March 8th, 2007: Nashville, Tennessee.

We liked Nashville a lot, though the Hermitage, home of Andrew Jackson, wasn't all that. Jackson was for the common man (expanded suffrage from the propertied class to all white male citizens), and that was reflected in his taste. The foyer walls are decorated with a wallpaper mural depicting The Odyssey. When I was young, I had a wallpaper mural of Yosemite in my bedroom, while my brother, Kris, had one of a Hawaiian beach in his. He and I are also for the common man.

We went to see the early show at The Bluebird Cafe, an institution here that features 3 or 4 artists 'In the Round,' where they take turns playing new songs with each other.

We went to see The Shins at the Ryman Auditorium, home of the Grand Ole Opry for 40 years before it moved to a bigger spot. Music is all over, with a lot of cheesey venues hosting several very good bands starting at about 2pm and going into the night all week.

They built a replica of the Parthenon in the main park here. Inside is a statue (the largest indoor one in the world) of Athena. It's kinda better than the one in Athens, since its not all busted and broke down.