I couldn't resist sharing my thoughts because who am I going to call when this is done and share my opinions? Exactly.
- I love how Clinton and BFK (think of JFK and RFK..now that he is part of the family - hey I could have used Bamalot) keep mentioning Edwards. I am waiting for them to get on their hands and knees and plead for his endorsement. I don't think they referred to him this much during the campaign.
- They are being so much nicer in this debate than in South Carolina. Thank God. They are almost bending over backwards to avoid saying anything bad about each other. Do you think it is because they are the only two left? Having to sit next to each other? The polls were saying that we were getting nervous with the nastiness? They are smart in focusing on Bush, McCain and Mittens.
- I do think Clinton is a better debater. BFK stumbles at different times, like when Wolfie kept pushing him on comments he had made about Clinton or Edwards. He definitely blew the health insurance section.
- When they get along, I can see the two of them running against the Republicans. I just can't see either one of them accepting a VP role.
- Clinton said "Jesus Christ". I had to think for a minute - was she saying, "oh Jesus Christ" or "Jesus Christ, the person." Clue - she meant it in the opposite way I normally use Jesus Christ in conversation.
- Community organizer is now BFK's use of "my father worked in a mill"
- I think it is cute when Clinton smiles at Obama's comments. I then wonder if she is smiling because he is funny and glad he is making fun of Republicans or is she smiling because she is actually pissed off that he is stealing her lines and she is trying to mask her anger?
- Remington Steele is in the crowd. I mean Pierce Brosnan. Rob Reiner looks irritated. Diane Keaton...no comment.
Okay, I need to eat dinner or something else. I have watched an hour and 20 minutes and feel better that Clinton and Obama can speak to many of my interests. I am still an Obama supporter and believe his debate performance improved as the night went on.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
McCain
In watching CNN within the last 30 minutes, I've already heard 5 mentions of McCain's time as a POW. The best comment was Bill Bennett mentioning him as a former POW and how he was almost politically dead. I am really hoping that he wasn't trying to compare the two.
C'mon Mittens. Please do better on Super Tuesday. McCain can beat the Democrats. You don't have a chance in hell.
Rudy looks tan from all of his time spent in Florida.
C'mon Mittens. Please do better on Super Tuesday. McCain can beat the Democrats. You don't have a chance in hell.
Rudy looks tan from all of his time spent in Florida.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Lovely day for a drive
In the ongoing adventures of B&E, we had quite the excursion to the Oregon coast. We are planning an event in June, so we needed to go to the coast to take care of a little business. The weather forecast wasn't ideal but nothing alarming showed up when I checked the weather and road conditions around 8 a.m. We didn't plan on a crazy day - stop for breakfast, do our business and head back to Portland. I was getting over being sick and we didn't want to spend all day in the car. We dressed and prepared for a casual outing.
As we started going west on US-26, we noticed some car accidents. It isn't unusual on this road because of the amount of traffic heading to the coast and because the first stretch of road is through a growing area of Portland. We started wondering if something else was going on because we saw another accident and cars coming in our direction seemed to be driving kinda slow. We wondered if we were driving into the apocalypse.
We soon realized that the roads were a tad icy. Black ice. More cars in the ditches. We said that with our luck a truck would come down a hill or around a curve and slide around. Sure enough it happened to us. There were several opportunities for us to turn around but we really didn't think the roads would get worse. B was doing a great job driving at a very reasonable speed (35 mph) and not suddenly braking. I know. Famous last words of people who disappeared as their cars went off an embankment or a car slid towards them. I know.
As we started up the first summit of the drive, we noticed a minivan pulled over to the side. The driver looked freaked out. As we went up the hill, we knew her look was a result of driving down a mountain pass in very icy conditions. We started to slide more and more. When we reached the summit, B pulled over. We weren't alone. There were many cars in front of us who had also pulled over. Cars behind us pulled over. We sat and debated what to do. We knew we didn't want to go back down that hill. Finally, a truck went by and sanded the road. We started up again. As we passed a car, a woman said to us that the highway was closed ahead. I looked at B and said, "Please don't let it be closed before Camp 18"(where we were going for breakfast).
Yes, my friends. It was closed before Camp 18. Within a few miles, we had to pull over. They stopped us first on the side of the road and then had us move a few miles to where there was a gas station and convenience store. It was a parking lot full of cars. Our one true pleasure was seeing a jerk driver of a Hummer fall down on the ice. This is after we saw him driving too close to the driver in front of him as he slid around.
We waited an hour and a half. We amused ourselves by eating starbursts, laughing at people around us and thinking about how much we wanted breakfast. Finally, the highway reopened. We went to Camp 18 and ate an enormous amount of food. We eventually made it to the coast. The roads were much better after we ate our late breakfast or else we were just fortified by lots of bacon and sausage. We saw the place we wanted to rent, checked out the town, and contemplated our return route. As it poured rain, we knew that we didn't want to return on US-26. We drove south on 101 until we found a safer route.
The return drive was uneventful until we reached the outskirts of the Portland metro area. In our final mistake, I selected one highway over another that took us up a very large hill. This last stretch was in super thick fog and a freezing rain/snow mixture. We also had someone throw something at B's car that smelled and looked like vomit.
It wasn't until we returned that we found out how bad all of the area roads had been during the day. We made it home safe and sound even though we were both incredibly tired and tense. We were able to laugh at our stupidity. Best of all, we found a great place to rent with our friends. Yes, I learned my lesson to pay a little more attention to the forecast and road conditions.
As we started going west on US-26, we noticed some car accidents. It isn't unusual on this road because of the amount of traffic heading to the coast and because the first stretch of road is through a growing area of Portland. We started wondering if something else was going on because we saw another accident and cars coming in our direction seemed to be driving kinda slow. We wondered if we were driving into the apocalypse.
We soon realized that the roads were a tad icy. Black ice. More cars in the ditches. We said that with our luck a truck would come down a hill or around a curve and slide around. Sure enough it happened to us. There were several opportunities for us to turn around but we really didn't think the roads would get worse. B was doing a great job driving at a very reasonable speed (35 mph) and not suddenly braking. I know. Famous last words of people who disappeared as their cars went off an embankment or a car slid towards them. I know.
As we started up the first summit of the drive, we noticed a minivan pulled over to the side. The driver looked freaked out. As we went up the hill, we knew her look was a result of driving down a mountain pass in very icy conditions. We started to slide more and more. When we reached the summit, B pulled over. We weren't alone. There were many cars in front of us who had also pulled over. Cars behind us pulled over. We sat and debated what to do. We knew we didn't want to go back down that hill. Finally, a truck went by and sanded the road. We started up again. As we passed a car, a woman said to us that the highway was closed ahead. I looked at B and said, "Please don't let it be closed before Camp 18"(where we were going for breakfast).
Yes, my friends. It was closed before Camp 18. Within a few miles, we had to pull over. They stopped us first on the side of the road and then had us move a few miles to where there was a gas station and convenience store. It was a parking lot full of cars. Our one true pleasure was seeing a jerk driver of a Hummer fall down on the ice. This is after we saw him driving too close to the driver in front of him as he slid around.
We waited an hour and a half. We amused ourselves by eating starbursts, laughing at people around us and thinking about how much we wanted breakfast. Finally, the highway reopened. We went to Camp 18 and ate an enormous amount of food. We eventually made it to the coast. The roads were much better after we ate our late breakfast or else we were just fortified by lots of bacon and sausage. We saw the place we wanted to rent, checked out the town, and contemplated our return route. As it poured rain, we knew that we didn't want to return on US-26. We drove south on 101 until we found a safer route.
The return drive was uneventful until we reached the outskirts of the Portland metro area. In our final mistake, I selected one highway over another that took us up a very large hill. This last stretch was in super thick fog and a freezing rain/snow mixture. We also had someone throw something at B's car that smelled and looked like vomit.
It wasn't until we returned that we found out how bad all of the area roads had been during the day. We made it home safe and sound even though we were both incredibly tired and tense. We were able to laugh at our stupidity. Best of all, we found a great place to rent with our friends. Yes, I learned my lesson to pay a little more attention to the forecast and road conditions.
State of the Union
I decided to give Bush his due by watching his last State of the Union address. Here we go:
6:01 - There is Condi walking around. Please don't let her be the VP candidate for Republicans. Please send her back to Stanford. Chertoff is a walking cadaver.
6:02 - Go Teddy Kennedy. I loved his speech endorsing Obama. I wish I could have a been a fly on the wall listening to the Kennedy-Clinton phone call. Oh look. Barack and Teddy are even sitting together.
6:05 - Here comes George. Do you think it is against protocol to boo him when he is announced? Guess so. I know this is so un-PC but I agree with Jon Stewart - he looks retarded.
(Decided to pay attention to how many Democrats look bored tonight. Count how many times he mentions he bring up fear/threats/terrorism and the number of smirks we see).
6:08 - Nancy Pelosi has a very odd clap. I think she is pretending Cheney's head is between her hands. I still think she has alien eyes that could vaporize Bush's head. Now that would be cool.
6:09 - 7 years have passed since he has stood at this rostrum - please, don't remind me. Less than 30 seconds in and we've already heard one reference to war/terror. We've met the call for debate? Really. Could have fooled me. Oh, I see a smirk coming. There we go, George.
6:12 - Now I remember why I never watch his speeches. How was this guy ever elected? Seriously. Ohhh..Pelosi just sucked in her cheeks.
6:14 - ha ha, a joke about the IRS. Cheney chuckled.
6:15 - okay, if we are going to talk about balancing our budget, can we take a look at the spending on war? Special interest projects? Now we have a classic Dick Cheney smirk. I think George just wet his pants when he mentioned a veto. He looked so pleased with himself. Earmarks. Okay, I admit that some of them are crazy but I love them. How else can we get random things funded? How else can we get an entertaining list of earmarks for crazy sums of money and who are the worst offenders? By the way, earmarks have gone down with the Democrats in power.
6:18 - Hillary looks as if she would rather be anywhere else in the world than listening to George. Quick pan to Barack. Teddy leaned over and made a comment. I love their new friendship. They are best friends forever. They just exchanged friendship bracelets.
6:20 - "we must trust students to learn if they have the chance" - huh?
6:22 - I don't think Teddy has been shown this much in a State of Union address in billions of years. Pelosi looks like she is falling asleep. I think Cheney has lost some weight.
6:24 - terror. traffickers. hemispheres. Now those were 3 fun words to hear close together.
6:25 - Holy Cow. Kerry looks as if he is a statue put in the rejected corner.
6:26 - Charlie Rangel is laughing outloud. I think it is because George just said nuclear.
6:27 - Is Pelosi reading a book? I would. Or, is she reading a copy of the speech to see how much longer she has to look interested?
6:30 - They panned the crowd and now I see Kerry is sitting next to Barbara Mikulski. The tallest and shortest senators next to each other. Cute.
6:33 - I just realized that he has barely talked about Iraq. Is he feeling okay? No mention of Iran? We are 30 minutes into this puppy.
6:34 - Did you know illegal immigration is complicated? Lou Dobbs is somewhere nodding his head in agreement.
6:35 - Images of liberty - now we hear about the Iraqis and Afghans. 9/11. Evil. He is on a roll listing every terrorist act.
6:37 - Subject millions to their violent rule - Cheney just chuckled. Ok, maybe not.
6:38 - I am wondering if he will mention Osama bin Laden. Probably not.
6:39 - Iraq, blah blah, new mission, blah blah, new strategy, blah blah, voice softens, blah blah, don't mention Blackwater, blah blah, must make point, blah blah, soldiers have the gratitude of our nation - yes. I agree with him on that point.
6:42 - Iran. He mentioned Iran. Biden woke up.
6:43 - Holy Shit. He mentioned Osama. "Al Qaeda is on the run in Iraq and this enemy will be defeated - point finger at camera and look determined." I just had a flashback "Osama bin Laden - is wanted dead or alive or something like that"
6:46 - I am bored. He just mentioned a transition to a new strategy in Iraq. He knows what this strategy is? I've lost count. Troops are coming home. Finally, the Democrats stood up and cheered. Amen. Wait, not so fast. There are conditions as George says with a twinkle in his eye.
6:52 - Here is when he goes off against Iran. Hillary looks as bored as me.
6:55 - Wrap it up, George, wrap it up.
6:56 - Sudan and Burma. Good, George. Good.
7:02 - Eeeks. A very scary shot of Laura Bush licking her chops. Lots of lipstick and lots of tongue.
7:03 - I survived the longest viewing of a Bush speech since he became president.
I just heard someone say to him, "you make me proud to be an American." I just threw up in my mouth.
I need to go cleanse my brain. I could watch Mittens talk about his response to the speech but I would need a therapy appointment scheduled for tomorrow morning.
6:01 - There is Condi walking around. Please don't let her be the VP candidate for Republicans. Please send her back to Stanford. Chertoff is a walking cadaver.
6:02 - Go Teddy Kennedy. I loved his speech endorsing Obama. I wish I could have a been a fly on the wall listening to the Kennedy-Clinton phone call. Oh look. Barack and Teddy are even sitting together.
6:05 - Here comes George. Do you think it is against protocol to boo him when he is announced? Guess so. I know this is so un-PC but I agree with Jon Stewart - he looks retarded.
(Decided to pay attention to how many Democrats look bored tonight. Count how many times he mentions he bring up fear/threats/terrorism and the number of smirks we see).
6:08 - Nancy Pelosi has a very odd clap. I think she is pretending Cheney's head is between her hands. I still think she has alien eyes that could vaporize Bush's head. Now that would be cool.
6:09 - 7 years have passed since he has stood at this rostrum - please, don't remind me. Less than 30 seconds in and we've already heard one reference to war/terror. We've met the call for debate? Really. Could have fooled me. Oh, I see a smirk coming. There we go, George.
6:12 - Now I remember why I never watch his speeches. How was this guy ever elected? Seriously. Ohhh..Pelosi just sucked in her cheeks.
6:14 - ha ha, a joke about the IRS. Cheney chuckled.
6:15 - okay, if we are going to talk about balancing our budget, can we take a look at the spending on war? Special interest projects? Now we have a classic Dick Cheney smirk. I think George just wet his pants when he mentioned a veto. He looked so pleased with himself. Earmarks. Okay, I admit that some of them are crazy but I love them. How else can we get random things funded? How else can we get an entertaining list of earmarks for crazy sums of money and who are the worst offenders? By the way, earmarks have gone down with the Democrats in power.
6:18 - Hillary looks as if she would rather be anywhere else in the world than listening to George. Quick pan to Barack. Teddy leaned over and made a comment. I love their new friendship. They are best friends forever. They just exchanged friendship bracelets.
6:20 - "we must trust students to learn if they have the chance" - huh?
6:22 - I don't think Teddy has been shown this much in a State of Union address in billions of years. Pelosi looks like she is falling asleep. I think Cheney has lost some weight.
6:24 - terror. traffickers. hemispheres. Now those were 3 fun words to hear close together.
6:25 - Holy Cow. Kerry looks as if he is a statue put in the rejected corner.
6:26 - Charlie Rangel is laughing outloud. I think it is because George just said nuclear.
6:27 - Is Pelosi reading a book? I would. Or, is she reading a copy of the speech to see how much longer she has to look interested?
6:30 - They panned the crowd and now I see Kerry is sitting next to Barbara Mikulski. The tallest and shortest senators next to each other. Cute.
6:33 - I just realized that he has barely talked about Iraq. Is he feeling okay? No mention of Iran? We are 30 minutes into this puppy.
6:34 - Did you know illegal immigration is complicated? Lou Dobbs is somewhere nodding his head in agreement.
6:35 - Images of liberty - now we hear about the Iraqis and Afghans. 9/11. Evil. He is on a roll listing every terrorist act.
6:37 - Subject millions to their violent rule - Cheney just chuckled. Ok, maybe not.
6:38 - I am wondering if he will mention Osama bin Laden. Probably not.
6:39 - Iraq, blah blah, new mission, blah blah, new strategy, blah blah, voice softens, blah blah, don't mention Blackwater, blah blah, must make point, blah blah, soldiers have the gratitude of our nation - yes. I agree with him on that point.
6:42 - Iran. He mentioned Iran. Biden woke up.
6:43 - Holy Shit. He mentioned Osama. "Al Qaeda is on the run in Iraq and this enemy will be defeated - point finger at camera and look determined." I just had a flashback "Osama bin Laden - is wanted dead or alive or something like that"
6:46 - I am bored. He just mentioned a transition to a new strategy in Iraq. He knows what this strategy is? I've lost count. Troops are coming home. Finally, the Democrats stood up and cheered. Amen. Wait, not so fast. There are conditions as George says with a twinkle in his eye.
6:52 - Here is when he goes off against Iran. Hillary looks as bored as me.
6:55 - Wrap it up, George, wrap it up.
6:56 - Sudan and Burma. Good, George. Good.
7:02 - Eeeks. A very scary shot of Laura Bush licking her chops. Lots of lipstick and lots of tongue.
7:03 - I survived the longest viewing of a Bush speech since he became president.
I just heard someone say to him, "you make me proud to be an American." I just threw up in my mouth.
I need to go cleanse my brain. I could watch Mittens talk about his response to the speech but I would need a therapy appointment scheduled for tomorrow morning.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Campaign
On this cloudy January day, where do I stand on the election? Definitely not in the Senator Clinton camp. I have really gone back and forth on Clinton and Obama since the election started. Obama inspires me, Clinton's enemies scare me, Clinton's experience impresses me, and Edwards doesn't seem genuine.
The last few weeks of the campaign have settled things for me. I am definitely in the pro-Obama camp. What changed? The Clintons. Yes, I understand why Bill Clinton would be so outspoken in his support of his wife. I get it. It just reached a breaking point with me. Obama is right - it takes two Clintons to beat him and they didn't even succeed at that in South Carolina. I think it makes Clinton look weak to have Bill out there fighting and scrapping away for her. The little digs are old and nasty. Personally, I think Clinton would have had more votes in South Carolina but their strategy backfired on them in the last week. I don't want a co-presidency. Some of their recent comments have blatantly said that they are a package. Great. I really liked President Clinton. I have missed him a lot over these last 8 years. But, I don't want a return to the years of the anti-Clinton crowds that prevented so many positive things happening in our country.
I am not supporting Obama just because of my reaction to the Clintons. They aren't that far apart on the issues. I want change. I want someone who can bring people together. Yea, it isn't all about holding hands and singing songs about getting along. I want the war to end. I want 8 years of Bush policies to be reversed. I want people to start coming together after 16 years of bickering. Will it ever happen? Nah, I'm not drinking that much kool-aid this morning.
While I am at it, I want Mittens to beat McCain because I think McCain stands a good chance of winning a general election. There is something about McCain that frightens me.
The last few weeks of the campaign have settled things for me. I am definitely in the pro-Obama camp. What changed? The Clintons. Yes, I understand why Bill Clinton would be so outspoken in his support of his wife. I get it. It just reached a breaking point with me. Obama is right - it takes two Clintons to beat him and they didn't even succeed at that in South Carolina. I think it makes Clinton look weak to have Bill out there fighting and scrapping away for her. The little digs are old and nasty. Personally, I think Clinton would have had more votes in South Carolina but their strategy backfired on them in the last week. I don't want a co-presidency. Some of their recent comments have blatantly said that they are a package. Great. I really liked President Clinton. I have missed him a lot over these last 8 years. But, I don't want a return to the years of the anti-Clinton crowds that prevented so many positive things happening in our country.
I am not supporting Obama just because of my reaction to the Clintons. They aren't that far apart on the issues. I want change. I want someone who can bring people together. Yea, it isn't all about holding hands and singing songs about getting along. I want the war to end. I want 8 years of Bush policies to be reversed. I want people to start coming together after 16 years of bickering. Will it ever happen? Nah, I'm not drinking that much kool-aid this morning.
While I am at it, I want Mittens to beat McCain because I think McCain stands a good chance of winning a general election. There is something about McCain that frightens me.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Not Sure
I just finished this really good book of stories, "Olive Kitteridge" by Elizabeth Strout. Most of the stories involve or have some loose connection to the character, Olive. The book takes place in the later years of Olive's life as she faces changes with her family and the loss of friends. I guess it was fitting that I found out another family friend died yesterday.
I don't think it really hit me until today when I started thinking of Bob and some of my memories of him. The first time I really remember Bob is when I was a little kid and we went into Chicago for the weekend to stay with Bob and his wife, Louise. We took the train to Chicago which was really cool. My dad was stressed because DePaul was in the Final Four and he was missing the game. They had this apartment in a high rise building on Lake Shore Drive. It felt like another world. I had never been anywhere quite like their apartment and I just felt so clumsy and awkward.
Fast forward many years later when I moved to Chicago to attend DePaul. My parents rented an apartment in the city, so I moved in with them. They would come in every weekend and part of their routine was dinner with Bob and Louise on Saturday nights. There would sometimes be a Sunday brunch. I would join them every now and then, especially when I first moved to the city. I think my parents felt sorry for me and invited me along. My first time joining them was at an Italian restaurant on Taylor Street. The basketball coach, Jerry Tarkanian, was in the dining room. I nudged my dad. I thought, "this is really cool - a great restaurant, a famous basketball coach - I think I will like Chicago." I was introduced to many great restaurants through their friendship with Bob and Louise - The Breakfast Club is at the top of the list.
I would sometimes run into Bob walking on Michigan Avenue. It wasn't hard to miss him because he was a very tall man. Really tall man. Or, I would run into Bob and Louise at Salt & Pepper diner when I was on a break from class and grabbing a quick lunch or breakfast with a friend. Who can forget when Bob and Louise caught me making out with a girl and that led to a flurry of quickly coming out talks with my family.
As I get older, I know that I will lose more of these people who have touched me in one way or another. I will lose more people who were a connection to my dad. The book I just finished followed those same themes of growing older, loss and death.
I'm really not trying to be preachy or super squishy and sentimental. I'm just acknowledging the passage of time and how all of these memories are so important to me. The last time I saw Bob was my going away party when I was moving from Chicago to Eugene. It seems like yesterday. I can remember it perfectly - he was talking to my brother-in-law and not paying attention at all to his martini. It kept sloshing around. He was just so engaged in the conversation that he really didn't notice. He was chuckling at something John said. I am specifically using the word chuckle because that was really his laugh.
We lost a good man yesterday.
I don't think it really hit me until today when I started thinking of Bob and some of my memories of him. The first time I really remember Bob is when I was a little kid and we went into Chicago for the weekend to stay with Bob and his wife, Louise. We took the train to Chicago which was really cool. My dad was stressed because DePaul was in the Final Four and he was missing the game. They had this apartment in a high rise building on Lake Shore Drive. It felt like another world. I had never been anywhere quite like their apartment and I just felt so clumsy and awkward.
Fast forward many years later when I moved to Chicago to attend DePaul. My parents rented an apartment in the city, so I moved in with them. They would come in every weekend and part of their routine was dinner with Bob and Louise on Saturday nights. There would sometimes be a Sunday brunch. I would join them every now and then, especially when I first moved to the city. I think my parents felt sorry for me and invited me along. My first time joining them was at an Italian restaurant on Taylor Street. The basketball coach, Jerry Tarkanian, was in the dining room. I nudged my dad. I thought, "this is really cool - a great restaurant, a famous basketball coach - I think I will like Chicago." I was introduced to many great restaurants through their friendship with Bob and Louise - The Breakfast Club is at the top of the list.
I would sometimes run into Bob walking on Michigan Avenue. It wasn't hard to miss him because he was a very tall man. Really tall man. Or, I would run into Bob and Louise at Salt & Pepper diner when I was on a break from class and grabbing a quick lunch or breakfast with a friend. Who can forget when Bob and Louise caught me making out with a girl and that led to a flurry of quickly coming out talks with my family.
As I get older, I know that I will lose more of these people who have touched me in one way or another. I will lose more people who were a connection to my dad. The book I just finished followed those same themes of growing older, loss and death.
I'm really not trying to be preachy or super squishy and sentimental. I'm just acknowledging the passage of time and how all of these memories are so important to me. The last time I saw Bob was my going away party when I was moving from Chicago to Eugene. It seems like yesterday. I can remember it perfectly - he was talking to my brother-in-law and not paying attention at all to his martini. It kept sloshing around. He was just so engaged in the conversation that he really didn't notice. He was chuckling at something John said. I am specifically using the word chuckle because that was really his laugh.
We lost a good man yesterday.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
'Ol Larry
Can someone please tell Larry King that it might be time for him to walk away from the chair? It was painful watching him tonight. Granted, I don't watch him that often but I wanted to catch some news about Heath Ledger's death. At the very end of the show, he asked out of nowhere...so was her fiancee an actress? This was after we saw many, many clips of Ledger and Williams and the 4 people on the show with him talked about their relationship and how they met. C'mon Larry King. Dawson's Creek. Forget Michelle Williams in Brokeback Mountain. It was the Creek.
But when he did ask that last question, you could see the 4 guests kinda look dumbfounded. Uh, Larry? Where have you been the last hour?
But when he did ask that last question, you could see the 4 guests kinda look dumbfounded. Uh, Larry? Where have you been the last hour?
Monday, January 21, 2008
7 year old thoughtfulness
My niece had to learn the lyrics to "America" for school. She remarked to my sister that the last line in the first verse reminded her of Martin Luther King Jr. Yea, it is super cool that she can make those connections between a song and a speech. Her innocence and her logic are things that always make me pause and wonder how her little brain works.
As a completely different aside - I am watching the Democractic debates in South Carolina. I really get uncomfortable when they all start arguing. Things were getting a little tense between Obama and Clinton.
As a completely different aside - I am watching the Democractic debates in South Carolina. I really get uncomfortable when they all start arguing. Things were getting a little tense between Obama and Clinton.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Football, Basketball, Baseball
Football:
Chargers vs Patriots - I want the Patriots for my friend, Marilyn.
Giants vs Packers - this is the really tough one. I shocked Mary when I said that I am going for the Packers. I really despise the Giants. At least with the Packers, I can take satisfaction that the Bears beat them twice this season. I would also prefer to have Favre over Manning in the Super Bowl.
Basketball:
Go KU. They should move up to #2 with North Carolina's loss. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to watch as much Jayhawk basketball this season. Right now I only have cable so I can watch hoops so I better start watching more games.
Bulls - what a disappointing season. I was even more discouraged when they drafted Joakim Noah because he is one of the main reasons why I rooted against Florida for the last 2 seasons. I experienced a few minutes of joy when his teammates voted to suspend him for a second game after he was a jerk to one of the assistant coaches.
Go Blazers.
Baseball:
I am not a huge baseball fan. I follow the news and my favorite team but I don't make a habit of watching lots of games. I have always had mixed feelings about Roger Clemens, so I have found the fallout from the Mitchell report really interesting. Will we see a rumble on Capital Hill this week when Clemens, Pettite and McNamee testify?
Chargers vs Patriots - I want the Patriots for my friend, Marilyn.
Giants vs Packers - this is the really tough one. I shocked Mary when I said that I am going for the Packers. I really despise the Giants. At least with the Packers, I can take satisfaction that the Bears beat them twice this season. I would also prefer to have Favre over Manning in the Super Bowl.
Basketball:
Go KU. They should move up to #2 with North Carolina's loss. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to watch as much Jayhawk basketball this season. Right now I only have cable so I can watch hoops so I better start watching more games.
Bulls - what a disappointing season. I was even more discouraged when they drafted Joakim Noah because he is one of the main reasons why I rooted against Florida for the last 2 seasons. I experienced a few minutes of joy when his teammates voted to suspend him for a second game after he was a jerk to one of the assistant coaches.
Go Blazers.
Baseball:
I am not a huge baseball fan. I follow the news and my favorite team but I don't make a habit of watching lots of games. I have always had mixed feelings about Roger Clemens, so I have found the fallout from the Mitchell report really interesting. Will we see a rumble on Capital Hill this week when Clemens, Pettite and McNamee testify?
Awww man
Emily(Suzanne Pleshette) from the Bob Newhart show died. When I was growing up, our family watched this show. I always thought it was cool that I shared a name with one of the characters since my name wasn't very common in my small town.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Rewards
Today is the day. I am starting my diet and exercise plan. I slept until 12:00 so I guess it is one way to prevent eating if I just sleep a lot. What prompted this? Oh the fact that I weigh more than I ever have in my life. It isn't good for my health or how I feel about myself. I wish I could say the weight gain was a side effect of medication. Nope. It is the side effect of beer, tots, and Burgerville. Oh and I can't forget laziness.
I am trying to set realistic goals. I'm not doing any wacky diets even though I was contemplating a shake diet - eating one chocolate hazelnut shake a day with a salad or two. I don't really get awards on my knowledge of good nutrition.
Yesterday, I decided to enjoy a few last things. I went to Kenny & Zukes for the first time and had their corned beef sandwich. Wow. Why I waited so long to visit this place is beyond me. I also went and bought some beer that is hitting the beer media (don't know what else to call it) - Abyss Stout. It has been called some of the best stout in the world and has received all kinds of beer awards. I had a bottle last night and I am saving the rest to reward myself as the d&e program progresses. I do find it funny that a release of a special beer screamed at me from the Oregonian's newstands this Saturday morning. (Oregonian publishes two different versions of the paper - the one delivered at my door and the one from their newspaper boxes).
I am using Gyminee to track my progress.
I am trying to set realistic goals. I'm not doing any wacky diets even though I was contemplating a shake diet - eating one chocolate hazelnut shake a day with a salad or two. I don't really get awards on my knowledge of good nutrition.
Yesterday, I decided to enjoy a few last things. I went to Kenny & Zukes for the first time and had their corned beef sandwich. Wow. Why I waited so long to visit this place is beyond me. I also went and bought some beer that is hitting the beer media (don't know what else to call it) - Abyss Stout. It has been called some of the best stout in the world and has received all kinds of beer awards. I had a bottle last night and I am saving the rest to reward myself as the d&e program progresses. I do find it funny that a release of a special beer screamed at me from the Oregonian's newstands this Saturday morning. (Oregonian publishes two different versions of the paper - the one delivered at my door and the one from their newspaper boxes).
I am using Gyminee to track my progress.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Conference
Last week, I was in Philadelphia for a conference. I have to admit that it is a relief to see some of my official responsibilities decrease so I can spend more time meeting with vendors on official business, attend programs/forums and run into people. The last few years have involved at least three board meetings per meeting, which left little time for the rest of the conference. I was much more relaxed this time around.
There were at least four highlights of this trip:
- Spending time with Mary. Not only do I have a built-in roommate at conferences, we are also able to spend quality time together. We also understand what the conference is like and we can compare notes. Plus, when I get courtesy access to the hotel's concierge room, I can share it with someone who cares about the same things - free food and sodas.
- Seeing former colleagues. Some of them were random encounters but others were planned. It was great to catch up. I don't miss my former job for a second but I do miss many of my colleagues.
- Dinner with a group of good friends at Gnocchi. Wow. Our friend who coordinated the meal warned us that they had great gnocchi. She didn't tell us that the rest of the menu was terrific or how much food we would get. It was one of the best meals I've had in ages. I could go on for days about the little pillows of Italian goodness but I'll save you. We sorta overtook the restaurant but our group had not been together in a long time.
- The last night was spent with a few other friends. Our friend who lived in the area suggested Tria which didn't disappoint. Not only was the food excellent but I was able to drink Bell's stout on tap. We followed it up with amazing gelato at Capogiro. Great conversations and food.
My flights were uneventful. I was able to snack on some Chik-fil-a at the Atlanta airport. It helped fuel my in-flight trivia matchups. I love that Delta offers this entertainment option. I started playing and then I would take breaks to watch the Michigan returns on CNN or watch a movie (Superbad) or watch my seatmates try and control their dog who kept trying to scratch its way out of its carrier. Despite these breaks, I had more points than anyone else on our flight. It is kinda weird to have someone walk up to me and compliment me on my history and literature knowledge. Someone behind me yelled, "Hey E.M. you are great at trivia!" I should fly more often so I can boost my often depleted ego.
There were at least four highlights of this trip:
- Spending time with Mary. Not only do I have a built-in roommate at conferences, we are also able to spend quality time together. We also understand what the conference is like and we can compare notes. Plus, when I get courtesy access to the hotel's concierge room, I can share it with someone who cares about the same things - free food and sodas.
- Seeing former colleagues. Some of them were random encounters but others were planned. It was great to catch up. I don't miss my former job for a second but I do miss many of my colleagues.
- Dinner with a group of good friends at Gnocchi. Wow. Our friend who coordinated the meal warned us that they had great gnocchi. She didn't tell us that the rest of the menu was terrific or how much food we would get. It was one of the best meals I've had in ages. I could go on for days about the little pillows of Italian goodness but I'll save you. We sorta overtook the restaurant but our group had not been together in a long time.
- The last night was spent with a few other friends. Our friend who lived in the area suggested Tria which didn't disappoint. Not only was the food excellent but I was able to drink Bell's stout on tap. We followed it up with amazing gelato at Capogiro. Great conversations and food.
My flights were uneventful. I was able to snack on some Chik-fil-a at the Atlanta airport. It helped fuel my in-flight trivia matchups. I love that Delta offers this entertainment option. I started playing and then I would take breaks to watch the Michigan returns on CNN or watch a movie (Superbad) or watch my seatmates try and control their dog who kept trying to scratch its way out of its carrier. Despite these breaks, I had more points than anyone else on our flight. It is kinda weird to have someone walk up to me and compliment me on my history and literature knowledge. Someone behind me yelled, "Hey E.M. you are great at trivia!" I should fly more often so I can boost my often depleted ego.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Even in Philadelphia
I was just catching up on some Portland blogs and on one of the community posts someone started going off about all of the spiders. I showed restraint and didn't make any comments. A few other people did and said it only gets worse.
For all of the Portlanders, the weather here is just fine. I don't think I have worn a coat since I arrived. Of course, I don't really have to go outside very much.
For all of the Portlanders, the weather here is just fine. I don't think I have worn a coat since I arrived. Of course, I don't really have to go outside very much.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
True reason
Today I celebrated the reason I am in Portland*- chocolate hazelnut shake at Burgerville. Yes, my friends. Last January, I visited Portland and tasted this heaven in a cup. Breakup? There was no breakup. I had to get to Portland for a shake. Job choice? Ha. The other job would have not brought me these shakes for one month out of the year. Reason I am returning to the gym? Not to get in shape and to lose weight. It is so I can eat as many shakes as possible over the next month and not become even larger.
Yep. Today was the first day of chocolate hazelnut shakes at Burgerville.
*Okay, this is all an exaggeration but I am sure you knew I wasn't that crazy.
Yep. Today was the first day of chocolate hazelnut shakes at Burgerville.
*Okay, this is all an exaggeration but I am sure you knew I wasn't that crazy.
Monday, January 7, 2008
New Season
What better way to bring in the new season of the L Word than at a McMenamin's theatre, eating tots, drinking Terminator Stout, going with friends to cheer/jeer at the screen with a full house of people? It was also a benefit so my dollars went to a good cause.
We also left with the second episode of this season so we promptly returned to the dorm and watched the next episode.
We also left with the second episode of this season so we promptly returned to the dorm and watched the next episode.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Best of 2007
I've never taken part of the 50book challenge because I've never had enough leisure time to read 50 books. Granted, I could read a bunch of fluff to beef up my numbers but that didn't seem right. As I reviewed my list of 2007 reads, I realized how close I came to 50 - 40 books read: 25 fiction and 15 non-fiction books. I know the change in jobs helped.
My list of best books and films in 2007 don't include what was published or released last year. It is what I read and saw in 2007.
Best Fiction Read:
Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz was my favorite book of the year
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
What is the What by Dave Eggers
Best Non-Fiction Read:
We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families by Philip Gourevitch was my favorite non-fiction book of the year
Pillar of Fire by Taylor Branch
At Canaan's Edge by Taylor Branch
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Firehouse by David Halberstam
Best Movies:
No Country for Old Men was at the top of the list
Little Miss Sunshine
Wordplay
Letters from Iowa Jima
Notes on a Scandal
Bourne Ultimatum
Michael Clayton
Old Joy
Lars and the Real Girl
Inconvenient Truth
Best Concert:
The National
Peter Bjorn and John
My list of best books and films in 2007 don't include what was published or released last year. It is what I read and saw in 2007.
Best Fiction Read:
Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz was my favorite book of the year
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
What is the What by Dave Eggers
Best Non-Fiction Read:
We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families by Philip Gourevitch was my favorite non-fiction book of the year
Pillar of Fire by Taylor Branch
At Canaan's Edge by Taylor Branch
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Firehouse by David Halberstam
Best Movies:
No Country for Old Men was at the top of the list
Little Miss Sunshine
Wordplay
Letters from Iowa Jima
Notes on a Scandal
Bourne Ultimatum
Michael Clayton
Old Joy
Lars and the Real Girl
Inconvenient Truth
Best Concert:
The National
Peter Bjorn and John
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Food
Ever since I moved to Portland, all I have heard about is Ken's Artisan Pizza. It even won of the local "restaurant of the year" awards. A pizza place? Best restaurant of the year? This would have never happened in New York or Chicago. A few foodie friends of mine raved about it and said I had to go.
Mary and I went last night. Now I understand the hype. It was hands down the best pizza I've ever had and that says something from living in two pizza capitals. Best restaurant in Portland? One of the best but it depends on the criteria you use. The best part? Right after we placed our order, the restaurant lost power. They kept making the pizzas in the oven. As we ate our food by candlelight, I couldn't help thinking that the loss of power only added to the atmosphere. It also fueled our anticipation of the food. The only downer is that there are long waits for a table. We arrived right when they opened and we were one of the last groups seated.
Mary and I went last night. Now I understand the hype. It was hands down the best pizza I've ever had and that says something from living in two pizza capitals. Best restaurant in Portland? One of the best but it depends on the criteria you use. The best part? Right after we placed our order, the restaurant lost power. They kept making the pizzas in the oven. As we ate our food by candlelight, I couldn't help thinking that the loss of power only added to the atmosphere. It also fueled our anticipation of the food. The only downer is that there are long waits for a table. We arrived right when they opened and we were one of the last groups seated.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Whew...it is 2008
I can't really remember my resolutions for 2007. I think one of them was a little big - survival. I might have mentioned stability but that turned into a joke. I did survive 2007 and I ended the year with more stability, so I guess it has all turned out right. I didn't so much celebrate the new year as celebrate the end of 2007.
I'll do my usual new year posts with interesting reads/viewings and people who died this year (haven't done this one in a few years) but I need a few days to think about things.
How did I celebrate the end of 2007? Surrounded by close friends. We decided to hang out at the "dorm" for snacks and drinks before heading out to a bar. We tried to showcase our spread of food with a poster of Amy Sedaris but she refused to stay on the wall. At the bar, a few of us decided to engage in a little karaoke action. We learned that Mary likes to scream songs into the microphone and do a little shimmy as she sings a country tune. All in all, we had a really fun night. Best part? No hangover this morning.
We love Triscuits.
I'll do my usual new year posts with interesting reads/viewings and people who died this year (haven't done this one in a few years) but I need a few days to think about things.
How did I celebrate the end of 2007? Surrounded by close friends. We decided to hang out at the "dorm" for snacks and drinks before heading out to a bar. We tried to showcase our spread of food with a poster of Amy Sedaris but she refused to stay on the wall. At the bar, a few of us decided to engage in a little karaoke action. We learned that Mary likes to scream songs into the microphone and do a little shimmy as she sings a country tune. All in all, we had a really fun night. Best part? No hangover this morning.
We love Triscuits.
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