I am typing this from the lobby of the Music Row Best Western in Nashville. Our motorcycle trip is going wonderfully well. Last night we walked into the center of town and had the BEST BARBECUE EVER at Jacks. This morning, the Country Music Hall of Fame, then we jump on the bike towards Memphis, stopping after a couple of hours at a place called Gus's s which is supposed to have the best fried chciken in the world. Then off to visit Sun Records in Memphis.

Best to all Buffistas, especially SoCal peeps who I know are suffering from worry and truly horreddous air quality.

This morning, the Country Music Hall of Fame, then we jump on the bike towards Memphis

Awww....love it. As you pass through Jackson, wave southward and say hello to my parents.

Work this morning blows. Because of all the "security features" they put on the computers, I cannot teach my classes. We're trying to import video but I can't install new hardware (the cameras), preview video clips (they have images turned off) or drag and drop video clips (not allowed). So, my first 3 classes this morning will be a total waste of time. I just hope we can get them all fixed for tomorrow.

Scrappy, your trip sounds like so much fun!

ChiKat, how annoying for you. I hope it gets fixed quickly!

I have just spoken to the wedding planner, and she is going to meet with us at our hotel, which is great! And, I bought baseball tickets for a Seadogs game(they are part of the Red Sox organization). Does anyone who has been to Portland ME have anything to add to our must do list?

Anyone know if there are any hypoallergenic deodorants? The kind I've been using for years seems to have changed its formula, because now it gives me a rash, just like the 20 or so others that I tried before finding this one. I just tried the Tom's of Maine kind, figuring maybe a "natural" one would be less likely to have whatever chemical it is that gives me that rash, but no go. I really don't feel like having to go through every deodorant in the store again to try to find one that doesn't give me a rash.

Sensitive skin is annoying.

Hil, have you tried the crystal deodorant?

Haven't tried it yet, but it looks like it's worth a try.

I have book a hotel room in Portland Maine for this weekend

I think my mom and step-dad are going there this weekend too. If you see them say hi! We just did a lot of driving around, and eating lobster when we were there. Poor mom is allergic to shellfish.

I think my mom and step-dad are going there this weekend too. If you see them say hi! We just did a lot of driving around, and eating lobster when we were there. Poor mom is allergic to shellfish.

Poor mom, is right. Yum, seafood! I should probably try to figure out where we are going to eat and make reservations for dinner, since it is a holiday weekend.

sj, wedding plans are so exciting! You must show us your dress. Wedding dresses are so beautiful! Why can't we wear beautiful dresses all the time?

Do you (anyone) have an image of yourself in your head that feels comfortably "you" but that you've never looked/dressed ever? Like, my image of myself is in antebellum-style clothes and hair. I wore that style once, for some Southern celebration when I was a teenager, and I loved it. I would wear long sweeping skirts and bell sleeves and tight bodices all the time, if I could.

Also,

a place called Gus's s which is supposed to have the best fried chicken in the world

YES. Say hello to Tennessee for me!

If you needed anything in Nashville, I have people there. My mom can give you directions anywhere, but the cost is a 20+ minute conversation. You should head downtown at see the Parthenon and the Ryman and wave at my alma mater, with the most beautiful campus.

Your family's in Jackson, ChiKat? My grandmother was born and raised there, as was a college friend.