Reagan Libary Redux

This past weekend, the 2012 travel season started with our annual trip to the Reagan Library. The weather was warm and sunny, though we faced pretty fierce Santa Ana winds. The conference went well, and the trip overall was smooth.  There was something very emotional about seeing the Library--and I only did a cursory walk through this time--but seeing the President's speeches really resonated. It's an election year, and it was all the more clear that there is no Ronald Reagan in this race.  There is no clearly conservative candidate, no well spoken eloquent Republican leader out there. Re-watching his Pointe du Hoc and Challenger speeches...well, wow. And seeing President Bush's funeral remarks, where he mentioned that "some very fine days are behind" us with Reagan's passing....well, wow.  So true, so true.

Maybe we will get another Reagan in this lifetime. Sure, there is some revisionist history out there, and yes, the President was not flawless. But that moral clarity and strength of purpose is really missing today amongst all of the candidates. It's certainly not there with Gingrich. I think Santorum comes closest, but he is not long for this race.  The trip to the Library was a fitting reminder that there is something more out there, and that once in a generation candidate that captures Americans can be found again.  Just not in 2012.

End the Occupation

Please, let today be the last day of the monstrosity that is Occupy DC.  While I am so (not) surprised to see that 15,000+ have signed a petition to sustain the occupation, I do hope there is an "End the Occupation" petition somewhere. Really, there is no point to this idiocy other than the amusement of those of us amongst the 99% who have to go to jobs every day to support ourselves. I hope that when I pass McPherson Square today, the movement is done and gone. But somehow, I doubt that. I do hope that my consolation will be seeing some of the occupiers taken away in handcuffs.

Harsh, yes. Particularly since it was my tax dollars that paid for that park to be resurfaced several months ago. Now it is utterly destroyed. They should have to pay for it.

Thursday Before A Trip

Travel starts tomorrow. I went to Whole Foods today to stock up on ridiculously addicting snacking items like trail mix and Popcorners, which I had fallen in love with on Jet Blue. Oh my gosh that stuff is so damn good.  I predict lots of future purchases at Whole Foods.

I bought some new paperbacks and I have magazines waiting. And I have the maps printed out and the Reagan Library gift shop sufficiently stalked.

Now I just need to get to Dulles super early in the rain.

I am a little over the travel. I will appreciate the time to read, but not really having time to myself. It's tough. I will miss being home. And having a weekend. And the husband. But such is life, it pays the bills, doesn't it??

More GOP Truth

This expresses my sentiments exactly.

Let's just say right now what voters will be saying in November, once Barack Obama has been re-elected: Republicans deserve to lose.

It doesn't matter that Mr. Obama can't get the economy out of second gear. It doesn't matter that he cynically betrayed his core promise as a candidate to be a unifying president. It doesn't matter that he keeps blaming Bush. It doesn't matter that he thinks ATMs are weapons of employment destruction. It doesn't matter that Tim Geithner remains secretary of Treasury. It doesn't matter that the result of his "reset" with Russia is Moscow selling fighter jets to Damascus. It doesn't matter that the Obama name is synonymous with the most unpopular law in memory. It doesn't matter that his wife thinks America doesn't deserve him. It doesn't matter that the Evel Knievel theory of fiscal stimulus isn't going to make it over the Snake River Canyon of debt.

Above all, it doesn't matter that Americans are generally eager to send Mr. Obama packing. All they need is to be reasonably sure that the alternative won't be another fiasco. But they can't be reasonably sure, so it's going to be four more years of the disappointment you already know.

And:

Finally, there are the men not in the field: Mitch Daniels, Paul Ryan, Chris Christie, Jeb Bush, Haley Barbour. This was the GOP A-Team, the guys who should have showed up to the first debate but didn't because running for president is hard and the spouses were reluctant. Nothing commends them for it. If this election is as important as they all say it is, they had a duty to step up. Abraham Lincoln did not shy from the contest of 1860 because of Mary Todd. If Mr. Obama wins in November—or, rather, when he does—the failure will lie as heavily on their shoulders as it will with the nominee.

Conservatism in America

I agree--this was an interesting exchange in the latest of the upteenth Republican debate. What have been your contributions to conservatism, Governor Romney and Speaker Gingrich?

“Well, number one, I’ve raised a family.  With my wife we’ve raised five wonderful sons, and we have 16 wonderful grandkids. 

“Number two, I’ve worked in the private sector.  The idea that somehow everything important to conservatism or for America happens in government, is simply wrong.  I’ve been in the private sector.  I worked in one business that was in trouble and helped turn it around, another I started.  And as part of that, we were able to create thousands and thousands of jobs.

“And then I took an opportunity to become governor of a state that was slightly Democrat.  About 85 percent of my legislature was Democrat.  And I worked very hard to promote a conservative agenda.  We cut taxes 19 times.  We balanced the budget every year, put in place a ‘rainy day’ fund of over $2 billion by the time I left.  We were also successful in having English immersion in our schools, driving our schools to be number one in the nation.

“That kind of a conservative model in a state like this was a model in many respects that other states could look at and say, okay, conservative principles work.  We were able to reach across the aisle to fight for conservative principles, and now I’m taking that to a presidential campaign, wrote a book about those principles that lay out why I believe they’re right for America.”

Gingrich then said,

“I went to a Goldwater organizing session in 1964.  I met with Ronald Reagan for the first time in 1974.  I worked with Jack Kemp and Art Laffer and others to develop supply-side economics in the late ’70s.  I helped Governor Reagan become President Reagan.  I helped pass the Reagan economic program, and I worked with the National Security Council on issues involving the collapse of the Soviet Empire.  I then came back, organized a group called GOPAC, spent 16 years building a majority in the House for the first time since 1954, the first reelected majority since 1928, developed the Conservative Opportunity Society, talked about big ideas, big solutions. 

“So I think it’s fair to say I spent most of my lifetime trying to develop a conservative movement across this country that relates directly to what we have to do.  And I think only a genuine conservative who’s in a position to debate Obama and to show how wide the gap is between Obama’s policies and conservatism can in fact win, because he’s gonna spend a billion dollars trying to smear whoever the nominee is, and we’d better be prepared to beat him in the debate and prove exactly how wrong his values are, and how wrong his practices are.”

Sad Separation

I was sad and a little surprised to hear that Seal and Heidi Klum were separating. I hoped it was all a nasty rumor this weekend. They always seemed so deliriously happy, and maybe in retrospect, it was a little too over-the-top happy. And apparently his nasty temper is a reason. No one should have to live with someone with a horrible temper.  No one. And I hope for the sake of their four children, they can work something out. Or get help.

It never is that big of a surprise of a major couple splitting, but I can't but feel something for them. It was almost a fairly tale. But there are no real fairy tales, are there? That is why marriage takes work, time, and consideration, and that's why they should never be too easy.

Of course, this is a real love story. 

Best We Can Do?

I watched the first part of last night's CNN debate, if only out of curiosity to see if Newt was going to reveal some tidbit about the latest campaign scandal. He did not disappoint with his biting comment back to John King re: his ex-wife's allegations that he wanted an open marriage.Of course, he was going to snark back at the media. Of course, he was going to deny the allegation.  And of course, he was going to look good. And while we didn't watch long, I was impressed with Romney's response of "let's get back to the real issues."  I was also impressed with Newt's strong grasp of local issues. Of course, he's going to look professorial and prepared.  By many accounts, Santorum had a good debate, because he was able to focus on the issues and remove himself from the sniping exchanges.

But really...how would that stage have looked if Chris Christie, Jeb Bush, Paul Ryan, Marco Rubio, maybe Tim Pawlenty, and maybe Mitch Daniels were up on that stage? What a different field, and vibe. I'm not excited about anyone, though I guess I could vote for Santorum, and even Romney.  But the enthusiasm gap on the GOP side is formidable.

It's still a long 9.5 months until the election, but it's too short, maybe, to fall in love with the present field. It'll be interesting to see if Newt can pull out SC tomorrow. I think keeping this campaign going for a while (with Santorum as the Iowa victor) is the best way to make this field appear to be a little less underwhelming. Just "whelming" would be good.

Too Much Weekend

So as I suspected, this weekend was crazy. From dinner Thursday at Legal Seafoods, dinner at Las Placitas, Bill & Jen's, lots of football and NFC upsets (49ers! Giants!), way too much time at the Biergarten Haus and far too much carnitas, and dinner at Bangkok 54 with the ladies, I was definitely restaurant'd out this weekend. And socially, it was really too much. I was yearning for some me time, and I didn't really get that. I did get an hour in Barnes & Noble yesterday afternoon, but with no where to sit, it wasn't enough. Gosh, do I miss Borders across the street...

Though all of that being said, it was good to see friends. I am looking forward to a quiet weekend coming up, though. No craziness, just camping out and watching the second to last NFL Sunday until the Fall. And it did make January go by just a bit faster. I really hate winter, I have cold, and and I hate stressing about freezing temperatures and frozen pipes. I just want it to be Spring, you know? Warmness and birthdays (well, never mind on that). I just want the clock to move faster.

Weekend

Starting with last night's dinner, this weekend has too much going on. Legal Seafoods for work. Roti with Jenny.  Dinner with Moira.  Two gatherings tomorrow. Biertgarten on Sunday. Thai on Monday. It never seems like it's ending, and it might all be too much. I'm tired from the last two weeks, and the first holiday weekend of the year cannot start soon enough. I want to eat well, not drink too much, get a few good workouts in, and protect my cold exposed kitchen.

I want to be a homebody, when it comes down to it. Nursing my book and some tea, watching football, sipping on wine, cooking. I really don't want to be out and about, spending money and having too much on my plate. And other times I am grateful for the distraction and the gift of friends who invite us out. And for the means to afford it.

This tightrope being gratitude and selfishness has been finer lately, particularly with respect to the burst pipe issue.  I want to wallow, and I want to feel relief. I guess I really am a creature of routine. That is something you don't appreciate when you are younger and want to be on the, because who wants to be lame and not have friends? But I want to hibernate now. And it's going to be busy. I guess there are worse things to deal with.

Coping

It's no secret I've been down about the kitchen water disaster. Ugh. It's not how I wanted this year to go. It's a distraction, and haven't I preached that I need a routine at a time of year that is usually quite busy?

I received an email from Donna about her dad's latest treatment not working, and they need to shift gears. And that is tragic. And upsetting. I can only imagine how worried and sad she is, and I don't want to imagine it at all. In fact, I try to consciously not think of that as much as I can.

It's all perspective, and what is upsetting to me is really not huge in the real picture. But I still want it acknowledged, I guess. And all I can do is pray for my friend and send my good thoughts their way. Because everything can be dealt with in one way or another. I guess....I don't know what I really am saying. I am just sad for her, because I know there's not much we all can do.

South Detroit: Whaaat?

This "South Detroit" line has always bothered me in that infamous Journey song.  There is NO such thing as South Detroit! East side, west side. Even north (not really...). Here's an explanation, and it is simple.

Now, thanks to New York Magazine, we know what former Journey front man Steve Perry was thinking when he wrote the lyrics.

Perry tells that mag that the song’s imagery came to him one sleepless night in May 1980 while Journey was in Detroit for a five-night stand as part of the group’s Departure Tour.

“I was digging the idea of how the lights were facing down so that you couldn’t see anything,” he said as he recalled looking out a hotel room window at 2 a.m. “All of a sudden I’d see people walking out of the dark, and into the light. And the term ‘streetlight people’ came to me. So Detroit was very much in my consciousness when we started writing.” (The song includes the line: “Streetlight people/ Living just to find emotion/ Hiding somewhere in the night.”

And South Detroit? Well, that was just poetic license.

“I ran the phonetics of east, west, and north, but nothing sounded as good or emotionally true to me as South Detroit,” Perry said. “The syntax just sounded right. I fell in love with the line. It’s only been in the last few years that I’ve learned that there is no South Detroit. But it doesn’t matter.”

Tebow-Mania

So the End Zone Divas', Lions', and Cowboys' seasons are all over (I have NO idea if that is grammatically correct), but the NFL playoffs go on. Tim Tebow's 316 yard performance yesterday, particularly his game winning 80 yard touchdown, has captured the attention of America. Tebowing  has its own website. The most anticipated game this coming weekend is the Broncos vs. the Patriots, with the coach who drafted Tebow (Josh McDaniels) now on the coaching roster of New England.

You cannot do much better, more dramatically than Tim Tebow. God bless him. And God bless football.

Welcome to 2012

So we had a burst pipe late on Wednesday night. Lovely start to 2012.  While I am doing my best to focus on the positive--we weren't out of town, we have good insurance and $$, we can get the floors and cabinets replaced, etc., I am still bummed about the amount of time and effort this will all take, let alone the lack of a full kitchen for who knows how long.  It is a pain to have ventilation equipment going all of the time, and it's a pain to have to take time off from work. And not to mention all of the furniture. I feel for the last three years, all we've done is be uprooted and not able to be comfortable in our own home. Maybe that makes me "used to it," but it just makes me aggrieved.  At least the husband has been zen. I'm the one having nightmares about the house flooding and then having to go to work, feeling like I missed out on something!

So hopefully the rest of 2012 goes better, but considering its inauspicious start (NYE sickness, poor Daz, everyone else in the family having to make costly repairs), it can't get much worse, right???

Christmas 2011

The years I don't go to Michigan, Christmas is always a little different. I don't know if I don't look forward to it as much, or just try to be not be as excited because I am not seeing "my" family. It is bittersweet, I guess. And that does not mean I don't enjoy being in Texas with my "other" family. It only means that it is different.

Anyway, ten memories I will take from 2011..

1. Ping pong kitchen island.
2. Forgetting two sticks of butter in the dressing.
3. A million and one pictures of baby Ethan in the basket.
4. Cooking December 26 dinner of Shrimp Scampi.
5. Rob getting trashed as he asked us to be guardians.
6. Running into Adrian at BW's during Football Saturday.
7. Lots of Starbucks, including Christmas morning.
8. My pretty new sweater.
9. A longer, horrible 10K at the gym on December 26.
10. That crazy flight home, particularly the BWI-DCA leg. Ugh.

Of course, I will remember time with family. Including feeding baby Ethan. Such a sweet boy, and how much do I want one of my own!!!

Jamaica

We had a fantastic time in Jamaica at the Rose Hall.  It would be impossible for me to discuss all of the wonderful meals we had in Jamaica, but suffice to say, we ate well. Horizons was a fantastic restaurant with an all star chef, and we ate well. Lobster risotto, snapper, lobster penne, avocado salad, scallops, molten chocolate cake, etc. Spectacular specials. We certainly gained some weight! The jerk chicken shack was good, too. White Witch had a slightly less impressive menu, though I still enjoyed my lamb.  Breakfasts with fresh fruit, omelets, bacon, and pastries did not disappoint, either. Cohoba Lounge provided us with enough rum cocktails. Wine was average.

The ocean was not swim-worthy really, and we didn't get in any water sports. And some kids monopolized the jacuzzi. But we did get some very zen soaking/reading by the pool time. I also did some shopping, getting some new dresses and a fish for our wall.

Five days was the perfect amount of time. The room was nice, the weather was good, and the first class upgrade enroute helped the trip get off to a good start.  It was a much needed, restful vacation. And I can't complain about that.  Having time with Paul and Megan was also good, too, and we laughed at their bickering during catch phrase.  Hopefully, we will do it again someday.

Berlin: 1961

First book completed in 2012: Berlin 1961.

Terrific history of that year, and it revealed Kennedy's ineptitude. And how prescient Ronald Reagan was.

Much to write about the last few weeks to come.