NYC Helicopter Ride

I've never ridden in a helicopter and always wondered what it's like.  I hear it's not like flying in an airplane.  That intrigues me.  Going up in a helicopter is No. 48 on my bucket list.

I asked and learned my wife Robin has also never ridden a helicopter, so today -- our eleventh anniversary -- I'm surprising Robin with a helicopter sightseeing tour of New York City.  I booked the flight at Liberty Helicopter which is reported to give the best flying tour of the city.

I'll let you know later how it goes.  I plan to take pictures and, afterward, I'm treating Robin to Cajun food at the only New Orleans restaurant in NYC, The Delta Grill.  I like the place.  Nawlins food, beer and Mardi Gras decoration.

Have you ever gone up in a helicopter?

Around The World

Through the amazing Internet, we can make friends around the world.  Last year, I met this really nice South African blogger named Wendy.  We chat often and I like her.  I've even met Wendy's sister, Lynn, who's equally sweet.

When I offered a terrific china mug for my giveaway, Wendy mentioned that she'd enjoy one, so I popped one in the mail to her.  It just arrived and she thanks me for it here.  I'm thrilled it managed to travel halfway around the world in one piece.

Give Wendy's blog a look; you'll like it.  And her!

Johnny Cash Was Funny

I don't care what kind of music you prefer, you'll enjoy Johnny Cash when you listen to his music.  He crosses boundaries with his songs -- and even extends into comedy.

In my opinion, Cash's best album is the live recording of his 1968 trip to Folsom Prison ("At Folsom Prison").  On it are two songs that always make me laugh.  Here are their lyrics -- I defy you to read them without chuckling.

JOE BEAN

They're hanging Joe Bean this morning, for killing a man in Arkansas.  Funny thing about it, Joe Bean has never been to Arkansas.  On top of that, Joe Bean never heard of the man.  In fact, today is Joe Bean's twentieth birthday.

See through the prison bars, Joe Bean, see where the gallows stand.  Just twenty short years from the day you were born, you will die by the hangman's hand.

Yes, they're hanging Joe Bean this morning, for a shooting that he never did.  He killed 20 men, by the time he was 10.  He was an unruly kid.

Yes, they're hanging Joe Bean for the one shooting that Joe Bean never did.

Well, Joe -- your mother is at the Capitol, asking the Governor for a stay.  And it's hard on her, 'cause she knows where you were, on that particular day.  You were working, Joe Bean, hard working, robbing the Santa Fe.

Well, the telegraph wires are humming.  Here, the governor's words come through.  He said, "I can't set you free, it's not up to me, but this much, Joe Bean, I'll do.  I'll join your mother in extending birthday greetings to you.  Happy Birthday, Joe Bean."

On a second tune, Johnny plays with metaphors:

FLUSHED FROM THE BATHROOM OF YOUR HEART

From the back door of your life, you swept me out dear
In the bread line of your dreams, I lost my place
At the table of your love, I got the brush off
At the Indianapolis of your heart, I lost the race

I've been washed down the sink of your conscience
In the theater of your love, I lost my part
And now you say, "You've got me out of your conscience"
I've been flushed from the bathroom of your heart

In the garbage disposal of your dreams, I've been ground up dear
On the river of your plans, I'm up the creek
Up the elevator of your future, I've been shafted
On the calendar of your events, I'm last week

I've been washed down the sink of your conscience
In the theater of your love, I lost my part
And now you say, "You've got me out of your conscience"
I've been flushed from the bathroom of your heart

WLAP

I have a guest post today over at Beth's blog -- here.  It raises for discussion a fun and controversial subject.  Join the debate!

Oh, and here's a picture 'cause we should never post without a picture.  :)

Nixon Watch

I like watches.  They're functional and attractive.  I was disheartened to hear young people are choosing not to wear them; when I asked how they keep track of time, my informant rolled her eyes and said people check their cellphones now.  Duh...  Old people...

A year ago, I discovered a young company called "Nixon" which makes cool, funky watches popular with surfers and skateboarders.  They're often sold in Billabong stores.  While I liked the style of their watches, their high prices gave me pause.  I figured I'd wait until a special occasion before getting one.

That occasion arrived today.  I won a big jury trial.  To reward myself, I stopped on the way home from court and picked up a Nixon watch.  In bright yellow.

My boy-clothes are mostly dark and dull.  There isn't much fashion going on in menswear.  A pop of yellow will be just right to perk up my male clothes.

By the way, I have a guest post going up on Beth's blog tomorrow.  I raise the puzzling subject of Wearing Leggings As Pants (WLAP).  This subject is confusing to me because although everyone says don't do it, I see dozens of women every day breaking the rule.  If WLAP is a common practice among women, is it still wrong?  Toss your opinion into the ring.

And here's the watch...

Badass

My last outfit-post featured a dress done up girly.  That was the only approach that occurred to me.  In the comments, however, Lynne and others suggested taking a different direction -- using the dress to create a badass outfit.  With leather jacket, boots, etc.

The idea intrigued me, so I asked my parole officer Elaine what she thought.  Elaine encouraged me to explore this attitude.  She reminded me that, during my stretch in The Big House, I was quite butch.

Here's a life-lesson -- when making a withdrawal from a bank, use their authorized withdrawal form and not a handwritten note...

P.S., I don't smoke cigarettes and used them solely as a prop.  I do, however, drink beer and wear leather jackets!

My Two Favorite Things

My two favorite things are friends and shoes.  In that order.

Emma is a blogger-friend of mine.  She lives in Ohio and is 26 years old, the same age as me.  :-)

Emma has a pair of cute grey pumps that are too big for her.  So she offered them on her blog -- and called me out by name as a reader with ginormous feet.  I responded to Emma's offer of The Big Shoes with eagerness and postage.

The pumps arrived this week and they're adorable.  Knowing they came from a good friend makes them even more beautiful to me.  Thanks, Emma!