Darby Strong

Playing point. Delivering the rock.

KCMO – Flyin’ Smart

The fall colors, down-home yet sophisticated city, and extensive music and people watching made our recent visit to Kansas City worth writing about. But what really got me excited was the airport. I have never seen a design like this, and probably never will again, unless in KC.

The Kansas City International Airport has 3 terminals, all in the shape of a horseshoe, or ‘C’ configuration. The style is mid-century modern, and the ease of accessing one’s gate and baggage claim is unheard of. Picture this; you find the terminal you need based on the airline you are flying. You get dropped off, or park in the front of the horseshoe (across from your corresponding gate) and voila, you need not move an inch more. You walk into the airport at your gate, which has the check-in table, and right next door, 3 or so gates share the security check-in. It took us about 8 minutes to check our luggage, go through security, and sit at our gate. Conversely, when you arrive at KCI, you de-board, and your baggage claim is literally steps away.

Living in the Savannah area, life is definitely easier while navigating the small and quaint Savannah airport, rather than the Midway (Skidway) and O’Hare (O’Scare) airports of my past. But KCI wins, hands down, with their sweet 60’s lines and ease of their airport design. Too bad there is talk of restructuring it, due to the increased operation costs of having separate security for every 3 gates or so. This same problem is what made TWA move to St. Louis years after commissioning the airport with the architectural firm of Kivett and Meyers.

All Grown Up Now

My other half and I are buying our first house. It rests on almost 1/2 an acre, with many pine trees in the front and tons of grass in the back. Our rotary mower may not be up to the task, and the backyard will probably be one of the first places we spend some (more) money. I’m thinkin’ Asian garden. I love the simple lines and natural materials of the “asian aesthetic”. So anciently modern. And green.


In my attempt at greening the house, I have seen first hand how difficult this can be without unlimited access and funds. Did you know that indoor air quality is often up to 3 times worse than outdoor air quality? This is due, in large part, to the paint and carpet of a dwelling. Fortunately, I have found a couple of great products and stores along the way, and for that, I am hopeful. Anna Sova, out of Dallas, Texas, provides all natural paint. And if you’re hungry and have spent the last of your dollars on this pricey alternative, you can eat it. For real.


(These are our paint colors; #1 – Entire Living Areas and Kitchen #2 – Accent Wall and over Fireplace #3 – Den #4 – Guest BR and Bath #5&6 – Our Bedroom and Bath)

On the carpet front, it is nearly impossible to trade in the highly toxic world of carpets for natural fibers or eco-friendly flooring without sacrificing ones life savings and comfort. For instance, we will be carpeting only the bedrooms, and having a sea grass, mountain grass or sisal on a bedroom floor just doesn’t cut it for me. I like soft on my feet, and although one of my heros offers that by way of his carpet tiles, one room would cost over $1200, $500 more per room than the berber we have picked. Of course, there is wool, but the cost is even more than the carpet tiles. What’s a tree-hugger to do? Suck it up and realize that this is not our last, but first home, and live with the toxicity that regular carpets lovingly provide.

NOLA Jazz Fest 2006

Having been back from New Orleans for a while now, I have had plenty of time for that experience to sink in. As always, the amazing city of colorful people did not disappoint. First, the music was life-changing. Music often is, but for some reason, this weekend particularly moved me, musically and otherwise.

Living in a mainstream mecca may be part of it, but I declare that most of the energy I picked up on was true, raw, inspirational grit coming from the likes of local musicians and people that have been both directly and indirectly affected by Katrina. Add to it the political backdrop created by Katrina coupled with the war we fight overseas, and you have the awake and conscious contingent of this country taking notice. But mostly, there is the music.

The highlights, for me, were the Old Point Bar in Algiers (where parts of the movie Ray were filmed) on Friday night and Anders Osborne on Saturday night. Old Point Bar featured many local musicians, including Anders, as well as some good eats, provided by the Zu Zoo man. Anders played at this classic N’awlins bar called d.b.a., full of old, dark, mahogany wood and 1940’s era handblown wall sconces. Dark, but inviting. The lighting, however, didn’t matter much, as the hard rains shut the power down several times throughout the evening. A heavy situation, considering this was the first weekend of the first Jazz Fest since Katrina. The crowd banned together in silence, and the musicians kept playing, unplugged. This was a high time, for sure, and was especially symbolic of many things all at once; the power of music and people coming together in the face of darkness. And it, simply, rocked.

It would be irresponsible of me if I failed to mention Bruce Springsteen’s live debut of his new and completely impressive album, “We Shall Overcome – The Seeger Sessions”. Sunday afternoon at the fairgrounds, Bruce and band played songs from this album as planes flew overhead with anti-Bush messages. I would have liked to get closer, but the packed crowd and festivities of Friday and Saturday night combined with the N’awlin’s heat wouldn’t allow such a thing. It was, however, an amazing show. Long live The Boss.

In the midst of all of the music were the people of New Orleans, still learning to absorb the wrath of Katrina, and open and eager to tell their stories. It seems everyone wonders, still, what will be rebuilt, and when. And to see the ruins of an already depressed area is an intense sight. Still, the spirit of New Orleans is intact, and I believe it always will be. To heed the message of Mother Nature and the changing of our beloved planet would be the best first step in moving forward, but it seems that conversation is a ways off. Rebuild, I say, but consider the place and sustainibility, and pave the way for us all.

Click for a little fest flavor.