Triple-digit heat wave

Kansas weather update: this past week has been nothing but HOT. Since Sunday, we've had daytime highs in the 100's. The humidity, when added to this heat, is just awful. Seriously, I feel like I'm in the Philippines again. Like tonight, we walked out of the bowling alley at about 8:45 PM, into very tropical air. It might have been 86 F outside. Right now (11:26 PM) as I type, my Google Desktop weather panel is showing 71 F in Olathe, KS. Don't expect it to get any cooler anytime soon. What's interesting is, tomorrow night about 20 of my co-workers will meet up and play soccer. Unless they come with electrolyte IVs, they're going to be in serious need for a waterboy. You most likely won't see me there. :-)

Accents

Thought I should clarify some of the reasons for yesterday's posting about my accent, so that my readers won't take away the wrong idea.

I'm sorry if I sounded like I was "ganging up" on the N&C guy in my last post. Truth is, I still love going to N&C. Their food is great and the employees are super-nice. I wouldn't be all MEAN or RUDE by asking for a receipt or asking to repeat the order back once. At Taco Bell they do it anyway, so that wouldn't even be necessary. And if one time they give me food from the other side of the world, it's OK. I was only trying to add a little "melodrama" to the situation. It's a blog, after all! What's wrong with a little spicy emotion every now and then?

On a larger scale, I think it's fair to say that Midwesterners have a distinct accent in the eyes of Californians. I mean, we beach-dwellers aren't accustomed to hearing "y'all" and "fi-ayne" (fine) except on TV. Similarly, I suspect Midwesterners have some adjusting to do when they don't hear those things from me. I'm all about "kewl" and "wassup dawg" and whateva yo! I love accents. Believe me, I do so much that I've been known to imitate a few accents here and there. :-)

I guess I missed that I have always had a somewhat unique listening EXTRAbility. Sometimes I take it for granted and forget that my neighbors have different abilities. Maybe they're not super-incredible listeners, but rather are stellar video-gamers, storytellers, or computer programmers!

"Be careful when you turn here! There's a lot of talent in this car...and PJ!"

In Kansas, I have an accent

Yesterday, I went to a local fast-food restaurant for some Indonesian noodles. I'll refer to it here as "N&C". I go to N&C frequently, and so far I've been impressed with their service. Anyway, I stepped up to the counter and asked for "Indonesian Peanut Saute." Sure thing, they put it in right away. Sat down and waited.

The guy put something into a togo bag, and handed it directly to me. Pretty good, I thought, he knew who ordered the Indonesian Saute. I trusted him and didn't check it out. Even got some chopsticks from the counter and popped it in the bag.

When I got back to the cafeteria at the office, I got the "Italian" surprise of my life. :-O I took the meal out of the bag and saw pasta noodles, grilled chicken, and melted parmesan cheese. Since when does "Indonesian Peanut Saute" sound like "Grilled Chicken Parmigiana"???? They don't even have any words in common!

I ate it anyway...but next time I pay for my meal with cash, I'd better ask for a receipt. That, or I should ask the cashier to repeat my order.

What is it with the way I talk here? Or are people distracted by my "native-Californian" accent? Maybe I should pick up a midwestern accent and see if I fare better. Cuz I'm tired of chicken parmesan for lunch.

Country Duos

Country music: there's plenty of it in Kansas. I have yet to watch some concerts, but I thought I'd talk about country duos.

There's no comparison against the harmonious vocals of a well-matched country duo. Wholesome lyrics and driving rhythms go hand-in-hand with primary and secondary melodies. Some of my favorite country duos:

The Kinleys (Heather and Jennifer) known for their hits "Just Between You and Me" and "Please", were possibly the first duo to reel me into country. Watch their videos on CMT.com.




Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn (Brooks & Dunn) are like these rocker-hillbilly characters who have taken their music to various heights. They've won numerous CMA and ACM "Best Vocal Duo" awards for their songs like "My Heart is Lost To You", "That's What She Gets", and "Red Dirt Road".




John Hanna and Jonathan McEuen (Hanna & McEuen) are newer to the pop country scene, although their vocal quality is timeless. They're the epitome of country duos, in my humble opinion. Watch their video of their first single release, "Something Like a Broken Heart".



The Wreckers (Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp) teamed up in 2004. Harp was a backup singer for Branch during her solo career, and so they took a break and decided to try their hand at country. Harp is a songwriter from Nashville with some pretty nifty lyrics, like their first hit (featured on the TV Show, One Tree Hill) titled "Leave the Pieces". It's an awesome song and is on my rewind. Check out the video!



That's it for now! See ya later.