Chicken Store in the News

Today the New York Times had a little article about spending a day in Key West, and it mentioned the beloved Chicken Store! Check out this passage and the subsequent photos:

3 p.m.
5) CHICKEN RUN
People in this town don't kid when it comes to chickens. They're on the loose everywhere, and it's a battle — half the island is trying to save the little cluckers, the other half is endlessly annoyed. And then there are the kids stealing them for cockfights. Learn all about the Key West chicken wars at the Chicken Store (1229 Duval Street, 305-294-0070; www.thechickenstore.com), where you can hold a fuzzy baby chick, feed a rooster or buy a clever T-shirt. If the heart is swayed, you can even file for adoption.

Holding a sweet hen at the Chicken Store


Chasing a big cock in Mallory Square (a time-honored Key West activity)

Recent Purchases

I recently made two great new purchases, one to create heat, and one to dissipate it.

Creating heat is the exciting new Pentax K10D. After years of waiting for the right camera at the right price, I'm finally making the switch to digital as my primary photography medium. The old ZX-5 served me well for over 10 years and it will soon begin a well-earned retirement. I've got a steep learning curve to maximize the potential of the K10, but it's gonna be fun.

And dissipating heat is my new beaded seat cushion. The cockpit of the Explorer gets hot in the summer, and I have long sought a solution to my heat-trapping seatback. For years I toyed with the idea of the cabbie-style wooden beads, but just didn't have the guts. No longer. I'm now sporting the beads, in all their taxicab glory. Stay tuned for a report on how well they actually work.

Around the Web

This was in the news a couple of months ago, but I'm just now getting around to mentioning it. Have you seen the new Wikipedia competitor Conservapedia? Amazing. Check out the entry on dinosaurs.

Good news for your stomach: Mandina's, another old favorite, is back open (website by Christy Soto!). Great turtle soup.

Are you familiar with Mims' hit song "This Is Why I'm Hot"? I wasn't, until I sampled it on iTunes after reading this excellent "graphical dissertation" on the song.

And here's a cool site...Worldometers. World statistics updated in real time.

I leave you with a line that still tickles me:
Jack Abramoff??? But I hardly even know Abram!

Camellia Grill Reopens!

Another Nola recovery milestone - the Camellia Grill reopened Saturday! And the AP photo even captures my favorite waiter, Melvin! This is huge. Word?! Go here for more on the new owner and his plans.

Apple Store Birmingham

Is there any doubt that an Apple Store in Alabama was long overdue? Check out the crowd on opening day last weekend.

And here's a post from a guy who was third in line. He got there at 6am for the 10am opening.

Modern times are a'comin', slowly but surely.

My New Home

I'm finally catching up on my photo processing. Here's a picture of me at my new home in Mobile, taken when I got here in late January. Cute place, huh?

Around the Web

I don't know why I haven't promoted Chris Hayes on here before. I do so now.

Great luck for Mr. Peepers! Duck emerges victorious from car incident
Notice the caption under the photo.

I like Ralph Lupin's style. A recent Times-Pic article on French Quarter trash collection included the following:

A frustrated Ralph Lupin, the Vieux Carre Commission's tough-talking chairman, told the commission Tuesday, "I don't understand Ms. White's obstinance other than that she's a bitch."

From The Politico: Ron Paul: More Guns Will Deter Shootings

Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) has a simple solution to future shooting massacres such as the one that ripped apart Virginia Tech university Monday: more guns. "People are a little more cautious if somebody might have a gun there," the GOP presidential candidate told Politico reporters Tuesday. "A concealed gun carried by a responsible person -- that might have ended the problem that they had at Virginia Tech with one person being killed or two people being killed."

Yes, and luckily we'd never have to worry about all the concealed guns carried by irresponsible people.

The Campaigns' Econ Advisers

From today's NYT:

Economix: The Advisers Are Writing Our Future
By DAVID LEONHARDT
The early economic advisers to presidential candidates can leave a big imprint if their candidate prevails.

Update

Greetings! Here some news from my new life on the Gulf Coast.

1. Starting with chickens, of course, I recently found out that another neighbor of mine has chickens! Bill Finch, the editor of the garden section of the newspaper, lives around the corner, and his yard is this amazing horticultural laboratory. Naturally, he has 8 or 10 beautiful hens to complement it. If you'd like to join me, he said I can visit them anytime!

2. Next, I'm working the nightshift now. The project I'm on at the law firm is so big they want people on it day and night, and I'm heading up the night bunch. Good times in West Mobile.

3. Alabama finally gets an Apple Store! The long-rumored store at The Summit in Birmingham opens tomorrow! I wanted to go the the sure-to-be-festive grand opening, but I can't make it.

4. Lastly, I ran the Crescent City Classic last weekend. Imagine a regular 10K race for some people combined with a 6.2 mile-long party for everyone else. In addition to the people passing out water every mile were others on the route passing out "Free Beer! Free Donuts!" and "Free Hot Dogs!" Not to mention the brass bands playing and runners in crazy costumes. When it was over, the first thing I consumed was not water but a jello shot, which were being handed out by this random group of guys just past the finish line. Then came the big post-race party at Tad Gormley Stadium where there was free Abita beer, jambalaya, and a band. Classic New Orleans.

I leave you with a post-race photo of me enjoying the festivities.