Izzy at Muttropolis Tomorrow , Sat. 26 10:30 - 12:00

Izzy was rescued from certain death at PACC. We've been fostering this wonderful, female, nine pound, two-year-old Chiweenie and she's finally ready for her forever family. She's in perfect health: all shots and spayed. She's got the chilled out attitude of a Weenie and the joy of a Chihuahua. Very cuddly without being overbearing (won't lick your face off or jump on you); smart (she's been learning house training extremely fast); very shy at first but easily adapts to nearly all people and dogs. She's pretty good on a leash but she's never been kenneled so don't leave her in a cage or she'll skin her nose trying to get out. Izzy is an all-around great dog who deserves an all-around great home. Do you have a place for her? If the answer is yes, meet Izzy tomorrow at Muttropolis!

The Paris Flea Market...in Tucson

These are pix of the "jewelry display" I bought at the Paris Flea Market. It's actually a door or window frame with screw hooks in it. I hung it on the wall in the bedroom, as you can see. I think it's more functional and more aesthetically interesting than a jewelry box.

These are the kinds of things I love to find at The Paris Flea Market. One of the styles I'm in to is cottage chic and it's one of their specialties. I stumbled into the Paris Flea Market one day and now I just can't stay away. Watch out, it might happen to you...

Flagstaff 2008

No, this billboard is not in Flagstaff. The photo was taken in 2006 in Asunción, Paraguay. I went to Flagstaff this weekend to present a paper on this image at the Rocky Mountain Council for Latin American Studies 55th Annual Conference.

I'm posting about the conference because:

1. I want to include a link to this site: http://sonicanta.com/. Glenn Weyant's presentation was fascinating and I think a lot of academics and non-academics alike would be interested in his project. In the words of his website: "The Anta Project is an enhanced sound collage compiled from covert performances utilizing modified chop sticks and a cello bow to play the steel wall, barbed wire fences and assorted ephemera that separates the United States from Mexico in the Sonoran Desert."

2. I want to highly suggest eating the lunch buffet at Himalayan Grill and the tuna salad at Karma.

3. I want to encourage Cuzco Peruvian Restaurant to re-think raising their prices and lowering their quality.

4. Lastly, but most importantly, I want to thank Katie, Andrew, Roman, Noah and Ben for letting us stay with them. It was great to see you guys :)

Jerome 2008

I went to Jerome last weekend for my cuñado's wedding. It was SUCH a great couple of days. I totally love Jerome. It was fun to share the town with so many family and friends.

These are the top ten reasons I heart Jerome (because I'm a word economist):

1. The view of the valley.

2. The history/hauntedness. You can get a fair dose of the history from the 24 hour Jerome history channel or screenings at the Liberty Theater. You can get a fair dose of the hauntedness from the Jerome Grand Hotel.

3. The quaint, narrow streets going up the mountain. (The Lamborghini aficionados love it.)

4. The weather.

5. The bars and eateries. This trip we annoyed people at The Asylum (see crazy statue), The Mile High Grill, The Biker Bar (Spirit Room), and the The Red Rooster Cafe (pictured at breakfast time above).

6. The art and jewelry. Being a "low earner" (I'm a grad student) I don't go to Jerome expressedly to shop, BUT there always are some noteworthy moments. For example, the moment I tried on the gorgeous hand-cast hydrangea earrings by Michael Michaud in the Connor Hotel Shop. Then there was the perfect $185 hand-stamped ceramic fruit bowel that I want to make my dining room centerpiece by Firuse Stalcup at Pura Vida Gallery).

7. The townies. Everyone who's directly involved in the tourist industry has been pretty nice in my experience. (They could be really fed up with us by now, especially considering the brand of rowdy drinking my suegra likes to do!)

8. The tourist type. Not as annoying as in Sedona.

9. It still gets quiet at night. I think most tourists see it as a day-trip place, so the tranquility and the stars make for peaceful romantic nights.

10. Proximity of everything. Walking distance makes for running into your drunk friends all weekend because, who wants to drive?

The Verde Canyon Railroad

The Verde Canyon Railroad begins in Clarkdale and travels to Perkinsville and back. It's about four hours and a great ride. Andrew's brother's family gave us first class tickets as a wedding present, which is nice because there's plenty of space to stretch out (especially with kids) and some food included. That said, however, I spent most of my time in the open-air viewing car. In the case that you are an able bodied, childless photographer type who avoids the indoors like the plague while on vacations, you might as well forgo first class for a regular coach seat.

The view is definitely the best part. The landscape is lovely and the light changes dramatically from the way out to the way back (the way back makes for better photography). It's a really relaxing experience, especially convenient for people who perhaps aren't as able bodied and couldn't enjoy the same views from a hike. Some of the sights include an old slag dump, Sinagua cliff dwellings, Great Blue Heron, black hawks, ducks, ravens and bald eagles. The tunnel ride is pretty cool too, as the train is plunged into total darkness for a brief moment.

Another train ride in the area I'd like to try is the Grand Canyon Train that departs from Williams.