It’s in no way conclusive; that’s the fun thing about playlists. I’m sure the second I post this I’ll think of another hundred songs to go on it. With that in mind, please do not waste your time sending me posts about all the songs that should have made the cut! I know, I know.

And, so… the reveal:

Mama’s Trippin’ (Ben Harper)
This song will be track 1 on any drive list for me, simply because it was the song on the radio the day that Kristy went into labor with Sydney, and I was stuck in traffic! The irony of the lyrics in that moment (“Daddy’s slippin, and mama’s trippin) continue to bring a smile to my face.

Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay (Otis Redding)
Classic stuff! Great choice from my buddy Jenn, who also happens to be the winner of the iTunes card! Congratulations. It was quite the unique process of elimination, using piles of contest names, a tabletop, and a quarter. Now you can buy all the Otis Redding your soul needs.

Pride & Joy (Stevie Ray Vaughan)
Gotta give props to my friend Ben for this one; in fact, we have lots of music styles in common. Even if you hadn’t sent this I would still have it on there, though – it’s too good! This also made my Seattle half-marathon playlist of 2008, and will probably creep onto most playlists I make.

Ready Fuels (Anberlin)
Anberlin is a great band, and despite the question I always get when I mention them (“Who?”), they continue to make great driving rock music. Ready Fuels does it, and bonus: They are great to play air guitar or air drums to. Er… outside the car, of course!

Beautiful Day (U2)
Sunny hopeful rock from our favorite Irish arena packers. Thanks for the suggestion, Chara! Although I must confess, I wondered if I hadn’t posted a U2 song if people would have broken down my door and arrested me. How can you not have U2 on a playlist?

Lord, Save Me From Myself (Jon Foreman)
Jon Foreman makes great introspective folk-rock-stuff. He’s way better known as the frontman of Switchfoot, but I love the solo work he’s done. This is the kind of song you play while you sit in the driveway, the defrost on. Great thoughts.

Weapon Of Choice (Fatboy Slim)
My old buddy Camron (MC Cambo) offered two Fatboy Slim songs, and they were both great, but it spurred me on to a third:  Weapon Of Choice, one of my favorites, and a great one for midday in town traffic. Plus images of Christopher Walken dancing… well, if you know what I’m saying, then you understand.

Friday I’m In Love (The Cure)
Great song. The tempo is great for open roads (50 mph) and freeway onramps. It’s a great driving song, but sometimes it gives me the distinct impression that I’m in a “coming-of-age/finding-out-who-you’re-real-friends-are/realizing-you-love-the-girl-next-door” type movie.  Or an 80′s John Cusack casting call. They’re kind of the same thing, I guess. 

Smoothie Song (Nickel Creek)
Personal choice. This also happens to be one of the better running songs around. Try it.

Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes (Paul Simon)
Love me some Paul Simon. Ben offers Paul Simon, I can’t say no. Since you chose the Graceland album, I had to go with Diamonds… the drums are great for steering wheel tapping.

Thanks for all the suggestions! Hope to see you on the road.

- Some driving songs are thoughtful and mellow (reflective ride)

- Some are fun and upbeat vacation songs (family singing along!)

- And yes, some are definately driving and rocking (get to work!)

The question for the day: What are your driving songs? Throw me a couple – either comment on this post or email me at beezerboyd [at] gmail.com.

I will pull from your songs, post the list, and randomly choose someone from the final compliation to win an iTunes card – so you can load up on your own driving playlist! Go for it! I’ll wrap up the contest and post the results by next Wednesday.

I was looking through some summer 2009 food pics that brought back some great memories; thought I’d share them.

1. Crawdads in Buttah: Had a great time this summer camping with friends down on the Deschutes. After tubing, we waded through the river catching these little delights; a quick boiling and some melted butter made ‘em rock and roll. Just like when I was a wee lad.

2. Kansas City BBQ: Got a chance to take a quick trip out to Kansas City this summer; an opportunity to share in a church planting discussion. Got to meet a large table full of incredible leaders with big hearts and big vision.

Since my flight into Kansas City got screwed up, I missed a KC Royals game, but I didn’t miss out on some Kansas City BBQ. That’s me looking all primal. It’s hard not to feel a little caveman-ish when you are eating meat off a bone the size of your forearm. 

3. Eatin’ at Beau Legs: Once you eat at this place, you know you’re coming back. A lot. Period. Beau Legs in Lacey, Washington. In fact, why aren’t you there by now?

My friends Justin & Jennifer led me to this oasis of goodness. Catfish, greens, fried okra, brisket sandwiches, etc. And my personal favorite: The shrimp po’boy. Just ask for Frank’s Hot Sauce; they keep it in the back.  

4. Grilled Peaches in Summer: I love to grill. I love eating with the family; my kids, brothers and siters, mom and dad, & nephews. Lots of food (we are the frightened food family), then playing 500 football on the lawn.

And one particular day: Grilled peaches with honey and cinnamon over vanilla bean ice cream. So good. Make a grown man cry.

Ramirez Mexican Store & Tortilla Factory is a rockin’ spot.  I will be at my office working away, and I’ll hear the siren song of carne asada, calling me, wooing me.  I’m like Odysseus, tied to the mast of my office chair, working to free myself.  If I do, I only face the fate of so many sailors, to crash into the rocks of Ramirez Island.

I just took that analogy way too far.  Way, way too far.  Sorry about that.

So here we go:

Top 5 Reasons I Love Ramirez Mexican Store & Tortilla Factory

 1.  Location, location, location! 
Don’t get me wrong, I would gladly drive the distance for something good.  It’s just a real big bonus that Ramirez is half a mile from my office.  Convenient, eh?  My good friend and long-time mentor Bob Hill works in the same shopping center too, so I can usually go in and bug him after a couple tacos.

2. $5.94
Take a long gander at this picture.  It’s two carne asada tacos, a pork tamale, chips & salsa, and a bottle of horchata (Horchata is standing to the side, actually).  The total?  $5.94!  How can you beat this?  Please explain to me how you can beat this, and I’m sorry – the argument has to be compelling.  In other words, I don’t want to even begin to hear about Taco Bell.  I will kick your chihuahua if you go there (Note to PETA: I don’t normally kick chihuahua’s, or dogs of any small annoying breed.  This was simply for visual effect. Please don’t hunt me down.)

3. The Food! 
Of course, I’m sure you saw this one coming, but I had to make you drool with the above pic first.  Yeah, it’s about the food.  I love real deal little tacos, and they do it right.  They make homemade tortillas in house (thus “Tortilla Factory”); you can buy three dozen for a couple bucks.  And they rocka rolla.

4. The Ramirez Peeps Rock.
What a great family.  The people at Ramirez make you want to be there.  Relaxed, hospitable, laughing and having fun.  Good folks.

5. I Feel Content When I Depart
Do you see the smile?  I don’t know what it is, but when I eat there, I leave happy.  Without sounding too sci-fi, I feel the galaxies balanced in their spans, and planets aligning (I think that is the effect of cilantro, but I have no real proof of this.)  I have no intestinal challenges.  I do not feel like there is a five pound block of lead in my stomach.  I feel full without feeling heavy, and light without being hungry.  It’s hard to get that feeling when you drive through King McWendy Jack’s.

So from here, I’m not sure what to tell you.  If you live in/by/near to Tumwater, just go stop in.  Southgate Shopping Center.  If it’s too far away, and you aren’t about to make Ramirez your trip to Mecca, then just take my advice and find your own good spot.  Quit driving through nappy places, and make some friends at a locally owned, tasty joint.  And if it’s Ramirez, I’ll see you there.

Sorry, but when you live in the Pacific NW, the blogging goes down when the sun comes up!  I’m sure there’s a web tracker to prove that.

I have been having a blast watching Aiden play baseball (.609 batting ave!), drinking lots of iced coffee, and enjoying this beautiful weather – as much as I can in a boot and crutches.  Two more weeks to go, by the way.  Then the crutches go, and I start physical therapy or something.  I think I basically stretch a lot, and do some granny Tae Bo.  Who knows?

Have a great weekend, friends.  Get out in the sun.

When you live by a nice golf course, you know the possibility of watching a favorite celebrity golfer in an invitational or fundraising event.  You also know the dangers of wild balls landing in your yard, even bouncing off your head while you mow that HOA measured lawn.

You expect those things; but you probably don’t expect both to coincide.

Unless you’re Gail DiMaggio, who was hit in the head by a sliiiiced tee shot today… by none other than Bill Murray.

Murray was in Tampa Bay for the Champions Tour’s Outback Pro-Am , teeing up on the 9th.  His tee shot curved wildly, dropping nicely on a nice patch of bystander DiMaggio’s head as she watched from her front lawn.

Oops.  Of course Murray stopped golfing and made sure the lady was all right.  After paramedics attended to her, she was taken to a hospital.  And yeah, it seems Gail is going to be all right.  Get more of the story here.

Which leads me to the point of my post:  If I could get hit on the head by a golf ball gone astray, I think I would want it to be hit by Bill Murray.  I mean the Caddyshack – golf connection is great alone, but think about it:  can you think of someone better?  I can’t.  The guy would probably have me laughing my head off, as I mopped the oozing blood from my forehead.  The blank stares, the self-deprecating moments.  Ahh… good times.  And when I say, “Don’t hassle me; I’m local”, he would get it.

Which is different.

How is it different, you ask?  Well, I am referring to the month itself, and the stealthy way it snuck up on me.  I’m writing this on April 3rd, which means it has been quietly stalking me for several days, unbeknownst to me.  It still felt like March.

At this rate, I should probably wish you a happy July 4th.  And buy some back to school clothes for my kids.

Beware of Ninja April!  Oh, and Merry Christmas.