Elvis Museum – photos provided by author It’s true: I am deeply, utterly conflicted. Alas, that which I completely and utterly love is also that which fills me with irreconcilable anxiety. Yet as much as my insides churn with angst, I can’t stop myself from indulging. It’s very much a part of who I am.ContinueContinue reading “Erubisu (Graceland – Memphis, TN)”
Category Archives: Memoires
Trivial Things: The Dream Within the Diorama
Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us togeder today. Mawage, that bwessed awangment, that dweam wifin a dweam … And wuv, twoo wuv, will fowow you foweva …”The Princess Bride” – spoken by The impressive Clergyman As a kid, I never questioned whether I would get married. Most of the grown-ups in my life who weren’tContinueContinue reading “Trivial Things: The Dream Within the Diorama”
Small Town Blues (Clarksdale, MS)
In all my travels, I haven’t spent a ton of time investigating small towns. Growing up, my family trips consisted of resorts and cruises, metropolitan areas and islands. We focused on major tourist spots, and amenities that were family-friendly. I should mention, I completely understand this approach, now that I have to juggle my wanderlustContinueContinue reading “Small Town Blues (Clarksdale, MS)”
The Man Who Would Be King (Tupelo, MS)
In the shadow of a king – photo provided by author “I don’t like the looks of it,” said the King: “however, it may kiss my hand, if it likes.””I’d rather not,” the Cat remarked. Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass We stumbled on this exit somewhat serendipitously. I wasn’t really thinking aboutContinueContinue reading “The Man Who Would Be King (Tupelo, MS)”
The City That Never Woke Up (Birmingham, AL)
The shot that must be taken – photo provided by author You win some, you lose some. It’s always a bit of a crap shoot when you do a road trip with very little itinerary, and extremely light research. You hope that the towns you pick will open themselves up to you, and steer youContinueContinue reading “The City That Never Woke Up (Birmingham, AL)”
Rashomon Series: Mother and Daughter Remember Great Britain
It’s that time again – time for “something a little different”! Inspired by one of my favorite stories, Rashomon, I solicit the thoughts and opinions of others who have tread the same path as me, but (inevitably) they bring a different perspective. End result: you get twice the story. This time, my mother (known hereContinueContinue reading “Rashomon Series: Mother and Daughter Remember Great Britain”
Trivial Things: Okoto Tsume
I’d forgotten I still had these. Then during the ordinary course of packing and purging for a move to a new, smaller, better-located home, my mother brought over a box of my stuff from my year of teaching in the JET Programme. A box that she’d found that had been moved in their last move,ContinueContinue reading “Trivial Things: Okoto Tsume”
Trivial Things: Ukiyo-e (Grandma’s Gifts)
Growing up, I never thought of my grandmother as a loving woman. Intimidating ? Yes. Opinionated and critical? Check and check. A force of nature who changed the energy of every room she walked into? Boy howdy. But loving? That’s what other people’s grandmothers were, sweet and coddling, giggly and cute. The only way toContinueContinue reading “Trivial Things: Ukiyo-e (Grandma’s Gifts)”
Trivial Things: Katana Collection – Kenshin
You may know him as Samurai X, but he’ll always be Himura Kenshin to me. Adorable, red-haired, charming, committed pacifist, the quintessential wielder of the reverse-blade, and my absolute favorite anime hero, ever. You may be asking yourself, why am I, an (apparent) grown-up, talking about my favorite cartoon character, in a post that promisedContinueContinue reading “Trivial Things: Katana Collection – Kenshin”
Trivial Things: Katana Collection – An Origin Story
I’ve got to hand it to them — swords do make an impression. I would guess that most people, having lived long enough and done enough stupid things involving a kitchen knife, typically have an emotional response to bladed weaponry. Sure, it’s often fear, or at least a reasonable level of nervousness. For some othersContinueContinue reading “Trivial Things: Katana Collection – An Origin Story”
Muttering Retreats 