Foxes Jumping on a Trampoline

Playing Soon at a Table Near You: The Vegetable Orchestra

The Vegetable Orchestra

My First Craig's List Posting

Amelia & I love great food but we don't always have time to cook so we created this Craig's List ad.

I'll post the responses when our ad expires in 30 days.

A Day in the Life of a Downtown Employee

The following true story is proof that men DO know how to ask for directions:

While walking to work this morning from East End Garage, a man stopped me at the corner of Gibbs Street and East Avenue to ask for directions to the nearest coffee shop. Feeling sympathetic for a gentlemen who needed a morning Cup of Joe, I didn't question his sanity as I normally would have. I let down my tunnel vision because he was walking in a straight line, didn't make suggestive comments or ask me for money.

Melisa: "Java's is a great cafe and is about two doors down on your right" (points to Java's).


View Larger Map


Gentleman: "Thank you so much, I really need breakfast. Can I ask you one more favor...?"

Melisa: (Begins to walk away assuming that he is about to ask for money)

Gentleman: "....Can you give me directions to the Genesee River? I'm trying to get to Olean and need to be home by Tuesday."

Melisa: "Left on Main, Left on Exchange. The river will be on your left."

Gentleman: (Eyes wide open, looking around and up at the sky): "Thanks so much for all of your help. I've only been in Rochester for about 5 minutes. This is a cute little town. I'm a rail traveler from Washington D.C. I took a train to Buffalo and walked here along the Erie Canal. Now, I'm going to follow the river..."

Mississippi Nightlife

After dinner, my co-workers and I took a short walk to The Dugout, a local pub, to grab a cold beer after dinner. It was a pleasant surprise to find out that Monday night football is celebrated with FREE pork chops on the grill and jambalaya. I wasn't hungry because I had already eaten two helpings of dinner but I absolutely could not pass up the opportunity to enjoy authentic southern cuisine. It was delicious.

When I finished my second dinner, the chef introduced my co-workers and I to Connie Moran, mayor of Ocean Springs. It was fascinating to learn about her leadership in the midst of Hurricane Katrina. She urged us to consider running for public office someday. After she left, it was time for our group to get another round. As I was waiting for the bartender, a very nice elderly gentlemen (Francis) handed me $20 and said, "Thank you for all the work you are doing. Please let a citizen buy you a drink." Francis shook his head at me when I said thank you and tried to give him his change. After a lovely conversation with Francis, his wife, and a few other locals, they insisted on setting up a free dinner for our group at the Beau Rivage casino on a night most convenient for us before we depart.

I normally don't like Mondays but this one has been most excellent.

I'm having an amazing experience thus far. We are making a difference and every person we meet is so friendly with an interesting story to tell.