I am back home. It was indeed a short visit out to Atlanta, Georgia. It was mostly work during the day and evenings it was fun to step out and enjoy Atlanta evening/night life. Of everything, I totally over-indulged in the peach cobblers with peach gelato and peach sauce! Well! I am in Peach state!

Almost exactly two years to the date, I am in Atlanta, Georgia again! Last time around I stayed downtown a stone throw away from the Olympic park and the Aquarium. This time around I am still around in the downtown area, but a little further away.

This time around I have not planned to stay over. I would have liked to stay and visit the Botanical gardens and the orchids gardens, but it isn't going to happen. I am saving my really ample vacation time for family visits in July and then my own travel plans later on in the year. This is a working trip and will be short and sweet. Fly in on Monday morning (today) and fly out Wednesday night (in two days).

But, for now, I am in Atlanta! Home of the peaches and the hot temperatures (soaring in late 90's)

 

The past few days have been miserably hot and horrid in New England. It is sometimes hard to believe that just few months ago we had 2 feet of snow lying on the ground and now the ground temperature is somewhere in the 90+ deg. What is a tad worrying is that we have not reached the height of summer as yet, which at current rate promises to be one miserable mess of a weather.

Thankfully, I have a fantastic home, with a basement, that stays at 62 deg (psst... it is where all the wine is stored, hic!) in there. I really don't start the air conditioner or the fan upstairs. Why use, if I don't really need it! So, I am hibernating in my basement with my laptop. Thank goodness for wireless access point, I have great signal even in the basement. 

I know it is too dang hot, when both Duke and Princess (*my littie kitties), have been sprawled in front of me on the cold concreted basement floor. I had to move all the food and water (er... for the cats) to the basement, because I saw they refused to go up!  I also realize how 'long' the kitties can really stretch..... dang! Both the little ones can bundle into little furry balls of about 6-9 inchs diameter, but when the occassion (such as hot weather) calls for it, they can stretch up to almost 2 feet from nose to hind leg paw! Wow, call about elasticity! Princess who always.... I mean always sleeps like a royality, is stretched and sprawled like a little drunken minx!

I want rain.... goodness sakes some rain, pleeeaaassseee!

I know I should shut about them peonies, but I cannot. Mainly because these precious ones grace our planet for such a short duration of time, that it is almost sacrilegious that they don't get all the attention they deserve. I promise (not really!) that this will be last of the peony series (er... intoxicating madness)

But, but, what starts as a simple prize winning peony in buds..... simply takes your breath away when it decides to bloom! I love it, how about you?

(Photo taken Jun 3rd)

Getting close on the buds!

(Photo taken Jun 7th) Upclose and really getting personal with these gorgeous babies!

I just cannot resists! These babies are certainly getting more air time than anyone I know! I love them dearly!

They are here! They are here! I must have done something right in my life! I don't deserve all this sheer happiness and joy! All afternoon, I have been dashing out to take more pictures and also bury my nose in these flowers. They are exquisite! They are enchanting! They are lovely! This is ridiculous that I am hopelessly in love with these fantastic gifts of nature.

I have tried sorting through fifty odd really ridiculously fantastic pictures of peonies blooming in my yard. My selection is just a fleeting glimpse of their true beauty. If you find yourself in my neck of the woods, stop by, bury your nose in these blooms, sit by them and share the brief time these wondorous gifts.

Above & right below: Bowl of Beauty; Right top: Peony Sorbet;
Bowl of Beauty with the Peony Sorbet just past the black railings.
Getting very up close and personal with the Peony Sorbet.

Couple of weeks ago, I asked if I was spoilt! I think I am! The earlier post should the early blooming lilacs blooming over my deck from the neighboring yard (lucky me). But my very own Miss Canada (pink) and Miss USA (lavender-periwinkle) are blooming. These are right under the porch windows, so it is really a treat to sit in the porch enjoying the heady summers breath of lilacs.

I mentioned on Saturday (yesterday) that I have been watching quite a few movies and TV Series at home, yet yearning to go to the theaters! I did not make it to the movies at 2:00pm, but by and by with the errands completed, I got myself to AMC theaters in Burlington, MA. It was a three way toss up between run into the theater with a min to spare to see Indy, or wait an hour to see Indy or wait an hour and half to see Caspian. The first was too short a wait, besides, I love to see previews, so, option 1 out. Option 3 out, just because, it is too long a wait. I could have waited, but nah! Indy it was!

_preface_:
Before I get into the Crystal Skull movie, a little about my relationship with Indiana Jones movie. As a kid, I have vague recollection of seeing posters (huge posters) put up when the Raiders of the Lost Arc came to be released in the country. Of course, at that point of time, it would have been considered complete frivolity and waste of time and money by my parents to even think of seeing such a movie, or perhaps I was underage to see Indiana Jones battling Nazi's and the ghosts of the Arc. After that, I really heard nothing about the next two movies; Temple of Doom and last Crusade.

It was years and years later that I find myself having seen Patriot Games, Star Wars (re-release), Sabrina, Air Force One and many others, that became a growing fan of Harrison Ford. It was in the last 4-5 years that I finally caught up to see Last Crusade and then Temple of Doom.

Each of the Indiana Jones movie, has a sense of adventure of exotic locations from underground church graves in Venice to Grand Canyon to desolate islands and submarines, forest and poison dart throwing natives and more. There is the thrill of the unknown and unexpected turns and twists. There is our bumbling and yet incredibly lucky hero (Indiana Jones). It is so evident in the way Harrison reacts to the situations in the movie with amusement, anger, and sometime amazement, that it makes it real, alive and believable. He depicts a fictional, yet if he was real, he would really lead us into protecting all our ancient histories today.

So, I must say, I went in to see Kingdom of Crystal Skull with tremendous expectations! Well, sometimes, that is good and sometimes things take a downturn. (*spoliers beyond this*) Oh! Don't get me wrong! I still love Harrison Ford and loved that Karen Allen is back and we have the Henry Jones Jr. III. Awesome! A perfect way to get into the next set of Indiana Jones, the batan has been handed down!

Fanstastic Sequences: There are several sections that truly live up to my expectations (*spoilers*)
1. Great sequence when Indiana Jones II and III are on motorcycle with the reds chasing them. The chase goes through all sorts of streets and alley ways and into the library of the school when Indiana teaches. The chase stops briefly in the library whence Indiana Jones instructs the students to get out of the library for serious archeology! Ha! Ha!
2. Love the entire escape from a nuclear test site, in a fridge.
3. The amazon chase with reds and Indiana family and crystal skull, great! It has swords, and guns and giant red ants and monkeys.
4. It is very endearing to see Indiana Jones hot on the trail of the skull, following the clues from Dr Oxley, from the sanitorium to the ancient ruins with caves and poison dart throwing natives et. al. Awesome!
5. What makes Indiana real, lovable and a hero, is that he follows clues intelligently, passionately and does it to know and not as much for personal gain. He thirsts for the journey and the results. While the enemy lets him get on with it and grabs the treasure as soon as Indiana acquires it. One cannot help cheer Indiana when he flips the odds against the enemy in his own sometimes bumbling and lucky ways. Sometimes whatever he does works and sometimes it doesn't. But, he tries! and tries again!

Not-so fantastic! Now, now! I liked the movie, but there was something really missing! Earlier Indiana Jones movies all have this incredible solid story lines, and one felt completely involved in the quest. When the plane took off from point A to point B, you were with him in the plane, along for the ride. This sense of renewed archeological find was somehow missing. I almost wonder if there was more trade off for jazzy digitalization versus good old story telling! There were serious outcomes if Indiana fails in his quest and the enemy win. This one had it too, but it somehow did not convey the same gravity as unleashing the power of the arc or the power of the holy grail! Perhaps, Speilberg should have left the aliens out! yeah! More than have skull's return meant escape for the aliens in their ship, it meant something more for the good of this planet. Somehow the balance of good and bad for the planet is little more appealing for me, than bad for this planet and escape for the aliens. Whatever!

But, it was fun! Will I buy the DVD? Perhaps not! I will wait for the Blu-ray! ;)

I want one of these! Nah! I need one of these!

There are several reasons for my needing a bicycle! and in no particular order they are:

1. My doctor says, "It is better for your broken... er... fixed foot to be biking rather than walking or running on aspalt!". Yes, yes, I broke my ankle a decade or more ago and I should be grateful that I can walk, but overtime, I have brought it up to be able to walk 3-4 miles without issues and even go running when it takes my fancy! But I think what my doctor is saying very very diplomatically, is that I am getting old! Right! and I should take care of the old Bones (or cartileges or tendons etc etc)! He suggested that at some point in exceedingly far future I may need a cane! Hmmm! Me thinks...... should I get one with a silver head or gold plated. Que Sera Sera! 

2. The gas prices are atrocious! Now, I really don't use my car to commute to work, so, I really not that shamed that I don't over indulge in using in the worlds resources! Blimey! I just annoyed some folks who legitimately need to drive to their work. I am not beating you guys up at all. Actually, I really don't care how the rest of the world commutes to work, whether they are concious of or abusive of the natural resources. That is their lookout. But, my concern is my 'recreational and other commuting' that takes up roughly 40-50 miles a week! argh! That is actually the amount some folks drive to their first job. Something has got to be done for this!

3. I live  a sneeze and cough away from the Bike Path in Arlington, MA.

4. I have this vague recollections that after initial hic-cups with learning to ride a bicycle, I actually enjoyed it! The initial hic-cups include, falling down bursting knees, ramming into stationary trucks, ramming into hedges, and loads of other very exciting and side-splitting stuff that my sister can narrate endlessly in family gatherings.

Now, I have just to find one a good one that I love, so I will use it more often than not. Unfortunately, living in New England, means, I can use it about 4 months, may be 5 months in the year. But, it is just turning summer, so, I have few solid months ahead that I can use to ride.

Step 1: The bikes thus far! I have not ridden a bicycle in about 12-13 years! Actually after my ankle breaking episode, I don't believe I have ridden a bicycle! This will be so interesting to 'test' ride bikes. Where do I start? There is a bike shop less than three-fourth mile away called Quad-cycles. I may as well start there. They appear to know what they are doing. So, I test rode some bikes.... they were:

1. Fuji Absolute 1.0 17 inch
2. Fuji Absolute 2.0 17 inch
3. Breezer Town Bikes (U Frame) 17 inch
4. Schwinn Ultra Comfort Voyageur 19 inch

Of all the above bikes, the Absolute are just absurdly expensive. If my bike is going to be a thousand dollars, then I need it gold plated, and if it is then I will keep it in the glass package, which defeats the purpose of owning a bike in the first place! The Schwinn was absurdly clunky! Sorry, I thought that because I got spoilt with the ultra smooth ride that fuji bicycles provide. Hmmm! Lest you read me wrong! I loved the Absolute 2.0, and if I could justify paying $700 for it, then I would. But I cannot... not at this stage. Perhaps in a few years time.

Today I continued with my bike testing.... LLbean! 
I wanted to test ride Acadia Cruiser (by Schwinn!)... but they are completely sold out.... and I have to wait a week! But I test rode the K2 T:Nine Crosswind Womens and gosh! felt and reacted exactly as the Absolute... but a little more heavier and little more reliable on brakes and at half the price (more or less)! Go figure!

So, conclusions thus far!
I would love to have the Absolute 2.0, but I may get the K2: T:Nine or the Acadia Cruiser as my first bike! This week will tell the story.... and I cannot wait.

After a long while, I am hankering to go to the theaters for a good movie. It is not the movie watching that I am missing, but the actual ritual of getting to the theater and watching one. As regards movies, I have been kind of a movie junkie, with many a evening devoted to DVD's at home, DVD's from Netflix and the watching online in with Netflix and Hulu.com. Some of the movies I have been watching are; Hitman (my notes), King Arthur (my notes), I'll sleep when I am dead, Priates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End, 300 (well most of it), The Juror, Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, Mystic River,  It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world, The Lake House, Death at a Funeral, Gone Baby Gone, almost all of the Prime Suspect series, Coupling, Jane Austen's Mansfield park! Gosh! All this in the last six weeks. All the above movies have appeal to me in some way or the other, a few dazzled me enough to shell out more dollars to own a copy of the DVD at home.... just so it can be at my beck and call.

But all that viewing is at home on my fantastic flat screen monitor and soundworks speakers attached. The assembly is ridiculously simple, relatively cheap and perfectly suitable. It is not the Sony 57 inch with bose home theater system, but it will do, until the time comes for the upgrade. Ah! I completely digress! Back to the matter in hand.... I am hankering to go to the theaters. Usually, I ask couple of people I know that may want to see some movies. But, now I am not sure!

What do I want to see? I want to see:
1. Prince Caspian! Yeah! I do.
2. Of course, having never seen any of the Indiana Jones (duh! in theaters), and I love him to death. One of the people I want to meet is Harrison Ford! I want to see it. Somehow seeing the trailers have left me with mixed feelings about this one. There seem to be treatments (if I may call them) which look similar to the Priates of the Caribbean and  yet again from the older Indiana Jones. But! Hey! I am putting the Cart before the Horse. I should see the movie before I make any judgements.
3. Finally.... yes! I want to see Sex in the City. But, I think I can wait for the DVD release of this one.

So, anyone interested? I am going.... er... tomorrow.... after 2 o'clock.... I think.... I know... most probably!