Welcome Back, Hon

So a family affair is bringing me back to Baltimore Wednesday. I'm expecting a lotta warmth from Mom, Dad and the bustling Daly brood -- and a lotta butt-chapping cold from Mother Nature. Might try to grab a crabcake at the crustaceous valhalla of G&M -- might even zip into PA and see my buddies from back home. (Peace out, H'burg!)

With the FF and Lulu keeping the home fires burning, this will be a solo flight, much like the episode of Magnum when he gets lost at sea on a kayak and has to outsmart a shark. (Peace out, Mag fans!)

While I'm gone, my colleague Stephanie Hayes will be entertaining you. She's fiendishly funny and decidedly twisted. Ask her about her job as a literary embalmer. Creepy.

Anyway, I get back Sunday -- Stephanie takes over as soon as my tuchus touches down in Charm City. But before I go, here's a Baltimore-inspired playlist to play over the montage of me falling ass-over-teacups on patches of ice. Oh, the hijinks...

Baltimore -- Nina Simone
Good Morning Baltimore -- Nikki Blonsky
Crab -- Weezer
Tomorrow Night in Baltimore -- Waylon Jennings
Streets of Baltimore -- Coldplay
Raining in Baltimore -- Counting Crows
A Baltimore Love Thing -- 50 Cent
Nasty Crab -- Adina Howard
Baltimore -- Randy Newman
Hungry Heart -- Bruce Springsteen

Comments

[Marissa]

Oh Sean... I have no additional tunes to offer, but know that there's not a soul who can ever fill your shoes. What are they? Size 12, 12.5, 13? But seriously, have a safe trip!

Okay, would something from BALTIMORA count? Tarzan Boy!

[Marissa]

...and I'd love to see you singing and dancing to "Good Morning Baltimore." I just got that vision in my noggin' It's really quite funny. Too bad I don't have noggin' vision to share.

[Tonianne]

It's like 55 degrees here, Sean. The shelves at Costco are fully stocked with TP, bottled water and strawberry pop tarts.

If that's not indicative of the lack of ice in the DC area, I don't know what is. You know how this place comes to a standstill at the mere hint of frost.

And G&M is now on my list.

[Vanessa]

As a fellow Baltimoron, I have to add Mary Prankster's "Blue Skies Over Dundalk."

You could also throw in John Denver's "Thank God I'm a Country Boy," although baseball season is over.

I'm heading there this weekend as well, leaving the sunny skies and balmy weather SoCal behind for the blue skies of Dundalk, er, Severna Park.

[Sean Daly]

As a native of Boston (and a graduate of Syracuse University), I used to mock the D.C. folks who freaked at the hint of frost. Now I'm freaking out in FLA 'cause I can't find my winter coat for the trip north. 55 degrees ain't bad at all. But for me, it'll probably feel polar.

You MUST go to G&M. It's one of the great life-affirming culinary experiences. And I mean that.

[Tonianne]

Vanessa - Your "Dundalk, er, Severna Park" reference cracked me up. Point well taken ;-)

[Vanessa]

Tonianne-

When I was a reporter in Annapolis, there was nothing worse than the threat of snow and being the unlucky one who had to go into the TP frenzy and talk to people about the weather.

As for another song, I somehow remember Petula Clark's "Downtown" being named the song when they were trying to boost Baltimore's image a decade ago.

And then, Channel 13 always does the "Manic Monday" singalong on Monday mornings from Fells Point.