HB, ATM!

This past weekend, we went to Memphis to celebrate ATM's birthday. We met his dad & stepmum at Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous for ribs. I have to say that A) I prefer wet ribs to dry rub (Rendezvous has dry rub) and 2) that Little Rock's Whole Hog Cafe still rules it. They are definitely giving the Memphis BBQ scene a run for their money. I do like Rendezvous' atmosphere & the fact that it's located in a stinky alley in Memphis, but the ribs are just o.k. These words could be categorized as "fightin' words." We'll see!


After ribs, we went for some coffee. THEN, we went to the STAX museum. As usual, it was righteous. I always love looking at Tina Turner's stage outfit. She was/is tiny! It always takes me aback because of her big hair, her long legs & her larger-than-life persona. I also love looking at Isaac Hayes' car. It is flippin' gold-plated! R.I.P. Black Moses. I always get a sense of pride and a bit emotional when I go to the STAX Museum. STAX & their musicians always make me feel that we, as Southerners, have something, for better or for worse, that cannot be replicated or sold. Rufus Thomas talked about how Motown (Detroit) was great & produced greatness and was all well and good and those artists were generally accepted by everyone (READ: whites), but then you cross the Mason/Dixon line and these STAX bands & artists who had the 'thump schlump thump' (Je ne sais pas ) and they just did their own thing their own way without (Southern) America's approval. He says this with a sly smile and it makes my heart swell.

We didn't leave without hitting up the museum shop. I bought ATM a STAX coffee mug and myself a STAX pot holder.



After parting ways with his dad & stepmother, me & ATM went to our room to relax and settle in. THEN, I went and bought a new pair of jeans. This is a first for me, to have more than one pair of jeans at the same time. THEN, he went record shopping at Goner Records. THEN, we had supper & bought snacks at Whole Foods. THEN, we stopped by a liquor store so I could buy ATM some scotch. THEN, we went back to the hotel & sat on the outdoor patio to enjoy awesome weather while sipping on drinks. There's nothing notable to mention after that.
Well, I have to post hotel room photos, right?



We didn't stick around town the next day, we high-tailed it back home to Little Rock. Upon arrival, we found that we would be whisked away to Haifa, Israel by way of this:


What an awesome gift! It's not even for me, it's ATM's birthday gift from his thoughtful mum! I think I love this gift as if it were mine. Heh. This is a meal kit to make homemade falafel and homemade harissa sauce. It comes with pre-measured dried goods (chickpeas) and pre-measured spices. It also comes with cooking tools like a falafel shaper & a tiny serving spoon for the harissa, amongst other things. We will have to provide the fresh ingredients, like parsley & lemon. The kit is offered by Destination Dinners. I really hope this kit works out, my first homemade falafel recipe turned out disasterous! Naturally, I will keep you posted.

On Tuesday evening, we gathered at Collin's to belatedly celebrate ATM's birthday -- I made a key lime pie & I made empanadas for the first time. They were good, but I feel they can be better. I'm liking this cooking things I've never eaten before. Anyway, empanadas. I used Bittman's recipe in How To Cook Everything Vegetarian. I may have to try it with curried potatoes & veggies which might technically make it a samosa?

So, have you been keeping up with the Jon Stewart v. Jim Cramer/CNBC saga? It's legendary. I love Jon Stewart. He's the kind of person that I say aloud, "I like him. I wonder if I can send him money." Maybe I should start doing tha to people I like. Hey _________________, I like you. You're makin' sense. Here's $5. Buy yourself a treat. Truly, AiLien.

I've not heard an update RE: the Victory Street space, but I've heard Eclipse Glasses speak about it as if it'll eventually happen. And speaking of Eclipse Glasses, they will be playing a show this Friday @ the Dreamland Ballroom. $5! At that regular show time.