I had a much needed micro-vacation to Phoenix. Apparently everyone I know can’t not make fun of Arizona, judging from the many “be sure to bring your papers!” jokes from far and wide. I didn’t let it bother me. I was a tourist, and therefore lived in a “who cares about politics?” bubble that got me through this and many other trips through controversial lands — such as Manila during an Aquino regime coup attempt and Singapore, always. Don’t hurt me, benign dictators, while I pass through, eat, and snap pics!

Besides, Phoenix, as I lived there only as a child and adolescent, will always feel unreal and be soaked through with nostalgia at every turn.

Our bank! As fantastically 60s as ever. I learned to mismanage money from a very early age in this location!

My neighborhood was the neighborhood for spaceage midcentury flights of fancy. I remember this house well; I used to sell lemonade in front of it. It looks like, after having been long neglected, that it’s getting renovated. Hallelujah, some people that get the beauty of retro-modern in Phoenix at last. I don’t want to talk about the monstrosity that has replaced my gorgeous childhood home.

The saquaros were in bloom, funny fancy ladies in their flowered hats.

That’s Camelback Mountain, that was the view I grew up with. While I was driving around, a roadrunner darted in front my car, such a cliche Arizona sight I laughed out loud. Apparently, roadrunners aren’t as plentiful anymore. Sad Meep.

I unwisely set out to Papago Park in 93 degree weather and flipflops. I stared at Hole in the Rock (look at the tiny people!) before my hydration levels got to blinking-red low.

Okay, and I went to IKEA.

Water misters, not Spend-All-Your-Money Serum. I think. More on my purchases later!

I wandered around Tempe with my dear friend Jo Ann, who was a colleague of my dad’s from back in the 1950s. When he moved from Massachusetts to Phoenix for work, she followed on his recommendation. This Iowa girl loves the Southwest. She said “when I stepped off the plane and into the soft, warm air of the Phoenix evening, I knew I was going to live here the rest of my life.”

We went by ASU and the Gammage Theater (sorry my pic doesn’t do the Frank Lloyd Wrightiness justice.) I saw many shows there during my youth, including Up with People and Sammy Davis, Jr.!

My friends Valerie and Lori and me at the Phoenix Improv Fest. It was a fun two nights of improv, although the shows, in my humble opinion, went way too long. That may have had to do with the large sippy cups of wine (pictured) that one (ie, me) was allowed to bring into the theater. Over and over. I got too shy to schmooze too much with all the improvisers there but I have a feeling I’ll come back for the fest again. Lovely theater, great downtown, very well-run event. Standout shows included King Ten from LA, Umlautilde from Phoenix, What If? from Minneapolis, and Midnight Society from Austin. Plus, Saturday was a prom night for many and I got to be all scandalized by the skimpy teengirl fashion in the area.

Stay tuned for a Very Special Episode of the Hamblog, Phoenix style.