About a week ago, several websites carried the news that Jennifer Aniston had dropped the R word. I was appalled. Not that she dropped such a horrible word, but that I didn't know what it was. What word starting with R could cause such a stir? It finally entered my slow-to-grasp-things brain to google it. What came back was a slew of sites having something to do with Special Olympics. Okay, I now know what the R word is. I just don't understand why it's a bad word.
Retarded means delayed development, while retard means one who has delayed development. It's a shame that people have chosen to use this harmless word in a derogatory manner.
Like bitch. A bitch is a female dog, and 99% of us love dogs. They're loyal and friendly, protective of their young. Dogs love without question or fault. Shouldn't bitch be a compliment rather than an insult?
And there are queer and gay. A person can't use either of these words without offending someone with a differing sexual preference. I like the word queer. Queer is a queer word. Gay is happy. I'm glad homosexuals are happy with their choice, but I want to be gay, too. Just not homosexual.
I can understand why whore is an insult, but it's better than being a slut. A whore knows she has worth and demands payment. Sluts are free.
Until the day these words lose their sting, I've decided to be offended by it.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Great Smoky Mountain Railroad
The reason for Jim's and my trip to Bryson City, NC, was to ride the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad (http://www.gsmr.com/). I was so excited by the prospect of riding a train for 4 1/2 hours through the mountains, for a month I felt like a nine-year-old waiting for Christmas. Now I'm wondering why in the world anyone would want to ride a train anywhere for 4 1/2 hours.
The railroad offers two main excursions, the 4 1/2 hour Nantahala Gorge Excursion, which includes a 1 hour layover at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, and the 4 hour Tuckasegee River Excursion, which has a 1 1/2 hour layover in Dillsboro. I chose the Nantahala Gorge Excursion and made reservations for a first class ride. (I made the 500,000th reservation! Unfortunately, no prizes or special anything was offered for that honor.)
Our car was the Silver Meteor, a 1940, 48-seat dinner car. The air conditioning alone was worth the first class cost, considering the August heat and humidity. Our table mates, a wonderful couple from Illinois, were hilarious, thank God.
The problem with riding the GSMR during the summer is all the green, which is 98% kudzu. (By now it's probably 99% kudzu.) The Yankees aboard, God bless them, had never seen "cooed-zoo", and were delighted by the green mass enshrouding everything in sight.
The train travelled along the Tuckasegee River, on to Fontana Lake, and stopped in the Nantahala Gorge. At the far end of the line, the engines unhooked from the cars and travelled along a side track to the other end of the train in order to pull the train backwards on the return trip. This means you're stuck viewing the same scenery (kudzu) you had watched on the trip out, unless the passengers across the aisle trade tables with you. Happily the attendant in our car asked passengers to switch tables. Happily, also, drinks were served half-way through the trip, which made the ride home bearable.
The Nantahala River and Fontana Lake are pretty, and watching rafters struggling over the rapids is amusing. I imagine autumn's views would be so much better. It was also nice to see the locals waving at the train with all their fingers and not just one.
This was an enjoyable trip, but tiring. Our fellow passengers were great, and the attendants were the best. I would like to ride the train, again, but to Dillsboro, and in the fall.
The railroad offers two main excursions, the 4 1/2 hour Nantahala Gorge Excursion, which includes a 1 hour layover at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, and the 4 hour Tuckasegee River Excursion, which has a 1 1/2 hour layover in Dillsboro. I chose the Nantahala Gorge Excursion and made reservations for a first class ride. (I made the 500,000th reservation! Unfortunately, no prizes or special anything was offered for that honor.)
Our car was the Silver Meteor, a 1940, 48-seat dinner car. The air conditioning alone was worth the first class cost, considering the August heat and humidity. Our table mates, a wonderful couple from Illinois, were hilarious, thank God.
The problem with riding the GSMR during the summer is all the green, which is 98% kudzu. (By now it's probably 99% kudzu.) The Yankees aboard, God bless them, had never seen "cooed-zoo", and were delighted by the green mass enshrouding everything in sight.
The train travelled along the Tuckasegee River, on to Fontana Lake, and stopped in the Nantahala Gorge. At the far end of the line, the engines unhooked from the cars and travelled along a side track to the other end of the train in order to pull the train backwards on the return trip. This means you're stuck viewing the same scenery (kudzu) you had watched on the trip out, unless the passengers across the aisle trade tables with you. Happily the attendant in our car asked passengers to switch tables. Happily, also, drinks were served half-way through the trip, which made the ride home bearable.
The Nantahala River and Fontana Lake are pretty, and watching rafters struggling over the rapids is amusing. I imagine autumn's views would be so much better. It was also nice to see the locals waving at the train with all their fingers and not just one.
This was an enjoyable trip, but tiring. Our fellow passengers were great, and the attendants were the best. I would like to ride the train, again, but to Dillsboro, and in the fall.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
My stab at being a restaurant critic
Jim and I recently visited Bryson City, NC, and had the pleasure of dining in a few of the local restaurants. Here's what I've got to say about them.
Anthony's Restaurante and Pizzeria is an "authentic Italian restaurant" located across from the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad Depot. It's a rustic place, but it falls short of being quaint. I felt like I was eating in a barn, but other customers seemed to enjoy the atmosphere. I had fettucini alfredo with chicken. The chicken part was good; the rest was a bit bland. (If I say it's bland, that's bad.) The garlic bread knots weren't worth putting in my mouth. Jim had a pasta dish with shrimp and wine sauce, which he enjoyed. In all fairness, I overheard other customers rave about the pizza. Alas, the service was poor, and I'm sorry I wasted my time there.
I enjoyed eating at Pasqualino's Italian Restaurant in downtown Bryson City. Cloth table cloths, cloth napkins, organized service. I felt awkward because I didn't dress up, but no one else was dressed up, either. Jim had a pizza, which he said was good, except the crust wasn't cooked thoroughly. The salmon I ordered was pretty good, except I don't think it was fresh as the menu claimed. The bread sticks were homemade, and the dipping oil was awesome. Parking, however, was frustrating. Parking everywhere in Bryson City is frustrating, except for the train which has its own lot a block from the depot.
Guayabitos Mexican Restaurant, less than a mile from downtown, serves the typical Mexican menu, and I recommend it. Again, parking is an issue as the restaurant is located in a poorly planned parking lot of a poorly planned shopping center.
Soda Pops is an ice cream parlor located downtown and decorated with 1950s memoralbia. If I had stars, I'd give this place 5 out of 5. There are a few seats inside the parlor, but there are rocking chairs and benches outside.
My sister, Nancy, asked me to visit The Filling Station Deli Sub Shop since it was featured in Our State Magazine. This place features a wazoo number of sandwiches, but there's no place to sit. Well, there are 4 or 5 stools, but they were occupied by others waiting for their orders. Seating is available outside, but it's shared by Soda Pops - the rockers and benches, remember? Jim said his Philly Cheesesteak, which they did customize for him, was good, but the sandwich from the convenience store cafe at home is better. My chef salad was humongous but otherwise unimpressive. This restaurant was the only restaurant we visited which had a health grade of 102. It was the only restaurant we visited which had a health grade over 95. (Okay, I've heard stories about the health inspector in Western NC being extremely tough.) I've checked out the online reviews of The Filling Station, and it earned high ratings. It is a cool place. Well, not literally. There's no AC.
And the best restaurant we visited in Bryson City? Subway. Really. Jim's tuna salad sub was loaded. My BLT was excellent. And you know the bread is always fresh. As a plus, the restaurant shares space with a TCBY. Who could ask for more?
Anthony's Restaurante and Pizzeria is an "authentic Italian restaurant" located across from the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad Depot. It's a rustic place, but it falls short of being quaint. I felt like I was eating in a barn, but other customers seemed to enjoy the atmosphere. I had fettucini alfredo with chicken. The chicken part was good; the rest was a bit bland. (If I say it's bland, that's bad.) The garlic bread knots weren't worth putting in my mouth. Jim had a pasta dish with shrimp and wine sauce, which he enjoyed. In all fairness, I overheard other customers rave about the pizza. Alas, the service was poor, and I'm sorry I wasted my time there.
I enjoyed eating at Pasqualino's Italian Restaurant in downtown Bryson City. Cloth table cloths, cloth napkins, organized service. I felt awkward because I didn't dress up, but no one else was dressed up, either. Jim had a pizza, which he said was good, except the crust wasn't cooked thoroughly. The salmon I ordered was pretty good, except I don't think it was fresh as the menu claimed. The bread sticks were homemade, and the dipping oil was awesome. Parking, however, was frustrating. Parking everywhere in Bryson City is frustrating, except for the train which has its own lot a block from the depot.
Guayabitos Mexican Restaurant, less than a mile from downtown, serves the typical Mexican menu, and I recommend it. Again, parking is an issue as the restaurant is located in a poorly planned parking lot of a poorly planned shopping center.
Soda Pops is an ice cream parlor located downtown and decorated with 1950s memoralbia. If I had stars, I'd give this place 5 out of 5. There are a few seats inside the parlor, but there are rocking chairs and benches outside.
My sister, Nancy, asked me to visit The Filling Station Deli Sub Shop since it was featured in Our State Magazine. This place features a wazoo number of sandwiches, but there's no place to sit. Well, there are 4 or 5 stools, but they were occupied by others waiting for their orders. Seating is available outside, but it's shared by Soda Pops - the rockers and benches, remember? Jim said his Philly Cheesesteak, which they did customize for him, was good, but the sandwich from the convenience store cafe at home is better. My chef salad was humongous but otherwise unimpressive. This restaurant was the only restaurant we visited which had a health grade of 102. It was the only restaurant we visited which had a health grade over 95. (Okay, I've heard stories about the health inspector in Western NC being extremely tough.) I've checked out the online reviews of The Filling Station, and it earned high ratings. It is a cool place. Well, not literally. There's no AC.
And the best restaurant we visited in Bryson City? Subway. Really. Jim's tuna salad sub was loaded. My BLT was excellent. And you know the bread is always fresh. As a plus, the restaurant shares space with a TCBY. Who could ask for more?
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