If you came by Sunday, you saw that my self portrait was actually taken by someone else last week. That someone was Deb’s son, and the picture was made on the pedestrian bridge at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach. I’d been excited to see Deb since she told me her vacation plans would bring her to the area, and we had great fun chatting and strolling through the shops. We went through the Mirror Maze and then we ate at Preston’s.

The third person in the picture is my mom, but I think most of you knew that. I blog about her pretty often, mostly in passing. We always have a good time together.

Deb and I also went in Black Market Minerals. This turned out to be a deliciously painful experience that will cost me a bunch of money because I am now a bead ho. That’s mostly all I will say about that on this blog, because beading is a hobby and I blog about hobbies on my craft blog. I will just take a moment to refer you to my crack dealer enabler.

Mama and I also stopped by a new-to-us yarn store, but it was closed. All of this wishful shopping led to a second trip on Friday. That trip needs about 48 posts of it’s own, but it won’t get that many, and I am not sure exactly where they will appear. I will say that it included yarn and beads and shoes. You were just waiting for me to say shoes weren’t you?

Here I sit in the Atlanta airport, enjoying free wifi courtesy of tmobile, thanks guys, and I have one more piece of business to deal with before I can begin my official vacation. If I truly vacate. But I bet I do, because I will be meeting friends. I did tell you I was meeting friends right? Here’s the first one:

It’s Alli of Always, Alli. And me. I’m the one who looks like me. Gosh, I am a bit giddy, I think.

I realized that Alli was here in the airport and caught the airport train to her concourse. We had about 20 minutes before she had to get on her flight, and it was really great to meet her! This is going to be a Velveteen Rabbit weekend…we’re all going to be real now.

Let’s consider ecological diversity. Did you know that there are several animals in Australia that are only found there? Weird ones, too. I’ve heard this used as an argument both for and against evolution. I think you know where I stand on that, but that ecological diversity is one of the reasons I want to go to Australia some day. I want to see a duck-billed platypus with my own eyes.

Of course, I’d have to see more than the wildlife once I got there. As a singer, I’d love to hear a performance at the renowned Sydney Opera House. Since I abhor opera it would have to be something else, though, LOL. I see the Barber of Seville is playing this summer, so if I were going, I’d choose that. That would require an overnight stay, and since I’d already have researched cheap hotels in Sydney, I’d probably stay for a couple of nights so I could also visit the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Aquarium. After all, once I pay for the airfare and the Sydney hotel, I’d like to get my money’s worth.

I’d like to find out more bout the aboriginals as well. Of course, that brings to mind another deep question: If non-aboriginals are investigation aboriginals, doesn’t their very presence change that society? Can you observe sentient creatures without changing their behavior to some extent? I don’t think it’s actually possible to do so.