Just in case you get bored running from plane to plane

Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport is one of the coolest airports I've been to. Not only is there a casino in the airport, there's this miniature art museum with a dozen or so Dutch paintings up inside the gold structure pictured above. I enjoyed it because I enjoy art museums, especially reading the captions that explain why the art is significant.

By the way, I'm in Edinburgh tonight and will be in St Andrews tomorrow.

Swine Flu Is Still Around?

While visiting friends here in Mississippi, I kept hearing about all these people who had Swine Flu (note that I'm not saying "H1N1 Virus"... I've only heard people on the news say the politically correct term). When I stopped by the Foreign Language Dept at Mississippi College, they had a huge tub of sanitizer so students could clean their hands. I had dinner last Friday with two of my friends who both had Swine Flu the previous week. They seemed to be healthy enough then after being sick for only a couple days, but I thought it was really weird they actually had it. I checked the MS Department of Health's website, and there have been 838 confirmed cases and another site said there have been 4 deaths (though the last one to die was already sick... I'm not sure about the others). To be brutally honest, 1 death per 200 cases doesn't sound too deadly, especially when those who died had other problems. The CDC says Mississippi has "widespread" activity, or the highest level.

I hadn't heard of one person having Swine Flu while living in Texas this summer, so I pretty much forgot it was still around. The same CDC website said TX had "regional" activity (thought it had been "local" this summer), so apparently it's not as bad out there. I wonder if Mississippi's poverty has lead to an increase in activity.

We've been talkin' 'bout Jackson ever since the fire went out

I left Houston last Wednesday and went to Jackson, MS so that I could visit some friends there before leaving for Scotland this week. It was a lot of fun hanging out with as many people as I could. I found a new mediterranean restaurant in Old Town Clinton named Petra. It was really good, but a lot of other restaurants have been in the same location and failed. I hope it is successful because Old Town is a really cool place. I also went with old college friends to Jerry's Catfish House on US 49 in Florence (it's the huge igloo and is very hard to miss). Jerry's is my favorite catfish joint in Jackson, and it kicks Cock of the Walk's ass. I mean, Jerry's is all you can eat for the same price, and the curved interior walls have a nicotine yellow paint that you just can't beat. Most importantly, I don't have to be careful when I say "Jerry's" as compared to "Cock of the Walk."

Last night (Saturday) I went to Joseph Gill's (my old roommate from the past year) 70s themed party. We had an 80s themed party last October, but this year we had a lot more dancing. Joseph (or Dirty Uncle Joe as we affectionately call him) spent a lot of time putting together a video playlist full of music videos and movie clips. It was a really great party and a good ending to my week in Jackson.

After spending the summer in Houston, I've learned that Jackson's road and highway system sucks. There are a thousand stoplights that aren't coordinated (especially on Lakeland, US 49, anywhere in Clinton), and the Interstates don't connect the destinations very well (especially east of I-55).

Now that I've complained about something no one outside Jackson cares about, here's some photos from "That 70s Party":

Jeannie had trouble understanding the YMCA dance.

Ok. Ok. I'm sorry I made fun of your dancing.

Dirty Uncle Joe and Jaime showing

everyone else how to dance.

Best dressed at the party.

Crystal Beach II

Yours Truly on the beach at sunset.

Sarah (sister), Ryan (brother in law)

and Elizabeth (niece)

A view from the beach in front of the house

on Sunday. It was a wee bit crowded.

Crystal Beach, Texas

Normally, the Blalocks have their family reunion at the Craig's beach house in Crystal Beach, TX on the 4th of July. Since Hurricane Ike took out that house in September 2008, the family postponed the reunion until this Labor Day Weekend. They rented a house right next to the beach. I got to crash the party.

I don't usually like beaches because I think laying in the sand all day is boring. However, I do enjoy the constant breezes and laying in a hammock while reading a book. The best part was throwing the frisbee. As long as I have some activity (like throwing a frisbee, playing volleyball, reading or writing a book), I like the beach, and I had a very good time at the beach this weekend.

Crucial cup of coffee on the front porch

Morning thunderstorm on Sunday

with fishermen driving away.

There were a lot of people driving up onto

the beach. One truck driver got upset with

us because we were playing frisbee where she

wanted to drive, which was between our tent

and the shore (only about 20' wide).

Seriously? I could see her say something

to us. I'm pretty sure it wasn't about how

glad she was to see everyone having a good

time at the beach. Hack.

Sunset from front porch. The Craig's

beach house was not so close to the neighbors.

We could hear them part until late at night.

Sophia (Kirk and Amanda's daughter)

and Molly (Shad and Shannon's daughter)

There were a lot of kids

at the beach this weekend.

Chloe (Kirk and Amanda's daughter)

trying to give me a twig she found.

Elijah (Kirk and Amanda's son)

coming down the stairs to the ground floor.

Elizabeth (my niece, Ryan and Sarah's daughter)

zonked out while everyone else is loud.

She sleeps through almost anything

except a popping balloon.

Sandra Craig (Ryan's mom) reading to Chloe.

Sarah (my sister) sitting on the front

porch with Elizabeth during sunset.

Banana Bread

3-4 Bananas (Mashed)

1 Egg

1 Tsp Baking Soda

2 Cups Flour

1 Cup Sugar

1/4 Cup Butter (Melted)

Mix all ingredients and pour into a greased and floured loaf pan. Bake at 350*F for 1 hr 10 minutes. Let stand in pan for 10 minutes after removing from oven.

When my bananas turned old and mushy, I threw them into the freezer until I was ready to make banana bread. They looked awful after I thawed them, but I still used them in the bread. Next time I'd like to bake the bread with chocolate chips and nuts.

Bacon Quiche

1 Frozen Pie Shell

1 Cup Swiss Cheese

8 Slices of Bacon

3 Eggs Beaten

1 Cup Milk

1/8 Tsp Nutmeg

Onion Powder

Salt and Pepper

Pre-bake pie shell at 350*F for 10 minutes. Fry bacon until crisp; crumble into small pieces to yield 3/4 cup. Combine eggs, milk, nutmeg, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Beat well. Sprinkle pre-baked pie shell with cheese and bacon; pour in egg mixture. Bake at 350*F for 35 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Phoebe was very hopeful I would accidently drop some bacon.