1) I had the worst cappucino of my life the other day in Kansas City, Missouri (or as the locals so hipply call it: KC-MO). I should have known better since it was at a place that also sold hot dogs and fountain drinks but they had a fairly decent looking machine and I was desperate. I ordered a double 12 oz nonfat cap and the first thing the toothless woman asked was, “Is 2 percent ok?” They had no other milk choices so I said ’sure.’ My drink was 12 oz of flat burnt milk and burnt espresso without a trace of foam. I really wanted to ask her to remake it but Josh said it was a lost cause…that she would remake it exactly the same, (and ’spit in it’ as my sister-in-law so fondly reminds anyone when they express interest in sending things back).
2) I’ve been to three Dollar stores.
3) I’ve watched all three of the Indiana Jones movies. (The first one is classic, the third was is gold, AND WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED WITH THE SECOND ONE? I had no idea it was so crappy, considering it was too ’scary’ for me to watch as a kid).
4) My mother-in-law expressed concern when I said I was going on a walk. She didn’t want me walking by myself–in the bright sunshine, in a Grain Valley suburb, at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. “Are you serious, do you know what neighborhood I live in?” I thought she was joking. “Women are disappearing all over Kansas City!” She said and told me several tragic stories of teenage girls getting kidnapped right out of Target parking lot’s. I pointed out that I am not teenaged, attractively dressed or blond (typical targets in my book). “In fact,” I said “I usually go out of my way to look as unattractive as possible when I take a walk…” and I couldn’t help throwing in that I walk around my own neighborhood (at dusk!) all the time despite its rampant crime rate (to my credit I decided not to reveal that several people were shot down the street a year ago). I know she’s a worrier but I gently told her that I try not to buy into the culture of fear, and that all those newspaper articles about girls getting kidnapped discount all the millions of girls that go out every day and DON’T end up in a trunk. And then I made a joke when I returned about how all the barking dogs protecting their property were a greater threat on my walk then the people.
5) Visited a very cool museum about the Steamboat Arabia.
6) Trying to keep my eating under control since whenever we’re around, Josh’s parents fill the place with chocolate, ice cream, candy, and other treats. (What better time to redeem a dozen free donuts at the donut shop then when Josh, his sister, and I happen to be around!)
7) KC-MO continues to be one of the least vibrant cities I’ve ever visited (although Detroit trumps it, I suppose). Here is where the housing market has fallen in on itself with auction signs, for sale signs, and sub-prime loan signs on every corner. I still can’t get over the lack of trees, bushes, and general foliage. I am told this is due to the harsh winters and sizzling hot summers. Nobody can afford to water their lawn constantly so gardens do not thrive, flowers burn up, and the heat drowns most shrubs.
8) There is no recycling in Grain Valley…none. No recycling centers either–although I did point out a newspaper drop off site on the way back from church. At the risk of sounding like a pompous Seattlite it’s like nails on a chalkboard throwing away a glass bottle in the garbage can.
9) Despite the complaining, I’m generally enjoying myself…really.