We're Not in Kansas Anymore

Last Friday, I took Northwest to KC. It seems since NWA's restructuring, they've been using the equivalent of temps to fly many of their planes. These temps aren't allowed to put in overtime, so toward the end of the month, getting anywhere in anything remotely on-time just isn't going to happen. My flight was no exception. Over two hours late getting to Memphis, prompting me to sprint to the other terminal and catch my connection as they were closing the doors. When I arrived, rockey1 was there with a hand-written sign, in perfect penmanship: "Mr. Octothorpe", which drew a hearty laugh from me, as well as a few odd looks from people around us.

Soon, we arrived at chez John, and a few hours later, we went out for BBQ at Jack's Stacks, a rather good BBQ place near Union Station, and next door to Lidia Bastianich's restaurant. I totally forgot Lidia had a location in KCMO. I tried to understand what makes KC BBQ, KC BBQ. From what I can tell, the sauce is thick, and a bit sweet as well as spicy. Molasses and cayenne pepper probably play a role, but I don't quite understand what is so different between that, and say, the BBQ at RUB on 23rd. Do any BBQ experts have any idea? After that, we hung out at the union Station fountain, had a bit of a stroll, then hit the patio at Starbucks for a late night dessert of hot chocolate. After that, we went home. A few hours later, sleep. I was exhausted.

The next morning, John, the amazing host that he is, decided to make Belgian waffles. Hells yeah! I don't eat them often, as they're *very* dangerous. These were great with fresh whipped cream, and fresh berries. Soooooo goooood! Joining us for brekkie was John's friend Kurt, a handsome boy with a very spank-able bottom, although I wouldn't know anything about that. Some however, may ;-). A few hours later, John and I hit the gym. He had a free guest pass, so we slid on in, and got to business. Considering I hadn't been to the gym in about 4 or 5 days, I had a pretty good back workout. John decided to do legs. Later that evening, we saw Gaelic Storm at the KC Irish Festival, a 3 day event. Who knew there were so many Irish in KC?!?! After GS left the stage, we went over to the Blue Koi to have some pretty good chinese food. They have a sauce called "awesome sauce", which wasn't so awesome, but the pork stew more than made up for it. It's a favourite of John's and I understand why. The meat just melts in your mouth, and the heat lets you know you're still alive!

On Sunday, we hit the Free State Brewery for lunch, and then the Nelson Atkins Art Museum to check out their early photography exhibit. We got to see a rare collection of daguerreotypes, albumen prints, and salt prints. The NAAM also has a collection of Isamu Noguchi sculptures, which I absolutely love. The Museum is large enough that trying to crawl through the entire thing would be exhausting, but if I were to return, I'd like to see more of their permanent collection. That evening, I finally met the charming and ebullient gryphons_hole. It was a hot day, so I decided to make fajitas for the boys, and they seemed to enjoy them. John made a chocolate mousse that was light, fluffy and rich. Sooo good. The three of us wound up chatting until the wee hours of the morning. I eventually slept like a brick.

Monday was a bit melancholy, as I had to be on a plane in the early after-noon. Prior to my departure, John and I went up again to the Plaza, which if I understood correctly is a little shopping district within KC, and had a pretty good lunch. I had a chicken breast pita with feta and peppers. We sat outside in the front of the restaurant, and several passers-by stopped to say hello to John. I swear, he knows everyone!

My KC trip was full of adventure, good friends, and great conversation. I didn't really have any preconceived notions of what I would find, but I left with some wonderful memories. Thanks!

We're Not in Kansas Anymore

Last Friday, I took Northwest to KC. It seems since NWA's restructuring, they've been using the equivalent of temps to fly many of their planes. These temps aren't allowed to put in overtime, so toward the end of the month, getting anywhere in anything remotely on-time just isn't going to happen. My flight was no exception. Over two hours late getting to Memphis, prompting me to sprint to the other terminal and catch my connection as they were closing the doors. When I arrived, rockey1 was there with a hand-written sign, in perfect penmanship: "Mr. Octothorpe", which drew a hearty laugh from me, as well as a few odd looks from people around us.

Soon, we arrived at chez John, and a few hours later, we went out for BBQ at Jack's Stacks, a rather good BBQ place near Union Station, and next door to Lidia Bastianich's restaurant. I totally forgot Lidia had a location in KCMO. I tried to understand what makes KC BBQ, KC BBQ. From what I can tell, the sauce is thick, and a bit sweet as well as spicy. Molasses and cayenne pepper probably play a role, but I don't quite understand what is so different between that, and say, the BBQ at RUB on 23rd. Do any BBQ experts have any idea? After that, we hung out at the union Station fountain, had a bit of a stroll, then hit the patio at Starbucks for a late night dessert of hot chocolate. After that, we went home. A few hours later, sleep. I was exhausted.

The next morning, John, the amazing host that he is, decided to make Belgian waffles. Hells yeah! I don't eat them often, as they're *very* dangerous. These were great with fresh whipped cream, and fresh berries. Soooooo goooood! Joining us for brekkie was John's friend Kurt, a handsome boy with a very spank-able bottom, although I wouldn't know anything about that. Some however, may ;-). A few hours later, John and I hit the gym. He had a free guest pass, so we slid on in, and got to business. Considering I hadn't been to the gym in about 4 or 5 days, I had a pretty good back workout. John decided to do legs. Later that evening, we saw Gaelic Storm at the KC Irish Festival, a 3 day event. Who knew there were so many Irish in KC?!?! After GS left the stage, we went over to the Blue Koi to have some pretty good chinese food. They have a sauce called "awesome sauce", which wasn't so awesome, but the pork stew more than made up for it. It's a favourite of John's and I understand why. The meat just melts in your mouth, and the heat lets you know you're still alive!

On Sunday, we hit the Free State Brewery for lunch, and then the Nelson Atkins Art Museum to check out their early photography exhibit. We got to see a rare collection of daguerreotypes, albumen prints, and salt prints. The NAAM also has a collection of Isamu Noguchi sculptures, which I absolutely love. The Museum is large enough that trying to crawl through the entire thing would be exhausting, but if I were to return, I'd like to see more of their permanent collection. That evening, I finally met the charming and ebullient gryphons_hole. It was a hot day, so I decided to make fajitas for the boys, and they seemed to enjoy them. John made a chocolate mousse that was light, fluffy and rich. Sooo good. The three of us wound up chatting until the wee hours of the morning. I eventually slept like a brick.

Monday was a bit melancholy, as I had to be on a plane in the early after-noon. Prior to my departure, John and I went up again to the Plaza, which if I understood correctly is a little shopping district within KC, and had a pretty good lunch. I had a chicken breast pita with feta and peppers. We sat outside in the front of the restaurant, and several passers-by stopped to say hello to John. I swear, he knows everyone!

My KC trip was full of adventure, good friends, and great conversation. I didn't really have any preconceived notions of what I would find, but I left with some wonderful memories. Thanks!