Where Have I Been?!?

Omigods, I'm back. In case you didn't notice (shame on you if you didn't) I've been pretty absent from the blogosphere (and the MySpace sphere and every other sphere) for the past month or so. No, I didn't drop off the face of the planet. No, I wasn't on some major expedition to Antarctica (although wouldn't that be cool?). No, I was tending to a sick parent ... in Oklahoma City.


Now before you go all feeling sorry for me and thinking the above picture is the only thing OKC (as we in the know call her) has to offer, let me set the record straight. While OKC isn't exactly New York, L. A. or even Houston, she does have her good parts.

For one, she's the state capitol.


The capitol building can be seen from pretty much everywhere (possibly because OKC is so very, very, very flat). It's always nice to have a constant landmark, especially when you're somewhere unfamiliar. And since the Oklahoma state capitol look like just about every other state capitol, visitors can feel right at home.

Also, OKC has a vibrant downtown area called Bricktown.


Bricktown is one of those hip, renovated areas where former factories and warehouses have been converted into upscale dining and shopping. A canal (pictured above) winds through part of it, offering relaxing cruises for locals and tourists alike. There are a million great restaurants (like Abuelo's and Crabtown) and a minor league baseball park, which means that on weekends and during baseball season this place is jumping.

Finally, there is the memorial.


Honoring those lost during the 1995 bombing of the Murrah federal building, the memorial is a haunting reminder of this appalling act of terror on the homefront. The Oklahoma City National Memorial is especially moving at night when the empty chairs (off the left side of the photo) which represent each victim are illuminated from within.

So you see, Oklahoma City isn't all cows and hay bales (although there are plenty of both). I believe that there is good (and bad) about every city. Care to share the pros and cons of your hometown?

Hugs,
TLC