Where the Green Grass Grows

I haven't touched marijuana since I was a teenager. The stuff doesn't even cross my mind. Well, at least that was the case until my recent trip to California. So-called medicinal marijuana outlets litter the coastline. It's obvious that a new "patient" can be quickly "evaluated" and walk out the door legally holding a quantity of the substance in exchange for approximately $100. The constant exposure and aggressive solicitations almost wore me down. Almost.

Endless Summer

My friends and foes in the Midwest might be interested in knowing that I just returned from a few days respite in Southern California. The Pacific Ocean was ice cold and a gentle breeze contained a slight chill. I acquired a healthy glow without shedding a drop of perspiration.

Naked People

I recently underwent the full body scan treatment at Kansas City International Airport. While dispensing of my belt and spare change represented an extra hassle, I was surprised to discover that I didn't mind the mandatory exhibitionist display. I even asked for a printout of my naked visage. The security staff was not amused.

PDQ

I've been hanging out on Merriam Lane a lot lately. If readers choose to make any insinuations about my it, well, I'm not going to argue. The Kansas City, Kansas, neighborhood is peppered with odd little mom-and-pop businesses. One of my favorites is Quick's. The excellent KC Lunch Spots blog offered a definitive post about the establishment eighteen months ago. I'll only add that the barbecue shack ranks 18th on my informal list of favorite area restaurants.

Tripping

What do you do for kicks when you live in Kansas? You drive to Colorado as often as possible, of course. While the trip is a grind for Kansans living on the border of Missouri, the vistas to the west are worth the trouble.

Pineapple Cilantro

I'm a tightwad without a taste for sugar. Yard beer and greasy foods are more to my liking. In other words, I don't represent Glace's target audience. Associates, however, have dragged me to the new designer ice cream boutique on Main Street. I admit that the pineapple cilantro sorbet and the goat cheese with honey ice cream are delicious. Even so, I'm compelled to point out that Glace is wise to provide utensils that resemble toothpicks. I could cram an entire four dollar serving into my mouth.

Stilwell

That's it- I'm moving. After attending a Fourth of July parade in Stilwell, Kansas, I'm convinced that the semi-rural suburb is the place for me. Everyone was incredibly friendly. Civic servants, Baptist evangelists, drunk girls and even a nitwit waving a rebel flag seemed glad to see me. Racial diversity was limited to members of Sam Brownback's gubernatorial campaign, but nowhere's perfect.

Logging In

I often find myself with time to kill in far-flung corners of the metropolis. Parks and bars are always alluring, but I usually opt to get some work done at either McDonald's or Panera. Both establishments offer free WiFi and are seemingly ubiquitous. I like that six dollars buys a salty feast at McDonald's. Eight dollars at Panera doesn't begin to fill me up. I've come to accept the axiom that I get what I pay for. So please be nice to the agitated guy typing like a monkey at Panera in Blue Springs or Olathe. He's hungry.