I love flags.  Whenever I travel, I do my best to find the local flag to bring back.  Likewise when family and friends visit places, they know the only souvenir I want is a flag.  Some I have acquired by purchasing here in the States, i.e. my Jordan flag.  I was at a festival and this man had a whole display of various flags for sale.  I wanted a flag from the Middle East and was looking for Iraq.  He did not have it so I settled on Jordan.  (This is likely the only way I will obtain Middle Eastern flags as it is not on my list of desired destinations…)

One of my favorite flags is obviously the flag for the City of Chicago.  A large one hangs a wall in my house.  While I enjoy large flags, they are not as easy to display as the little handheld ones, thus I prefer those.  But for Chicago, you know I would glady make an exception.

Another favorite is my Amsterdam flag.  The reason this is a fave are twofold.  One, I love the colors and design.  Two, obtaining this flag almost did not happen.  I had looked low and high (holla!) while in Amsterdam for this flag.  I saw it flying everywhere, and on t-shirts– but no flags for purchase.  Finally, when Biggie and I finally found our tour bus after frantically trying to locate it (the time we almost missed the bus Part 1) there was a shop right there that had flags galore.  I dashed in, tossed the lady some euros, got on the bus, and happily fell asleep.

I don’t stop at flags from actual places.  For example, I have 2 sets of banner style flags that I proudly fly: Tibetan Prayer flags and Jolly Roger Pirate flags.  Obviously I fly the pirate flags to warn landlubbers what they are in for.  The Tibetan Prayer flags have set meanings which I love: “Traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. The flags do not carry prayers to ‘gods,’ a common misconception, rather the Tibetans believe the prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread the good will and compassion into all pervading space. Therefore, prayer flags are thought to bring benefit to all.”

The flags I fly to let people know how I roll (i.e. my heritage) are the American flag and the flags of Germany and the U.K.:

I particularly cherish my U.K. flag because it is from my late grandmother who came over to the States from Wales.

Other flags I own that round out my collection are: Turkey (a gift from my parents), Spain, and U.S. Virgin Islands:

I enjoy all the flags I own because of their history (which I won’t go into here since you have access to Wikipedia as well), their design, and what they mean to me, whether it is a time I had visiting that place or another reason I love it (sometimes just the design!) 

Flags on my wish-list are: Australia, the State of California, Conch Republic, France and Greece.  Why I don’t have the latter 2 is curious to me, as I as well as friends and family have spent time there.  I guess that is what the internet is for!  (Note: I am not picky about my flags– they do not have to come directly from the place they represent!)  So the next time you’re on a trip (or the internet) and you need a present for me… think flags! 

Do you have a favorite flag????

Pet Peeve of the Day: Wind

Quote of the Day: “There ought to be a law against you comin’ around — you should be made to wear earphones.” –Bob Dylan

Summerfest in Milwaukee starts tomorrow!  I went last year for the first time and it was awesome!  I can’t wait to go again this year.  If you have never been, I highly suggest you try and make it out for at least a day.  It runs 6/25 to 7/5.  Here are some highlights:

Marcus Monroe.  My favorite juggler.  His show is on the main strip area at the main entrance.  They are usually every hour or so.  Do not miss this!!  Unfortunately it looks like I will be missing him this year as his website only lists him as being there until 7/1.  I’m going after that.  Not cool.

Adult tickets range from $8 to $15 depending on when you go.  Perfect price for these recessionary times!

For that admission price, you can see any of the following: The BoDeans, Better than Ezra, Blues Traveler, Lupe Fiasco, Heart, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, The Wailers, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, The Roots, Huey Lewis and The News, plus many other bands that may possibly become your new favorite!

For an additional price, you can catch these acts at the Marcus Ampitheater which is located at the very end of the Summerfest grounds: Bon Jovi, Keith Urban, Kiss, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, No Doubt, Kenny Chesney (you can guess who I’m going to see!), The Fray, and Kid Rock with Lynyrd Skynyrd.  (Some of these may be sold out).

Aside from the music, there is plenty else to do: watch a strongmen competition, ride the Sky Glider that goes across the main drag of the festival, take a break from beer and drink a martini at Jo Jo’s, browse the marketplace for an awesome t-shirt or an ankle bracelet, and of course there is also the obligatory people watching (it’s GOOD up there in the Wisconsin heartland let me tell you!)  Also, you will not go hungry here.  There is sooooo much food, from BBQ to Pizza, Burgers to Shish-Kabobs.  It’s a couple cuts above your regular fair food but don’t worry, the standbys such as corn on the cob and funnel cakes are also available.  I don’t know what the prices are this year, but from what I recall last year, the beer and food were not as expensive as you would imagine; it all seemed very reasonably priced.

So really, you have no excuse NOT to go to Summerfest.  Unless you live really far away I guess.  I like to take the Amtrak there from Chicago instead of dealing with all the traffic on the way to Milwaukee.  If you wanted to just go for a day (since hotels are sold out) and plan on drinking, Amtrak is the way to go!  They run trains to and from Milwaukee/Chicago all day.  Plus, who doesn’t love a good old fashioned train ride?!  For more information about Summerfest, go here: http://www.summerfest.com.

Pet Peeve of the Day: Humidity

Quote of the Day: “Somebody told me it was frightening how much topsoil we are losing each year, but I told that story around the campfire and no one got scared.” –Jack Handy

Being that I am unemployed, I spend a good deal of time watching daytime tv.  For the most part, daytime tv is fairly dull and unwatchable.  But I found a silver lining, and that is my girl Judge Judy.  The following is a list of things I have learned from watching her Honor:

1) Never bail someone you don’t really know out of jail and expect to be paid back

2) Do not raise your hand if you want to speak in court

3) “That’s baloney” is a surprisingly effective statement

4) Know that you are going to court and for the love of God dress accordingly (No RocaWear, Fubu, cleavage, sweatpants/shirts, or baseball hats)

5) Do not co-sign on a loan for your boyfriend or girlfriend who is unable to get one on their own (read: love really is blind I guess)

6) “Umm” is not an answer

7) If you’re stupid, Judge Judy will make sure you and 10,000 viewers know it

8 ) Don’t have children if you can’t afford them

9) People really sue their parents and children over trivial things like ownership of a dirt bike or a $200 couch

10) Do not lend money to your boyfriend.  Just don’t.

You may be thinking about most of the above: “Duh, duh and duh.”  However you’d be surprised at how many people don’t know basic things.  I think that is the point of the show– to showcase foolishness– not to make sure that swarmy landlord gives his tenants back their security deposit.  If you must work during the day, TiVo an episode of Judge Judy and when you’re feeling down about yourself, watch the episode. 

Things I Live For: Paisley anything and everything, chocolate milk, when I’m on a CTA train that runs express and I don’t have to get off because otherwise I would miss my stop

Quote of the Day: “Inside the museum infinity goes up on trial — voices echo this is what salvation must be like after awhile.” –Bob Dylan

Some life-changing things I have discovered in the past few months:

1) It’s not “for all intensive purposes,” it’s “for all INTENTS and purposes.”

2) Milton Bradley actually can start a MLB game.

3) There is an arrow on most gas gauges indicating which side of the car the tank is on.

4) You can get a red-light ticket for not pausing at a red light as it changes before turning right on red.  Also, you can watch your red light violations online to confirm your “guiltiness.”  Annoy2K.

5) Champagne is not a good nightcap.

Pet Peeve of the Day: When I hang out with someone and they are constantly on their phone texting, yet when I text them it takes years to get a text back or I never get one back.

Quote of the Day: “I wish that for just one time, you could stand inside my shoes – You’d know what a drag it is to see you.”  –Bob Dylan

Since I work for myself, I’m taking the day off because yesterday was such a shit’s piece. 

But I will give you this one tip:  If you lose your phone and call T-Mobile to ask them if any recent calls have been made and they say no but suggest you suspend the phone immediately, DO IT.  Do not wait all day and continue to call the phone in hopes of someone picking it up.  Do not foolishly believe in the goodness of people because the next thing you know you’ll be footing the bill for a 30 minute international phone call to Mexico. 

Pet Peeve of the Day:  See above

Quote of the Day: “I started out on burgundy but soon hit the harder stuff – Everybody said they’d stand behind me when the game got rough – but the joke was on me there was nobody even there to call my bluff – I’m going back to New York City, I do believe I’ve had enough” -Mr. Bob Dylan