Do We Really Need To Know?

My sister-in-law, two of her kids, Ben and I ventured downtown today to take in a play. On our way back to Marietta from downtown we noticed a helicopter above. As we approached I 75 we saw three more helicopters and a back up of cars for the on-ramp. As we looked into the southbound lane we saw a smashed up overturned vehicle, numerous police cars, at least two ambulances and a host of rescue personnel. We knew it had to be a bad situation. After we returned home I checked the local news network's website to find out what happened. Not only was a story already written and posted, there was a photo "gallery" containing six pictures of the scene. These six pictures had disturbing images of the rescuers attempting to remove one of the victims from the overturned vehicle.

I am not sure what is so upsetting to me...the timeliness of the information to the internet, the vivid detail of the pictures and story or the fact that I knew I could simply check the internet and find out, nearly instaneously, what happened. As I walked on the treadmill for nearly an hour (go me!) I had many thoughts about this:

Do we really need information that quickly?

What came first, access to information about everything or our desire for it?

Does the media want to provide us with this information or does the public demand it?

I invite your comments....

I have officially grown up....and I am scared.

1. We bought a mini van last Saturday. And I am thrilled with this purchase.

2. On our way to NC to spend Thanksgiving with Kent's family we made a pit stop at a hotel near Clemson University. There were numerous parties in the hotel that evening, there must have been a home game scheduled. When the partying was still going strong at 5:30 am literally right outside our door, I made Kent call the front desk.

I will steal from SECR and make a list of things I am thankful for this year (these are not in order, don't force me to rank them)--

-My sweet sweet boy Ben
-My other sweet sweet boy Kent
-A wonderfully loving, close and very cool family (the Bodoh and Brooks family are included here!)
-Good Health (for myself and for my family)
-Moving back down south

This story has received a ton of local news-attention and I have been so traumatized by it that I must turn off the news every time it's on! Thank God it's over. This poor little girl. I am not sure if the father did it or not but I am certain this girl must be scarred for life. I hope she gets lots of good therapy, love and positive influences for the rest of her life.

http://home.bellsouth.net/s/editorial.dll?eeid=5067453&eetype=Article&print=printarticle

Monday/Postscript

We made it back to Atlanta from Chicago last night. Ben was very fussy on this flight and of course it was primarily business travelers and I was so afraid they were going to be totally annoyed. Thank goodness the Chicago - Atlanta flight is fairly short. We arrived home around 8 pm and there truly is no place like home!

I learned while I was away that my Dad was rear-ended and his car was totalled, the key I gave to my sister-in-law/catsitter for our trip did not work and my niece sprained her ankle! A lot went on here it seems. Everyone is ok and the cats were fat and happy we returned. My sister-in-law had to call a locksmith and apparently our house was difficult to access. I guess that's a good thing!

The trip was wonderful and we are so blessed to have the health and ability to travel far and wide. Pictures will be on the way soon. Picture disclaimer - they were taken with disposable cameras so the quality is subpar!

We got up super early this morning - 3:45 am London time to get ready for our flight out. Pat and Ed woke up to see us off. I nearly broke into tears when Pat, a mother of four, told me what a great mother I am to Ben. That made my morning!

We left London Heathrow at 8:00 am London time. We requested but were not allowed to get the bassinette for this flight! The mean lady checking us in insisted that Ben was too big, "a toddler" and that it was not safe. I tried to explain that we used the bassinette on the flight over only a week before but she would not budge. So she changed our seat assignments and put us in a row of three and blocked out the middle seat. Of course this worked out much much better and Ben (being in the middle) could climb up either side of the seat. Ben did very well on the flight and we received several compliments from passengers sitting around us about what a great boy he was.

We landed in Chicago around 10 am CST and it is cold here!!! After getting our luggage, going through immigration, going through customs then going through security we made our way to the Admiral's club. I took Ben in to change him and I recognized this lady from our flight. She said to me "oh this is the the fussy baby from the flight." I (being completely insulted) said I didn't think he was too fussy and she said "well I heard him crying." I nearly burst into tears! I wanted to say (but couldn't think on the spot quickly enough) oh you are the bitch from the plane who was mean to the flight attendants. I know I shouldn't let this bother me but Kent and I try to be aware and respectful of the people around us and for her to say that to me really pissed me off! I need to let it go obviously.So here we are in Chicago awaiting our flight to Atlanta which doesn't leave for another 2 1/2 hours. I am hoping the mean lady from our London flight and the bathroom is going to Atlanta, that we sit right beside her and that Ben cries the whole way! Ha! We get back into Atlanta around 6 pm EST. I am sure my body will have no idea what time it is. We've been through 4 different time zones this trip and I am still confused!

Travel Log Sunday

We headed back to London by train. This was a much easier trip, Ben slept for the first part of the 2 1/2 hour ride so that was very helpful. We arrived back to rain in London but this was the first rain we'd had the whole trip so I cannot complain! Pat and I headed out for some shopping (not to Harrod's though!). We were going to go to Kensington Palace and to an exhibit of photographs & evening gowns belonging to Princess Diana...but due to the rain and the time we decided not to do this excursion...next time! We had an early dinner at local pub just down from the flat. This pub was very good, much better than the first pub we went to in London! I was afraid all food was going to be that bad! Ben had peas and loved every last one of them. We made it an early night since Kent and I had to get packed and ready to leave very early Monday morning.

Travel Log Saturday (not sure which post number!)

We had a really great and relaxed day in Brussels. Since Kent and I were out so late with Edwin we slept in and didn't venture out of the hotel until nearly 11 am. We met up with Ed and Pat for breakfast (belgian waffles of course) then set out on foot to explore the city. We walked past the king's palace, governmnet buildings, downtown, the Sablon. the Sablon was really cool and we meandered through an outdoor antique market. I just wish I had a totally empty suitcase for all the purchases I wanted to make! It was fun just looking around, enjoying the day and the nice weather.

After visiing several fine Belgian chocolate shoppes we stopped for a light lunch and drinks. We continued walking back towards the hotel. It was amazing how many more tourists had arrived in Brussels since Friday! The streets were very crowded and somewhat difficult to navigate. The streets and sidewalks here are mostly cobblestone so they are tough with a stroller anyway then add it a lot of people and it's hard to get around!

We rested for a while in the hotel then met up with Robert (Ed's friend and former D&T colleague) and Edwin in our hotel lobby before heading off to dinner. Robert is a charming English gentleman with so many hilarious stories. We decided that Robert, a relatively recent widower, and Edwin would make a dynamic duo on the dating scene in Brussels. We had a nice dinner but Ben was really tired and did not want to sit stil in his chair for the duration of the meal. Kent, Pat and I left with Ben directly after eating our main course and he quickly fell asleep in his stroller. The others met up with us and we had drinks at the King of Spain on the Grand'Place then came back to the hotel lobby for more drinks. I am really enjoing the Belgian beer! We talked and laughed until midnight then we retired to our rooms so we could get ready for our trip back to London Sunday.

Travel Log Day 7 (Thursday)

This morning we had (another) Belgian waffle and coffee for breakfast. Not only do I love these waffles, Ben does too.

We walked to the train station and caught a train to Louven, home of the Stella Artois brewery. We had not arranged for a tour in advance so trying to get in for a tour being unannounced seemed unlikely at first. But we were able to tag along with a school (!) group. The downside, the tour was conducted in Flemish. However, the tour guide, Jacques was really accommodating and gave us an abridged version of the tour in English. He was so cool! The process was interesting and fun to see. The brewery has been in existence since 1366! The tour concluded in the on-site pub where the Stella Artois beer flowed freely….even for the school kids! They all looked so young but we asked Jacques and he said they were all 17. Legal drinking age here is 16. We sat around the bar and chatted with Jacques who continued to be an excellent host and Stella Artois ambassador.

We finally decided to head back to the train station and return to Brussels. On the way we stopped off for some pommes frites (French fries) and waited for our train.

After all the beers and fresh air, Ben and I took naps at the hotel then got up for dinner. We met up with Edwin again and had a nice dinner at Chez Leon. We all had various forms of mussel dishes (the local specialty). Ben liked playing with mussel shells and had his own dinner of chicken and apples.

Once dinner was finished I took Ben back to the hotel to settle him in for the night. Pat kindly offered to stay in with Ben so Kent and I could go out with Edwin. We had a drink in our hotel lobby with Edwin and Ed. I had a really nice white Belgian beer then Kent, Edwin and I were off! We went to one of Edwin’s local haunt’s called Ralph’s. We met several of Edwin’s friends, mostly ladies! They were all really nice and interesting to chat with. After Ralph’s we walked back to Edwin’s very nice apartment in the heart of an upscale shopping district, I noticed Gucci and Versace on the walk to his place. After a bottle of wine and a review of Kent’s and Edwin’s high school yearbook, Kent and I decided to call it a night---at 2:30 am! I haven’t been up that late socializing in a very long time! It was a fun evening. When we returned to the hotel Ben was sound asleep and Pat was still up reading. We felt bad that she was still awake since we were out so late!

Travel Log Day 6 (Thursday)

We left for the Eurostar train station from the flat at 8:30 am. I really hated riding in a car with Ben not in a car seat! It’s just a very scary and awkward feeling. In fact, the law was just passed in London (not sure about all of UK) that car seats are required so when our cab passed the police, the cab driver asked me to lower Ben so he wouldn’t be seen!

We arrived to the station with about an hour and a half to spare before our train departed London for Brussels. There was also a train leaving for Disneyland Paris so there were families and children everywhere! As soon as that train departed the station cleared out and we could find a seat. Traveling by train is very nice and convenient but we had to cart around all ofour luggage so that becomes quite burdensome and difficult along with Ben and a stroller. It was time to board our train and head out to Belgium. We had some trouble getting up the escalator with the luggage and Ben. Ed carried a piece of our luggage but one of the pieces fell and automatically stopped the escalator! We recovered and made it to our coach. Ed booked us in “comfort class” so we were served a meal and booze. The latter really helped because while our seats were spacious and comfortable and Ben had his own seat, there was no room in which he could really roll and around and get cozy for a nap. So we had a relatively rough 2 ½ hour trip. Again, the booze which flowed freely did help take the edge off!
And of course since we were wrestling with Ben I did not get to watch the countryside as it passed between the two cities.

We arrived in Brussels in the late afternoon and checked into our Hotel, just off the Grand’Place. We requested and received a pack and play for Ben! Finally three nights for Ben to sleep in his own bed – I was thrilled. After checking in at the hotel and getting settled we headed out to walk around the city. The weather in Brussels was beautiful which made for nice strolling. We got a Belgian waffle almost immediately! It was more delicious than I imagined! We walked around the city, the Grand‘Place, Manneken-Pis, the female Manneken-Pis and window shopped. We went to a restaurant on the Grand’Place called the King of Spain and enjoyed a drink. Pat tried to walk Ben around the Grand’Place to induce a nap…it did not work. Afterwards we continued walking around the city then headed back to the hotel.

After relaxing for a while in the room we were off to Chez Vincent for dinner. We had a delicious meal and were later joined by Edwin, Kent’s childhood friend from Brazil (also a groomsman in our wedding). Ed left to meet up with his friend Robert from Ed’s days in Brussels with Deloitte & Touche, Pat and I headed back to the hotel and Kent went to hang out with Edwin. During dinner, I learned that Edwin has a place in Mallorca!!!!!! I simply cannot believe that Kent withheld this important piece of information from me. My mind is already racing with trip itineraries for that locale! Kent reported that Edwin has a beautiful apartment and convenient for a bachelor such as Edwin, the apartment is above a La Perla store. Ben slept relatively well in this pack and play and I slept like a lamb in the bed finally not worrying about Ben falling out of the bed or my rolling over on him.

Travel Log Day 5 (Wednesday)

Yet again Ben and I slept later than we should have. I think we were still totally confused about the time and also sharing a bed does not make for a good night’s rest for either of us.

We struck out around 11:30 and to a French restaurant for lunch, Oriel. Ben tried and liked Pat’s risotto and ate grilled chicken from my salad. He also ate some of the sauce from Kent’s duck. Ben will be in for a rude awakening when we return home and he finds out I don’t cook meals such as the ones he’s trying!!

After lunch we finally did something in London that was new to Ed and Pat! We took the tube out to Wimbledon and to the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. We arrived there around 2:15 only to learn the last tour of the day left at 2:00 pm!!! We did tour the Museum which was really really well done and interesting to even those with only a passing interest in tennis. While Ben had been sleeping before we arrived he woke up in the early part of the museum so I did not get to see as much of it as I would have liked.

After Wimbledon we headed back to the flat and picked up groceries along the way to have dinner at home instead off going out. We had a nice meal in the flat and it was good to relax and allow Ben to crawl around.

After dinner we all packed to get ready for the trip to Brussels which starts on Thursday!

Travel Log Day 4 (Tuesday)

Subtitle – Celebrity Sighting Opportunity Missed!!!

Since we had such a busy and somewhat scheduled day on Monday we opted for a slower day with a more laid back pace on Tuesday. Ben and I (still being jetlagged) slept until nearly 11:00 am local time. He was still struggling with sleeping and now officially took over the bed with me and Kent on the couch!

Outside was yet another beautiful weather day. Still no rain! I expected much colder, wetter weather. We headed out to the Tower of London via the subway (aka the Tube). This was much like other subway systems…clean, easy to use, somewhat cheap. We arrived at the Tower of London just in time for Kent to get on a conference call (he promised me this was the only work he’d do while on this trip!). Ed, Pat, Ben and I strolled around the Tower grounds and watched a brief and informative film about the Tower, the buildings and their present and past purpose. Before touring the Tower we had lunch at Wagamama a really cool noodle restaurant. Kent joined us but his call continued on mute. Note – not all bathrooms in European restaurants have baby changing stations…come prepared. Thank God Pat was able to help me wrangle Ben on the ground to change a very nasty diaper!

After lunch we walked around the Tower and saw residential chambers of past royalty and rulers and most impressive the Jewel House where the Crown Jewels are stored and guarded. On the way into the Jewel House a short film was shown of the current Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. I had never seen that and I found it incredibly interesting. The jewels were breathtaking! Besides jewels were also serving pieces including cups, spoons, and the most massive and ornate wine/punch bowl I’ve ever seen. Kent’s conference call ended as Pat, Ed, Ben and I exited the Jewel House. I would hate to see Kent’s cell phone bill after that call!! Oh and Ben slept through all of this.

After the Tower we walked down the Thames on a not-as-interesting side as the South Bank. This side (not sure what it was called) appeared to be mainly office buildings and the like. We crossed over the Thames to see Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. We walked back across the Thames this time using the Millennium Bridge with the intention of taking the subway back to the flat. But we instead decided to take a taxi in the interest of speed and convenience. The London taxis are roomy…it held all four of us plus Ben in his stroller!

After Pat and I got the men settled in at the flat she and I walked to Harrod’s for some shopping. That store does indeed sell everything. Pat and I fawned over the Baby Dior clothing and nearly dropped dead at the prices. It was fun looking around though. I had a terrible experience in the luggage department but I made my Dad proud and confronted the sales person after he sold me what he said was the last vanity case and I saw his colleague bring out another while I was standing at the register! I was livid! While hesitant to patronize Harrod’s any further we picked up dinner at the Food Hall which had cases upon cases of all types of food one would ever desire. Since Harrod’s was out of bread Pat walked up to the corner store and I went on back to the flat. When Pat returned she said a starlet was being photographed/interviewed outside of the posh Carlton hotel within a stone’s throw from our flat!! I could not believe I missed the celebrity sighting opportunity! I am still anxious to know who this was but I never found out. The London Film Festival is going on so the starlet could have been any number of celebs. I am still upset about this. However, I could almost swear that I passed Sam Elliott on the street either Sunday or Monday. I love him most from his roles as Cher’s boyfriend in Mask and as Patrick Swayze’s mentor in Roadhouse. I really think it was him.

Travel Log Day 3 (Monday)

Today was another glorious autumn day in London! Get ready for some reading, this was the longest tourist day so far. I was equipped with my dorky disposable camera and off we went. All I needed to complete my idiot American tourist look was a set of binoculars strung round my neck!!!

We started the day early to catch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace at 11:30 am. We walked from the flat to Buckingham Palace…about a 15 minute walk and arrived around 11:15 am. We secured a decent spot in front of the palace so we would be sure to see the time honored ritual. Before you can see anything you hear the band playing as they come down the street that approaches the palace. It was a regal sound and I began to get excited as I heard the music. The band approached from the farthest side of the palace relative to where we stood. The band entered the side palace gates and played as the guards “did their thing.” There was a lot of precise foot stomping, turning and loud calling (I couldn’t discern what was being said). The whole process seemed to take a long time! The ceremony took place on both sides in front of the palace so we were able to get an excellent view when the guards and band came to our side. As the procedure seemed to go on, behind us I heard horse hooves clomping down the street. Several (about 10) guards were riding on horses away from the palace. The guards were wearing very long cape-like coats which draped over the horses and large hats with tall plumes. The band then centered itself directly in front of the palace and continued playing. It was almost like a concert…the musicians had stands for their sheet music and played away. The areas in front of the palace began to get crowded. We decided we’d seen what we wanted to see and made our way to the next destination…Westminster Abbey.

I wish I’d read The DaVinci Code again before coming to London! Kent and I toured the marvelous church while Ben hung out with Ed and Pat in the courtyard. Ed and Pat had toured the church before and kindly offered to look after Ben while Kent and I went in. Kent (being the good husband he is) had been in before but he accompanied me anyway. The architecture was amazing! I could literally smell the age and history of the place, it was a wondrous place. No pictures were allowed so there won’t be any in my collection.

As Kent and I left Westminster Abbey Ed greeted us and told us to come quickly because members of Parliament (complete in their robes and wigs) were milling about Parliament Square. One of the barristers was standing just in front of Ed and Pat. Ben was smiling and nearly laughing at the man in his wig.

As we walked away from Westminster Abbey and through Parliament Square we saw many more barristers in their wigs hopping into fancy limos. It was great timing!

We walked across the River Thames using the Westminster Bridge and on to the South Bank. The intention of going this way was to take a ride on the Eye. The Eye is basically a very large ferris wheel with large pods which accommodate probably 20 or so people. The Eye moves very slowly around and supposedly the views of the city are fantastic (on a clear day). While the weather was ideal for this activity…Kent and I checked out the line for tickets and due the long line, the time being near lunch and the inability to take Ben on the Eye in his stroller we decided to make our way to a Pub for lunch instead! We strolled along the embankment and saw performance mimes, school children on field trips, business people on lunch break and joggers. Some of the mimes were really good! Good enough to even get some pocket change from us!! We crossed back over the Thames using Hungerford Railway bridge and headed towards Charing Cross Station. Realizing a pub would likely not have appropriate baby changing stations we sought out a restroom in the Charing Cross Station. While one would normally have to pay for use of the bathroom in a public place such as this we were able to secure a key to the family bathroom and get Ben settled.

We walked down Strand and onward to our second Pub of this journey, the Coal Hole. We sat outside and I enjoyed my first fish and chips meal. It was tasty but essentially it was fried fish and French fries…nothing terribly exciting or unfamiliar. I did, however, discover a nice drink. A shanny or shanty (not sure of the spelling). It’s half beer half lemon something or other maybe lemon bitters. Anyway, it was really delicious and refreshing and I am not much of a beer drinker.

After lunch we walked to Covent Garden. This was an area of open-air cafes, street entertainers, shops and markets. Kent found a cigar shop, Pat a Christmas shop and I strolled around with Ben. While I thought ahead and changed Ben before the pub, I couldn’t prevent the blowout he had which required a change in the public toilet and a change of clothes… I brought an extra outfit but it was not the one I thought it was and was only a long sleeve onesie. Thank God the weather was nice and I could cover his legs with a blankie!

Next we walked to the brass rubbing centre, Trafalgar Square and Picadilly Circus. The latter is much like Times Square in NYC…it was bustling, loud, crowded and Ben slept through the whole thing!

Finally, with tired feet we headed back to the flat. We had drinks in the flat and allowed Ben to enjoy sweet freedom from the stroller. We had dinner at Café Rouge, near Harrod’s. Ben tried spinach from Pat’s mussels dish and actually seemed to like it! Ben is having some interesting “firsts” this trip. He really wants to feed himself and eat foods with more texture. Ben is also really into standing up, however, he doesn’t know what to do once he gets there!!

I am still having trouble with the time difference and Ben is not sleeping in the travel bed.