Inventor Re-purposes Old Landline Phones

A 15 year old self proclaimed "Tinker" has discovered a use for discarded touch tone telephones. Jacob Milan of Idaho found an old telephone in his attic and decided to open it up to see how it worked. Jacob found was fascinated with the contraption and thought it would be awesome to integrate the old technology in his parent's huge home.

Jacob, with no permission from his parents added wires to extend from the doorbell unit inside the home to the back and side yards of their home. Young Jacob then mounted telephones in inconspicuous positions of the house and hooked up the wires. "Every time someone rings the doorbell, the entire neighborhood knows someone is at OUR door," says Eunice Milan, Jacob's mother.

Mr. Milan's re-purposed invention didn't stop at the doorbell, he created an addition to the family's alarm system and even armed their tool shed to ring each time someone opens the door. Jacob's future plan is to try and create a link between a telephone and the HV/AC thermostat to alert his parents when his younger sister decides to turn on the air conditioning during winter months.

Jacob's father makes routine trips to local thrift stores to purchase discarded telephones for his son. "Whenever I hear ringing in my ears, I know my son's invention is a success."

The creative process of writing my book

Many of the events in my life aren't secrets I hold onto. When I left home at the age of 16, I wanted to experience things that I knew I never would if I stayed in Pace, Florida. From Pace, Florida to Columbus, Georgia to Atlanta with stops in Thomasville, NC, a few rest stops in the Virginias, driving through Washington DC and running out of gas in Baltimore, MD on the way to NYC brought so many experiences that I could most likely just publish a book featuring these stories and leave NYC and beyond for sequels.

Being that I'm not a sequel kind of guy and it's already taken me 22 years to get as far as I have on this book, especially after someone attempted to use my notes to write their own version of MY story and made it seem like a glamorous and candy coated adventure. While I would have loved to have claimed to be a high priced call guy, massage therapist and porn star, the truth of the matter was I was homeless and living off the kindness, of greed, of strangers. There were times that I had no where to sleep so I would walk around the city all night long just for something to do. There weren't any nights at the Plaza, being put up in a Park Avenue Apartment or even eating at establishments where you didn't order at a counter.

Working on an autobiography is NOT easy at all, especially when it comes to the not so pretty elements of positions I found myself in. Watching people I called my friends, shoot up with dirty needles, going shopping with a credit card that my "roommate/boyfriend" at the time stole from a trick while I was entertaining him in the bedroom or even getting raped by the cop who arrested me and my friends two days later while we were sitting on a street curb is not things I'm proud of but they are a part of my journey and story. To not include the sleazy parts of my story would compromise the integrity of the true life story. I may not be New York Times bestseller material but I intend to do my best to keep it real and honest with no fabricated drama...I had enough of the real life drama to make it seem stranger than any fiction I could write.

My friend Meg Ashfield, whom I've known since middle school, suggested that I buy and read the book by Lois Daniel called How To Write Your Own Life Story. Lois' suggestions are amazing. I do carry around 2 notebooks, as she suggested as well as many other ideas in the book have been incorporated, not only in my own book but my style of writing in general. 

I've had problems focusing my energy on one particular story, it seems other stories rush through my mind and as quickly as I think of the element and the event, it disappears before I can write it down. I've actually found a simple way to keep my events in order, though my book will most likely read in the form or a journal or essay with each story in each chapter or section connected in some way or another. The events of my book will range from May 1992 until February 1993. Many of my stories have been written in a bunch of different journals, all just randomly placed which makes it hard to keep try of chronological order. Rather than attempting to "write from the beginning" and try to remember each day as I write it until I get to the end, I've decided to use monthly planners from 1992 and 1993. I attempted to purchase older planners from that time online but the ones I tend to find are either used and written in or novelty collectors items going for outrageous prices. Luckily I have a working knowledge of computer software that I can create and print my own planners pages.

As of now, I got the end of June and entire month of July into the first week of August 1992 mapped out, from meeting Paula Abdul to meeting my friend Dixon on up to the events the journey Andrew and I took from Atlanta to NYC. At this point, I'm actually shocked that my day to day life just in the month of July seems like I was on the go and never stopped but thinking about it now, it's actually how it happened.

Defunct Heavenly Ham's Actual Ham Salad Recipe

The logo of the former Heavenly Ham

A few weeks ago, I shared the actual Turkey Salad recipe for the defunct ham store chain, Heavenly Ham. I've actually gotten a couple of emails regarding other recipes from the chain. While I do know most of their recipes, there are only 2 that I cannot share due to the fact that the ingredients are no longer available as they were proprietary ingredients made specifically for Heavenly Ham that didn't get transferred to Honey Baked when they bought them. This was probably the least labor intensive salad to make, next to their pasta salad. It actually only contained 3 ingredients, in spite of many customer's belief that we included relish and various other items. This recipe is as close to Heavenly Ham's Ham Salad as you can now get.

A box lunch similar to what you'd get from Heavenly Ham back in the day.

1 lb Spiral Sliced Ham or any thicker cut. Also, honey smoked is a must. Brand really makes no difference
1/2 cup Special Sauce (see below)
2 stalks of green onion

This is the fun part, all ingredients into the food processor Chop until mixed but not fine and enjoy on your favorite bread with a slice of Havarti Cheese, a slather of mayo and special sauce.

Heavenly Ham's Special Sauce was nothing more than equal parts of Heavenly Ham's That Mustard and Mayonnaise. That Mustard was one of the proprietary items that is no longer made so I had to clone my own version which comes as close as you will get.

Heavenly Ham That Mustard Clone
1/2 cup Spicy Brown Mustard
2 tbsp Honey
2 tbsp Mayonnaise
Dash of Red Ground Cayenne Pepper

Heavenly Ham Special Sauce
Equal Parts of Mayonnaise and Heavenly Ham That Mustard from the recipe above.

Amusement Parks Propose New Body Odor Rules

The old signs that read "Keep Hands Inside Car At All Times" may be changing due to rider discomfort. In the future, you may find signs that read "Keep Hands Down At All Times" during warm weather.

A theme park in England began the trend that may sweep the world of coasters in locations with warm climate or during warm weather months. "We've found that when the temperature tops 77 degrees, the level of unpleasant smells can be unacceptable," explains Mike Vallis, director of Thorpe Park in Chertsey, England. The park has gone to the extreme measure of posting "Say No To B.O." signs on rides known to entice riders to lift their arms.

Rather than investing in new signs, here's a thought. Why not make a few extra bucks on the rule and set up vending machines throughout parks selling travel sized deodorants???

Why do I hate Spaghetti?

Spaghetti seems to be a classic "American" thing in spite of it's Italian roots. I never understood the draw in this generally bland and blah excuse of a meal. I guess the fact that it's essentially a 3 ingredient cheap one pot meal. Boil pasta, brown meat, add sauce mix together and eat. A blessing for the lazy or anything that has no clue what they are doing in the kitchen.

When I was a kid, I dreaded the nights I'd walk into the kitchen and see a boiling pot of pasta and a bottle of ketchup next to the stove...This always meant one thing, I would be eating garlic bread for dinner and essentially going to bed hungry.I'm not exactly sure what jailhouse my mom picked up her recipe for spaghetti but I guess I'm safe to assume it may have come from her mom, a woman not known for her skills in the kitchen. Of couse my mom's recipe included more than just ground beef, pasta and ketchup...she included LOTS and LOTS of bell pepper and onions. The fact that I saw ketchup was enough ammo to shoot down the option of going to bed with a full belly.

I've recently discovered, while working on this blog, that ketchup based pasta dishes date back to the days of the great depression, in fact it's a main ingredient of the dish known as Depression Spaghetti and this recipe was actually more widespread than I thought. I have a feeling it may have been featured in a swanky magazine, like Good Housekeeping or Harpers or something like that...I can picture it was possibly an ad for a ketchup brand disguised as a recipe.

Shitty spaghetti wasn't really the nail in the coffin for me when it came to eating it, that came when I was at a Cub Scout Camp-o-ree. I walked into the main bathroom and my spaghetti days were over. Some kid puked and left what appeared to be 2 pots of spaghetti in the restroom. It must have been a violent ordeal because it was EVERYWHERE and the smell was a cross between Spaghetti-O's and...well...vomit. I couldn't imagine why there was SO much in the bathroom, it was almost like he came directly from a spaghetti eating contest or that's what he had breakfast lunch and dinner.

Terry loves spaghetti but we rarely have it. I hate it to the point that I have to clear my mind of everything and hum while I eat it. It took me a long time to overcome my aversion to spaghetti pasta, I mainly poured meat sauce on garlic bread and called it a meal.

Just for shits and giggles...here's a copy of Depression Spaghetti I found online...brave enough to try it?
1 medium onion diced
1 lb ground meat browned with diced onion
Boil spaghetti noodles, drain once tender mix with meat mixture and add the following
1/2 stick butter melted
24 oz bottle of ketchup
1 tablespoon sugar
salt & pepper to taste

If you hate it, don't blame me...I don't eat that shit...it's less than a 5 buck meal anyway. Ever notice how poor people and people that mismanage their money eat spaghetti a lot?

Scientists Hunt Giant Earthworm

 

A reclusive earthworm that smells like flowers and spits at would be predators is being hunted by scientists.
The giant Palouse earthworm burrows can be found 15 feet deep in a farming region between the states of Washington and Idaho. Very few people have seen the odd three foot long night-crawler. It's best known for it's secretion likened to lilies and it's ability to shoot saliva at it's enemies.

A professor in Idaho, Jodi Johnson-Maynard, is leading the research project to study the elusive creature. She confirmed it's existence in 2005 when one of her students discovered the remains of a fat, white worm while collecting soil samples in the area. The team has launched a three pronged attack to unearth the giant earthworm. Digging holes and sifting soil followed by soaking the ground with a solution of mustard and vinegar. If both methods fail to force an appearance from the worms, the scientists will zap the area with up to 480 volts of electricity. Unfortunately, the last method could either bring the worms out of hiding OR electrocute them.

MARTA Bus 196-4 Minute Walk From My House

When Terry and I began looking for a house to buy, before the economy tanked, one of our requirements was that it was accessible to public transportation. Being that I don't really enjoy driving and I don't want to have to depend on Terry 100% of the time, this was not a negotiable requirement for our new home. Our agent, Lily, found many homes on the MARTA line but most involved 45 minute bus rides which wouldn't have been all that bad if the trips didn't involve train rides that were equally as long and possibly longer.

Eventually, Lily discovered a community in Clayton County, right across the street from a bus stop which involved a 15 minute ride to the airport, 2 to 3 times an hour 7 days a week and the last bus was just after midnight. Though it was not MARTA, C-Tran had an agreement and contract with them and your paid ride would give you free access to the train and transfers if needed.

I used C-Tran more times than I could count and it was super reliable. If I were called in to cover someone's shift at work, I could always tell them exactly how long I would take to get there. When I worked at Cargo-Master, I didn't really need the bus because it was less than 2 miles from my house. When my layoff happened, I knew I needed to begin to take the bus again to find another job. Fortunately, I was able to collect unemployment because jobs at the time were as plentiful as a pocket full of gold. During the time of my job hunt, I noticed people with the county began to ride the bus with clipboards. The clipboards were used to evaluate the drivers, the frequency of pickups as well as many riders, including myself, were given verbal surveys.

I've been asked many times as to why I prefer to take the bus and train system rather than drive directly. There are many reasons. I don't like to drive, I don't find it relaxing. I don't have to deal with traffic. I also have a phobia of causing an accident or getting into a fight once someone rear ended me or something like that...The last time Terry and I got rear ended, I did get into an argument with Toya Andrews, the woman that hit us and it almost turned into a fight. I also don't want the expense of car upkeep, insurance and gas and all that stuff. I also like the fact that I can use the time to listen to music, write, knit or concentrate on something that I normally wouldn't have time to do at home.

Around the end of 2009, an announcement was given that the bus system in Clayton County would be no more. Rallies were held, people's ability to get to their jobs in town was now being tested. The 8 mile ride from my house to the Airport Marta Station would cost, basically costs $30. To get to work, this isn't exactly a sensible expense. March 31, 2010 came and it happened, the C-Tran bus stops were picked up over night and gone as if they never existed. Cutting off people from work. The decision to end the busses further complicated the crime situation in Clayton County, burglary and robberies seemed to spike even though they authorities claimed it was due to other circumstances.

Luckily, a few enterprising few decided to take advantage of the grim situation, many with good intentions and others with greed on their mind. Two independent "bus" lines popped up, including QuickTransit, but failed after a few months due to mechanical expenses on their equipment. Another system called Southside Transportation took the helm, being that they were actually a trucking company, they had their business already in place and it was easy for them to convert to a people moving company. Unfortunately, their business model just wasn't very friendly to people on a time table. I had called Southside many times and asked for a pick up, they told me to wait at the RaceTrac gas station and they would be there in a few minutes. While waiting at the gas station, I was approached by police in regards to why I'm loitering, drug dealers asking if I want something and panhandlers asking if I had money. By the time Southside arrived, I was already in a bad mood and to add insult to injury, they would be going to opposite direction of the station and I'd have to wait up to an hour in the van as they picked up other people with the same destination in mind.

I began working at Macaroni Grill, fortunately the manager had mercy on me and scheduled me for the same shifts as Terry so we would ride into work and back home together. We also gave two other co-workers rides back to Clayton County which worked out really well because they would give us a few bucks each in gas money. They also shared with me a few numbers for people that charged $3 or $4 from anywhere in Clayton County to the train...Two people, in particular, were the ones I ended up using for the longest time. Phil, worked from 5am-6pm Monday through Saturday and Eddie worked evenings everyday, except on Sunday when he covered the slack of Phil not working that day but Eddie never worked after 11pm. Eddie eventually ended up having an accident and rather than getting his van fixed and resuming his business, he decided to end it...I don't believe either he or Phil had an actual license for this sort of business.

Phil's van was ratty, uncomfortable and his manners were awful. He charged $4 and he was the epitome of greedy. If you called him, told him where you were, he would tell you that he'd be there in 20 minutes...45 minutes later you could call and he'd say that he's 15 minutes away. Rather than texting or calling you to let you know he'd be a little late, you are standing waiting and wondering why would shouldn't call someone else and if you did then cancelled, he would remember this the next time you needed him and charge you $2 on top of your $4 just because you cancelled on him. He would also yell at people for being to slow when getting in the van, pack so many people into the van and even make some sit in the cargo area where he had stowed or thrown blown tires and greasy discarded van parts. An older lady had called him, thinking he was going away from town, he picked her up and a block away from her house, she asked if he was going to wherever she was going and he said "NO, I'm going to College Park, your stop will be in about an hour so sit tight." The lady wanted to get out and wait for someone else or him to come back later but he refused to let her out...to me, I saw this as kidnapping but I guess as long as she didn't make a stink about it, he didn't care. I always knew to call him an hour before I needed to be where he would drop me off. He wasn't the greatest driver either, he would cut people off, flip them off and on one occasion he drove up on a sidewalk because he was eating a hotdog and not paying attention to the road. I found taking Uber would be less of a hassle at times if Terry wasn't able to drive me to the airport...especially on Sundays.

Today is March 21, 2015. I work in Sandy Springs, Georgia and I'm scheduled to be there at 4:30pm. Terry is at work in Fayetteville, Georgia and will be there until at least 6pm. For the first time in many years, I will not have to rely on uber, which costs $11 to the airport, or Phil, which is just a hassle and emotionally draining. I will be walking down to the new MARTA bus stop (Bus 196) and paying nothing extra to take the bus to the train (Red Line) and the bus (Bus 5 OR Bus 87) to work. Am I excited for this? Sort of. It will save money for my commute to work. If I took uber and Marta, my daily commute total would be $16. If I rode with Phil to Marta, my commute cost would be $9. Now that a bus stop is down the street, my commute has been cut to $5 round trip...but I now invest in weekly passes so I pay $23.75 a week for unlimited MARTA rides.

Aside from my own personal feelings of public transportation and not having to deal with enterprising and unlicensed drivers or the more expensive and yet awesome UBER, I believe the fact that MARTA's new Clayton County lines will help give Clayton County residents the means of getting back out to the better paying jobs.

Non-Toxic Roach & Wasp, Bee, Hornet Spray

We get roaches, wasps, bees and hornets at random times of the year. When it rains, they find their way in homes to stay dry. When it gets cold, they seek the warmth from indoors. They seem to appear at the most inconvenient times and places. While it's easy to leave poison or roach traps out, these are treatments that eventually eradicate and control infestations.

When you see a bug, your instinct is usually to grab a shoe or something to squash it with. This creates a mess and many times, the pest will escape quicker than you can reach it. Store bought sprays have their disadvantages thanks to the fact that you're spraying poison in your home, on your surfaces and in the air.

A lady I used to work with gave me the best advice to kill roaches, bees, wasps and hornets without poisons. This method has an advantage over swatting, in fact it has 3 advantages. It kills the pest, no mess and you can use it as a light surface cleaner.

Any clean spray bottle will do. If recycled, clean it thoroughly.

Fill a spray bottle 3/4 of the way full with tap water. Drop enough liquid hand soap, dish soap or any soap to change the color of the water from clear to cloudy. A teaspoon of borax will be the real kicker in this solution. I usually refresh my mixture with discarded soap slivers which eventually dissolve.

Every time you see a bug, spray it with the mixture and make sure you aim at it's head. The soap creates a film over the bug's head which will asphyxiate it. The borax will act as a secondary killer, if the bug actually escapes...Bugs can be super fast and disappear into cracks that you didn't know existed, if the mixture doesn't kill on contact, the borax will finish the job after the pest has escaped out of sight.

Save Thousands: Home Gene Test Warning

Now that scientists have mapped the human genome, there's no doubt that genetics based medicine is the wave of the future in healthcare. Techniques now under development promise astounding breakthroughs in the fight against all kinds of diseases, including killers like cancer, Alzheimer's and heart disease.

Money hungry companies are taking advantage of the credible promise of genetic testing to make money from you. These companies are springing up like wildfire offering to sell you at home genetic tests at costs that range up to thousands of dollars each. The tests are designed so the accompanying marketing campaigns claim to allow you to assess your risk of various diseases in the privacy of your own home, without the need for a doctor.

Many critics say the tests are a waste of money that prey on people's fears. Many of the tests may do more than set you back a few paychecks, they may put your health in danger. Many of these kits are being sold by less than reputable businesses, not even affiliated with the healthcare field, over the internet. Many people have fallen for sales pitches similar to "Take this test now to see if your body is a risk for breast or lung cancer so you can take steps to save your life later." These tests are far from cheap. Prices range from $300 to $3000 and sometimes even more. If you want to test for more than one disease, the cost can rack up to more than $11,000. Keep in mind, these are not medical companies, your insurance company will not reimburse you for these tests. All funds are out of YOUR pocket.

Many doctors state that these tests, whether accurate or not can get you into trouble. Several women have taken these tests and shown they don't have a genetic mutation and have chosen to forego regular mammograms and other breast examinations. Same goes with many men in regards to prostate cancers. Smokers have not been immune to this test either when told they do not have the genetic marker for lung cancer and believe they can still smoke a pack of cigarettes a day without any ill effects. Nothing could be further from the truth. For example, lung cancer is caused by multiple factors and not just one defective gene. By living recklessly, you can set yourself up for the disease as well as other health problems. In addition to those playing Russian Roulette, there have been others that have taken drastic steps to avoid impending health issues. A few women who have tested positive for the genetic mutation for breast cancer have been compelled to take steps to avoid the disease to the point that they have asked doctors to go ahead and remove their breasts before cancer has a chance to develop.

There is no federal law to guarantee the quality of these tests, so the consumer is on their own in a sea of greedy sharks. Genetic testing may save your life but it must be done by a reputable firm with qualified medical specialists to ensure the accuracy of the test and the correct interpretation of the results. Don't let feat of disease lead you down this expensive path. Gene testing is still in it's infancy stages and you need expert counseling to benefit from what it has to offer.

Out of Business...My favorite retail shops of yesteryear

Have you ever loved an establishment so much that you considered yourself a loyal customer by choice? Not establishments like Wal-Mart or Target, those type of places draw loyalty through necessity just because they are one stop sources for everyday needs. I'm talking about placed you will go out of your way to get and pay more because you enjoy the atmosphere and the place in general. Get the picture?

Now just imagine, you invest your energy, praise, money and time to show your appreciation for these places and one day, they close up and are gone forever. This seems to be a regular occurance for me. I've mentioned in previous entries how I have been saddened by the closure of Sharper Image, record stores as well as music superstores.

Most of the stores I remember my parents regularly shopped in are no longer in business. The ones that I particularly loved for the fact that my sister and I could play with toys or entertain ourselves while my parents shopped were Gaylords, TG&Y, K&B, Montgomery Wards and Zayres. Revco was usually the pharmacy my mom would go when I was sick, she'd always let me pick out a coloring book and a fresh pack of crayons to go along with the bottle of cheratussin and a jar of Vicks Vapor Rub.

Over the past 10 years, it would seem with every visit to a shopping mall, I notice a new going out of business sale or empty storefronts that was once a home to a booming business. I really didn't have much exposure to going out of business sales when I was a kid, other than the closing of TG&Y and Woolco stores.

Throughout my life, I've watched many a retail giant rise and fall. So here's shoutouts to those that have met their demise which I loved for one reason or another.

1. BC Moore's-My sister and I enjoyed this store because of the fact that it was the ONLY store in our small town that carried name brands like Levi's, Nike and Reebok.
2. Big B-A chain drugstore with an AMAZING selection of candy and seasonal items. ;-)
3. Bombay Company-I LOVED their selection of Nutcrackers during the holidays.
4. Borders Books, Music & Cafe-I worked here for a while, LOVED the selection over all other book & music stores.
5. Bugle Boy-The clothes were the epitome of late 80's/early 90's fashion...baggy and yet they were reasonably priced.
6. Camelot-This was a small record store with a good selection of music with a few imports mixed in. Pretty much every FYE, looks like an updated Camelot. 
7. Chess King-Cool clothes for the moment, nothing you'd want to be seen in 6 months later though. This was FAD clothing at it's finest.
8. Circuit City-Best Buy's adaption to the market put Circuit City out of business. They were what Best Buy aspired to be and once it became an equal, Circuit City just couldn't keep up.
9. Coconuts-I LOVED the location in Greenwich Village because I found my copy of the original London cast recording of Starlight Express on cassette tape for $8.99 rather than $40 up at Colony Music.
10. Colony Music-They had it all, records, tapes, CDs, karaoke, posters, showcards, sheet music and it was featured in Can't Stop The Music starring the Village People!!!!
11. County Seat-I wasn't really a fan of this place, I did shop here a few times though.
12. Eckerd Drugs-I loved this place, then Rite-Aid bought them out...I loved Rite-Aid until they started snatching out the items I loved the most and began to creep their prices up to match CVS and Walgreens.
13. Dejaiz-Much like Chess King...FAD clothes...very late 80s/early 90s.
14. Delchamps-Brightly lit grocery store...they had a "by the pound" salad bar that one could easily spend $11 without realizing.
15. D.H. Holmes-Ours was taken over by Dillards but while D.H. Holmes was in business, it had a very upscale feel...seems weird to say but when I was a kid, I thought THIS is what it felt like shopping in Paris or New York City.
16. Drug Emporium-Open 24 Hours...I LOVED this place because this is where the drag queens stole their makeup from as well as they had all kinds of crap you'd never buy unless you were bored and wandered in at 3am. A bulk of my Disney movies on VHS came from here, they jumped street dates by a week.
17. Footlight Records-Pretty much, this was your GO-TO store for showtunes and show related music from the US and overseas. Their CD's averaged around 35% less than Colony Music's prices.
18. Gayfers-Much like D.H. Holmes, this was one of a few upscale establishments in the Mobile & Pensacola area.
19. Gaylords-I don't remember much about these stores other than they had a good selection of toys and most of the locations around me became Zayre stores.
20. HMV-The location in Atlanta was tucked away in the section of Lenox Square Mall that no one really wandered into. I'd shopped here a few times but mainly  for their selection of imported dance CDs and singles.
21. International Records-This store was located in Peachtree Center and had limited hours. No pop/rock music...The selection ranged from bluegrass, world music, showtunes to it's main staple classical & opera. I LOVED this store. My only complaint was their showtunes selection was limited to domestic recordings only.
22. Just For Feet-They had the greatest sales, perks and coupons...need I say more?
23. K&B Drugs-PURPLE NEON and ice cream!!!
24. Kay Bee Toys-Chirping mechanical toys in a display out front pulled you into their stores...they had the greatest selection of Atari 2600 games ever!!!
25. Linens N Things-CRAMPED compared to Bed Bath and Beyond but if something wasn't one sale at BB&B at the time, it would be at LNT.
26. Lionel Playworld-This is too easy...They WERE what Toys R Us wanted to be and eventually became.
27. MARS Music-They had EVERYTHING I ever wanted under one roof. They had a HUGE microphone room.
28. McDuff-To be honest, I hated this store but I did get a great deal on a portable Panasonic cassette player with headphones there.
29. McRae's-This was a competitor of Gayfers and D.H. Holmes but at a different mall...To me, it was like shopping at a place that was a step down from those two.
30. Media Play-Much like Borders & Tower Records, this was a one stop shop with additional departments...They had a musical instrument section, a department dedicated to CD storage as well as telephones and small electronics. They also had USED cds and DVDs.
31. Merry Go Round-Same company as Dejaiz, pretty much the same sort of concept...why bother having several locations with different names in the same mall?
32. Montgomery Wards-THIS was the store to shop for that one stop experience of buying housewares like blenders and kitchen stuff, clothing and electronics such as stereos and televisions. Once they closed, Sears sort of morphed into what Wards seemed to be towards the last 10 years.
33. Musicland-This was a run of the mill mall location record store, nothing special. If you bought top of the charts selections, you got a good deal...not so much on older selections unless they were in the cutout or clearance section.
34. Peaches-This was the small town version of Tower Records. When I moved back to Mobile, from New York in 1993, Peaches was the closest to Tower...or so I thought.
35. Pharmor-Meds and cheap video rentals...why pay more?
36. Record Bar-Yet another run of the mill record store. Record Bar offered the best selection of 12" singles in comparison to all the other mall record stores...I remember THIS is where I got my 12" single of Madonna's True Blue, Murray Head's One Night In Bangkok and Irene Cara's Flashdance What A Feeling.
37. Revco-Meds, Candy, Coloring Books and neon lights that stretched around the store.
38. Richs-Macy's in Atlanta pretty much moved their modern concept out of Atlanta and merged into the Richs stores. Shopping at Macy's now is like shopping at a Richs then.
39. Sam Goody-see musicland...except I loved shopping in the glow of pink neon.
40. Scotty's-Everywhere you went in these stores, you smelled sawdust...they had amazing deals on Panasonic batteries.
41. Service Merchandise-Your stuff came out from the back on a conveyer belt...why wouldn't a kid love that?
42. Sharper Image-Gadgets you didn't need but you definitely wanted.
43. Steve and Barry-Cheap clothing for men and women...all priced at just under 9 bucks...I still have a few shirts and a pair of shoes from here.
44. Suncoast Video-Everything you could buy here, you could get at Walmart but it was cool to say you got it at Suncoast.
45. Sunray-This was a dirty little grocery store that my mom shopped at maybe 4 times before they closed in Mobile...after that we were Delchamps and Food World shoppers.
46. TG&Y-Toys, Yarn, Records, Motor Oil, Hamsters and a snack bar!!!!
47. Tower Records-Anything you wanted from a record store...it was here...unless it was an obscure import showtune CD...unless you were shopping at the location in NYC in the village.
48. Turtles-Much like Sam Goody and Musicland but without the fun lighting.
49. Warner Brothers Store-Cartoon characters and WONDER WOMAN shirts and toys!!!!
50. The Wiz-Nobody Beats The Wiz...I'm not sure if they are gone but you've not lived until you bought an off brand Somy Walkman from a greasy Italian that smells like pizza and matzo ball soup. 
51. Woolco-It was like a Woolworth mated with K-mart....I can still smell the odor of rubber coming from the shoe department.
52. Woolworth-The closest to these awesome little one stop shop for all your everyday needs that we have now would be a Fred's Super Dollar. Except Fred's doesn't have a yarn section
53. Zayres-Zayres was like Target before Target became like K-Mart. Upscale discount department store would be the word for Zayres.

And a whole lot more....

Some of the currents on their way out through a downward spiral seem to be K-mart, JC Penny, Radio Shack and Sears.

Winter Storm Pax 2014

I began to write this right after Winter Storm Pax but failed to finish it or publish it. I'm not sure why. I just found the file saved on my PC and thought I'd share my experience of Winter Storm Pax.

We made it through the "catastrophic" winter weather event known as Winter Storm Pax. It was supposed to roll in on a Monday night so I called out of work when I heard that most of the metro Atlanta counties were under a state of emergency. I was not getting stuck at work or the airport with no way to get home because of Atlanta's officials consistently being ill prepared for pretty much everything. We used my night off to accomplish stocking up on things we may need, just in case we were stuck in the house for a few days. The grocery stores were an absolute mess, no bread, eggs and the milk supply was dwindling. I don't really go for those items because I know they are the first to go bad during power outages. I ran over to the Dollar General to grab snacky stuff, air freshener and batteries. Why air freshener? Ever gone without air circulating through your house while burning non scented emergency candles? Try it, but have some air freshener on standby once you figure out why I suggest it. Supposedly, it was to be super bad starting at 7pm but only the temperature dropped, drastically and really fast. It did rain a good bit, enough to wet the ground real good to create ice.

Tuesday we woke up to see slush, not snow in our front yard. Terry did head up to Kennesaw to work a few hours and came home before the weather system that we were promised Monday would move in. Terry had a cold and we were out of cold and flu meds so we drove up to the CVS about 2 miles from our house before the weather got bad. We almost got hit 3 times in the parking lot. People seem to totally lose their minds when the threat of bad weather is announced. I made sure all the dishes in the sink and dishwasher were cleaned, though we have a gas water heater, it's not fun to do a massive amount of dishes with no lights. I also did all of the laundry, you just don't want to look at dirty laundry when you're already miserable from no power. We played the waiting game all the rest of the day and went to bed. Woke up, snow and ice blanketed everything. Our car was coated in ice, about a quarter of an inch thick. Neither Terry or I would have even attempted to go to work even if we could get into the car. I urged Terry to charge every battery powered item he had, as I'd been doing the same. I charged my 3 battery packs for my portable DVD player, mine and Terry's Kindles, my phone and iPod and Terry charged his phone. I also charged my laptop but it only holds a charge for 15 minutes at the most now and wouldn't have been much of a distraction. Our broadband router is on a battery backup as well as our alarm system is also...THANKFULLY. I gathered all of my cigarette lighters, flashlights and booklights....Always centrally locate stuff like that because searching in the dark for anything can be super stressful.

Most of Wednesday morning was spent just putzing around the house. I knitted a little, worked on a few things on my computer, read and played a little bit on pogo.com. Some time around 1:30pm it happened....I'm on my computer, Terry's watching TV and both just go blank from a power surge and then darkness. Utter silence. We both sit in the dark for a few minutes before realizing that we might not have power for a little while. I am not much of a telephone gamer because I use my kindle and iPod for media and stuff and my phone just for text and talk. The only apps on my phone besides email is facebook. Terry, however, uses his phone for games which I warned him would drain his battery quickly. I knitted a little bit more and around 5 pm we realized that our power was probably not gonna be on anytime soon, the temperature was quickly dropping in the house and it's getting dark quick outside. I decided to clear out our fireplace to see if I could light it, NO FIREWOOD or logs so Terry and I decided to try and venture out and see if anything is open. I spend 10 minutes chipping the ice off the driver side door, just to turn the car on and get it warm. Terry's phone was dead and I used the car to pop a charge in it. The 1/4 inch of ice on the car ended up being thicker than that along with at least 3 inches of snow. I began to use the ice scraper to clear off the layer of ice on the windshield...45 minutes it took. The back window was easier because it has built in heating elements to help defrost the ice and I just pulled the ice off the back. It was about 6:30 that we get out of our subdivision, the traffic light's not working and the roads are solid ice. I asked Terry to just go back home and we'll bundle up and hope the power comes on during the night. The temps dropped to 45 degrees in our living room and we shut ourselves in the bedroom. Eventually the battery backup on our broadband router died, Terry's phone and kindle had died and the only communication to the outside world was on my phone as our landline isn't really a landline at all, AT&T failed to mention to us that our voice line is internet based.

Thanks to our stove being gas, I was able to cook dinner...recycled leftovers from the night before actually. I had a crockpot pork roast that I shredded and threw in a skillet to heat up and sauteed with barbeque sauce, threw them on hamburger buns. Opened a can of turnip greens and heated them up on another burner, fired up some water in the kettle for hot chocolate and threw some left over mac n cheese in a pot with a little milk and heated it all up. Terry was impressed, HOT food. Barbeque sandwiches, mac n cheese, turnip greens and hot chocolate. We went to bed full but annoyed because of the silence was so weird for us. I fell asleep watching the Lost in Space movie. ***This is where my blog entry ended so the rest will be from memory.***

Terry and I woke up around 5am, still with no power. We laid in bed, still cold and uncomfortable. Our power was restored around 10am, I was supposed to be at work at 10:30. I was working at Chuy's at the time and low and behold, the manager opening that morning was Susan...she was one of those people that would watch a generalized news report and assume it applied to EVERYONE. Our house, yard, vehicle and road was completely iced over and there was no way to safely get out of our neighborhood. I called at 8:30am and let her know I could not safely get out of my neighborhood and she said "The news said only people around I-20 are affected, so what you're telling me is you don't want to come in." and then she hung up. I didn't go in AND I begun to plot my final days at Chuy's.

It took two days for the ice to completely melt, though our roads became passable that afternoon. Many of the stores in our area were closed, including our Wal-Mart. We had cabin fever and wanted to get out of the house...so we called the next closest Wal-Mart in Fayetteville, Georgia and they told me they had a bare bones staff and were open with the exception of their bakery, pharmacy, deli and auto care. Our intention was to go there and grab a few items, including something for lunch but ended up at Wendy's which was open despite the fact that their parking lot was a complete sheet of ice. We gobbled our burger combos down and headed over to Wal-Mart and back home we went before the temps dropped again freezing the roads wet from the melting ice and snow.

So that's it, my exciting or not so much exciting account of Winter Storm Pax from Riverdale, Georgia.

Cancer Lies Pay For Woman's Breast Implants

A woman in Texas lied to her friends and family and watched them raise over $10,000 for to help her pay for her breast cancer treatment. Trista Joy Lathern used at least two dozen people the help her raise money during fundraising events and then spent the funds to have her breasts enlarged. Many of the donors were family, friends, co-workers and even strangers.  The 24-year-old mother of two claimed she had no health insurance needed for her live-saving surgery.

Lathern went as far as shaving her head to appear as if she was undergoing chemotherapy. Her husband, William Lathern, has filed for an annulment of the marriage. Authorities discovered shortly before the annulment was filed that the money was raised at an attempt to save her failing marriage. Trista was charged with theft by deception as well as a two-year-old warrant for theft by check.

I'm Gonna Throw Up!!! My Dad's Toilet Side Manner

When I was a kid, I developed food allergies. My parents had a stance that doctors and hospitals were  only useful for my sister and I when we required vaccinations and booster to keep us in school. General ailments such as ear infections, stomach aches, colds and influenza weren't anything to worry a doctor with. Nausea and vomiting were definitely one of those things my parents didn't feel were worthy of a trip to a healthcare professional and believed it was best to let whatever run it's course. My food allergies weren't diagnosed until adulthood.

It would have been nice to know that powered cheese products such as the stuff in cheap macaroni and cheese and Hamburger Helper were the culprits behind my after midnight runs to the bathroom with the trots, puking or both. I would have loved to know why I got sore throats from Dr. Pepper, an allergy that actually progressed to the point that it can actually cause a reaction of anaphylactic shock now that I'm older.

I hated vomiting, I still do but not really for the same reason I did as a kid. My dad was the official "nurse" of our household, my mom would start gagging when she heard a heave and hang it up because if she's in the same room during splash number 1, she's sick also.

Hamburger Helper and cheap Mac & Cheese were staples in my house. It seems that each episode replayed like a broken record for years. I'd be lying in my super single waterbed and the rumble in my tummy began. I'd lay there thinking about flowers, crayons or whatever I could to take my mind off the inevitable but it never worked. I would jump up, run across to my parent's room and announce I'm gonna throw up. Rather than running 8 feet to their bathroom with linoleum, I'd turn and run to the bathroom considered to be the one my sister and I used. I would turn the corner and run 16 feet down our carpeted hallway and before I would get around another corner to make it to the toilet I would puke in what became the expected vomit spot, in front of my sister's bedroom door.

After the initial splash, my dad would push me to the commode grab me a Sprite from the kitchen then yell "Get your head out of the toilet, no wonder you're sick!" as if I had my head in the toilet before I ran to his room to announce I was gonna throw up. He kept a constant flow of cold washcloths which seemed to help in a weird way. He also handed me the Sprite and would tell me to sip...of course I would drink and he'd yell "Stop Gulping, sip it or you'll do it again." About this time, my sister would usually open her door only to realize I puked directly in front of her bedroom door again, slam the door and go back to bed. This happened almost every single time.

While I was in Florida for my dad's memorial service, my sister and I started talking about the nights I'd get sick and how daddy would always yell for me to get my head out of the toilet. My reasoning behind having my head in the toilet was simple, I didn't want to get splashed by toilet water or vomit. It wasn't as if I had my mouth touching the water or anything, just enough proximity in to have no splash back. I actually included an abridged and more "memorial service" friendly version of this story in my dad's eulogy.

As an adult, I still dread vomiting, mainly because the memory of my dad's piercing voice screaming "Goddamnit get your head out of the toilet, no wonder you're sick!" vividly and clearly plays in my head. To be completely honest, I'd love to be able to enjoy Hamburger Helper or boxed Mac N Cheese because I've always loved the flavor. My body just can't take the ingredients though so I avoid it completely.

THE Turkey Salad recipe from defunct Heavenly Ham

Back in 1997, I worked for Heavenly Ham, the chief competition for Honey Baked Ham at the time. When I left the company, I had the recipes for their Tuna Salad, Pasta Salad, Ham Salad, Chicken Salad and Turkey Salad burned in my memory. The turkey salad was ALWAYS my favorite throughout the time I worked for the Heavenly Ham. Now that they are no longer in business and have been bought out by Honey Baked Ham, many of their products are no longer produced. It's a shame because the turkey salad is unbelievably good, though many people don't care for it's appearance or jump to the conclusion that it's ingredients sound disgusting. Don't let the mayo content scare you from making it, once in the mix it's calorie count would be no different than spreading a little on bread...and given the fact that Turkey is a low calorie and low fat food, it balances out.

16 oz package of Smoked Turkey Breast (lunch meat slices)
1 9oz jar Major Grey Chutney (In the Ketchup aisle and tough to spot check out attached pics)
1 1/2 Cups of Mayo (NOT Miracle Whip or Mayo Dressing)
2 to 3 Scallion Stalks
1/2 tbs Black Pepper

Empty jar of Chutney and Scallions into food processor or Cuisinart and puree. Use spatula to pour mixture into mixing bowl. Don't worry about rinsing the processor between steps, it all gets mixed together anyway. Chop Turkey in food processor (almost like a ground texture) pour into mixing bowl. Add Mayo and Black Pepper mix and refrigerate until you are ready to serve.

This is especially tasty on sandwiches made on Croissant with lettuce, Havarti Cheese slices and tomato. Also makes a great alternative protein in salads or served with Crackers.

Webvan and Buying Groceries Online

Way back when most people were still using dial up modems connecting at blazing speeds of 53k through the phone lines, companies started to pop up that took advantage of the new fangled internet. You could have pretty much anything delivered as long as you had a credit card with just a few clicks. Books, CD's, movies and anything else that could be mailed, was being offered with cut rate prices and low shipping costs. Businesses were finding this new way of selling irresistible considering it cut down on the overhead of a brick and mortar business. This was before digital downloads, smartphones and applications that simplify life to a minimalist proportion. Terry and I were living in an apartment on Lenox Road in Buckhead which was very convenient to Lenox Square Mall, Lenox MARTA Station as well as close distance from grocery stores where we could either walk or take a cab without spending much. Then came Webvan...Terry and I were in love with this service from the beginning. While the prices were slightly above the grocery stores around us, it was convenient and fun to shop for groceries from the comfort of your home at 2am...this was thoughtless shopping at it's finest...and lazy. We ordered from Webvan once a week, got our deliveries and loved every bit of the service. It wasn't until after we moved to Smyrna that we realized we were out of Webvan's delivery range so it was back to Kroger, Winn Dixie and Publix when we needed groceries. Despite the inconvenience of having to get used to shopping for groceries again in actual stores, it was actually better for us not only financially but physically because it got us off our asses. We really didn't hear much about Webvan until after we moved back into the perimeter of Atlanta and tried to begin to order groceries from them again and found they had gone out of business. While it was a brilliant idea, the Webvan system was flawed from the beginning. Rather than creating an alliance with regional grocery stores, such as Kroger, A&P, Publix and Winn Dixie, Webvan built their own facilities and ran their business as competition to the physical stores. I guess their business model made sense to someone out there but it was obviously not sustainable or at least ahead of it's time. Had I been one of the creators, I would have tried to create working relationships with existing grocery companies to use their distribution centers and even their own products. In Atlanta, I've seen many grocery stores pull out of the area or go out of business due to the economy but I bet had this happened, we most likely would still have Winn Dixie, A&P, Cub Foods and Harris Teeter competing against Publix, Wal-Mart and Kroger. Then again, in theory it sounds amazing, I'm sure in reality it would be complicated as hell. Now that we can do anything using our phones with super cool apps, I'm sure Webvan could have made it through the economy tank had they held out until the app stores debuted. Now that we can get someone to pick us up with Uber & Lyft and make deliveries through Roadie, I'm sure it will be a matter of time before someone allows us to once again have our groceries delivered with a few swipes of our fingers.

My Pyle PWMA1090UI 800 Watt Wireless Portable PA System

As someone who's performed on various levels, from small clubs to large theatres, I know the value in proper sound equipment. I set up my home studio to suit my needs as a not only to record, but to use as a rehearsal space even though I've not performed live in many years. I own a Behringer studio mic as well as a Nady, a Shure and a "Radio Shack" branded Shure microphone. I also have two wireless microphones, one a handheld and the other a headset system both made by Nady, a company I've been loyal to since I bought my very first wireless system back in 1993. I also have a Mackie mixer with on board effects and an Alesis NanoVerb Digital Processor for additional effects. My set up is pretty simple and perfect for recording but if I could also use it if I decided to create videos for YouTube or even do a live online concert on a site like ConcertWindow.com.

When I was really young, I wanted a Singalodean karaoke machine with a wireless microphone, I covered that story in a previous blog. While writing that blog entry, I decided it might be fun to invest in a larger guitar amp that could possibly double as PA system also. I began researching all in one systems, mainly because I didn't want to have a ton of components...I already have enough clutter in my house. While searching Amazon, eBay and several musical instrument retailers, I found many PA systems that looked alike made by Nady and Alesis, both great brands. Further research lead me to lookalikes of those same Nady and Alesis systems made by Gem Sounds, Hisonics and Pyle which I was familiar with just because they always came up during searches while shopping around for the microphones I currently own. I posted a question on Facebook regarding the Pyle branded sound devices and got one response from someone. His response was more based on his impression of the brand rather than his experience with it. The Pyle systems, to me, looked sharp and they had an equal amount of bad reviews as they did good reviews. In my experience, I find it best to take bad reviews regarding sound equipment with a grain of salt as most people either expect too much from a budget friendly item or they just have no clue how to use it out of the box and take their ignorant frustration to the internet. The Pyle system definitely have a large selection to choose from when it comes features, power and wattage but let's face it, you're not going to get stadium filling sound quality from a system with a price just under $250.

To be completely honest, I wasn't looking for anything out of this world, just something that would be easy and fun to use...and I kept in mind that if I ever moved out of Atlanta back to NYC, I might be able to start a career as a street performer with it...Dream Big!!! Anyway, the good reviews featuring the Pyle PWMA1050 outweighed the bad reviews. An 800 watt system that includes a VHF wireless microphone and jacks for additional wired microphones or wireless systems, a guitar and an input for an ipod, mp3 player or device of some sort. The system also includes an "echo" feature to add a reverb effect to live vocals. The fact that it is completely portable with a rechargeable battery was the kicker for me. I placed an order for it on Amazon which had it priced at $188.00 and FREE shipping with my prime account, I was SOLD...$188 isn't much to loose and even if it was bad, it would still be something I could turn around and possibly sell on craigslist.
Through a complicated circumstance, I ended up changing my mind on the PWMA1050 and going for the slightly higher priced PWMA1090UI. While still rechargeable, with a wireless handheld VHF microphone and inputs for additional mics, guitar and all the same features as the PWMA1050, this unit comes with an iPod/iPhone docking station on top, a wireless body pack that could be used with the headset or clip on lavalier microphones that are included as well as it has an FM radio and inputs for both a USB AND SD/MMC readers. There were less reviews on this system than the other system, most likely due to the fact that is more expensive than the PWMA1050.
When this system arrived, I was shocked at the size and weight of the box. This must have cost Amazon at least a fourth of what I paid, just to ship it. It was HEAVY enough that I had to drag it down my hallway. Unboxing was pretty simple though this system is seriously heavy for such a portable unit, thankfully it is on wheels. The first thing you notice when you open the box is all of the peripherals such as the microphones, cables a remote control and the instruction manual and warranty literature. The instructions are pretty straight forward and detailed, though the writer could have used spell check or had someone proof read it before it went to print.

The charging time for the unit's battery seems to be around 8 to 10 hours and I believe the unit's charge will hold for 6 hours of continuous use. The instructions insist those that will use the system on an infrequent basis should charge it every two weeks just to keep a healthy battery life. The unit, itself, feels as if it's built solid and the wheels and the handles for lifting and pulling the unit are quite sturdy. As for the microphones, while I'm not a huge fan of light weight plastic, the pickup on the handheld mic isn't bad but you've definitely got to hold it close to your mouth while in use. I'm most likely never going to use the clip on mic but I will most likely use the headset mic a bit. The headset mic does pickup a bit better than the handheld and it's quick comfortable on your head. I've had issues with more expensive headset microphones being heavy or tight on my head. My only complaint with the headset is more with the 3.5m plug, it's angled where it hangs off the edges of the transmitter rather. I will eventually replace the headset with one with a less intrusive plug. The frequencies of both microphone transmitters seem to be good and I didn't experience any interference when trying the mics out within 30 feet of the PA system. I wasn't expecting the quality of Sennheiser, Shure or Nady but I was definitely impressed that the microphones weren't cheesy looking and didn't sound like my Mister Microphone toy I had when I was a kid. I'm not exactly sure what Pyle has done with the electronics but feedback is not an issue with it at all, many cheap units have excessive feedback issues, especially when coupled with cheaper microphones. I also love the fact that the mics are powered by two AA batteries rather than 9 volt batteries that most of the higher end microphone manufacturers use.

So what does the unit sound like? It's loud, it's clear and it's a great unit for the price point. I would honestly say that if I actually saw a working unit in person, I would have bought it even if it cost more than the price I paid. While it does sound great, there is one issue I do have, there is a bit of a hum emanating from the unit, nothing that would be noticeable in an outdoor setting.

All in all, this PA system is not worthy of many of the negative reviews I've read, in fact I've noticed just the opposite experience with my unit than many others have had with theirs. In spite of the lower end price, it's a great system with many bells and whistles that higher priced systems don't come with. If you're looking to entertain the kids, karaoke night at home or want to unleash your inner street performer, this is the system for you!!! Will I use this in public? Unfortunately, the laws in Atlanta in regards to buskers or street performers state that use of amplification devices are not allowed so you will not be seeing me perform on the streets of Atlanta though I think it would be great fun and this system would be an amazing tool for such performances.

My Experience at Wicked at Atlanta Fox Theatre March 5, 2015 Matinee

In 2011, my friend Ernie and I unexpectedly saw a performance of Wicked at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. When I heard the show was going to be in Atlanta this year, I was very excited because I felt guilty that Terry had not seen the show before and I knew he HAD to see it for sure. Like most gay men, we love The Wizard of Oz so this is something that I knew he would enjoy.

Buying tickets was sort of an ordeal, we had waited a little late to buy them...I was actually waiting on my tax refund. Buying tickets for a popular show 3 weeks before you're projected performance time is not a good idea. Buying 2 seats together seemed to be a chore in itself. I checked the Fox Theatre's website, they charged a $20 fee on top of the cost of the seat for each ticket. As a server $40 is sometimes considered a "good lunch" and I'd rather not pay for something if it isn't necessary, plus I'm super cheap.

I decided to stop at the box office one morning while on my way to work...Almost every show was sold out, if they weren't, you could only buy single tickets away from each other in most sections. The gentlemen at the ticket booth told me my best option was March 5 1pm show Orchestra Right Row X seat 18 and 20...$98.00 per ticket. Knowing the balcony overhangs row N gave me an idea that these seats weren't bad at all. I've seen Phantom from every part of the Fox and can say any further back in the orchestra and once you get into those double letter seats in the back, it's uncomfortable and are good for obstructed views. These seats were definitely a good choice considering it was our best option. I bought those babies and off to work I went. Once I got to the restaurant, I requested the day of of the show off...there was no way I was paying $98 per ticket and missing it for a possible $40 shift. I did get my day off!!!

Terry started feeling bad the night before last and has been coughing so yesterday we went to the pharmacy and loaded up on Alka Selzer Cold & Flu for daytime and night time. Loaded my shirt pockets with cough drops and a couple of Dayquil Pills for when I knew his Alka Selzer would be wearing off.

We headed towards Midtown by noon and the temp was around 65 and a bit windy and starting to look drizzly. Parking at the Fox is a complete clusterfuck, especially during the day because you're not only having to find a spot among cars that have paid for parking while they are at work, you're competing for a spot among other theatre goers. T-minus 20 minutes before curtain and Terry and I are trying to park...We saw a lot that had $20 parking, I had my $20 ready until I saw a sign that read FULL. I told Terry to head down to the Walgreens and Publix and hopefully we'd find paid parking around there...NOPE there was none so we decided to chance it and just use the Publix parking lot and hope we didn't get towed or booted.

We made it in about 10 minutes before the show started. We used to make mad dashes to buy t-shirts and programs but we stopped doing all that unnecessary spending years ago. Straight to our seats we went. Those seats weren't bad at all, I couldn't help but feel bad for those crammed into the first 20 rows of the right and left of the orchestra section though because those were most definitely obstructed views.

This is the 4th time Wicked has played Atlanta but the first time for the 2nd national tour. The official website of the show essentially states there's no difference between the first and second national tours aside from the cast members. I knew this wasn't completely true considering I had known since this production had originated in Chicago that it had been scaled down a bit. Having seen the 1st national tour, the differences I could spot in regards to the staging and sets included the Flying Monkeys didn't climb the proscenium, Morrible was off stage during her announcement during Defying Gravity and was no bridge above the stage. Despite the differences, the production value and spectacle of the show was just as enjoyable as the last time I saw the show.

I had filled Terry in on things to look for throughout the show, though I didn't give away the key moments of who becomes what and I was careful not to spoil the twists that happen in the end...He was completely shocked that I was as good at keeping all of the spoilers to myself and allowed him to witness everything for himself.

When we opened our Encore Atlanta magazines...The Fox's version of a Playbill...We were met with 2 At This Performance notices...Glinda will be played by Beka Burnham and Elphaba will be played by Emily Koch. I LOVE watching understudies and standbys...while some people see them as the villain that stole the starring role from the regular actor, I see them as the unexpected stars that deserve their chance to shine...I guess it could also be the fact that I was an understudy a few times and I knew how it felt to get the chance to do what I do. Understudies are not only unique for the most part, they usually morph the best parts of other performers into their own performances. Both Beka and Emily were an amazing pair...I know I'd get flack for this but I personally thought they were much better vocally than Idina and Kristin's performances on the Original Broadway Cast recording.

Emily Koch as Elphaba

John Davidson's Wizard was good, I have been a fan of his since his days on That's Incredible and Hollywood Squares. The man is 73 years old and dances like he's still in his 50's...vocally he's a little shaky since I saw him in State Fair on Broadway but then again he's 73 years old. Madame Morrible, played by Kristine Zbornik was more than suitable...you felt she had an agenda from the beginning and there was nothing sweet about her other than the fact that she was great in the role. Liana Hunt's Nessarose was FABULOUS to say the least. Lee Slobotkin's Boq was tragically hilarious and adorable. Former boyband O-Town member, Ashley Parker Angel was Fiyero, his vocal choices were well placed and and unique. My favorite Ashley Angel moments were during As Long As You're Mine where he seemed more genuine than a few I've heard sing this role.

Back in the day, favorite top five musicals were The Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Starlight Express, RENT and CATS...and most everyone knows that The Phantom of the Opera was at the top of that list. Having seen Wicked, I can honestly say that Wicked now rivals Phantom for my top pick.

After the curtain call John Davidson and Ashley Parker Angel along with Lee Slobotkin acting as their model had the audience take a seat and explained as we leave, there were cast members in costume taking donations and selling special items in the lobby and the proceeds would go to Equity Fights AIDS. One of the items was a large showcard (poster) autographed by each cast member for $60...I usually don't buy showcards but I definitely wanted this baby. As I headed out to the lobby, I made my purchase/donation and Terry and I rushed out the front of the Fox in hopes to find the car where we left it.

It was about 4pm, the temperature had dropped at least 20 degrees from the time we arrived. We had no jackets or hoodies so I went into power walk mode...six blocks of zig zagging across streets. We made it to the Publix parking lot and the car was still there!!! We started the car and the temp read 39 degrees. I checked accuweather and it was pretty accurate...except for the fact that the windchill was actually 24 degrees.

On a side note, if you've even wondered the difference between seeing a matinee and an evening show at the Fox...There's not really a difference. The daytime crowd seems more respectful and well behaved and I noticed no offensive old lady perfumes like Odyssey by Avon.

Boogers May Boost Your Immune System

A team of researchers from a West Coast university has discovered that the unsightly habit of picking one's nose and eating boogers may be beneficial to your health. The research team headed by two doctors conducted the project among two different kindergarten classes in two different schools. Each class was selected based on the teacher's observation that showed an equal amount of children that picked their noses and children that did not.

Dried mucus, or boogers, contains various particles of dust, pollutants, allergens as well as agents of infectious bacteria. Austrian doctor, Friedrich Bischinger advocated using fingers to pick and ingest nasal mucus. Dr. Bischinger explains, "nasal mucus contains a cocktail of antiseptic enzymes that kill or weaken many of the bacteria that become entangled in it. Eating mucus is a natural boost to the immune system." We already unknowingly ingest mucus as post nasal drip, it's a natural body function. Most the the harmful items however, are usually caught in the hairs or cilia towards the front of the nostril.

The test findings on the kindergartners, though disturbing, were surprising. Both classes had similar results, almost exactly the same in fact. Throughout the peak of cold and flu season, of the thirty non-nose pickers, seventeen missed classes after becoming ill. Of the thirty "booger eaters" only nine missed school for periods exceeding 3 days. Further findings did show differences in illnesses experienced by by subject types. Only three children that did not ingest mucus tested positive for strep infections. Within the nine children that were marked as booger eaters, seven tested positive for strep throat.

If you gotta pick, go ahead. This does not exempt you from the taboo of picking your nose and eating your boogers, you will certainly be judged. Though the study does show that it may be beneficial to your immune system, remember the places your fingers have been since the last time you washed your hands.