Wonderings and Wanderings-- Part 1

Searching to Sea

For a variety of reasons, the past several months have been quite challenging. To say that I'm going through a  mid -life crisis would be putting it mildly. I am struggling with so many issues right now, ranging from my mental and physical health, to my career, attempting to find peace with living in Atlanta i.e. being land-locked. etc. etc.

Bouncing Down to New Orleans

I love New Orleans. From the first time I ever set foot there on a family vacation in my teens, I have felt an affinity with that place. But like Las Vegas, my birth-city, I sometimes fall for the Bacchanalian delights.

I ended up hanging out at one of my favorite dive bars in the country, Aunt Tiki's. The name comes from the fact that the owner has an antique shop around the corner which I was shopping at for a movie I was working on at the time , which is how I came to learn about Aunt Tiki's. I also found a couple more favorite dive bars.

---

Harry's Corner Bar

I wandered in here because it was across the street from where we were staying. And what wonderful discovery. 

The bartender's take no prisoners and laissez faire attitude was refreshing. He poured me a vodka on the rocks that was more than generous. I became a "regular" within a couple of visits and my drink was poured almost as soon as sat down. ​

The Abbey

Another gem I stumbled upon. I had a great talk with the bartender about NOLA real estate; Cindy and I have been very much considering buying there for years now. Also you can't beat the $5 beer and a shot special. 

---

Last Minute Shopping
I did manage to squeeze in some last minute shopping. 
I bought a new hat. I know, like I need another hat. But it fit really well and I couldn't pass it up. I also bought a beautiful leather mask.
​Again, another "must" have item.

---

Heading Home
One of the reasons I decided to trek down to New Orleans was because Cindy and I were once again in the market for real estate. What we've come to realize is that we didn't like being landlords the last time we had a "rental" property and that it would be risky financially as well emotionally to buy a property in NOLA.  So at the very least, that was something we came to a final decision with my "escape".

I decided to take a train because I loved the romance of it. 
I splurged and got a "room" in the sleeper car. It was after all an 11 and a half hour trip. It was hard to get to sleep. It was cramped and being a tall as I am I didn't really fit on the bed, but it was a lot better than only having a seat in a fixed position. 

I really enjoyed the nostalgia of not rushing travel. And realizing that travel by train was the best way to go for a very long time. It made me think about how our country was shaped very much by the railroad system. 

​And after a couple of hours I wish that I had taken a plane. I would have already been home. But no, I still had another 9 hours of nostalgic musing to endure. 

---

Home Sweet Home

Finally back to Atlanta.....
Well almost.
The train was delayed for a few hours. A few hours while Cindy patiently waited. I could see the downtown Atlanta  skyline but we were stopped dead on the tracks, literally. 
We eventually got moving and I was back home with my family and our wonderful menagerie of scorpion, sea horses, clown fish and of course rubber duckies. 

Eggcetera 
I ordered a couple of ostrich eggs because....
It seemed like the thing to do at the time. 
Once they arrived however, I realized that eating 2 dozen eggs at on sitting was not going to happen with our little family of three. 
They are a great deal of fun when camping with a group when you have a lot of hungry appreciative mouths to feed. 
I decided then to try hard boiling it. 
It took a couple of hours but in the end. It was a success.  I ended up making deviled eggs. Cindy took them into work where her crew had a nice snack.

---