Where's My Head?

(There seems to be a boat theme happening here but, given where we're staying, I suppose it can't be helped.)

Today we went into downtown Fairhope to just kill some time.

Another day with no schedule and nothing important to do. I could get used to this.

Today we went to Mobile, AL to see the USS Alabama, a World War II battleship. While my pictures show the deck pretty well, they can't begin to convey what the below decks area is like. If you've never toured a ship from this era, I encourage you to do so.

This morning we awoke to breezy conditions and light rain as Frances' reach extended into Northern Alabama. Not to be discouraged, however, we got out and bravely ventured across the parking lot to the Waffle House. After a hearty breakfast we headed to one of the most popular spots in the Huntsville area. Wal-Mart. We had packed everything except umbrellas. Then we finally pointed ourselves toward the U.S. Rocket & Space Center.

We've been planning on taking a vacation for a while now and, as I usually take the week of Labor Day off from work, it seemed liked a natural fit. We were also offered a free place to stay anytime we wanted so we were all set.

But the best laid plans...

What in the world have the good folks at the National Hurricane Center been smoking?!?

You have a tropical storm named Bonnie. Who in their right mind would choose to name the next one Charley?!?

Repeat after me, people - Clyde! Clyde!!!

The Statue of Liberty reopens today - kind of. While I'm certainly glad that we will once again be able to visit this historic and beautiful monument, the experience of that visit will not be the same as it once was. It saddens me to know that my children will not be able to climb up the stairs inside and look out through the windows of the crown as I did when I was young. Every time I see a picture of Liberty Lighting The World, my mind jumps back to that moment and I am there again. Ah, well...

Lady Liberty, it's good to have you back.

First, let me echo the sentiments of countless journalists and others in saying that you are a smart and impressive young girl. You carry yourself in a way well beyond your 12 years and I won't be surprised to see your name in the years to come in either California state or national politics. I applaud you for taking an interest in and action about things that will affect your life for years to come. Unfortunately, that is the extent of the similarity between those comments and mine. Most of them continue on to fawn on you and your speech at the Democratic National Convention. And for good reason - it apparently made for great TV during an event that was lackluster by most accounts. Sorry, kid, but I don't let you off that easily.

Mainly because I got tired of looking at the same stories day after day and I don't have time at the moment to write anything with even a modicum of value, I slapped up a quick poll. I'm sitting here looking at a stack of empty Altoids tins - one of each kind. Don't ask me why I have these in my office. I'm really not sure. It's just the dumb sort of thing I do. Let it suffice to say that those who know me well aren't at all suprised by the fact that I have wasted 10 square inches of desk space to erect an ad hoc shrine to breath mints. (Just grin and nod...) :-)

Anyway, vote for your favorite and, if you feel so led, leave comments about why.