Happy Halloween "My Friend"

God Bless Tony Hillerman

I am sad to hear about the death of Tony Hillerman. He is one of my favorite authors.
God Bless you and Rest in Peace Mr. Hillerman.

My Favorite State Quarter Designs

I love the concept of State Quarters. I have a few comments on my favorites and least favorite.

Of course I love the Arizona state quarter. It has it all, saguaro cactus, the grand canyon and a great sunset.


I like Wisconsin's quarter and their cheese. I think the design is nice and uncluttered. It tells a lot about the state's commerce, cows, cheese and corn. The only thing missing is the Green Bay Packers.



Oklahoma's quarter appeals to me. This state is totally under rated. It has tons of history and natural beauty.

Ohio's quarter is cool because of the space man.

Montana's quarter is cool because of the skull.

Mississippi has a nice design. The Magnolia is such a great flower.

I like the design for the Kansas quarter also. Buffalo's are an interesting animal.

OK, now for the blows. I do not like the Alabama quarter. Come on, is their only asset is Helen Keller? It would be like putting Prince on the Minnesota quarter.

I like South Dakota's idea with Mount Rushmore, however this design looks like their state bird is ready to take a crap on the heads of our former presidents.

What's your favorite state quarter and why?

Political Humor

A friend passed this one on to me today and I HAD to post it. It's titled, Next Season on Dancing with the Stars.

For another great video of Obama and McCain break dancing - scroll down to the bottom of this page please.

Joe the Plumber vs. The Polish Plumber

Recent independent polls show...
Joe the Plumber....
Still not hotter than .... the Polish Plumber.

Train Keeps a Movin'

In keeping with my train theme this week.....
Here's a political commentary that came across my PC.

Light Rail Death-Pool

Ha! I know I said in my last blog that I was wondering how long it would take before the first Light Rail accident but someone came up with another twist to this pondering. From the Arizona Republic comes a story about a paralegal at a law firm in Scottsdale who started a "Metro Phoenix Light Rail Death-Pool" with the winner getting the pot if the person correctly predicted the date and hour of the first light rail death. Of course when word got out and due to bad press the pool is now cancelled.

Phoenix Light-Rail

Light Rail "bus stop" on Central Ave.


As a commuter to central Phoenix I have seen first hand the construction project that is the "Light Rail System". My office is on Central Avenue and we have a nice view of the railway running down the center of the street. Central Avenue already has driving challenges that include no left turns during peak hours. Trying to get from here to there sometimes forces you to go out of your way even though your destination is right in front of you.

The rail system to me looks like an expensive glorified bus-line. I think mass transit is great and I hope it works for the city. With gas prices as they are this may be perfect timing for this project and perfect timing for those who are sick of handing over their whole paycheck just to fill up their tank.

I grew up in a town that had an excellent "electric' bus system. It used to be on rails, then overhead electric cables and then a mix of electric cable buses and regular buses. They came around every 15 minutes or so and were super convenient if you were headed to the downtown business district or any other part of town for that matter. It may not have been pretty and the patrons were not glamorous however, I have many RTA (rapid transit authority) memories as I took the bus to high school and even to a few of my jobs so I would not have to pay for parking.

I think the project has chosen some interesting "bus stops". They are artistic, modern and look like something you would expect in an uber-cool European city in say Sweden. They feature while sort of sails that I am assuming are for shade. I also think they look like shark fins. I like them but when I look at the square in downtown Phoenix with it's outdated 60's pop-art space-ball theme, I wonder how long it will take for this style to be dated also. I hope the canvas or whatever materials the sails are made of hold up to our wind and sun.

Shark Fins

Spaceballs in Copper Square - so retro.

When looking at the light-rail project in Phoenix I totally expect some issues with accidents. I see people walking in the path of the train and even cars accidentally turning right into the light rail paths as they have curbs on either side down the center of the road. It will be interesting to see how fast some yahoo causes an accident and then sues the system.

An accident waiting to happen. Cha-Ching $?

The Arizona Republic and Metro light-rail officials launched a contest last month asking readers to invent the best slogan to promote safety once the trains start moving in the Valley in late December.

They mentioned a few slogans that did not make the cut. I found them pretty funny.

1. Don't S*&% Your Slacks! Just Stay Off the Tracks!

2. Light Rail: We want you in it, not under it.

3. Light Rail: Help us run on time, not over people.

4. It might be named light, but it won't feel that way when it is smashing your bones on the rail.

5. Obey the rules when on your journey, or your next trip is on a gurney.

6. Light Rail: The little engine that could...run you over is you're not careful!

7. Metro Rail Light: "Great Pace / less Killing"

8. Silent , but violent

9. Trains don't kill people - that pay attention.

10. Abstinence: The Only Thing Safer Than Our Trains.

11. The new Metro system ... If Phil Gordon (our mayor) can drive it, how dangerous can it be?

"That One"

After watching the debates tonight, "That One" is looking pretty good to me, my friends. McCain missed his chance to say "you people" a couple of times.

If he says "my friends" one more time I think I am going to barf.

First Friday

After living in the area for four years now my husband and I finally ventured out and attended a First Friday event in Phoenix. This is an art event with a street fair feel. Many people open their homes and small galleries for a walk through and art sale.



We started out with drinks at an outdoor bar near Roosevelt avenue. This was next door to the restaurant Fate. There was a DJ with some thumping music and a party atmosphere.



The weather is finally cooling down below ninety degrees here. It was still hot but pleasant. I imagine that the November First Friday will have ideal Arizona weather.







There was definitely a little of everything to be found.

There were a lot of street performers from drummers, bagpipers, break dancers to ghost busters.

The Roosevelt area was Obama central. Lot's of Obama supporters and many irreverent political t-shirts for sale. I loved it. I felt at home with my peeps.

It wasn't Scottsdale, but who cares. You would be hard pressed to find a lamp made of a coffee can with hanging spoons.

So in the interest of stimulating the economy I had to add this original piece to my art collection.

I love her isolated beauty in a futuristic setting. The title is "The Misunderstanding". The artist was a very cute woman named Xappa.

I look forward to the next First Friday. It was very funky and very fun.

Rest in Peace

My Mother has three brothers and five sisters. Aunt Ceal was the middle sister. Her real name was Cecilia. Her husband was my Uncle Bob. They had fourteen children. She was the Aunt that I will always remember with a smile on her face and a great sense of humor. In her later years she developed Alzheimers and then recently cancer. I got news through my family e-mail network that Aunt Ceal died yesterday surrounded by family.

Rest in Peace.