NH Bike Week

OVERHEARD
Lisping woman says to her small son at the Conway Walk-in Clinic, Conway, NH:

"I hope it's nice tomorrow. I don't care about bike week, but I just feel bad for 'em when it rains. Some of 'em look forward to it all year, it's like Christmas to 'em." Her son stares out the window. "I'd be scared to death to go though," she adds contemplatively. "Used to be so rowdy."

Girlfriend Getaways in the Granite State

Call it recession anxiety, or snappy girl consumerism, but there's a new tourism scheme taking New Hampshire by storm:

Girlfriend Getaways in the Granite State. visitnh.gov has a whole array of ideas for you and your best gal pals, "whether it’s enjoying the great outdoors, shopping, dining, museum hopping or visiting the spa, New Hampshire is an ideal getaway for an affordable and fun girls’ weekend away."

I searched pretty hard and didn't see any info on deer ticks (big hiking bummer), poison ivy (even bigger bummer) or intense lack of racial diversity, but I suppose even those small hindrances will be absolved after a couple-a wine and cheeses, "hitting the beach", and a lilac festival or two.

Can't wait for the must-be-coming-soon press release: Gettin' up Granite with the Guys." Stay posted.

Weird News: NH Hair Show

With both cameras in the shop, I am reduced to stealing internet images. Luckily for everyone, Manchester Nh recently hosted the International Fantasy Hair Competition ! Here, the 2008 and 2009 winners:

Death Penalty Returns to NH

Well, at least they aren't hanging anymore.

Michael Addison, a black 28-year-old with a prior criminal record, admits he shot and killed Michael Briggs, a white, 37-year-old police officer/family man in Manchester, NH, in 2006.

The last person put to death in NH was in 1939. This year, white millionaire John Brooks was faced with the death penalty for a murder-for-hire and kidnapping charge but was given a life sentence instead. "If you have money like Brooks does, you certainly won't have to use lawyers like these." Via NHPR.

Addison, who suffers from fetal alcohol syndrome and was raised by his grandmother in a housing project in Roxbury, MA, was described by a friend as a "relaxed type person" but one who is "not very bright, obviously, if he's going to pull a gun on a cop."

When Addison's death sentence was read yesterday, Maryanne Briggs, Briggs' mother, felt that justice had been served. "My family is just so happy," she says.

Shooting the Gun

this past sunday my cousins took the old 22 out from my grandfather's study. "sarie you want to shoot the gun?" asked woo. "your fingers are gonna freeze." one randall's cider jug packed with snow, six bullets and some shot up trees later, we were pretty cold.