Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve and we are awaiting...pizza. I am sore from falling. But It's a Wonderful Life is on, I have wine, and I just got back from a week in Jamaica.  Could be worse.

Jamaica Time Yet?

What I am looking forward to on vacation:

Breakfast buffets.
All you can drink beverages.
Morning workouts.
Trashy magazine reading.
Getting some color in my pale, white skin.
Lunch by the pool.
Afternoon cocktail hour.
Warm shower after a day of doing nothing.
Dinner with the brother and SIL. By the water.
Evening cocktails.
Rum tasting.
Sleeping in....til 8am. LOL.

Jamaica here I come!

Detroit Post-Mortem?

Sad headlines in the Free Press: Detroit City Council refuses to cut its salaries, perks and the scraping of light rail.

Very sad:

Which brings us to the Detroit City Council’s 6-2 vote Tuesday not to cut its own budget by 30% -- or more than $4 million.

Really?

In a city on track to run out of cash by April or sooner, a city with crushing unemployment, a growing homeless population as winter looms, a city talking about eliminating hundreds of police and firefighters, council members are quibbling about whether they can scrape by with a few bucks less than the $700,000 each is allotted for their office and staff each year? Really?

Detroit is self-destructing, and that the city could only muster two votes to decrease its own bloated budget only shows that it is not serious about reform. The state is going to have to intervene at some point before the city goes completely bankrupt. Quite frankly, they should just axe two of the seats.  And problem solved--you save $1.4 million.  Then axe the rest of the budgets.  But the city is simply incapable of removing its hand from the cookie jar.

This Year...

The year isn't over, but I am already thinking about what I will remember, good and bad, from this past year. Certainly moving. Boston. Every moment hanging out with Joey. SMC reunion weekend.  So much travel.  Fantasy football. Rooting for the Tigers. And Lions.  Mom and dad's April visit. 

I hope Jamaica will be a fitting end for a hectic, crazy year.  And I hope that it will give us a chance to consider what we want most in 2012. I don't know what the year will bring.  I know what I think I want it to bring.  But it also means turning 36, another year older and closer to 40.  I feel like it will be a big year, a good year, an important year.  I wonder if any more of my deja vu moments will come true. You know those? When you catch a glimmer of something that is yet to occur? When you hope it will occur?

18 days left.

Top Ten from the Weekend

1. Breakfast cookies.
2. Terrible service at Tru Orleans, though great food all around, particularly at the Atlas Room and the Argonaut. H Street classics. OMG that beef two ways was amongst the best of what I've eaten this year.  And the lamb ragout and desserts...
3. Making like six pots of coffee. And brunch at home!
4.  A fun game of Loaded Questions. Ridiculous.
5. Long walks and aching backs because we are getting old.
6. Spies and museums.
7.  Lots of lesbian talk.
8.  Our very high, hopefully, yelp rating.
9. Hanging out around the island and just talking.
10.  A weekend with good friends in DC. Gosh I already miss those guys.

Weekend Ahead with Friends

Donna and Michelle will be here in a few hours. I am really excited to see my friends, and their husbands.  We live so far apart, and I've always been jealous that Steve has his college friends here, and he gets to seem all of the time (though granted, that is not too often).  So this gives me a chance to have my college friends here, hanging out like we saw each all of the time. It is true, that old friends are the "gold" ones you have. You may live far apart, and see each other only once or twice a year, but you can pick up a conversation like you saw each yesterday.  And it's really been sixteen years since you've met them.

Here's to a good weekend!

Holiday Season

Happy Holidays...I guess I will always associate Christmas music and the season with that Andy Williams Christmas album with this time of year. And it's on Spotify! His version of the 12 Days of Christmas, The Christmas Song, and It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year are some of the most iconic Christmas songs. But I digress...

We had our first holiday party last night, and another reception tonight. And several next week. And then it's on to Jamaica and then on to Christmas. And how did it get to be December 8? I know that it is a recurring theme. Today, now that it is finally cold, makes me realize that it is the holiday season. And Christmas. And I need to get in that spirit, do more shopping, and celebrate a great weekend with friends coming up. How can I not be in the spirit?

Chicago

With the exception of Jamaica/Christmas, I have taken my last trip for the year. Chicago, times three. I stayed at a Marriott Residence Inn, which was quite nice, and we had dinner at the Rosebud steakhouse, which was also very good.  And it was one more opportunity to see work friends.

And now the husband is heading home in a cab...Has it been five days already? Time is moving faster, and we only have 3.5 weeks left this year.  Time is indeed moving faster...

Weekend Thoughts

With the husband in India, I took a weekend to catch up with friends at Marvin and saw Jenny's new house.  I finally bought two barstools at Pier One, and I watched lots of old youtube videos and reflected on entertainment past. Vague? It is so easy to get caught up in old memories of soaps gone past, now nearly two decades old (well, older).  How did time pass so?

I find it painful to go through old journals that I kept up with for so long.  I was so young, such a teenager, and I was achingly lonely at times.  But cautiously, optimistically hopeful, because a small part of me knew that life would go on and not end in 8 Mile suburbs.  But at the same time, there is a tinge of regret now, because I really was not living in the present, but yearning for something that I assumed would be more fulfilling.  And is it? Life is not as romantic as you hope for it to be at 15. Life is far more complicated that youtube scenes presented it to be. I almost willed myself to forget so much of that, and the internet now makes it far too easy to sink into that abyss yet again. I fight it, though, and yet I drift back.

It did strike me that I was not such a bad writer then.  Maybe I have regressed? The best way to improve your writing is to write a lot, and I wrote pages and pages of journals and diaries back then.  It filled a void, which was conversation with many real friends.  But it left a record so that I cannot create a fully revisionist history of those years.

Was it really 18 years ago when that ended, a half lifetime ago? How in the world did I get to a half lifetime later? I started my first daily journal in 1987, a quarter of a century ago. I was ten. And I kept it up until the early 2000s, and reading a few entries, if only I knew then what I know now.  But that would not be so much fun, no?

A Long December

How is it December?

I have less than 2.5 weeks of work left for 2011, and I'm already accidentally writing 2012 dates. It's like I've mentally moved on to next year, when I turn 36 and have even more big decisions ahead. It's been a long year, though how in the world is it already December?

There's a lot to look forward to...a quick trip to Chicago, friends in town, a vacation, hopefully a raise, Texas, and some down time to focus on the house and each other.  I am trying to live more in the daily presence lately, even though I have a hard time with that. I always want to jump ahead or move on to the next thing.

So my Advent prayer is for patience for the present, and presence in the present.  And the courtesy to enjoy this long December one day at a time.

Tracing Back the History

Since we moved in June, I've been curious about the history of our house. I saw this post on Urban Turf about researching its history through a trip to the library. I really need to do this someday.

Curious about your home and in the mood to partake in some amateur detective work? The Washingtoniana division at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library has real estate maps, building permits and resident lists going back more than a century for most residential properties in the District. In a couple hours, one can find out when their home was built, see its first appearance on a plat map, identify former owners and residents, look up their occupations, and see if any additions were ever built and when. Last night, Jason Moore, collections librarian for the Washingtoniana division, walked UrbanTurf through the research process.

It's really cool that we live in a place built in 1905 that has stood through so many changes over the decades, from Washington's rise and fall and rise again, to new families moving through those doors, changes in the neighborhood, etc.  The particular Washingtoniana was established in 1905, so you would think the records will be accurate. It would be fun to do this...someday!

I did finally order a bar table for the bar room. Now I need to get stools this weekend! Ten days until our guests arrive!!

Thanksgiving in the D

Ten Things I will remember from Thanksgiving in Detroit...

1. Lots of nephew moments. "I don't want any more food. Alcohol!" He so proudly pronounced that. He also took a swig of my (empty) Blue Moon and took pictures of all of our beer.
2. And he "played" Apples to Apples.  He also proudly showed me his new bedroom and his new toyroom. Spoiled!!
3. The Daz hug.
4. Shopping at Lakeside with mom.
5. Watching football at B-Dubs with Paul and Steve.
6. And watching more football....Lions lose after Suh rages, the Cowboys eke it out against Miami, the 49ers lose the Haubaugh-bowl to Baltimore, and U-M finally beats Ohio State.
7. Good runs. One with Steve, one with Paul, and one alone.
8. Mom giving me a new prayer book and struggling with the right responses at mass.
9. Watching Jurassic Park with dad.
10. Having dinner with the whole family on Wednesday night at Roger's Roost. It doesn't happen often enough.

Verlander II

And the accolades continue...MVP.

Now all he needs is a World Series ring.

Three Reviews

On Friday night, we finally made it to the Big Board. Very, very tasty.  Granted, I cannot eat red meat like I used to, but occasionally a juicy burger is called for. We received ample amounts of fries, old bay seasons, and super good garlicy, parmesan coated sweet potato fries. We shared the "Le Burg-aire au Poivre Seared with cracked black pepper, topped with Great Hill blue cheese & a cognac cream sauce" and the "Memphis Blues Topped with Colby-Jack cheese, house BBQ sauce & crispy "tobacco" onions."  Both were great, and we'll be back.

Sunday, I brunched at Granville Moore's, where I haven't dined in quite a while. Also good.  I had a very garlicy mushroom omlette with home fries. And two cocktails, including a peach bellini and the house mimosa, which had all sorts of alcoholy goodness in it.

And finally, we watched Pearl Jam 20 on Saturday evening. I sort of knew some of the history of the band, including the back story of Mother Love Bone and Temple of the Dog.  It was striking at how quickly the group synthesized, how naturally Eddie Vedder just blended in and how great their early songs were (Alive in 1990, just weeks after they officially hooked up).  It was remarkable that even though they had a good time performing, they avoided that awful drug scene that ended MLB.  I don't think Cameron Crowe interjected himself too much at all, and I found the anecdote about how Pearl Jam just totally phoned it in and drank themselves to oblivion during the Singles party pretty funny.  Pearl Jam became so big so fast, and lived long on after the tragedy and rivalry of Nirvana.  Terrific flick. Oh, and favorite piece of trivia was that first album "Ten" was after Mookie Blaylock's number, the NBA player that the band was initially named after.

Oh yes, the rest of the week was spent watching football.

Detroit, and 5 Drudge Saviors

Detroit is going bankrupt.  Shocking, I know.  And while I applaud the salary cuts and the layoffs to try to barely make things meet, upping corporate taxes is not the savviest of strategies.  Detroit needs to create jobs and attract business, not frighten it away but ultra over taxation. And while 1% isn't much, wouldn't a tax break to hire workers be a more effective method of creating jobs, thus income which can then be taxed for the city?

I know Dave Bing is grasping at straws. But still a bad idea.

1.  Tim Tebow is Denver's savior? Well, you can't argue with success, especially against the Jets' D.
2. Newt Gingrich is the latest Republican savior, though gosh, is it still 1994?
3. The investigation into Natalie Woods' death is being reopened. It probably smacks of opportunism, after three decades. She had no savior then, or now.
4. Germany, however, is trying to save Europe. Or not, by derailing an EU referendum.
5. And Dems, who once censured Rangel, are trying to save his seat. Shameful. Boot him out, voters.

So True

90s music is not yet classic rock.  I agree. But Pearl Jam and Smashing Pumpkins are now twenty years old, and they don't belong on DC 101, other.  Since mainstream radio is so bad, maybe some new/old modern rock station should be created. But since we're twenty years out, maybe it should be some hybrid of new/old. Just not classic rock.

Burnt out at 30?

So I can and cannot relate to this article about millennials feeling burnt out by 30.

I think it is common to feel burnt out and tired of working the daily 9-6 plus overtime and weekends, and I can only imagine how hard it is if you have a baby at home.  But it's life, and I don't think that this generation is unique in having to deal with thees struggles. Yes, some say that Gen Y is coddled and raised to expect success and have such high expectations/coddling thrust upon them.  But at the same time, I don't think things have changed that much in a decade. Work is life is work, and we need to adjust.  I think this sentiment of coddling has led many to opt out to try to "work at home" and "consult" and have a non-traditional schedule.  But ultimately, I think that will backfire in the long term. Those who stick it out eventually arise through the ranks, experience some professional success, and thrive. Continuously opting out only makes you a step behind, and you have to work all that much harder to prove yourself. And unless you have filthy rich parents, we're all ultimately on an even playing field out there.

So my heart does not weep for them.  Just wait til how burnt out they all feel at 35!!

Verlander

Justin Verlander won the Cy Young award. Unanimously.  It was a well deserved honor after a spectacular pitcher.  And yes, at 28, he is now entering the prime of his career.

I like seeing Detroit on top. Let's only hope that the Tigers come back next year to win it all. And the Lions recover from a terrible outing to win next week, twice.  And the Red Wings? Consistent as always.

Back to Work

I am always mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted after our annual conference. It's from a lack of sleep, fighting a cold, and near constant talking and standing and pure extro-version I have to exert.  It's a good event, of course, and there are so many friends to see.  And I had a good time, eating at PJ Clarke's and eating at the kid's table at Morton's.  But I am always somewhat frustrated at the end, and tired.  And did I mention tired?  Yes.  And it's a week til Thanksgiving, blah.  At least it was a balmy 70 degrees, which is something I cannot miss.

Meaningful Thanksgiving Music

Detroiters are campaigning to nix the Nickelback for the Thanksgiving show. And I applaud them, and signed on to that.

For the first time in years, a decade maybe, the Thanksgiving game is meaningful. The Lions might be playoff bound, and the Packers are undefeated. And the Cowboys/Miami game is meaningless.  Detroiters are excited about being showcased, and the NFL stuck them with the most mediocre or mediocre bands, Nickelback. They are so generic I cannot think of any of their songs, despite them all being fixtures on the most mediocre of city radio stations, like all of them in DC.

Bob Seger? Motown? Kid Rock? Eminem? Especially after that Superbowl Ad.

I doubt anything will change, but maybe a Detroiter rocker could open the show. Just a thought?

36 Hours in California

Back and forth yet again to Silicon Valley. Oh I am tired. We only had a two plus hour delay at SFO, and I am convinced that the United gate agents were amongst the most incompetent I've encountered in a while. One didn't even know the diagram of the plane. The only good part was having a row to myself. I also watched the Help, which I actually quite liked.  I listened to the rest of my "New of 2011" mix, and I'm already looking forward to crafting my "Best of 2011" mix. Lots of good music this year, and I think it'll be fun to put this together before our vacation next month.

We had a fabulous meal at Madera, including one of the best steaks I've had in a while. The long day plus eating is training for next week.

Halloween

We had a number of children come by yesterday for Halloween. It made me happy to see their cute costumes and how sweet they were. Well, we also had a number of teenagers, but that's ok. Now that I'm older, and it has been over twenty years since I've tricked and treated myself, I wish I had really enjoyed that time more. It goes by so fast.  Our nephews were all very cutely dressed up--Paws!! I bet Joey really got more into the trick or treating this year. He is growing up far too quickly.

It is always bittersweet to be on the other side of the door. I wish I was out escorting my own little trick or treater. Maybe someday. I read this quote--God's delay is not God's denial. But sometimes, I wonder. There has been nothing delayed, because I have not tried at all. I guess I'm not the only one who isn't trying. I get sad about that. And I hope for change.

Good and Bad

So until the bad football meltdowns and the unfortunately spill onto the laptop, it had been a pretty good weekend.

We started out having drinks and pulled pork sandwiches at Standard, which was this small outdoor biergartenon 14th street. The food was really, really good. Then we went to the 9:30 Club to see the Naked and the Famous. The concert was ok...the opening act of the Chain Gang of 1974 was almost better.  The N&F mostly just performed theirs songs as they were on the album without a heck of a lot of change.  No crowd banter. And it was so damn loud, my ears were ringing. We liked the show, but both came away wishing we had been able to experience more of the band's personality.  The music is fun and upbeat and dance-able, but that was it. Something was missing.

The Fanfarlo concert was much better, we thought. Double Ghost opened, and this Brooklyn band and they played this music/image computer/technological sound that was very unique. The crowd was certainly puzzled by it, but in retrospect it was a good complement to the Fanfarlo show.  Fanfarlo was almost everything that N&F was not--it was understated, with some crowd back & forth, and they performed changed-up versions of all of their older stuff. Their new material was woven into the set, and it looks very promising. The crowd certainly wanted to hear old favorites like Harold T. Wilkins, the Finish Line, and the Walls are Tumbling, and it was not disappointed. Their songs were shorter, it seemed like, too. I was glad to get a preview of the new album. The Red Palace is such a great venue. It's intimate and you get real music fans there. Going out the Saturday of Halloween weekend was fun, too.

Future President

No doubt that Paul Ryan is going to be a candidate for president someday. Unfortunately, it won't be next year. But his words make so much sense: 

The president, he said, has made a shift in his appeal to the electorate. "Instead of appealing to the hope and optimism that were hallmarks of his first campaign, he has launched his second campaign by preying on the emotions of fear, envy and resentment."

But Republicans, in their desire to defend free economic activity, shouldn't be snookered by unthinking fealty to big business. They should never defend—they should actively oppose—the kind of economic activity that has contributed so heavily to the crisis. Here Mr. Ryan slammed "corporate welfare and crony capitalism."

"Why have we extended an endless supply of taxpayer credit to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, instead of demanding that their government guarantee be wound down and their taxpayer subsidies ended?" Why are tax dollars being wasted on bankrupt, politically connected solar energy firms like Solyndra? "Why is Washington wasting your money on entrenched agribusiness?"

Rather than raise taxes on individuals, we should "lower the amount of government spending the wealthy now receive." The "true sources of inequity in this country," he continued, are "corporate welfare that enriches the powerful, and empty promises that betray the powerless." The real class warfare that threatens us is "a class of bureaucrats and connected crony capitalists trying to rise above the rest of us, call the shots, rig the rules, and preserve their place atop society."

Bye Bye Blackberry

After two and a half years of mostly frustration, I am awaiting the arrival today of my new iphone 4s.  Which at 3:15 pm is still on a Fed Ex truck, apparently. Goodbye to wordmole, brickbreaker, stale applications, a draining battery, a water stained screen, and keys you have to pound into press.  Hello to cool aps, probably another mediocre battery, siri, music, and a touchscreen. I will certainly miss the keyboard, but that will be about it. Let's pray the transition goes smoothly, and hurray to new phones!

Weekend with the In-Laws

We enjoyed a very busy weekend with family. It was much needed.

Thursday we headed out to our favorite restaurant, the Atlas Room, which once again did not disappoint.  We shared these delicious slices of lamb bacon, along with the dark meat chicken flatbread and lamb, along with the pumpkin cake.  And cocktails, of course, including my clover club.

Friday we ventured out to Virginia wine country, starting with a pit stop at the Dogfish Head Brewery for a terrific flounder sandwich. We went to Rappahannock, and we most enjoyed the Viognier and the Cabernet Franc.  They then recommended we head over to Chester Gap which had an amazing view of the Shenandoah Valley.

The highlights Saturday were lots and lots of mussels at Brasserie Beck, dinner at  Philomena's, and then Les Miserables. The Kennedy Center is always awesome to go to. I largely agree with the reviews that the show itself was a bit frantic and rushed, particularly in the beginning.  The sets were amazing, and almost film-like, particularly when Jean Valjean is in the tunnels.  The leads were great, although it was the Javert understudy who was featured. Reviewing the story synopsis beforehand was helpful, although in general I thought the play was clear and you could hear the lyrics--luckily the orchestra didn't drown out the (very loud) performers.

I was grateful for the long weekend, the time with family and my  husband, the chance to get away from everything when the next few weeks will be hectic. And soon it will be Thanksgiving!!

Occupy What?

I've been walking past Camp Occupy DC every day this week on the way to work. These people truly are pointless. They have miserable signs written on cardboard, they appear completely ignorant when it comes to economic and fiscal policy, and espouse largely incoherent philosophies that ultimately come down to the "Me, Me, Me" sentiment of Gen Y.  It is astonishing that they blame the nameless, faceless "Wall Street" as the villain when government policies which they have voted for created the "everyone needs a house and it's your fault if I can't pay for it" culture. There is no individual responsibility in this movement. It is completely about blaming and absolving themselves of all fault.

True, many people are unemployed through no fault of their own.  Friends we know are pacing the pavement, informational interviewing, and working to find an opportunity.  They aren't camped out for weeks on end in parks, eating free food and trashing their environment.  They aren't expecting a hand-out or blaming anyone.

The unfavorable tea party comparisons are particularly egregious.  Every tea party rally in DC has consisted of courteous, polite everyday Americans who have left the parks as clean as when they arrived.  They were grassroots before "Occupy Whatever" even existed.  Too bad their lessons won't be adopted by the campers in McPherson Square. Two weeks or so and counting there. Ugh.

What Am I Enjoying lately

Ha Ha Tonka.
Fantasy Football.
My new haircut.
Wine.
Detroit sports. Even after the Lions and Tigers lost.
Frasier reruns.
My new Banana Republic button down and my Ann Taylor jeans.
Goat cheese and arugula.

Hellhole No?

This is an amusing list of when you know your city is a hellhole. True, the city sells homes for one dollar. And yes, illiteracy is rampant. And yeah, this is a long list of Detroit's problems.

AT LEAST the Tigers are still in the playoffs.  And at least the Lions still have a chance to go 6-0 (almost wrote 0-6...yeah, that has been far too common in recent years).  At least we have the Wings and a fantastic Michigan State-Michigan Wolverines football game to anticipate.

At least.

Occupy a Prison Cell

All of the DC Occupy protesters have set up tents only a couple of blocks from our office. They were parading down K street yesterday, all 100 or so of them.

My favorite from a recent poll of some of these idiots:

Rank yourself on the following Scale of Liberalism:.
Not liberal at all: 6
Liberal but fairly mainstream (i.e., Barack Obama): 3
Strongly liberal (i.e., Paul Krugman): 12
Fed up with Democrats, believe country needs overhaul (i.e., Ralph Nader): 41
Convinced the U.S. government is no better than, say, Al Qaeda (i.e., Noam Chomsky): 34

Yes, this is EXACTLY like the tea party!!!!

Happy Birthday

My baby brother turns 32 today.  We're getting so old....and the Tigers play this afternoon, down 2 games to 1.  One memory I have of his fifth birthday is the Tigers winning the 1984 World Series. That was the first and most memorable sports championship that I recall.  We were so excited about it, wearing our small "Bless You Boys" t-shirts and having spirit day at school.  That championship was at a time when Detroit was wallowing again in despair, with crime rates up and only a few weeks before the infamous Devil's Night arson-palooza. 

But I will always associate that victory with Paul's birthday. It was October, and we had the family celebration. Mom made a cake, and grandma and grandpa and grandpa Joe and Leigh Ann and Charlie and Diana were probably there, too. Our small little family.  Has it really been over twenty years since those celebrations? I remember that was a day to celebrate.

I can't believe he is 32. I remember when he was born, too, and I remember his baptism. I can't believe I remember a time before he was born, but I really can't remember much without him. I'm lucky to have such great brothers, and sisters-in-law, too.

Emotional Night in the D

Detroit Lions are on Monday Night Football, first MNF in the city of Detroit since 1974.  Tigers are battling in extra innings. Wow, the emotions are running high. I don't think anyone who has a drop of Detroit blood in them is unaffected by tonight.  No, sports don't cure a city.  They are a medication, they are an antidote, they are healing for a city whose scars run wild.  And no, in some ways, the outcome does not matter so much.  God do we want them to win.  But we also want to care about something more meaningful.

Barry Sanders runs on the field.  They say that Eminem, Kid Rock, and Bob Seger--legends of the Detroit music scene--are at the game and sharing a box together. 

They are drinking Megatron Juice.  For Calvin Johnson.  For the fans of the city.  Yeah, it is an emotional night. So much anticipation.  So much gratitude that the city is back in the beautiful spotlight.  So much excitement.  And so much hope.  Obama can take a lesson from this.

So as I type this, maybe things won't turn out the way we want them to.  Hopefully they will, because I can't imagine this level of hope and anticipation anywhere else.  But at least we leave knowing there is a chance.  And maybe there are times when it is an honor just to be at the table.  Sometimes, though, the significance of being at the tables pales in comparison to enjoying.

Detroit soul.  And the crowd roars.  Made in Detroit, for the first time in a decade. 

Army Ten Miler III

So I did not beat my time from last year, though I finished only about 42 seconds slower. And a minute slower than Mr. Speedy. But it was a good race, I felt good at the end of it.  And any pace that is below 8:30 is pretty darn good, I think. It was a sunny day, and definitely warmer than last year.  And I guess it is a 10 miler PR for being in the 35-39 age bracket.

I made my now infamously delicious shrimp scampi pasta for dinner the night before. And had a bagel for breakfast. Running with gatorade: not a good idea, and I don't recommend it. I need to stick to water. I barely drank anything, though I did consume a few gu's. And one nasty side effect...an icky blister on my middle left toe. I guess it's the shoes, ugh.  But I was happy, overall.  Victory!

Gun / Net Overall Gender Div  10K Split   Gun Time   Net Time   Pace   1:27:24  /  1:24:06    5116/21914   1050/9645   170/1752   0:52:23   1:27:24   1:24:06   8:24

More Good News for Detroit?

Today, the WSJ notes that things are getting better for Detroit. Sports, lowering unemployment. Things have bottomed out.  And things will improve. Go Tigers!!!!!!

Goooo Tigers and Lions and Wings!!!

Tigers beat Yankees.  And Lions go on MNF.  U-M and Michigan State football both doing well.  And Hockeytown is back on the ice.

Good times for Detroit sports.

And hopefully not temporarily.

Detroit will come to life if it is so lucky to get a World Series winner or an NFL team in the playoffs.  Sports has always driven the city. It is a hockeytown, a football town, and a baseball town.

RIP Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs died last night.

My ipod is one of my favorite possessions, and I cannot even imagine the last 5+ years of listening to music without it. And I might be getting an iphone soon.  And we all know how much my nephew loves his ipad. 

Great American innovators are fewer and farther between at these times.  The legacy he leaves will likely leave new discoveries amongst his Apple colleagues, but he is irreplaceable.  RIP.

Celebrating German Unity

On Monday, Steve was invited to a celebration at the German embassy commemorating the 21st anniversary of German reunification.  We had no idea that it was such a massive event--over 2,000 guests, ample food, and a bar including a great German draft beer. There were speeches and videos. Eric Holder--whom has been much in the news as of late due to the "Fast and Furious ATF" scandal-gate--offered some remarks.

These embassy events are such a contrast to the rather staid lawyer events I'm usually attending. It reminds me that there is an entirely different Washington that exists away from K Street.  A Society Washington, an old school Washington, a DC where there are a different form of celebrity that might make the pages of the Washingtonian.  We were honored to have attended, particularly celebrating something as momentous as this.  I remember the Cold War and that glorious night when the Wall came down.  And now it's been over twenty years since the two halves became whole. Who would have thought it?

Just Say No

Chris Christie joins Jeb Bush and Paul Ryan on the growing list of Republicans who won't take on Obama. I am not happy about this. I am officially without a candidate. I guess I am a reluctant Romney supporter, only because it is him or Perry.  Maybe I should root for Herman Cain, who at least shows some semblance of a spine.

I care about the economy, the courts, and foreign policy. And I also care about electability. I am not sure anyone really thoroughly meets all of my criteria. 

Weekend

We went to Atlas Room on Friday night and had another terrific dinner there. We always do. Short rib ravioli, lamb two ways, and a pork loin were all delicious. The pumpkin cake dessert we shared was so good. Best desert yet, I think. We will be back in a few weeks with Steve's folks.

The rest of the weekend we relaxed, watched football, and took it easy.  I was feeling a little under the weather Saturday night; must be the dramatic change of weather from Spring to Autumn. Lions won a nail-biter comeback over the 'Boys, and the Tigers evened their series against the Yankees. Game 3 tonight with Verlander!!

Bikram is a Beast

So I braved the hot yoga this morning. Oh my lord. I felt sick right after--light-headed and dehydrated yes also unable to keep any water down.  A few hours later, I do feel ok. I think it was the getting up at 5:30 am, sitting in a hundred degree room, and having it be nowhere near as restful as I thought it would be. But it's good to do something different, right? I mean, I used to be unable to run a mile, let alone ten miles or thirteen miles. So you have to start from somewhere.  For me, that's going to be to actually find a lower intensity stretchy kind of yoga, at Results or at another studio on H Street. I totally can do it, right?

The Road to XVI

Remember this from 2008?

Ah, how things have changed.

J&J Returns

It's been eons since I've watched Days, but I've been more than intrigued by the relaunch. With AMC ending on Friday, one of the only soaps I just never got into ever, I think Days has capture some of the attention. Hell, even the despised John and Marlena are worth watching. A return to classics is good. I'm being careful with limiting my sneak peeks, though. It's been twenty years! But J&J always hold a soft spot for me, and I'm looking forward to somewhat passively monitoring their story. So cheers to Jack's return, and let's hope it helps Days save itself a place in a dying genre.

Restful Weekend

I think today is proving to be hectic because the weekend was so restful. Two good runs, of 7+ and 6+, lots of pasta, and lots of football.  And no yelling. And I'm rewarded by promoting the incompetence.

One more game to go tonight. Cowboys vs. Redskins. Always a big story here in town.

Acadiana

We went out for an impromptu dinner at Acadiana the other night. We split a bottle of wine, the meat pies, and redfish with cheesy grits.  It was my first time there, and I don't know why I haven't been before. The biscuits they served as bread would have been much better had they been warm, and we were a bit taken a back by the abruptness with which they gave us our 2/3 completed bottle to go. But it was a nice, early night out and what has been a mediocre week.

I am actually hoping to do some real cooking this weekend. I really want to take a stab at making chili. I might break down and get a slow cooker. I bet I could get a decent one from Target. I have all of these magazines and recipes I've ripped out but have been too exhausted to cook. It's time, especially if it will be somewhat rainy this weekend and I'll be held hostage by football.

Lions and Tigers, Oh My!

I've definitely been captivated over the last several weeks on the Lions and Tigers and their upswing.  The Lions are 2-0, have a healthy starting QB in Matthew Stafford, and they demolished KC last weekend 48-3, their biggest victory EVER. Oh, and they have won ten in a row, including the pre-season.  Those days of 0-16 seem so far away. Granted, they've won nothing. They've accomplished nothing. But it's true optimism I see and hear for the first time, perhaps ever.

Oh, yeah, the Tigers. They just won their first division championship in 24 years, they have the best pitcher in baseball in Justin Verlander, and again, the excitement is palpable.  Their 12 game winning streak and their chance at getting #2 seed in the AL definitely have sparked some optimism.

Not that the Red Wings, whose pre-season is just getting underway, deserve to be left out of the conversation.  They are the most consistent team in sports, reliably making the playoffs every year.  And they've won a few Stanleys to boot, even though they have had some unfortunately luck the last couple of years.

It is finally a good time to be a Detroit sports fan, no matter what happens this season and post-season. It's good to be feeling good about something in Detroit.

And yeah, for the first time ever, I might be rooting for the Lions to beat the Cowboys in two weeks.

Enthusiasm Curbed

I have to admit, for maybe the first time ever, I've mustered up exactly zero interest in the new TV season. Maybe I get used to watching old Frasier and Office reruns and football, and maybe I get used to just finding other things to do in the evening.  But this is not at all like me.

In fact, it's hard for me to find much enthusiasm for much of everything. I'm bored. Well, not bored.  I'm deflated by these last several months, and exhausted, and just over the drama. I am enjoying my Mark Steyn and Dick Cheney books, and I'm enjoying trying to find new music. But everything else leaves me spent.  And that worries me.

I keep feeling like I'm just going to have a complete breakdown one of these days from the stress of everything--the constant tantrums, the fighting, the yelling, the name calling, and the work and the lack of appreciate and the lack of affection I'm feeling. I know stress does horrible things to people. But I think it might even do worse things to the people they surround.

Lord, give me strength.

Foodie Raves

We had one night in Brooklyn for the Food Experiments. And even though our friend did not win, I was very excited about the Brooklyn Brewery (particularly the Pumpkin Ale), lots of good food, and lots of good football at the Whiskey Brooklyn.

Houston v. Detroit

Who wins?

Detroit, conversely, is proof of concept for the liberal vision of government, which seeks to solve every problem through government, to shape economic development through government, to redress grievances through government, to attain social justice through government, and, finally, to insinuate government into every aspect of our lives. The problems Detroit faced in the latter half of the 20th century would have been enormously challenging no matter what policies it embraced. But it embraced the worst ones and so plunged recklessly down the slope of decline...

Mayor Young presided over this disaster for 20 years. The city he left behind is a disheartening relic of its past. Of its 350,000 homes, more than 80,000 stand vacant, and the business-vacancy rate is 62 percent. As if that were not bad enough, many Detroiters enjoy whiling away the empty hours by setting empty houses on fire. Devil’s Night is a local tradition of vandalism and arson on a massive scale around Halloween. It was vigorously celebrated under Coleman Young, when it was common to have as many as 800 fires in the last days of October. Last year, there were more than 160 fires around Halloween, the drop due at least in part to the fact that the city has lost about a third of its population since 1993. City Hall is full of calls to tear down empty buildings, but there is no money even for demolition. ..

There was a time when Detroit’s problems were those of the auto industry, but the city is far past that now. Detroit has become the country’s capital of vagrancy and delinquency, and the most basic problem now is the breakdown of the black family. A staggering 80 percent of the city’s children were born to unwed mothers, a statistic that leads directly to the school system’s predictably high dropout rates. Detroit today has a functional-illiteracy rate (reading level below sixth-grade average) of nearly half, a level of illiteracy more characteristic of the Third World than of the First.

All of this is  sadly true.  The workforce that is "the most deeply uneducated city labor force in the developed world."  The reduced auto industry.  The high unemployment rate.  The breakdown of the family.  The high taxes.  The union stranglehold.

The Texas is better than comparisons are ripe now, with Rick Perry running. I don't have much to add, other than that maybe things have turned a corner in Detroit. It really can't bleed population any faster, and it can't elect any worse political leaders than it has for the past decade.  And maybe the lessons of cities that have prospered will lend a lesson or two.

But something still bothers me, so many negative stories about Detroit. Yes, that drumbeat goes on. I guess I'd like some solutions proposed. It's long about time.

This Weekend

I have already written about my feelings on the anniversary of 9/11. I don't have much else to say.  I do want to acknowledge the weariness and wariness I felt running on Sunday morning on the Hill, with streets blocked off and an increased presence of cops. It is eerie. It is uncomfortable.

There is enough that makes me uncomfortable. Bad football losses. Shouting and wailing when things are "unfair."  Exhaustion from the lack of sleep or from feeling heavy. 

Maybe I have been wallowing in too much negativity lately, but that weariness has permeated my being. I need to be cheered up or have something happy happen. I wish I could have a special weekend away or a shopping trip or a family visit to look forward to.  And it feels selfish to say that in light of yesterday's sad anniversary.  But it is human of me, real of me, to want to express that, even if no one is listening.

9/11, 10 Years Later

I've been drawn to reading a lot of the recaps and profiles and remembrances that have been published in recent days about September 11. I am because it's so fresh in my memory--I remember Doug walking in my office and telling me a plane had hit the WTC and I was emailing about U2 concerts. I remember it being a beautiful day, with clear blue skies and sunshine and perfect weather. I remember I had come from a long weekend of seeing Steve every day.  I remember hitting refresh on my browser for ABC News, and I remember seeing that frozen portrait of the New York skyline with the towers and smoke and a plane.  And I remember turning on my ancient clock radio and listening to HFS or DC 101 broadcast rumors of car bombs bursting on the mall near the state department or fires in Rosslyn.  When all it really was the Pentagon burning, with a woman I knew a victim of the plane flown by the terrorists that caused that destruction.  I remember all of us leaving and spilling out into the streets of Washington in a myriad of directions because we knew we had to leave, we knew that there were rumors flying everywhere that another plane was about to come to DC.  And it could have been the Capital building or it could have been the White House.  We just did not know.  All I knew is that we needed to leave.  And after the earthquake a couple of weeks ago, I remembered that feeling.  But now I had a blackberry.

I remember standing in the hallway next to Jenny and she knew people who had siblings who worked in the WTC.  I remember calling Steve and telling him what happened. And I remember dad's email: what is going on in Washington and NY?  And I called him and I didn't know what to say, where to go, or what would happen next.

So much of that day is a blur, for so much as it was crystal clear. The walk, gathering with friends, watching TV (ironically those of us in DC didn't see that coverage immediately, we were living it), and then finally eating out at Lauriol that night with tankers in the streets, patrolling the District.  Humvees and men carrying guns patrolling the streets like the war on terrorism zone we now lived in.  And I remember being scared to sleep that night, because there was no guarantee we would still be standing that next morning.

I remember I wore the same dress I wore when I graduated from college three years earlier, and to this day, I have never worn that dress again. But I will always keep it.  I remember emailing friends the next day to assure them that we were okay, that we would just be fine.

And yet...it has been ten years. It's been striking to read profiles of some of the children of the victims and the heroes.  They were unborn babies then, or they were in elementary school, or they were just too young to remember.  And now it is ten years later, and they are in elementary or high school or college. Some of my colleagues were in middle school.  The generational divide is really those who were in school or those of us who were here working on that day a decade ago.

I found the homily that the priest gave for Barbara in my email.  He drew parallels between Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, having to witness her son's crucifixion, and being so helpless to stop it.  Just as those survivors were helpless as their loved ones were in the planes and the buildings, some of whom never knew what was coming, and some knew that there was no escaping it.


God bless America this weekend, and God bless all of those who lost a loved one.  Do not forget.

Remember Flight 93

Ten years later, this is the story people will remember. Not the terrorists. Not the terror, necessarily. But their heroics.

More from that day. 

Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day weekend was great. We drafted, we worked out despite a sore toe, we had a fantastic dinner out at the Atlas Room with friends, and we just enjoyed not laboring. Sigh. Where did the summer go? Today it's rainy and dreary outside, perfect go back to work weather. But it's a reminder that winter is just around the corner.

Seriously.

I know there are many wonderful things about Fall--cooler weather, fall foods, the upcoming holidays, federal holidays, pumpkin, etc.--but it also means shorter days, the approach of winter (the least favorite season), less time to run outside, and sweater weather. I just hate wearing layers, I really do.

And next Sunday is the ten year anniversary of 9/11.  Not something to celebrate, either.

Mario's Michigan

The place to be in the summer. I miss it.

Obama is Going Down...

On jobs, employment numbers, growth....etc. Compared against Reagan, there is no contest.

Not much of a Labor Day for many this year, unfortunately.

Sad News

I was upset to read Chris' post this morning about the death of his MIL in a car accident. Such a freak occurrence, and I know it happens. But I think of how sudden it was, how unexpected, how utterly tragic and unnecessary.  It hits harder, as you grow older, knowing your parents won't be there forever. I feel far, far too young to have to deal with that, though I know dad was far younger than I am when his mom passed away.  Like Justice S' son-in-law, only 49ish? How sad. Six children have lost their dad.  I mean, I just don't understand how these things happen.  Especially when it is so sudden, and you really don't expect to get that call now. Especially when your parent is so healthy, seemingly. So sad, and my prayers and thoughts are with them this week.

Toe Bummed

I cannot begin to describe how frustrated I am by my probably broken toe. It's not that I had this unblemished record of never breaking a bone, but it was a stupid, clumsy way to do it (changing the thermostat!). I am trying to be patient, but I am going crazy at the thought of not working out. Perhaps I should just be good about trying out some yoga and biking, which I am horrible at, but I am bummed that I cannot run in this beautiful morning 60 degree weather. I am hopeful that it really is just a bad, bad bruise, but I also don't want to go to the doctor to confirm that because of my squeamishness. Ugh.

So it is not the end of the world of course, but I dramatically want to protest this somewhere. Hoping it heals very quickly and I can run again very, very soon.

Scary

1. John Steele Gordon wrote this column describing exactly what our debt is, how large it is and why, and how it is ballooning out of control.
2. My toe. I can't believe I ran into a couch and probably broke it. I am going through running withdrawals. Perhaps I can look at this as an opportunity to do some yoga and bike, which I am pathetic at.
3. What the media tried to represent with Irene. Yes, there are some areas facing devastating flooding. But the world continues to turn, and frankly, no pun intended, there coverage was overblown. But what covered poor Tucker Barnes, yes, that is scary.

Tucker Barnes and the Slime

This pretty much sums up the Hurricane Irene coverage. Nasty sludgey bacteria-infected foam.  EWW.

Hurricane Hype

First an earthquake, now a hurricane. As Irene makes it way up the east coast (now in the Carolinas), the media hype is at full steam.  Grocery stores are supposedly packed, and evacuations are being called for, even in New York. I hope Pepco can do its thing, and I hope that the storm tracks further to the East.  But what a week. I predict the climate change-ologists will be bitching about how this is all Republicans fault in no time.

I do pray that our friends in the Outer Banks, particularly Ocracoke, play it safe. For as much as the media is hyping this, it really is better to evacuate.

Bad Eats, Good Company

Tonic Restaurant wins the award for my least favorite place to have eaten in recent months. It did have close competition in the supremely overrated Tru Orleans, which was just panned by Tom Sietsema, and Smith Commons.  Both were overpriced. While the latter had better food, both were too trendy for their own good, and I'm not sure we are terribly eager to return.  At least I enjoyed Liz and Ann's company at Tonic.  The food was cheap, though the service was horrid and the menu confusing. I don't feel bad for over-tipping when it took about a half hour to get drinks and even longer to get fairly average food, even if it was only a summer pizza, veggie sandwich, and salad.

Though I have to say that Foggy Bottom area is changing, with a Sweetgreen and a Roti open already, and a Whole Foods about to open. I will definitely be checking that out in a couple of weeks.

The Great DC Earthquake

The DC area experienced a 5.8 earthquake today   Yes, we all overreacted.  Kind of like snowmaggeddon.

At first I thought it was a really loud truck. I looked out my window and I realized that it wasn't.  Then for a brief second I wondered if it was a bomb.  It was a beautiful day, mostly sunny and blue skies and so like a certain day in September in 2001.  Then of course, it registered that it was an earthquake. We left the office, stood outside chatting, and then we went back up and then we left.

Steve called as I was leaving from the office, and only then did I really let it register that it wasn't some kind of terrorist attack. Crazy how that resonates still.

But yeah, it was crazy.  But thankfully, no real damage and all is safe.

Detoxified Sunday

After a fun, but too boozey, Saturday enchilada party, we took it easy yesterday. We slept, we vegged on the couch, we did a light elliptical workout, and then we we sat on the couch.

It has been a while since I felt that hungover.  The only one I can remember was after the Eastern leadership meeting, and that was partially because of the early wake-up call.  So I detoxed yesterday and forego'ed my evening glass of wine and laid off meat. Though even if the only food to eat was some version of a veggie enchilada, I am not sure I could have done that, either. I was feeling pretty eh.

But work will pick up again, and things will become hectic once again. It is four long months to Jamaica, though honestly, look how fast this summer has gone. Is it really August 22? What have I done all summer? So maybe that vacation will be here long before we know it.

Back Home to Michigan

Jay Nordlinger just wrote about returning home to Michigan in a recent Detroit News column.

These paragraphs resonated, though really his entire column did:

When I was a kid, I would spend a chunk of each summer Up North, mostly with my grandparents. I remember the long drives on I-75 and M-33 and then hitting the back roads. There were no DVD players to pull my gaze or iPods to fill my ears — just a vision of green forests and the hypnotic hum of tires on asphalt. We always went the same way and I knew every curve and bump.
Toward the end of the trip, we'd go west for five or six miles on a straight stretch of blacktop. Then we'd turn right at a four-way intersection. This was the sign that we were just a few minutes away from lakes and creeks and trails and bug hunting and perch fishing and blueberry picking and all the things that made Up North so special, then and now.

"Up north" is a place I haven't been for far too long. It might be the nicest place in the country. In fact, Sleeping Bear Dunes was just rated the most beautiful spot in America.

If we have children some day,  I would love to take two weeks and rent a cottage by a lake, or stay near Traverse City, and visit those small shops and swim in those clear lakes. It's an idyllic place. I'm glad others recognize it, too.

Mid August Boredom

Things are slooow in the office, and I admit that my motivation is at a low point.  Earlier, I had really hoped that we would be on vacation right now. It's four months away until Jamaica, although the flights are booked.  We might take off early tomorrow and/or Friday, as Steve's latest paper is done. 

So here are five things keeping me somewhat occupied...

The new music blog.
Looking for good enchilada recipes.
Mark Steyn's new book, After America. 
Figuring out what we need to buy for the house
Trying not to snack too much...been very snackie lately.

Old Star Connection

I had lunch last Friday with Tracey from high school days. It has been at least seventeen years since I had least seen her. Wow, that is almost a half of a lifetime ago.  But it was just like getting together with any girlfriend, because you always have certain things in common. Housing, babies, jobs, aging parents, married life, etc.  Everyone from school is doing pretty well.  Babies are definitely on her brain and they've had some troubles. I was never close enough with her to really open up, but it is funny that you can feel so immediately at home with someone that knew you back then. When you were fifteen and did not know what the hell the world was going to throw at you.  Or seventeen and with strangers. I guess we both did ok, after all. 

Long Weekend

I finally got some work done around the house, including de-boxing up some of the storage closet room and adding a small shelf to the master closet, so I could finally unpack that duffle bag after two months. So much I still want to be doing, least of which is unpacking and shopping.

We still need to get a pub table/breakfast bar; bar stools for the kitchen, a new coffee table, and nightstands, at least to start with. Then we need to paint and hang things on the wall. Then deal with the garden. Ugh. So much to do. And keeping the house clean is another matter. Not that I am complaining. Two months in and life could be much, much worse!

Never Let You Go

On the flight home from Toronto, I watched the film version of Never Let Me Go.  I read that book last year. What a haunting film. I was overall quite impressed by the adaptation, and I thought the three leads were perfectly cast.  Carey Mulligan was coolly calm, impassioned yet aching in her role as Kathy H. Keira Knightly was an impassioned Ruth, and Andrew Garfield fit the mold of rebellious yet hopeful Tommy.  The ethical issues of cloning were subtle and not.  These were human being, rife with emotion, and not some automatons that should be sacrificed for science. Just like the book, you never saw Kathy meet her fate. But you were haunted by what would happen to her, just as what happened to both Ruth and Tommy. Very good film.

Toronto

I have sort of lost track of the business trips this year, but I was in Toronto the last few days, staying at the Intercontinental. I was literally a block away from where Donna and Jeff lived. It was funny being in their old neighborhood, where I was just a year ago, and they weren't there.  I ran along the water a bit, and ate bar food. I always feel like I eat so badly on these work trips, but it is nearly inevitable when you can't control your food. I didn't even go anywhere fancy, just bar-esque food.  But gosh, is it good to be home.

Spotify Me

I've certainly been addicted to Spotify lately, and it's given me a chance to listen to albums I don't have (like the National's Alligator and Frightened Rabbit's The Midnight Organ Fight). True, it may be missing some tunes here or there (not sure if Adele's latest is on, for example), but it has been a great way to listen to tunes when I'm not crushing on NPR Music.

Here's a good review of various music streaming sites.

Ten Favorite Bands

U2: Achtung Baby

The National: Bloodbuzz Ohio

The Cure: Mint Car

Frightened Rabbit: Winter of Mixed Drinks

Better than Ezra: In the Blood

The Cave Singers: Beach House

10,000 Maniacs: These Are Days

Snow Patrol: Chasing Cars

Dave Matthews: Crush

REM: Belong

Honorable mentions: the Decemberists, Death Cab, Our Lady Peace, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Shout Out Louds, Band of Horses, the Killers, The Head and the Heart, the Fratellis

This Week's Soundtrack

It's courtesy of NPR Music. Concerts by Bon Iver and lots from the Newport Folk Festival: Middle Brother, the Cave Singers, the Head and the Heart, Gillian Welch, Tegan & Sara, the Decemberists, Justin Townes Earle, Amos Lee, and Delta Spirit.  All good stuff, and very good working/background music.

This week's tasks: find tickets and book trip to Jamaica! And oh yeah, get ready for Toronto.

Third Anniversary

Three years ago today, we got married. Here is what we did last year and that day in 2008.

These memories resonate three years later...having our families together. Grandma's tiny ring that got stuck. The passport debacle and find. Our playlist and putting it together.  Piano Man. The relaxation of the rehearsal dinner.  Waking up early to check the weather.  Being with the girls at Willard. The scramble for the limo ride.  Having Steve shower between pictures and the reception, the brief rain, and then sun coming out and being able to go outside, at this exact time three years ago.  Having a margarita.  How trashed people got...Tyler falling over, Jen on the dance floor, tales of hangovers from the next day.  The work people chicken dance. 

Wow time flies.  We're heading to the Atlas Room tonight for a favorite dinner.

Weekend in Detroit

Had a nice weekend in Detroit for mom's birthday. We had a homemade dinner of salmon on Thursday. Friday consisted of hanging out with Joey. Sigh. Highlights included playing cars and bouncing the balloon, blowing bubbles and playing catch over the fence, and candyland, which Joey won. Until, of course, he grew bored and decided to demonstrate his TV DVR skills. And he showed me how to check the tire pressure. I guess hanging out in dad's car with the AC is pretty cool. I think I remember liking hanging out in the car when I was a kid. Mom and I snuck in a trip to Lakeside after dad got home, and I found a $3.50 blue jacket at Sears. Score!

We had dinner at Outback, which wasn't all that bad. Saturday we went to the Tigers' game, which they lost. Lunch before that was pizza at Hockeytown, and I consumed more Miller lite than I care to again in my lifetime.And Sunday, mass and breakfast with Betty. Can I say again how nice, quiet, and normal it all was? I even got in some videogame time and pictures with Mr. Joseph on Sunday. He is growing up so, so fast, and I love when he ekes out "Lisa."  Man, do I miss the nephew!

Osteria

Ate at Osteria last night. The menu on their website is outdated, but I had some kind of tomato/goat cheese starter and some pasta with tomatoes and a lemon-raspberry charlotte. I was a bit disappointed with my choices, but that is life. Dessert was an A and so was the company. And yes, I should have had pizza and ravioli. Oh, well.

Michigan tomorrow!

Best of What to Listen To...

I am now a user of Spotify, and a happy one, too. I get to stream music all day long--whether it's Bon Iver or Cave Singers or Liam Finn or My Morning Jacket.  Love this. It will keep music fresh as long as I'm willing to keep it fresh and lively.

What else do I listen to/stream to? Still love All Songs Considered/NPR Music, and it's the source for discovering new tunes lately.  And it's streamed concerts cannot be beat.   XPN is good as well. Paste will stream a new CD occasionally.  Spinner's listening party is good for catching the latest releases like Release the Sunbird or even Roxette's greatest hits. Spin is becoming a good source for album previews like Feist and its free downloads.  Also, Popcandy also mentions some good new bands, too.

I'm toying with a newish blog, focused on music. Thoughts?

Amy Winehouse: RIP

Amy Winehouse was found dead today at 27.

Such a talent, such a voice, and such a troubled soul. I don't think anyone is surprised by the news, because there was always an inevitability to it. "Tears Dry On My Own" is still one of my favorite songs. And that husky, jazzy. bluesy voice will live on.

The Spinning Runner

It's the spinning runner!! More background here. And here. Oh man he is awesome!! Cedric is the man!

He always brings a smile to my face and he is in shape. What an inspirational guy. Many I've been looking for info on his backstory.

Ode to Old Media

I've bade farewell to Paste in print and WOXY on this blog. And I said an earlier farewell when Borders closed across the street.  And now all Borders will close, so sadly.

I am as guilty as anyone in terms of buying from Amazon or other online vendors.  But I will miss the ability to cross the street, and immediately be able to page through a new book or a new magazine or to pick up an actual CD. I am not a Kindle convert--and even if I do become one day--nothing will ever compare to the feeling of flipping through an actual book.

And Borders did contribute to the death of the bookstore, when its big box tendencies really did crowd out smaller competitors.  Remember Trover's?  Remember B Dalton's? And Waldenbooks? At least Kramerbooks and Books a Million remain, but I could never really get into the latter.

I am struggling to think of that book and music store that used to be up near Dupont Circle...oh what was it called? It was a local chain. [Update: Olsson's!!!]

I guess we still have Barnes & Noble. But I fear one day, they will go away, too. RIP Borders.