BEST Airport for a Layover EVER

You may remember a couple years ago when my hometown airport (FWA) that can get you to 5s of 10s of different locations across the midwest appeared in USA Today as one of the 10 great places to hang out during a layover (I will not be offended if you missed this breaking news). Well, I have been so lucky to fly into FWA numerous times to visit my family, especially recently as my little sis is about to get married.

As I sit here in one of the "great places to hang out during a layover," waiting for my trip to Chicago to get me to DC, I thought I'd give it a little plug. (1) When I arrived on Friday afternoon, a lady stood by the entrance to the baggage claim, holding a wicker basket and distributing sugar cookies to all of the exiting passengers. (2) Because there are only a handful of gates, you can arrive at the airport a half-hour before departure. (3) I noticed today that you receive complimentary wireless service. (4) The giftshop is stacked full of Vera Bradley as it originates in good 'ole Fort Wayne.

Now, I don't think I have to ask where you will be making plans to have your next layover.

BEST “They’re Baaaaaaack” Exhibit EVER

Today, I wandered down to the Phillips Collection to see “The Renoir Returns: A Celebration of Masterworks at The Phillips Collection” which Emmm and Suz went to when it opened a few weekends ago.

It was a pretty cool exhibit that had a lot of works by the masters, as the name implies. There were several Picassos, Monet’s and of course, the Renoir’s “Luncheon of the Boating Party”, which the collection is famous for.

It was fun to see the actual painting that I had learned about in high school. Just being able to look at the detail and brush strokes of each one is pretty intense. I now understand why these artists are big deals, something that I didn’t really appreciate as the slides in my high school art appreciation unit flickered on by.

The exhibit is open until July 30, 2006 - def worth checking out.

BEST Spring Break Pool EVER

A note slipped under our door:

May 25, 2006

Dear Residents:

This is a friendly reminder that the pool will open on Saturday, May 27, 2006 for the Memorial Day weekend and the pool will close on Monday, September 4, 2006. The hours of operation are 11:00 am, until 8:00 pm. When there is inclement weather the pool will close and if time permits it will open again.

BEST Pseudo-Celebrity Encounter EVER

My lil sis is getting married in June, so I headed back to Indiana for some bachelorette festivities over Memorial Day weekend. As per usual, my flight out of National to Chicago was delayed, so I waited several hours as other flights to the exact same destination by the exact same carrier departed.

As any other holiday weekend, the airport was ridiculously crowded. Having already experienced the joy of the "pat down" from the questionable security operation they have going on, I was essentially quarantined to my Terminal without any available seats, and decided to wander around the surrounding gates while I awaited my delayed flight.

Well, I didn't have to go far for entertainment, because I found quite the commotion at the gate next to mine, also destined for Chicago. What could be all the excitement? None other than thee Senator Barack Obama swooning the hearts of middle-aged women as far as the eye could see. As I passed, a lady frantically approached me with her camera in hand and asked if I could take their picture. I exchanged greetings with the Senator and snapped the photo. I, too, had my camera on me, but I was simply too embarrassed to pull it out. So, I took the even less subtle approach by whipping out my camera when he was in line to board his plane and pulling the ultimate stalkarazzi moment. Only in DC would a Senator be deemed worthy of stalkarazzi moments.
















I do not anticipate my brilliant photography appearing in US Weekly anytime soon.

BEST Internet Video EVER

You've seen the title. Now get your mind out of the gutter.

It turns out that Tricia, friend of the Texan, is famous.

She had Surgery*

Best wishes for a speedy recovery and a safe trip back to Arlington soon! Can't wait for you to get home and join the Best Summer Ever crowd!

* Ps. The part of the clip where you can hear them hammering a metal plate into her spine totally gave me the heebie jeebies. But that might just be because I'm super squeamish.