Loose thoughts...

*BEST BUY* SUGGESTIONS:

With Circuit City closing all stores by early this
spring, now may be the best time to get that largest
screen Sony HDTV and other big tag items. (Hint:
Opt for the No payments til 2010 if still available.)

SERVING IDEAS:

For that special last meeting of the departing Bush
cabinet and other high ranking administration officials.

FROM YESTERDAY'S LOCAL TRAVELS:

VISIT TO THE BIRD SANCTUARY

Yesterday on the west side of El Paso we had an hour or so to burn between lunch and an early evening movie. We decided to spend it here, at the Keystone Heritage Park Wetlands, Botanical Garden and Archeological Site. Arriving around 4:00, we learned the park's wetlands and botanical gardens closed at 2:00, the archeological site at 2,000 (B.C.).

However, I was able to photograph some of the wintering birds through the locked fence. But seeing there were only a small number of what appeared to be seagulls present was disappointing. The Canadian geese apparently prefer wintering closer to the International Airport runway.

SO WE DECIDED TO LOOK AT
POSSIBLE FUTURE HOMES

I got pretty excited when we discovered this close knit little neighborhood nestled right against the Mexican border. The second "house" on the left was currently vacant.

But Mrs. Dada was quick to remind me that, after we lose our house, how are we to even begin to pay rent on the nicest house on the block here? Realizing she was right, I re-resigned myself to that *dream spot* under the freeway overpass just three blocks from our current home.

DISCOVERY OF THE DAY

Before heading to the mega multi-screen theater we discovered what appeared to be the facade of a small movie theater from an earlier time. It turned out to be a new liquor store instead. Browsing, I discovered and procured some rare ales for these parts, to include a Stout from Deschutes Brewing in Bend, Oregon.

I suspect when the economy totally collapses people, no longer able to go to movies, will find nostalgia in sating their increasing need to drown in drink from this little *theater* reminiscent of better times. (Although I'm not sure how many liquor stores will survive either.)

We then went to the movie. Gathering from the huge lines outside, a ticket of which gained you access to one of three other lines inside, if the economy is hurting locally, the movie houses haven't felt it yet.