattoo for quite some time and I decided on Monday I would do it. I thought about my many nieces and nephews and what I want for them and what I am sure what any parent wants for their children so I choose an olive branch for my bottom right leg. I didn't hurt, which I was so scared about, it was just more uncomfortable, a good reminder of the south :p and my solo journey.

I have packed up and said goodbye to the girls. I should note that I have been staying just off campus with Taryne's teammates - 7 of them. AAh there's nothing like staying with 7 19-20 years olds to make one smile. All of the girls are from the South except for Taryne and each of them are so kind and polite, so thoughtful and so messy haha. Coming from an OCD approach to house cleaning this was a good break from my comfort box (ha Taryne told her friend Carly get out of your comfort box - hmmm or zone lol).

They are off to play their first game of the season in Austin tomorrow and left at 7.30 am but last night there was lots of giggle fits and singing before bed. Generally the girls have practice at 5 30 am and are in bed by 10 pm but last night lights didn't go out until 1 and not before there was a healthy discussion of politics, soccer and you guessed it boys. It was pretty interesting being 36 and listening to the 20 year olds talking probably about the same things 47 year olds talk about. And so it goes.

Taryne wow what a lady. I have the advantage (disadvantage?) of having watched her grow from a baby to a young adult to an independent woman. I have know Taryne forever literally, her mother (my cousin) and I started hanging out around when the girls (Deidre and Taryne and then of course Chels :p) were older but I remember the girls when they were young, thanks to Kaila :). Of course being 17 yrs older we didn't really 'hang out' but kept in touch through her parents and of all the achievements and of course the latest advent of Facebook.

So coming down here I wasn't sure what to expect, ya know. Maybe i would stay a couple days and that would be enough but that wasn't the case I really enjoyed getting to know Taryne as an adult and her insight on all kinds of things. She is extremely polite yet is not a pushover, which when one is 3500 kms from home is impressive. I appreciated her candour and her ability to laugh and most impressive was her love for the game of soccer. She would introduce me as her cousin from Canada who is really smart (I beg to differ), works in politics and lives away from home and has travelled all of the place by myself and as a result is cool (again different opinions). Thing is I find Taryne cool pursuing her dream, her love despite the distance from family and comfort. To me she displays all the attributes of a leader and coolness.

Which leads me to think about my extended family and how proud of all of them I am really all doing our thing yet keeping loosely in touch (again thank you facebook) and thankful for the events that bring us together (the latest epic event Alanis' wedding) and the smile it brings when I think of the laughter, support and love we bring each other despite some of the kookiness. So to mushoom august and kokum rose thank you.

hmmmm

seems my last post didn't "stick"....well here's the 411 - I spent the day on Wednesday checking out the downtown area of Baton Rouge, which isn't that big but is pretty cool but I am guessing like Ottawa empties out at night. The State Capitol is the tallest in the US; on the 27th floor there is an observation deck that allows one to see all around Baton Rouge including the Mighty Mississippi, I am deathly afraid of heights and much to the chagrin of myself and the amusement of the attendant I forced myself to go out on the observation deck. Which is not like the Empire State Building which had a mesh netting around it, rather a shoulder high bar, ugh. Thank goodness for the amazing view - pure beauty. The building was constructed in 1932 and houses the State Senate and the State Legislature. I noted and took pictures of the pictures of the State Legislators that in 1968 there were not black elected legislators but in 1972 there were four and it continued to grow from there.

I went to the "old" state capitol from there and it was exactly what I expected from an old southern building, opulent and grand. It has one of those swirl staircases in the middle which conjured up images of Gone With the Wind (though I never have watched that). There are some awesome exhibits of Louisiana politics housed in the capitol - like a lecture one can stand at and press a button and listen to old speeches from politicians. I listened to all the ones from the 60's and the importance of the black voice I wonder if a lot has changed.

Also is a exhibition on Huey Long, former governor of Louisiana who despite what one thinks of his politics made an impressionable impact on the current state of Louisiana. He was assassinated perhaps he was a southern Tommy Douglas American style? In any case I enjoyed learning about him. There was also an exhibit about a confederate girl's perspective on the Civil War, which I really need to know more about, which was quite interesting to say the least.

From there I checked out the boat casino...ha I am not entirely comfortable in casino's so to be on one that was a boat was not my thing and it was difficult as they allow smoking in the boat so that visit lasted 6 minutes :).

I found the best part of the day walking around the downtown and looking at different monuments like what's called Indian Mound, which is a mound of dirt that the Indian Chief of the area lived on until I guess the newcomers killed them? Likely. During the Civil War it was used as a shooting gallery by the north and there are still two cannons on the mound.

It was a great day and I thoroughly enjoyed my political tour of Louisiana.

Tis the life

This vacationing thing I had forgotten how awesome it is.....def getting used to these stellar days of just justing. Let's start with my old best friend who I had forgotten about, the sun. Man it is sooo sweet to feel the heat when you walk out the door. Just how I imagine a dryer would feel without the tumblin. Today was only 36 out so I thought a nice walk around the lakes in the city would be nice, the lakes are surrounded by beautiful homes the standard southern type homes. I will endeavour to take pictures (very poor picture taker). I did make a wrong turn and my cousin Taryne informed me I was in the ghetto, well sweetheart I say check out the rez cux those houses weren't too bad, certainly not like the ones I saw in Nashville or Birmingham.

I did drive thru of the downtown area and def gonna go walk there on thursday and dig around. I noted there is a casino that is on a boat that goes up the Mississippi (ah the mighty mississipp) and I may check that out depending on their rules on capping bets.....i jest i jest.

Totally lovin this city though so chill and all friendly. Taryne encouraged me to try shrimp/crab cakes (even though thats reserved for Maryland - ha shout out to Wedding Crashers cuz that's how I roll) and fried green tomatoes......hmmmmmm on both counts. I also tried Cane's which is unique to the South and I gotta say that dipping sauce is the da bomb. I am gonna buy some of the spices and dips so I can get someone to cook for me.

Tomorrow Taryne and I are going to check out a plantation but not one that is know for being haunted as Taryne has flat out refused.... well maybe she can be convinced...with a little prodding. BOO

Baton Rouge

Arrived safely and soundly on Sunday evening, broke my no driving when its dark but only for 40 minutes which really for me was like 40 hours....oh well.

Firstly, its flippin hot I LOVE IT it is very reminscent of Suva City except its America so all the consumerism avenues. I went for my daily 3 km walk and I am sure by the end it I lost all hydration. ha.

Taryne, my cousin whom I am visiting, has her practices at 5.30 am until 10.30 luckily I sleep till just before she gets back ;). Today she had my try Boudin balls (no its some sort of animal testicle) and it was awesome. Its ground up sausage, rice and spice hmmmmmm, I also tried fried dill pickle and it was okay but soooo not a boudin ball. I also tried a sonic milkshake, it was da bomb. This week I will try alligator for sure.

Taryne's teammates are awesome young women from all across the south all playing for LSU soccer (FYI I do know own a lot of LSU swag and did go and see Mike the Tiger - yes a real tiger).

The adventure continues tomorrow with the sun. Yay the sun. (Okay in the background as I type is the Real Housewives of New Jersey like holy smokes what a rank show, totally inapp.)

peeps stay tuned

Getting closer to Dixie

Holy what a fantastic drive through Kentucky just sheer beauty I totally fit in. Ohio was a bit of push and I thought okay enough of corn fields already (I wondered many times if the concept of Children of the Corn was born from there.)

Nashville is a pretty city and my first thought was to go to Opryland (please do not confuse with Oprahland). So after a couple wrong turns (one in the projects where once I saw the flag draped across the fence RIP Homeys I best turn around) I got to Opryland! AND it was closed. Ha I felt like Clark Griswald, what closed for renovations what? So no Opryland for Bons. But I did get out and check out Nashville downtown scene and there was some boot scoot boogie'ing. Good to know that Sweet Dreams can be heard in virutally ever street corner, it was like waking up on a Sunday morning on the reserve all that country music.

I am gonna look for a baptist church today and I figure if that praying can't save me nothing will :) I should hit Baton Rouge late tonight.

In other technology news, my Mac laptop is not a fan of the road trip, rather the mouse on my mac labtop and has taken on a schizophrenic personality making typing absolutely hell. Yay.

if Heaven ain't alot like dixie

Welp Erie, PA is a good time, be sure to visit Doc Holliday's Country Bar and Grill for some live music and the best chicken wings in Pennsylvania (I will have to take their word for it but they were pretty delis). There is quite the casino here as well but no dice for me. I was a bit apprehensive to stay at the Tally-Ho (the most inexpensive hotel in Erie - no bed bug bites).

So leaving Ottawa I missed the turnoff for the 416 sooo not the best start then I am not sure I wanted to cross the border at Ogdensburgh but it was a super nice drive so really only one "wrong" turn. In any case I am quite the car singer, like look out Nashville clearly I am the next Tanya Tucker. Clearly.

Pretty pumped for the Smoky Mountains today at least I think that's what I will see, but who knows. Have a happy Saturday peeps here's to the possibility of meeting Hank Williams Jr :)

Louisanna Bound

Summation since Fiji - new job, new city, new nail polish. Things changed but stayed the same as they say, anyway there have been a couple trips since the 'ji (like nyc thanks Leah, Syracuse thanks Brenda/Gina/Stephanie/Sonia, Winnipeg thanks, hmm) anyway trips but this particular trip I thought I would resurrect the ole all about me (arguably these posts will be longer then a facebook status update, also watch for those) blog.

So this time the trip I am embarking on is not an island paradise but rather big ole drive down to the deep south, who knows which way I am going, who knows where I am staying just know I am going to Baton Rouge, Louisanna (address to be determined). Periodically through the 2400 kms trek I will post some, what I expect to be, intellectually stimulating thoughts on here for all of you to reflect on (all five of my followers, stay strong homies) and add to your daily discourse. I am almost sure there will be an adventure or 7 . In any case, stay posted as I may need an assortment of needs - cash (high priority, tips on locations, survival guide of alligator attack and BP stock prices).

Good luck and goodspeed (yes I just said that to myself)