Rendezvous Ribs. Mmmmm.

Saturday night, before Will's big day, Mommy and Daddy took Grandmother DiBaldo up on her babysitting offer and headed downtown for some sweeeeet southern barbecue.

We put our names on the waiting list (only 45 minutes on a Saturday night! can you believe it?) and walked down to Memphis' River Walk. Not much more than a lighted sidewalk along the Mississippi River bluff, but a good vantage point for the sunset.


Alabamians brag about Dreamland ribs, but they really know nothing of superior rib cooking. To get that, you gotta go to Rendezvous in Memphis. Christina estimates she was last there six years ago and I think my last trip was at least 10 years ago. Way too long to wait for heaven on a rib bone.



We finished off a whole rack, two orders of beans, slaw and a sausage and cheese plate then wished we'd ordered two racks. But that should do us for a few years until we can get back. Maybe Will can come with us next time.

After dinner, we then took a walk down Beale Street. Wow, that place has really changed since I was there last. Lots of new clubs, lots of people and a police blockade on both ends of Beale checking IDs and searching for weapons. Oddly, the checkpoints only made me feel less safe.

We can't wait to get back to Memphis.

William's baptism

William Wayne Tutor, aka Baby T, was baptised today in Memphis, TN. He had a whole host of family and friends in attendance to welcome him into the church.

Car lot cash

So we took Suzuki up on their offer to drive their Grand Vitara small SUV. Heck, they're paying us $50, why shouldn't we?

We got to the dealership about 15 minutes before closing, but they were pretty good sports about it.

I stayed at the dealer with Will while Christina (who will be the primary driver of any new vehicle we get) took it around the block.

Her observations about the vehicle were roomy interior, good acceleration, acceptable turn radius, and, overall, a better choice for us than the Toyota Rav4. All for a price we can definitely afford. So we'll move it into the maybe list with the Volvo wagon, the PT Cruiser, the VW wagon, the Subaru wagon, the Honda Fit and the Lamborghini Gallardo.

Oh, wait. Scratch the Gallardo. It takes premium fuel.

Will video

Been trying for days to catch him on tape doing this. Finally succeeded July 15...

Drive-in Drive

Last night, Will, Christina and I headed south to Harpersville, Al. to see a movie. Yes, it's more than 30 miles away, down the infamously clogged Hwy. 280 and in the absolute middle of nowhere. And, yes, we have a perfectly good fully digital theater only a few miles down the road from us.

So why Harpersville? To see "Cars." In a place where they don't mind screaming kids. In fact, this theater we visited loves screaming kids, barking dogs, and we brought our own food and drinks. And it only cost us $10 a car load.


Yep. Drive-in. We saw the movie "Cars" at a drive-in. Sure, the picture was scratchy and dim at times, the audio was not great (though the new subwoofer in the car really helped), and the big trucks passing on the highway just feet away were distracting. But it was, in my opinion, the perfect way to see that movie. I highly recommend it.

Great movie, btw. Will wore one of his many car outfits. This one especially fit the occasion since it had a tow truck on it.

Suzuki's payin'

Suzuki's offering to pay you $50 to drive a 2006 Grand Vitara. Just visit this link, fill out the form and they'll email you a certificate you take to the dealer. Take the mini-ute around the block, tell the guy you're not interested and get your $50 gas card.

It really is that easy. We've taken advantage of several of these offers from other manufacturers and there's nothing to it.