Black Eye for Detroit

Marvin Winans, who delivered the eulogy at Whitney Houston's funeral, was beaten and carjacked in Detroit yesterday. His $15K rolex was stolen.

I think it's ridiculous that they're calling for 24/7 security surveillance for overnight. It's making Detroit a police state, it's making Detroit like some African colony that needs constant surveillance.

But the carjacking is "the talk of the city." And maybe it is low as it can go.  But further down on the site, there's an article about a 96 year old and her daughter being robbed at gunpoint on the west side. And how do you get lower than that?

It seems Detroit can. And has.

Checking Out Bloomingdale

We met up with Katherine and Brian for dinner in Bloomingdale last night. First, Rustik.We took advantage of the happy hour specials for Bell's Oberon and IPAs and pizzas. They were good, not great, but I liked the very neighborhoodly vibe of the place. And it was perfect weather, until the rain came, to sit outside.  Afterwards, we headed a half of block away to Boundary Stone for a nightcap.  Good beer and bourbon selection.  And the place was packed. Again, a great neighborhood vibe, and I was a little jealous of their corner. Perfect for sitting outside on a warm night. And as always, great conversation.   

Must See

Mad Men was good again last night. Any Roger storyline--liking bribing his ex Jane to attend his "Jewish" dinner--is always must-see worthy. And I really like Megan. And Fat Betty. And Brat Sally. And Don. Sigh.

But this--the cast appearing on Inside the Actors Studio--is certainly a must see recording.

And Don not sexy enough? Umm, Jon Hamm is SO sexy enough.

TV

I haven't watched as much television over the last few years. Just not as many good shows.  But with it being May, there are a few finales I'm really eager to check out. Like Grey's Anatomy. It jumped the shark for me a couple of times, but I've been digging this past season. Like who is going to die? I am going with Arizona or Callie. Or perhaps someone totally unexpected, who isn't even on that plane. Like someone getting hit by a bus like George was. 

I've also enjoyed the Big Bang Theory. I thought this season was flatter than previous ones, though I did find a sweetness to last night's finale's last season, when Bernadette and Raj held hands, then Leonard and Penny, and then Sheldon with Amy. Awww...and the wedding was super cute.

I am also into How I Met Your Mother. I am looking forward to the big reveal of whom Barney is getting hitched to. I can't believe it'll be Robin, but who the heck knows?

I might also DVR the Desperate Housewives finale. And maybe House, though both those shows jumped the proverbial shark a while ago.  But I do care a bit about how DH will end up. I hope someone will get a happy ending.

Of course, there is Fringe, too, but we are so far behind. I do have 1.5 seasons saved up on the DVR.

I will also tune into American Idol out of habit. I am going to predict Jessica or Phillip will prevail. 

And finally, there is Mad Men. Um, I am going in serious withdrawals even contemplating the season finale. How awesome is that show! And yeah, I do predict a death on that one, too.

Bullying Bogus

The Post has written a horrid story painting Romney as anti-homosexual bully.  Because actions fifty years ago are THAT relevant in the campaign!

I've written of my experience being bullied, and no, I don't think all of this is so easily forgiven and forgotten.  But this is all very one-sided, based on ancient history, and involves teenage boys, who probably are not terribly mature. 

And more signficantly: what is the greater character flaw? Cutting some kid's hair, or doing cocaine? I'm waiting for the interview of Obama's high school friends? Or were they all too drugged up to remember their high school years?  Relevant, much?

Uganda

Come July, we're going to Uganda. And I ordered some books to prepare. As if anything can prepare me.

Yeah, I am a bit nervous. It seems so far away. And it'll be so hectic. And I'm worried about sleep deprivation and bickering with the husband and getting sick. But it's a whole new world. And while I am a bit apprehensive, I am also excited about going somewhere big. Somewhere completely new.

Block Party

The block party was a lot of fun. Lots of great tacos, lots of great music, lots of great opportunities to meet new neighborhood friends.  I even won the salsa contest, whoo hoo!  We went all afternoon, and the turnout stayed strong all afternoon and evening.  And no rain! That was a bonus, since it downpoured in Arlington.

It reminded me of those days in Detroit, when everyone knew their neighbors and kids were in and out of each other's homes.  Neighbors stopped to talk to neighbors on the stoops. Was it Eric, that older man that dad talked garden with? And Emil....he always remembered us with kind cards and recognition. He lived next door to that mean older lady...maybe she was just lonely.  And Art & Emma, and the Millers and the teenagers at the corner.  And the cop with the big dogs.  And Chris R's uncle across the street.  There was the Mitchells and Jerry's family and of course Diane. We all lived near other and grew up together on Edmore. And around the block there were always others we knew, Brett and Marisa.  And a block away even more.  We all knew each other on that block. And when neighbors gathered together, eating and drinking and talking and dancing, it reminded me of those days 25+ years ago.  I wasn't sure if that camaraderie could exist today, but of course it can. So here's hoping there will be another.

So Emotional

I was watching a CNN video today that showed amateur video of the Challenger disaster.  The interview made the point that immediate video is so common now with camera phones that the novelty of this is really unique. Now anyone can whip out their iphones to record footage, but 26 years ago it was so rare. The narrator's voice was so excited to see Christa McAuliffe lift into space, and then so saddened after the explosion.  Seems like yesterday.

Just after that, there was a video of Junior Seau's mother upon learning of her son's suicide.  It was frankly too troubling to watch. The deep grief, the sorrow...ugh. Some tragic footage to piece together.

Anyway, no real point other than the fact that we all share in this kind of grief, and prayers are for those difficult days ahead.

May Days

May has always been a favorite month of mine.  Spring is in full swing, and it's Mother's Day/birthday time/graduation season etc. and just everything is in bloom and everyone is happy.  It's not yet the steamy summer and the days are nice and long. I always like to play the 10,000 Maniacs song "These Are Days" for that line about "when May is rushing over you...to be filled with desire...to be part of the miracles you see, in every hour...you know it's true...that you are blessed and lucky."

This months marks my 18th year after high school, which truly reflects half of my life lived before high school and half of my life as an adult, so to speak.  You know what stat I heard the other day that was scary? That it's now been twenty years since the Cosby Show went off the air.  Two decades! You can be 20 and have never been alive when a new Cosby show aired. Wow.

So not much of a point to all of this, except to say that I love May, and I love Spring.  And time is already going by so fast, and it's sure to be a busy summer....

Traveling Times

The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind. We were in NYC a week ago, with dinner at La Grenouille.  And Chicago this weekend, at Sepia. Two different meals, both good, though I'd give the edge to La Grenouille, despite the fact that the chicken was ok. That chocolate cake and salmon tarte were both very tasty.  Sepia's highlight was probably the gnocchi, if only because most people could not figure out the skate and the salad was rather ordinary.  In between the dinners, of course, we served our gourmet bratwursts to watch the NFL Draft. 

Though the best meals might have been at Heaven on Seven (shrimp and crab) and Cafe Grand Lux for brunch (an omelet).  Really, because those were purely dinners with friends.  Quite simply memorable.  And shopping with Michelle.  Days like that are too few in between.