Facebook

100 friends! Whoo-hoo.

Yeah, it is a total addiction, and in a weird way it has been nice to reconnect with folks that I have not seen or spoken to in eons. It provides a window into others' lives...spy lens or what not. And when you think that it has been what, almost 15 years, since you have seen or spoken to some people, then it gets really really weird. I guess there is a natural curiosity to see how the others you grew up with ended up, where they ended up, if they are married or single or have kids or are employed. And also, discreetly, you want them to track you down, find you, find out if you are successful or married or have a family or are employed. And you want them to hunt you down instead of hunting them down, to show that yeah, after how long, you made a lasting impression.

Bitterness coming out, yes?

Bailed Out

It looks like Detroit is getting its bailout after all. On a similar note, I just send dad this sad story about Lordstown.

In neighboring Warren, home to the second-largest contingent of plant employees, Mayor Michael J. O'Brien said 4,000 of 21,000 houses in the city are vacant. So desperate is it for new residents that the city has offered home buyers incentives of as much as $1,000 to buy a house. Some cost as little as $50,000. In part because of job losses at the auto supply manufacturer Delphi, the city is laying off 20 policemen and 11 firefighters, he said

I still am astounded that people did not see this coming. And the husband is right: innovation and new skill sets are what is needed. Not just an influx of money. Otherwise, we'll still be a 1970s skilled workforce with a 2010s date on the calendar.

Moved

Ugh, I hate moving. But at least all of the old stuff is now in the new house. Granted, much stuff is still in piles in the dining room, waiting to be sorted and thrown away. Much of that is the boy's. But at least we are out of 1768. The movers got there relatively on time, and moving went pretty smoothly, except for crazy lady across the street. Pricey, but gosh we have a lot of stuff!! The next pricey item are blinds, but then we are done spending. I plan to get my haircut on Saturday, then venture to Macy's on the worst shopping day of the year. I would like to get some nice stainless steel bathroom accessories there with gift card moolah.

Experimenting with commuting has been interesting, and time consuming. I guess the fastest, most expedient way is walking/metro. Or walking/circulator if it comes quickly. I am trying to get up every day at 7am, which is not a huge problem b/c I am usually awake. Of course, driving is quickest, but most pricey. And I really dislike the X8 bus; will avoid that when possible. There are some interesting shops/liquor store places on F street. I do like the walk. I will get back in the gym habit soon, and will need to sign up for results upon the return from Michigan. But it is nice to take a little gym break. Unfortunately, the holiday goodies are a huge temptation here, so I must avoid if possible.

I also trying to readjust my coffee addition, to either make it here or bring it from home or simply just not buy it every day. I really do need the caffeine fix. Just black coffee and creamer will work, thought the nasty folgers-esque coffee we here simply will not do. Maybe I should bring in one of the old coffee makers/press.

Finally, I've been listening to All Songs considered's year in review. Fleet Foxes, Vampire Weekend, My Morning Jacket, Blitzen Trapper, Animal Collective, etc. What I don't have, along with a mix of some of what I do. I am very excited to put together my ipod list of my favorite 2008 songs! I will need to post on that.

Top CDs of 2008

According to Rolling Stone:

1. TV On the Radio: Dear Science

2. Bob Dylan: Tell Tale Signs — The Bootleg Series Vol. 8

3. Lil Wayne: Tha Carter III

4. My Morning Jacket: Evil Urges

5. John Mellencamp: Life, Death, Love and Freedom

6. Santogold: Santogold

7. Coldplay: Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends

8. Beck: Modern Guilt

9. Metallica: Death Magnetic

10. Vampire Weekend: Vampire Weekend

11. Fleet Foxes: Fleet Foxes

12. Guns n' Roses: Chinese Democracy

13. Blitzen Trapper: Furr

14. Ryan Adams and the Cardinals: Cardinology

15. The Black Keys: Attack & Release

16. Randy Newman: Harps and Angels

17. B.B. King: One Kind Favor

18. Lucinda Williams: Little Honey

19. Erykah Badu: New Amerykah: Part 1 (4th World War)

20. Kings of Leon: Only by the Night

21. Kaiser Chiefs: Off With Their Heads

22. Jackson Browne: Time the Conquerer

23. Conor Oberst: Conor Oberst

24. Girl Talk: Feed the Animals

25. The Magnetic Fields: Distortion

26. Mudcrutch: Mudcrutch

27. Brian Wilson: That Lucky Old Sun

28. The Knux: Remind Me in Three Days…

29. Bon Iver: For Emma, Forever Ago

30. Duffy: Rockferry

31. MGMT: Oracular Spectacular

32. Jamey Johnson: The Lonesome Song

33. Ne-Yo: Year of the Gentleman

34. Stephen Malkmus: Real Emotional Trash

35. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds: Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!

36. The Hold Steady: Stay Positive

37. Nine Inch Nails: The Slip

38. Ra Ra Riot: The Rhumb Line

39. Taylor Swift: Fearless

40. Jonas Brothers: A Little Bit Longer

41. AC/DC: Black Ice

42. David Byrne and Brian Eno: Everything That Happens Will Happen Today

43. Nas: Untitled

44. The Raconteurs: Consolers of the Lonely

45. Be Your Own Pet: Get Awkward

46. The Academy Is…: Fast Times at Barrington High

47. Of Montreal: Skeletal Lamping

48. Raphael Saadiq: The Way I See It

49. Hot Chip: Made in the Dark

50. No Age: Nouns

Lots I do not have, but at least I have a track or two from them. Oh, I just need more money....

Total Time Waster

A BeTaMaXMas.

Vintage commercials, old cartoons, early 80s hairstyles...love it.

And I am watching Christmas Eve on Sesame Street!!

DC Faves

I thought this list about DC by PopCandy blogger Whitney was right on. I'd highlight:

1. The free museums.

2. Concerts at the 9:30 Club.

12. The French fries at Granville Moore's -- they're the best in the city.

15. The view of all the embassies on Massachusetts Avenue.

18. The Crafty Bastards Arts and Crafts Fair in Adams Morgan.

22. Channel 4 meteorologist Bob Ryan.

23. Weekend indie-movie matinees at the E Street Cinema.

26. The National Cherry Blossom Festival.

27. Woodsy walking paths in Rock Creek Park.

29. People-watching by the Dupont Circle fountain.

30. Superhero movies on the big screen at the Uptown Theater.

34. The National Christmas Tree and the 50 state trees.

37. Strolls around the U Street Corridor.

43. Lauriol Plaza's chicken chimichanga and dangerous "swirl" margaritas.

44. Cupcakes in every flavor from Cake Love.

45. Fall.

47. Nighttime views of the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, which are even more breathtaking than the sunlit views.

49. Staff recommendations at Olsson's Books and Records (R.I.P.).

50. Peeping in windows of ritzy Georgetown homes.

Some of these will make me miss Adams Morgan, though I am excited about H Street. So what will I miss about my almost old neighborhood:

1. Walks to work.
2. Jolt & Bolt smoothies.
3. Mint Fitness.
4. Rock Creek Parkway into the city.
5. Thaiphoon.
6. Roof deck fireworks.
7. Black Squirrel beers.
8. Running into Rock Creek Park.
9. Dupont Italian Kitchen.
10. The Harris Teeter.
11. P Street Whole Foods.
12. Walks home from work.

There will be things I will not miss...scrambling for parking, dumbasses who break your mirror and still have not repaid you, screaming twenty-somethings at 2am, and the chaos that is sure to ensure during the inauguration with bars open 24/7. But it is the end of an era. Celebrating with friends Saturday night over lasagna and copious amounts of wine, we have a lot to remember. Good stories. Good times.

I Love Jeb Bush

Oh, why wasn't he the Bush that was president???

Bush’s other advice on where the GOP should go from here:

The party should establish a loyal opposition and “organize ourselves in the form of a shadow government” that would address key issues, providing the public with “a loftier debate about policy” rather than mere partisanship. On the state and local level, Bush says the GOP should demonstrate “a passion for reform.” The party must hold fast to its convictions. “We can’t be Democrat-lite. We can’t just ‘get along,’” he told Newsmax. “We have to actually be proposing solutions to what appear to be intractable problems as it relates to education, healthcare, infrastructure. Across the board there are ways that we can show that we are truly on the side of the people that are concerned about the future of the country, without abandoning our principles.” Bush cited Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal as “a great example of a governor who is leading by example, and has a passion for reform. That should be the model across the country.”

We are homeowners!

Broke, but homeowners. Less than ten days left til the big move!

Thanksgiving

We were in Harlingen for Thanksgiving. It was a nice trip, despite the 5:30 am departures. The first class was nice...though it is nine now, and I've been awake for many hours at this point! We ate and drank too much like usual, shrimp and turkey and even chik filet. We saw Four Christmases, which was pretty amusing, actually. Vince Vaughan and Reese Witherspoon were pretty funny. We even made it to the Island...south padre beach and shrimp and fish tacos and eighty degree weather. Oh so nice.

We got back around 11am, and I did errands, box collecting, gym workout, and some kitchen packing. SO much to do coming up. I am already tired, and I know in two weeks we'll hopefully be in our new home. Very exciting.

I downloaded two new CDs...finally She & Him and Sia. I was tempted to get one more at five dollars a download...love amazon. Mates of State? Still, some good music. I really have not bought all that much this year.

I don't even think I mentioned the convention. Other than the scary moment with the AG, things were fine. Much easier without responsibility. Always good to see friends. Struck by how everyone has to sit together on Saturday, and when I deflected and they're like oh, she's working. Yeah. I had a good time with my Texans. And the rest.

Oh am I tired. I am watching Desperate Housewives. Not sure if I will make it to Brothers & Sisters. But I want to stay up late so I sleep really well. Last night I napped too much and didn't sleep so well.

So ten for this week...

10. Listen to my new CDs.
9. Catch up on my new facebook friends.
8. Get a few good workouts in. I know the latter half of the month I won't have a chance!
7. Order pictures for Christmas gifts for both sets of fam. Figure out Joey's Christmas gift!
6. Pack!
5. Get some good nights of sleep.
4. Find boxes.
3. Figure out what to get Paul & Megan for their wedding gift. I am guessing it will come from Pottery Barn.
2. Pack.
1. Shill out life savings for the big day on Tuesday!!!!!

Timeline Twins

Scary!

If you're around my age, how old do you feel right now? Here are some other examples of timeline twins:

Watching Star Wars today is like watching It's a Wonderful Life (1946) in 1977. It's a Wonderful Life was nominated for an Oscar the following year along with Ethel Barrymore (b. 1879) and Lilian Gish (b. 1893).

Listening to Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit today is equivalent to playing Terry Jack's Seasons In The Sun (1974) in 1991.

Watching The Godfather today is like watching Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times (1936) in 1972. Modern Times was a silent film (Chaplin's last).

Listening to the Sex Pistols' Never Mind the Bollocks (1977) today...well, they didn't really have rock or pop albums back in 1946. But popular songs on the radio were sung by Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Nat King Cole, and Dinah Shore, as well as many performers and their orchestras.

Back to the Future (1985) --> To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

Die Hard (1988) --> Bullitt (1968)

Radiohead, OK Computer (1997) --> Bon Jovi, Slippery When Wet (1986)

And from Jonah.

I've thought about this when I've listened to the radio. Greenday or Live or Pearl Jam or U2 comes on, and it takes me back now 14 years or more to college/high school. That would've been like listening to stuff from 1980, music that even now escapes me.

Thirty-two years and 8 months ago, I was born. Thirty two years before that, we were in the throes of WW2. Scary, considering that someone who was my age in 1944ish, someone old enough to be my grandparent, was Grandpa's age, and probably deceased. 94 years old.

We are as far away now from JFK's election as he was from Taft's election.
As far away from Reagan being in office as was to LBJ being in office.
The Simpsons premiered 19 years ago (1989!). 19 years before that, wasn't that when All in the Family premiered? Before my time.
Far away as the Cosby Show premiered (1984) as JFK's election was then.
And I'm as far away from being a college freshman as I was to being in 4 year old Sunday school.

Good foods...

Stole this from another blog...foods/favorites that I will always like to order, whole or ingredients or just yummy additions to a meal:

• Avocados
• Berries
• kiwi
  
• Goat Cheese
• Asparagus
• Pumpkin (cheesecake, soup...)
  
• Feta
• bacon
• cinnamon
• pine nuts/spinach combo
• lemon/garlic hummus
• peanut sauce

I need to cook more!

Husband is away...

So I am home alone. Miss him already but...

I've done one of these posts before. Stuff you can do when the boy is away. I just made a super yummy dinner of chicken teriyaki. The Harris Teeter sauce is quite tasty, and I used frozen veggies and chicken breast. I was so starving, and I could eat another entire portion if there were leftovers!! Unfortunately, there is only white wine left to drink!!! I hope the protein/veggies fill me up, and maybe later I will make a mini apple crisp for dessert. More yum.

I saw Katie & fam last night in Baltimore. Wow, I can't believe she has a 2 1/2 year old! They are so domesticated. We grabbed a bit at Uno's near the Inner Harbor.

Busy busy busy few weeks ahead. Convention, Thanksgiving, closing, moving, Christmas, Paul's wedding. I know gym time will suffer. I am going to watch more what I eat, proteins and salads and stuff like that. It's a struggle.

Awww...

Sweet story, bittersweet ending.

Escape routes

I watch significantly less TV than I used to, but there are still shows I love. I am really excited for Lost and 24's returns in early 2009. Really like Desperate Housewives this season, and Brothers & Sisters (Yes, really do like Justin & Rebecca). I love House still, and omg, loving Huddy--the House/Cuddy kiss was very intriguing, finally!!

That is making me miss some of the old TV I watched. I used to love soaps, of course, and it's been years now since I've watched. I was rereading old Roger & Holly transcripts/youtube scenes. Gosh, that was fifteen years ago. I think that was the last time a couple broke my heart. J&J, Harley & Mallet, Roger & Holly...I think those were my standout couples. Their stories were so great, the acting so good, the dialogue so top-notch. I don't think there is anything like that today on soaps. That is one thing I've always liked about House...great, snappy, snarky dialogue. The summer of 1993 on GL and 1990 on Days were probably the best storyline periods ever.

I don't need that romance and escapism as much in my life anymore. When you are in high school and lonely, that stuff that captivates you back then. And probably even now, if it was possible. Those scenes have lost nothing in the fifteen years since. Wow.

End Racial Preferences??

Yes, says Roger Clegg.

And, of course, Obama won. How plausible is it that America is still so racist that the counterdiscrimination of racial preferences can be justified, when the country has just elected an African-American to be its leader?

It would be silly to say, with a black man as president, that there is some disadvantage that blacks inherently have that would justify their receiving an advantage that poor, immigrants, whatever kind of minorities do not receive. How about an even playing field? Because if a black man can be president, what excuse does an 18 year old kid have?

In Defense of Bush

Worth reading:

The treatment President Bush has received from this country is nothing less than a disgrace. The attacks launched against him have been cruel and slanderous, proving to the world what little character and resolve we have. The president is not to blame for all these problems. He never lost faith in America or her people, and has tried his hardest to continue leading our nation during a very difficult time.

By a Dem, or at least someone who worked for Kerry.

So Much to Say

Too much to report on, but here's a bit:

The Obama Administration will bring:

For those inclined to make nice, which of the following Democratic agenda items are you prepared to sign on to so that you'll get invited to the right parties?

• Employee Free Choice Act
• Fairness Doctrine
• Freedom of Choice Act
• Nationalization of health care
• Estate tax increases
• "Comprehensive Immigration Reform" (driver's licenses for illegals)
• Capital gains tax increases
• Defense cuts
• Liberal judicial appointments
• Racial and ethnic preferences
• Income tax increases
• Bans on oil drilling
• Global poverty tax/Kyoto

These are but a few. Perhaps the most worrisome agenda items are those that will betray a fecklessness in foreign policy that could lead to a nuclear Iran, a vulnerable Israel, an imperial Russia, and an imploding Pakistan.

And ugh. Cliff Taylor lost. What is the deal with you Michiganians?

Oprah. Bizarro world. Finding out about our tv debut the same day we bought a place was super surreal.

Ten Things Going On

10. The Road to XVI: Un-victorious Lions? 0-16??
9. Kwame is going to jail today.
8. New Snow Patrol CD is out today!
7. Philadelphia yesterday. Got a picture with the Justice. Very exciting. Dinner at Capital Grille. Had the filet.
6. Seven days to the election. Yeah, we're going down.
5. I still need to buy new shoes. And work stuff. Sigh. Why am I unable to shop?
4. Halloween is Friday. I do not want to go out or get dressed up.
3. I did get a morning workout. Just a three and a half mile run. It was rainy and cold. Ugh.
2. Meeting with mortgage lady tonight....
1. And offer to come tomorrow?

I Love Krauthammer

Every week, Charles Krauthammer scores yet again.

I stand athwart the rush of conservative ship-jumpers of every stripe — neo (Ken Adelman), moderate (Colin Powell), genetic/ironic (Christopher Buckley) and socialist/atheist (Christopher Hitchens) — yelling “Stop!” I shall have no part of this motley crew. I will go down with the McCain ship. I’d rather lose an election than lose my bearings...

There’s just no comparison. Obama’s own running mate warned this week that Obama’s youth and inexperience will invite a crisis — indeed a crisis “generated” precisely to test him. Can you be serious about national security and vote on November 4 to invite that test?

And how will he pass it? Well, how has he fared on the only two significant foreign policy tests he has faced since he’s been in the Senate? The first was the surge. Obama failed spectacularly. He not only opposed it. He tried to denigrate it, stop it, and — finally — deny its success.

The second test was Georgia, to which Obama responded instinctively with evenhanded moral equivalence, urging restraint on both sides. McCain did not have to consult his advisers to instantly identify the aggressor.

I don't get it. 11 days from now, we're going to regret it.

Facebook

So I took the plunge recently and joined Facebook. I think I am up to 57 friends, a collection of current and former colleagues, work associates, DC friends, and old classmates. It is a complete time-waster, though I am proud to say I have not resorted to cute little status updates like "I am baking pumpkin bread" or "I can't believe Stella isn't the Mother!" Though I am tempted to flesh out my profile with a little of favorite music groups and join some other random groups like "1,000,000 against an Obama presidency." Though that last thing is inevitable, right?

Anyway, my curiousity is piqued in finding out what happened to random HS people I haven't heard from in decades now, and finding out that most people from Detroit who are on facebook have something to be proud of, whether it's a beautiful family or education and a successful job. I will say the wedding definitely was a factor in my creating a profile. It is weird to even search various profiles and see what random people look like...for some, that's all I care about. Again, the losers in the group don't appear. Like suspiciously few folks from St. Veronica. Granted, demographics have proved that people in their early to mid 30s are slower on the facebook game than the young 'ens. Though I think the website is a useful tool for uploading photos and a passive way to keep in touch with a lot of people you would not otherwise have time to keep up with. Now if I can just get my brother to have regular Joey updates on a facebook page, I'd be about all set...

Music Update or Lack Thereof

So I've been bad about listening to new music lately. I caught a bit of a Sia concert last night on Direct TV and am loving her stuff. I might have to get the CD. I also bought the new Ra Ra Riot CD for nothing practically on Amazon Music. Ghost Under Rocks is my new favorite tune. I also bought the new Keane, solid stuff as usual. Snow Patrol has a new CD coming out I think next week, so that is another good solid choice. I really started enjoying the new Fratellis after several listens, and still love Val Emmich.

There are a few other random things I've been meaning to get...Adele, the Weepies, Mates of State...at least I have an ipod and computer with lots more room!

Race-baiting

Excellent Krauthammer piece here.

What makes the charges against McCain especially revolting is that he has been scrupulous in eschewing the race card. He has gone far beyond what is right and necessary, refusing even to make an issue of Obama's deep, self-declared connection with the race-baiting Rev. Wright.

In the name of racial rectitude, McCain has denied himself the use of that perfectly legitimate issue. It is simply Orwellian for him to be now so widely vilified as a stoker of racism. What makes it doubly Orwellian is that these charges are being made on behalf of the one presidential candidate who has repeatedly, and indeed quite brilliantly, deployed the race card.

How brilliantly? The reason Bill Clinton is sulking in his tent is because he feels that Obama surrogates succeeded in painting him as a racist. Clinton has many sins, but from his student days to his post-presidency, his commitment and sincerity in advancing the cause of African Americans have been undeniable. If the man Toni Morrison called the first black president can be turned into a closet racist, then anyone can.

And Obama has shown no hesitation in doing so to McCain. Weeks ago, in Springfield, Mo., and elsewhere, he warned darkly that George Bush and John McCain were going to try to frighten you by saying that, among other scary things, Obama has "a funny name" and "doesn't look like all those other presidents on those dollar bills."

McCain has never said that, nor anything like that. When asked at the time to produce one instance of McCain deploying race, the Obama campaign could not. Yet here was Obama firing a preemptive charge of racism against a man who had not indulged in it. An extraordinary rhetorical feat, and a dishonorable one.

I am so sick of the left inferring that anyone who does not support Obama is a racist. Of course, a few Americans might vote like this. But most Republicans and others who do not support Obama are voting because of principle, policies, political philosophies of conservatism or libertarianism or free-market liberalism. Because of Obama's policies, not his race.

WSJ Preview of What's to Come

Scary Scary Scary.

Add judges who attempt to legislate from the bench, troops rushed out of Iraq, the reversal of the reversal of the Mexico City Policy, and lots of other scary, scary things.

Obama on judges

From the Constitutional law professor, in last night's debate:

I will look for those judges who have an outstanding judicial record, who have the intellect, and who hopefully have a sense of what real-world folks are going through....So this is going to be an important issue. I will look for those judges who have an outstanding judicial record, who have the intellect, and who hopefully have a sense of what real-world folks are going through.

I think that it's important for judges to understand that if a woman is out there trying to raise a family, trying to support her family, and is being treated unfairly, then the court has to stand up, if nobody else will. And that's the kind of judge that I want.

Uh, has he not heard of separation of powers? The role of the judge: to interpret the laws, not to make them? Or be like: oh, this is SO unfair, Miss Single Mom. Let me make things "right" for you. Oh, it will be a LONG four years!

Grandma's Birthday

Today Grandma would have turned 96 years old. She's been gone nearly fifteen years, and was ill so long before that. I remember her beautiful skin (can I please have that someday!), how nice she smelled in her Charlie perfume, her purses and her beautiful smile. She was the most resilient person I knew, with such strong faith, and I miss her. I can't believe she's been gone so long. I was a senior in high school, then. Wow.

I hope baby Joey gets to know his grandparents til they're in their 90s!!! Cindy just sent some pictures. He's so cute, kinda pudgy, and always with that funny little grumpy expression on his face, like hey, why are guys bothering me so much? Though mom thinks he's already manipulating everyone into paying attention to him. He's a very smart baby.

Boston and Cincinnati

Two more trips this week and one house we did not buy. Things have been so busy that I haven't had much time to catch up. Cincinnati was great to catch up with Paul & Megan and to see their great new place. With a working dryer!!! Ugh. We had a fantastic run through their neighborhood in Mount Adams, and Sunday we checked out the art show in Hyde Park. We brunched at Daybreak. Paul grilled a fantastic meal on Sunday night. And I saw Angela! She has a little baby bump. So cute.

The event went well, and I am SO glad it is over.

Good Advice on the Bailout

I like this, though bad for mortgages?

This bailout was a terrible idea. Here's why.

The current mess would never have occurred in the absence of ill-conceived federal policies. The federal government chartered Fannie Mae in 1938 and Freddie Mac in 1970; these two mortgage lending institutions are at the center of the crisis. The government implicitly promised these institutions that it would make good on their debts, so Fannie and Freddie took on huge amounts of excessive risk.

Worse, beginning in 1977 and even more in the 1990s and the early part of this century, Congress pushed mortgage lenders and Fannie/Freddie to expand subprime lending. The industry was happy to oblige, given the implicit promise of federal backing, and subprime lending soared.

This subprime lending was more than a minor relaxation of existing credit guidelines. This lending was a wholesale abandonment of reasonable lending practices in which borrowers with poor credit characteristics got mortgages they were ill-equipped to handle.

Once housing prices declined and economic conditions worsened, defaults and delinquencies soared, leaving the industry holding large amounts of severely depreciated mortgage assets.

The fact that government bears such a huge responsibility for the current mess means any response should eliminate the conditions that created this situation in the first place, not attempt to fix bad government with more government.

The obvious alternative to a bailout is letting troubled financial institutions declare bankruptcy. Bankruptcy means that shareholders typically get wiped out and the creditors own the company.

Bankruptcy does not mean the company disappears; it is just owned by someone new (as has occurred with several airlines). Bankruptcy punishes those who took excessive risks while preserving those aspects of a businesses that remain profitable.

In contrast, a bailout transfers enormous wealth from taxpayers to those who knowingly engaged in risky subprime lending. Thus, the bailout encourages companies to take large, imprudent risks and count on getting bailed out by government. This "moral hazard" generates enormous distortions in an economy's allocation of its financial resources.

Weekend Wrap-Up

Busy weekend. We saw Second City at the American Indian museum with M and friends. Very funny, though always a bit too political. There was a great FBI word-association skit that S really enjoyed; totally cracked him up.

We had dinner on Saturday with Craig & Carol; I made lasagna. I used cottage cheese. It's never as good as mom's though. We had a nice meal. Then Sunday, it was a lot of football watching, though things did not go well for the Cowboys, sadly. At least I did well in the college pool, and S did well in his fantasy.

I also joined facebook. It's a total time-burglar. But oddly, bizarrely, you just get sucked in.

I managed two runs, though I am feeling pudgier since the wedding. I guess I am eating salads all week long.

Oh, and got my haircut. It looks a lot healthier now! And I uploaded wedding photos to snapfish.

Off to Boston than Cincinnati this week. Ugh. One more week than things get quieter. Yeah! Am looking forward to seeing Paul, and I should try to reach Angela.

Hopefully be back later.

Millen: Fired!

Everyone in Detroit is rejoicing in a way they haven't since Kwame received the boot!

Links:

He's Out
What's Next.
The Curse of Bobby Layne

Chicago

Headed to Chicago on Tuesday-Wednesday for an evening event with Justice Scalia. Kept me busy, and you know how I feel about event planning!! My throat started getting sore on Monday night during the Cowboys-Eagles game, and by Tuesday afternoon I was feeling not great. Though I guess that is the case of adrenaline just keeping you up, right? I had some chicken tenders afterwards at Elephant & Castle but left earlier than the rest. Fun event, but crazy crazy. Feeling a bit better today, but I am still stuffed up. And this weekend will be a busy one!! We have plans to hear Robert Schiller at Politics & Prose tonight, and dinner with James & Christina tomorrow night. Also a full day of house hunting, of course. At least the weather will be nice this time! I also need to get the boy to finish up his thank yous. Lots to-do! We did go to bed at 8:30 last night, and I am still beat. I've avoided work-outs these last few days to give my body a chance to recover.

Wedding in Dallas

We headed to Dallas this weekend for about 30 hours to attend Steve's friend Elaine's wedding. It was a nice wedding, dampened a bit by Hurricane Ike which wreaked havoc on Houston (and all of the way to Cincinnati, too!). The wedding was nice, less free-flowing alcohol than ours. Music was good, the sea bass was terrific, and I loved the cake. I was still hungry, though, at the end. I met his old high school classmates Chris and Gus. It's so neat yet strange that there's this Harlingen network that still keeps in so close touch after 16+ years. I always wonder if there were folks I went to school with who are still friends. I suppose. Anyway, it's such a different perspective going to weddings now, because you know what goes on behind the scenes, and there's this natural sense to compare what you did and how it was better (or different!) to the wedding you are attending. Their entrees were better, probably, and maybe their cake. But our music and dancing and alcohol still killed!!!!

We also met his friend Marissa at Mi Cocina, and we met her three year old daughter Gabby. Very good tex-mex (I stuck to fajitas) and margaritas. We're such lushes, though!

Remembering September 11

From a story in today's Post: "I know how to dress for a funeral, but how do you dress for a wedding?" she remembers asking her mother one day in their home, in the Alexandria section of Fairfax County.

Seven years later, I remember being at this desk, typing out a silly email about U2, when I heard the news. I remember calling S, I remember worrying with Jenny about friends of friends who worked at the WTC, I remember walking down 18th Street with more people than ever out on the streets of Washington, DC. I remember finding out I knew a victim at the Pentagon, and I remember sitting at Lauriol Plaza that night, watching the police and the horses marching down the street. I remember the memorial at St. Matthew's, not able to enter, but reciting prayers and singing on those steps.

The headline at Fox News is "The Fight's Still On." Osama bin Laden is still out there, and terrorism is still a threat.

Remembering Barbara Olson.

More from that day.

God bless America.

Real conservative pop

I always saw his links to Drudge. Interesting to read the profile of Andrew Breitbart, and to see that there is a competitor to Huffington Post about to launch!

Movies/books of Late

First, a cool link: Hitchcock's most memorable moments.

I rented two movies this weekend. Still trying to make it through Into the Wild, which is pretty but not terribly interesting. Only 1/3 of the way in, I can tell that I much prefer the book.
I also rented The Life Before Her Eyes. Gorgeous cinematography, and both Uma Thurman and Evan Rachel Wood were fantastic. The story seemed a little thin and predictable.

Not sure if I mentioned that I finished Devil in the White City. I thought it was fantastic, a mesmerizing read. Perfect combination of non-fictionalized drama and a great history lesson. Now I'm between books and not quite sure what I want to turn to next.

Palin Power

Count me as among the very impressed with Sarah Palin's speech last night at the GOP convention. She came across as smart, biting, sarcastic, well-spoken, offensive, prepared, and incredibly poised. Already folks are thinking: why not flip the ticket :-) Seriously, she offered some wonderful lines. Among them:

• I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a "community organizer," except that you have actual responsibilities. I might add that in small towns, we don't quite know what to make of a candidate who lavishes praise on working people when they are listening, and then talks about how bitterly they cling to their religion and guns when those people aren't listening.

  We tend to prefer candidates who don't talk about us one way in Scranton and another way in San Francisco.

• This is a man who can give an entire speech about the wars America is fighting, and never use the word "victory" except when he's talking about his own campaign. But when the cloud of rhetoric has passed ... when the roar of the crowd fades away ... when the stadium lights go out, and those Styrofoam Greek columns are hauled back to some studio lot - what exactly is our opponent's plan? What does he actually seek to accomplish, after he's done turning back the waters and healing the planet?
• There is only one man in this election who has ever really fought for you ... in places where winning means survival and defeat means death.

• For a season, a gifted speaker can inspire with his words. For a lifetime, John McCain has inspired with his deeds.

GOP Convention

Well, I didn't make in to Minnesota :-(.

But here is a great speech from last night.

And we need a President who doesn't think that the protection of the unborn or a newly born baby is above his pay grade.

Veepstakes: GOP Edition

McCain is poised to name his pick at any point. Definitely tomorrow, though word may trickle out at some tonight. Go ahead, upstage Obama :)

Anyway, here are my thoughts:

Romney is still my first choice. Executive experience, smart guy, could take on Biden. Still don't like that dog story.

Pawlenty is boring, but maybe he'd help the gop win Minnesota.

I would like to see the Dems lambast Kay Bailey Hutchinson, and Hillary to just silently or not so silently stew about it. But she's not pro-life enough.

Giuiliani? No.
Lieberman? No. Secretary of State, maybe.
Bloomberg: Definitely no.

I wish Fred Thompson was still in the running!

Huckabee I am not crazy about.

I am pretty sure Tom Ridge and Charlie Crist are out of the running, though Crist did name Canady to the FL Supreme Court today. To prove he's a conservative?

Bobby Jindal is too young, and Louisiana needs him. With the hurricane headed its way, maybe, the state needs him more than ever. Four years, or eight years from now.

Sarah Palin, too young. But in 2012 or 2016, perhaps a Jindal-Palin ticket? The new face of the Republican party.

John Kasich, Eric Cantor, Rob Portman--they've all been mentioned but not taken too seriously.

Sam Brownback. No.

Or someone else entirely?????

Hollywood for McCain:

Interesting list:

McCain, who has pulled even with Barack Obama due in part to his very effective attacks on Obama's "celebrity," spent the evening collecting checks from Hollywood stars or people who once might have fit that description. Among those attending: Dean Cain (Superman); James Caan (Godfather I and II, Bottle Rocket); Jon Voight (Midnight Cowboy, Deliverance); Robert Davi (License to Kill); Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk); Adam Carolla (The Man Show); Lacy Chabert (Party of Five); Angie Harmon (Law & Order); Victoria Jackson (Saturday Night Live); Gerald McRaney (Simon & Simon, Major Dad); Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men); Lorenzo Lamas (The Bold and the Beautiful, Renegade); Kevin Sorbo (Hercules); Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond); George Newbern (Father of the Bride); and Robert Duvall (The Godfather and The Godfather II, Apocalypse Now). The dinner co-chairman was Jerry Bruckheimer, producer of wildly popular television shows such as CSI, Cold Case, and Without a Trace, and films such as Pirates of the Caribbean.

Busy Weekend

We finally saw Batman. Both of us were underwhelmed. It was super-violent, went on too long, and almost too tragic. Heath Ledger was remarkable, eerie, frightening and alarming. His performance made the film. But one of the best of the year...no way.

I went to Coco Sala twice in the past week. Definitely liked the bacon mac and cheese, the cheese course, the beef slider. The cheese souffle was too small. Drinks were OK, but too pricey. The company was the best part! I walked to and from, to get in a 5 mile walk.

I am loving my latest book the Devil in the White City. I read way over 100+ pages yesterday. Looking forward to more tonight!

Also cooked some good meals...the spinach florentine pasta, the spicy shrimp pasta, crabcakes. Not sure what tonight's menu calls for!

We also went to Kathryn's party on Saturday. We are definitely getting old!

As for Joe Biden...well, I can hardly wait til he makes his next stupid comment. Now if only John McCain could get his act together!

Not Gonna be Hillary

Drudge's headline: He never even vetted her!

Obama's tax plan: "tax the heck out of people"

Good lord:

“If you talk to Warren, he’ll tell you his preference is not to meddle in the economy at all — let the market work, however way it’s going to work, and then just tax the heck out of people at the end and just redistribute it,” Obama said. “That way you’re not impeding efficiency, and you’re achieving equity on the back end.” He continued by saying that he thought there was some merit in Buffett’s argument. But, he said: “I do think that what the argument may miss is the sense of control that we want individuals to have in determining their own career paths, making their own life choices and so forth. And I also think you want to instill that sense of self-reliance and that what you do will help determine outcomes.”

No announcement yet

No announcement, but speculation is building that Obama would name his pick today. It would be something if it were Hillary...half of her supporters apparently arent' gung-ho yet on Obama, and McCain has nearly tied things up. Wouldn't it be something...

Veepstakes: Dem Edition

48 hours, give or take, until Obama picks his veep. My predictions/thoughts/guesses/wishlist:

I do think Evan Bayh is the best pick on paper. He's experienced, popular in Indiana (swing state!!), photogenic, bland enough not to overshadow Obama. Smart guy. Nice guy. No scandals as far as I know. He'd take it in a heartbeat.

Scandal pick: Joe Biden. I'd love to see him and his 35 years or so of inane, stupid remarks in McCain commercials. Bring it on. Delaware being a slave state and what not!

Screaming inexperience pick: Tim Kaine. The only other guy almost as revered as Obama with even less experience and fewer accomplishments. What is the guy going to do once Mark Warner (a better candidate) is elected to Senate? His career is over, unless Obama annoints him with a Cabinet spot.

Ain't Gonna Happen: Hillary. I'd be pretty floored if Senator Clinton were to become veep. She's scarcely speculated about, and no one wants Bill back anywhere the White House (and its interns).

The Other Woman: Kathleen Sebelius. Would she win Kansas? And woman voters disappointed about Hillary not being on the ticket?

Maybe too Conservative: Sam Nunn is a conservative Dem with lots of experience. Kind of like the Dick Cheney in the race?

Unlikely and Unknown: Jack Reed. Remember him from media class? Virtually an unknown Senator despite being pretty smart and principled (for a Dem at least). Maybe Obama wants someone who has been more vetted? Though the guy's up for election.

Dark horses: Caroline Kennedy, pro-lifer Robert Casey (maybe it would take care of Obama's abortion problems, though, and win over PA even more decisively), Al Gore, John Kerry, Janet Napolitano (the Dem governor of Arizona!! and a woman!!), Bill Richardson (clinton problems?), and whatever wild cards are left. Should be interesting!

McCain's Faith

Must-read. I was touched by his recollection of a Christmas service they attended:

McCain also recalls a Christmas service he orchestrated. A week before the holiday, McCain's guards let him out of his cell and gave him a pencil, a piece of paper and a King James Bible. He copied sections of Matthew, Mark and John describing the birth of Christ so he could read them aloud while other POWs sang "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" and "Silent Night."

"I recall it as if it happened an hour ago," said McCain, sitting in a chair in a suite overlooking the Susquehanna River near the end of a day. "It was cold, the guards were looking through the windows at us, the room was dimly lit because of the light bulbs [that] were in each corner. These guys had beautiful voices, I'm telling you. One was a bass, one was a tenor. It was one of the most beautiful experiences I ever had."

The men became tearful. "It wasn't because they were sad," McCain added. "It was because they were so happy to be able to celebrate Christmas with fellow Americans."

Obama on CT, Life

Grr...these remarks just infuriate me. How dumb. When it comes to experience or lack thereof, shouldn't Obama just keep his mouth shut.

And then he goes and says this about the right to life:

Asked by Warren at what point in its development a baby gains "human rights," Obama said that such determinations were "above my pay grade" -- a silly answer to a sophisticated question. If Obama is genuinely unsure about this matter, he (and the law) should err in favor of protecting innocent life. If Obama believes that a baby in the womb lacks human rights, he should say so -- pro-choice men and women must affirm (as many sincerely do) that developing life has a lesser status. Here the professor failed the test of logic.

Seriously, then whose pay grade it is? He is one of two men vying for the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. If he can't voice his views on when life begins, who can? A judge, because oh yes, judges can legislate. But just not Clarence Thomas.

Update...more here with several familiar folks quoted.

Michael Phelps

What a remarkable athlete, with eight Gold medals. Michael Phelps in this NBC interview I am watching now also seems to be a pretty grounded person. He talked about all of the sudden friends popping up now that he is somebody, all the kids who taunted his swimming years ago. And he mentioned how this inspired him and drove him forward. I hope a lot of kids heard those words, and they let him inspire them. I have not been as into the Olympics this year, but he's a guy worth rooting for.

New Music

Loving this Amy MacDonald stuff...Mr. Rock and Roll is fantastic, and the CD is out on Tuesday.

I Love Fred Thompson

Sigh. What good sense he speaks.

Married!

The last two weeks have really been a blur, and I've meaning to come here and write about my thoughts and impressions from those days. Everything was so fantastic, and yes, parts of those days were a blur. I remember standing up at the altar and seeing the faces of friends, family, colleagues, and old neighbors and new....all of those who were there on August 2 to be with us and celebrate with us. Those who could not make it were missed, but I didn't think about that as much.

Lots of little things...
--listening to the Asian ladies and the British ladies getting my nails done.
--All of the food at Buca!
--Seeing my brothers in suits!
--Seeing mom's smile and her dancing moves!
--scrounging for food before getting our hair done.
--Taking a SMC chic picture.
--watching for the weather reports so anxiously, and having sunshine. Having it rain just as we were about to go for cocktails, and then brilliant sunshine coming out. Letting folks know the bride and groom wanted everyone out on the Patio!
--not getting much too eat. Two bites of cake, no coconut shrimp, and not much of an appetite for dinner.
--mom's gift of the frame and card.
--Never getting to make full rounds of all of the tables.
--T time with Margaritaville.
--Piano Man as the encore.
--So much photo coverage!
--My cowboy garter.
--The drunken toasts.
--Waiting to see Steve's face when he came up the Willard stairs.
--No longer caring about favors.
--Having the entree numbers work out perfectly.
--Father Fields talking about how hot I was!

So many details to remember...and then there was Antigua!
--our crappy room in the honeymoon garden of eden, whatever that is.
--Pulling bridezilla to upgrade.
--getting SO seasick.
--Jellyfish season.
--Breakfast buffets with fresh fruit, waffles, bacon and hashbrowns.
--Lunch at bayside.
--Kayaking amidst the crabs on the caribbean.
--Yummy dinners.
--the turquoise blue water.
--that nice bathtub.
--sea green bikini.
--Reading by the pool as steve played beach volleyball.
--Talking to Kay & Pete, Mary Lyn and Jeff (I think)...all of the 40 somethings.
--Losing luggage on the way back and silly duty free issues.

Conor Oberst

Streaming this today at work.

I should buy this when it comes out.

Tim Kaine

I would love to see Obama pick Tim Kaine as his running mate. Fox News describes him as Kaine having "no foreign policy background to speak of nor has he achieved any major or notable accomplishment while governor."

Yeah, sounds like the perfect fit for Obama.

Obamamania

In an echo of former President Ronald Reagan's speech when he demanded the Berlin Wall be pulled down, Obama said: "The walls between the countries with the most and those with the least cannot stand. The walls between races and tribes; natives and immigrants; Christian and Muslim and Jew cannot stand. These now are the walls we must tear down." He said the fall of the Berlin Wall offered hope as the world faces up to international challenges such as terrorism, climate change and loose nukes. Climate change????? Seriously???

It’s one thing for Obama to act all high-and-mighty as a citizen of the world and what not, but seriously??!!!! President Reagan spoke out and crusaded against communism for DECADES. Obama has accomplished NOTHING. Don’t compare the two.

Philadelphia

So almost a week ago, I went to Philly for the day. It was an easy trip, and a nice break from wedding stuff. I was productive on the train ride up, doing thank yous.

The next destination: Antigua!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Busy Week

So wedding planning has officially taken over my life! Argh! But we survived bachelor weekend. Meg, Christina & Jenny took me to the Carlyle Club where we enjoyed comedian Mike Siscoe.
Then cocktails at PX. Steve and the guys enjoyed steak, George Clinton, and I-don't-want-to-know. But we all had wonderful evenings, and enjoyed being with friends. I cannot believe the wedding is next week!

We are busy with seating, final music requests, programs, transportation, getting our marriage license (pick it up on Friday!), BEOs at the Omni, and last-minute details. I need to do some shopping this week for wedding attire. We've been getting tons of gifts, too.

Work is crazy, but I keep telling myself that next week is the week, and just need to get to a few more things to survive til then....

Tony Snow

Tony Snow died early this morning, too young. Here's a piece to remember him by. RIP.

Top CDs Since I was Born

OK, I stole this off some blogs I lurk at it. Thought it was cool:

1976: Songs In the Key of Life, Stevie Wonder
1977: The Stranger, Billy Joel
1978: The Cars, The Cars
1979: The Wall, Pink Floyd
1980: Boy, U2
1981: Duran Duran, Duran
1982: Thriller, Michael Jackson
1983: Murmur, REM
1984: Born in the USA, Bruce Springsteen
1985: Meat is Murder, the Smiths
1986: True Colours, Cyndi Lauper
1987: Joshua Tree, U2
1988: Rhythm Nation, Janet Jackson
1989: Disintegration, The Cure
1990: Violator, Depeche Mode
1991: Achtung Baby, U2 and Ten, Pearl Jam
1992: Automatic for the People, REM
1993: MTV Unplugged, 10,000 Maniacs
1994: Dookie, Green Day
1995: Jagged Little Pill, Alanis Morissette
1996: Weezer, Pinkerton
1997: OK Computer, Radiohead
1998: Villa Elaine, Remy Zero
1999: Happiness...is not a Fish That you Can Catch, Our Lady Peace
2000: No Name Face, Lifehouse
2001: Is This It, The Strokes
2002: One By One, The Foo Fighters
2003: Final Straw, Snow Patrol
2004: Hot Fuss, the Killers
2005: You Could Have It So Much Better, Franz Ferdinand
2006: Eyes Open, Snow Patrol
2007: Spoon, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

Wedding Shower

I had a wonderful weekend. Starting Friday, we celebrated a soggy 4th of July with friends, fajitas, and fireworks. The last at 1768, that is for sure. Donna came in around 11pm, and we sat on the roof and chatted.

Saturday I tried on my dress...whoo hooo! Final fitting before I pick it up in a few weeks. It fits beautifully. Now on to hair and makeup.

The shower was wonderful. Liz had quiche, pasta salad, strawberries, and cake, along with wine. I got gifts and everyone told stories about what qualities I possess to have a strong marriage. I think mom was quite happy; I bet she told all of her work friends about it today. I received some wonderful gifts--C&B storage containers from Meg, wine & cheese book and cheese tray from Donna, towels from Mike & Shay and Jenny, amex gift card from Moira, baking pans from Ann, pilsner glasses and wine from Sally, Target gift card from Cindy, nightie from Liz, and of course that lovely Calphalon set from mom & dad. Good stuff! Afterwards we went to Pentagon City for some Lebanese Taverna.

On Sunday, after mass and brunch at Luna, we went to see Dahlgren. SO eerie that in less than a month we'll be married there. Wow. We went to Whole Foods for some cheese and fruit for dinner on Sunday. Then Donna, later mom, left on Monday.

But a great weekend, and it is wonderful to feel loved and cared for by so many.

Recent Reading

I've been stuck in a reading rut lately. I did finish Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver about a week ago, and I thoroughly enjoyed that. Barbara and her family spent a year only consuming what they could grow or what was raised locally. Lots of yummy recipes. It certainly rekindled my interest in gardening, if I ever were that ambitious. I've been trying for a while to eat more fresh fruits and veggies, and I think I'm healthier for it. Granted, last night at Front Page, I had two Sam Summers and a glass of pinot grigio. However, I also had a turkey burger sans cheese and mayor and pea pods on the side, instead of fries. Much healthier choice, and quite yummy. In my increasingly old age, I just can't eat that crappy junk food without feeling awful the next day. I've also gotten up early the last two mornings to work out, even running 3+ miles today. Since I've eased up on my quest to run as fast as possible, the running in the a.m. thing has gotten much easier. Would be nice to take off another five pounds, but it is more maintenance now than anything else. Plus, the drinks do add up, poundage wise...

But I digress. The book was a great read, and I think I'm going to seek out more memoirs and recollections to give myself a break from the history.

Busy weekend ahead. Out to DC Coast tonight, then the 4th of July (perhaps my favorite holiday!!!!!11), followed by the shower and a weekend with mom & Donna!

Chicago

As always, Chicago was a good time. Started Friday night at Lizzie McNeill's with the usual suspects and a few new faces. Lots to drink. We started outside, went inside, then went on. Along with a drinking contest between Chris and Beth and getting the new guy to do car bombs, we had an enjoyable meeting.

I did a little shopping. Bought a slimming pink dress at Banana Republic, though I returned a skirt that just didn't work, colorwise, with me new black jacket. Oh, well.

Dinner Saturday was at NoMI. The sushi appetizers were fantastic, along with this artichoke soup with bacon foam. The beet salad with goat cheese was tasty, though fragile. I did not like the lamb chop. Too fatty. Though perhaps I should have eaten it; I was a little hungover afterwards. And the pineapple soup was silly; a couple of small chunks of pineapple and cream. Summery, sure, but not great. My least favorite dinner this year, by far. I was on a big sushi kick in Chicago, though. After-party was on the 7th Floor Park Hyatt bar, though those folks were snooty there. And MGDs were even pricey!!

But it was a fun weekend. Now back to home and wedding stuff. Only 33 more days! And so much to do!!!!!!!

SCOTUS, Obama, Work, Stuff

The DC gun ban came down, 5-4 in our favor. Yeah. Not that I am about to go out and buy a gun, mind you. But I think Scalia is brilliant, and it is ridiculous that the District has basically denied its citizens to own and register a gun, unless you lived in this city as a legal adult back in 1976.

As usual, Jan Crawford Greenburg nails it. Yes, Obama, you are a hypocrite and panderer.

Work is eh now. I am off to Chicago tomorrow. I am looking forward to the weekend and catching up with FS friends, but am tired. I feel like I am getting so far behind on wedding stuff again. So much to do, and only 37 days left! Less really when it comes to planning!

I caught up with Sal on Monday, did I mention that? Good to catch up.

I also did some shopping this week. Macy's, Ann Taylor for a cute black jacket and a dress. I need a shower outfit!!!

Fred Thompson, AG?

See his critique on Boumediene.

Again, it will be a federal judge - not the President or the Congress or a military tribunal - who will decide the appropriate extent to which the detainee will have access to classified military information, as just one of the more troubling examples. In other words, the branch of our government least qualified to make determinations on national security and foreign policy will now do just that. One other thing is certain. Whatever comes out of this new habeas corpus mish mash will generate a new round of appeals and our avowed enemies will work their way deeper and deeper into our court system.

And on Obama:

It should also be noted that Senator Obama thinks that the decision in Boumediene v Bush is an excellent one. I don’t know what’s worse: that he doesn’t understand what the Court has done … or that he actually does and still thinks this was a sound ruling. Good luck to all of us.

Detroit, Tourist Destination!

The Washington Post profiled Detroit this weekend.

"It looks like a nuclear bomb went off," Chris assessed, after picking me up from my downtown hotel.

The streets were idle and empty. So many of the buildings that were hauntingly handsome at night were sad in daylight; windowless, hollow and crumbling. Lot after lot laid bare, covered with slabs of broken concrete or half-dead weeds. Warehouses, storefronts, office buildings left to rot, sealed with plywood, disfigured by graffiti.

I thought parts of the piece were unfair. But truthfully, the city has deteriorated so badly over the last four decades, it could be described as miserable. That being said, witnessing the energy at a Tigers game or heading into Greektown or visiting its music clubs will make those doubters think there is a bit of hope there.

I guess the mantra about I can criticize my hometown as much as anyone, but don't you dare criticize it is certainly true!

One last word on Tim Russert

As usual, a graceful and honest column by Peggy Noonan.

After Tim's death, the entire television media for four days told you the keys to a life well lived, the things you actually need to live life well, and without which it won't be good. Among them: taking care of those you love and letting them know they're loved, which involves self-sacrifice; holding firm to God, to your religious faith, no matter how high you rise or low you fall. This involves guts, and self-discipline, and active attention to developing and refining a conscience to whose promptings you can respond. Honoring your calling or profession by trying to do within it honorable work, which takes hard effort, and a willingness to master the ethics of your field. And enjoying life. This can be hard in America, where sometimes people are rather grim in their determination to get and to have. "Enjoy life, it's ungrateful not to," said Ronald Reagan.

Also, I am keeping Paul & Megan in prayers this morning.

Happy Hours

I caught up with Kathy at Poste on Tuesday and Jenny W at Ceiba tonight. I don't tadhink I have seen Kathy in about a year. She is doing well, no new news to report. It has been nearly a decade since we've met and now that I think about it, the person I have known the longest in DC. Wow. Talking to Jenny, we were commiserating on friends who are pregnant, moving on to the next stages of our lives, and how just when you develop your niche, things advance and something changes. Not a bad thing by any means. But one day you are right out of school, living in the group house and not making any money and eating pasta every night or drinking dollar buds at Politiki.

Even the change between being 27 and 32 is stark enough. That was what, 2003? Then again, everyone got married then, and that was so traumatic at the time. But really, not much has changed. Kids change things more than anything. And I am fortunate to have girlfriends in the city who are at the same stage of their lives as I am, trying to come to grips with being older, being married or just about so, knowing that you do not want to be AMA (advanced medical age!) at the doctor, but knowing what reality often tells you.

We had dinner with the married people on Sunday, great red meat and shrimp and more desserts than we could consume. And it's great, and I would not want to be anywhere else. But wow, do times change and they change in good ways and different ways and crazy ways sometimes. But if Sal's college roommate could be having a baby and her little sister getting divorced, what else could change? Stuff to ponder six weeks, one day, and 15 hours from the wedding. I would like to think I will not change, not matter what stuff changes, and I will maintain these friendships and keep these circles of friends. But who knows where I will be at 42 years old...who knows what will change. It will be an interesting time.

More on Tim Russert

This was an amazing interview. His son is so well-spoken and articulate. Matt Lauer said something that viewers will see Tim in his son, absolutely true. I am sure the last place Luke wanted to be on Father's Day was alone with his dad's chair.

Tim Russert

Tim Russert died this afternoon, after returning last night from a trip to Italy to celebrate his son's graduation. Terribly sad news, and on Father's Day weekend no less. He always struck me as one of the more balanced media guys, and he ripped into Republicans and Dems with equal vigor. We'll miss his analysis this year during the election.

He was 58 years old.

So sad. Can you imagine his wife and son still in Italy, enjoying themselves, and getting this call??? I cannot.

Employed!

SJE starts Monday at his new job! Very, very relieved. It's a good position, he is happy, and we can breathe easier and start planning other future things. We celebrated with T over wine and pasta.

Invites have mostly hit, though we have had a few quirks with the post office screwing up our postage. VERY annoying. It may be my least favorite government entity, at least this week.

Top Chef finale is tonight. Will be very happy if Stephanie wins. Or Richard. NOT Lisa!

Napa

We just got back from the annual trip to Napa. Friday we ate at Redd and I enjoyed a Forni Brown Mixed Salad with goat cheese, sourdough croutons and sherry vinaigrette, followed by Petrale sole with creamy jasmine rice and saffron. We stopped at Freemark Abbey and Markham before the cocktail party. After the Saturday meeting, I went to Cline and bought bottles of the Sonoma Zinfandel, Ancient Vines Carignane, Cool Climate Syrah, and the Los Carneros Syrah. I also stopped at Rutherford Grove, buying a bottle of Zinfandel. Finally, we had dinner at Del Dotto Winery, enjoying a tour of their caves before dining on salad, pasta, and lamb.

I am happy to be home. It's been a long few days!

Top Chef

And oh-my-god can you believe that very unpleasant, perpetual-bottom dweller Lisa beat out Antonia for a spot in the final Three of Top Chef? Yikes!! I do know that Richard (LOVE his congratulations for winning the bronze medal comment) and Stephanie will seriously crush her in the final. They are great, though it would have been a much better finale if Antonia or Dale had survived so long.

The pig challenge was crazy, and I can't believe Dale forgetting to fridge the pork belly could have cost Stephanie. She and Richard both seem like great cooks, and really neat people to boot.

Omni Tasting

We had our wedding tasting yesterday afternoon at the Omni with T and SJE. Yummy. We were really impressed with the Maine Diver Scallops on a bed of Shiitake Risotto with Saffron Sauce. Yummy. Love scallops and the risotto was melt in your mouth buttery delicious. The crabcake was fine but not phenomenal. We can have that at the cocktail reception. Salad wise, we probably will go with the California mesclun greens with feta, olives, radish, and balsamic vinaigrette. Love feta. It was creamy and goat-cheese like.

I was a big fan of the filet with pink peppercorn sauce and dauphinois potato. Oh, that was the best potato I had ever tasted. SJE was not such a big fan; he really liked the lamb, but filet it has to be. The sea bass was good too, but we're going to skip the sauce on it.

The wine was great, the champagne was tasty. I am excited for the menu!

Red Wings Win!

After a hard-fought series against Pittsburgh, Wings Win Lord Stanley Back!!!

very productive weekend!

We got a lot accomplished over the weekend for the wedding:

• We booked a honeymoon to Sandals Antigua!! Oh it just looks so beautiful!
• I went for alterations for the wedding gown. Very pretty, very pricey!
• We talked to Moira's dad about a DC tour.
• We addressed over 100 invitations, ready to mail out tomorrow or Wednesday.
• We selected some of the music we'd like at the wedding.

We also played several games of Scrabble, resulting in one last majestic win for me! And we ate well...homemade pizza on Saturday night, SJE's favorite chicken florentine pasta on Friday. We also cleaned, though some of that just involved moving stacks from the front room to the backroom. Also, I made a mega grocery store/Target run to stock up. We also drank a lot of wine, but that is not such a bad thing.

Back to the real world, with job searching and a trip to Napa. I need to figure out how to work the Cline thing. We also have our tasting on Wednesday, which should be fun.

Two months from today!!!

Waiting Games

The webpage tells me we have 65 days to go to the wedding. I feel like waiting has been a theme lately....waiting for the job offer to come, waiting for the nephew to be born, waiting for the shower and to see Donna, waiting to board flights or whatever. I am not very good with patience. Sometimes things are worth the wait--like I am sure the last episode of the season for Lost tonight. Some things are not...like another delay in SE's job news. I keep waiting for my phone to ring and for him to have good news.

So what else is new...not much. We have invites ready to be assembled this weekend, and I have a fitting for my dress on Saturday at 11am. I have to do some shopping for groceries. I'm traveling again next weekend, so I have to get ready for that and figure out my wine strategy. I have no nice Summer clothes; I hate my wardrobe and want to find some new summery things. We have to book a honeymoon. We have to sign off on some other wedding related contracts. I have to buy jewelry and gifts.

I am missing my ten year reunion this weekend. I am sorry to miss it; I haven't been back in South Bend since May 17, 1998. That seems so long ago now, and I remember at the time that I could not contemplate what my life would be like after college. The last decade of being in DC, almost exactly, is full of lots of great memories, and some not so great ones too. Hopefully I can make it back for a football game this fall, or at least my 15th reunion.

Memorial Day weekend

Big weekend to be in Detroit. The weather was pretty close to perfect for late May, the Red Wings WON (and need only two more wins for the Cup!!!!), and the Pistons at least evened up the series, though don't have home court advantage. Even the Tigers scored 19 runs on Saturday before quickly, ahem, choking. We even got a run in at MCC!

And little Joey is so cute! I swear he looked at me, and he has beautiful big eyes and the cutest little lips. He is absolutely perfect. I hope his mommy gets some rest. I was bummed we did not see much of him on Sunday, though.

Back to work...I did get a new computer today, which almost made my Tuesday. Only three plus more days to go!

Boston to Detroit to Wedding Planning'd Out

Spent Wednesday in Boston seeing King Lear. A good play, but I admit it: I never can follow Shakespeare very well. I need a Shakespeare for Dummies version to figure it all out. But I enjoyed it, schmoozed, and then enjoyed a nice Italian dinner of pasta/shrimp/scallops in the North End.

Tonight is girl's night. A much needed night away from the boy! Then we leave for Detroit tomorrow morning for the weekend. We get to meet the nephew!!! Yeah!!!

Then I have about 150 invitations to make out starting Monday afternoon, after a mega grocery store/Target run. Being out of town makes all of that tough.

Texas Party

We were in Texas over the weekend. We spent Friday getting sun-burned on South Padre Island. But we had a super yummy shrimp boil afterwards, which almost made it all worth it. Saturday was the party...it was nice, and it flew by. I guess kind of like a wedding reception, right? Met lots of people from this little town, who were all quite friendly. Ate some Las Vegas enchiladas. Guacamole. Rice. A yummy cake. The dilemma with the best man, however, definitely is still a dilemma. I am so irked. SO irked.

Lots of drinking, too. Lots and lots of drinking. Between $300 liquor baskets, a dozen plus bottles of wine, and more beer than Virginia Market, I really am pretty damn tired of alcohol.

But the family time was great, and I really am in love with his little cousins. SO cute! Though not as cute as the nephew!!

Busy week ahead...Boston and Detroit. Not to mention 150 wedding invites at home!

Little Joey is Here

About 8 pounds, 1 ounce. Very exciting. I guess born around 4pm. Poor dad is still in Alabama!!

The Waiting Game

So two days past when he should have arrived, little Joey has not yet made his appearance. Maybe today. Hopefully today. Between that and Steve's job search news, I've been a rather impatient wait-er lately. I'm trying to keep up the distractions--lunch time shopping, new Death Cab and Duffy CDs to listen to, a good run last night with Steve, and wine on the stoop. But I keep waiting for the phone to ring and bring good news.

We leave for Texas tomorrow. So there is another distraction ahead of us.

I keep thinking something monumental should be happening.

Updates to come.

New Music, Obama/Hillary, etc.

I have not been listening to much new music lately, mostly b/c not much has interested/intrigued me. I do like the new Landon Pigg and Mates of State tracks on the new Paste sample. Death Cab for Cutie's new CD is coming out next Tuesday, as is Duffy's. I love her Mercy song. I plan on buying or downloading both of those CDs, and perhaps the others too, eventually. I really can't remember if I bought anything else this year. I guess Missy Higgins. I've mostly been cycling through my ipod to listen to everything else, once again. Of course, my great recent score was finally after at least a decade landing my hands on the 24 Gone/The Spin CD. Girl of Colours is easily one of my favorite random music finds of all time, kind of like Drinking in LA. Oh how I miss Detroit radio. (Edited to add: Big fan of the Val Emmich cut, too.)

Well, Obama won big in North Carolina, and lost small in Indiana (2 points). Is Hillary done? Will Operation Chaos endure? Is Obama the nominee? Yes...to at least one of those questions.

I' m just excited that McCain delivered a pretty decent speech on judges yesterday.

Busy Weekend

Started at Ceiba for margaritas with Jenny. Then on to Black Squirrel. I am still a big fan of their fries, mussels, and wide beer selection.

Saturday was a mediocre cake tasting, following by a 9-8 Nationals victory over the Pirates. The new ballpark was very nice. Right off of the Anacostia. Great day, sunny skies, good friends. Then dinner with Moira and friends -- salmon, veggies. By this point, I already felt like we had been eating all weekend long. Thankfully I am not a food blogger, so I do not have to fess up to the snacking.

By Sunday, we had the taco truck debut, which meant more margarita. SO good, but SO filling. We basically did not eat or drink for the rest of the day. Too much wine nauseated me. All I wanted to do was sleep. So I rested up, watched Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters, then went to bed.

But still full!

Detroit

May 1, 2008...

The Red Wings sweep Colorado to advance to Round 3 of the NHL Playoffs.

The Pistons come back, beat Philly, head to Round 2 of the NBA Playoffs.

And the Tigers sweep the Yankees for the first time in four decades in their last series at Yankee Stadium (til the playoffs??).

This BETTER NOT be the high-water mark for Detroit sports in 2008. But a good day nonetheless.

May Day

It's May 1. Three months and one day to go. And the perfect day to listen to 10,000 Maniacs "These Are Days."

11 days til my nephew is due.

The perfect day for a glass of riesling or sauvignon blanc and an outdoor patio.

The perfect day to listen to my new Sarah McLachlan CD of B-sides. Anything with Rainbow Connection is most excellent.

Top Chef last night: Definitely glad Antonia won the challenges. What was Stephanie thinking? Definitely Dale and Richard. Not sure who #3 will be now.

HIMYM this week was super funny for the first 2/3 of the episode, and sad when Ted dumped Barney.

House was HILARIOUS.

Girls night was fun on Monday--LC is due with #3. CS is entering the convent this August. KJM is heading to NYC. No more girls night out, I think.

Drinks with JW means I need the shower list asap.

Oh, need to get TWO Mother's Day gifts this year!! TWO!!

I think I need to bail on the ten year reunion. Too much going on.

Only one more day til I get a day off!!!!! The best day of them all.

New York

Second trip to NYC this year. We had dinner Friday with Kate & Brandon at SushiSamba. And of course, Le Bernadin. On the menu included:

Seared and Marinated Yellow Fin Tuna "Sandwich"

Warm Peekytoe-Maryland Lump "Crab Cake"; Shaved Cauliflower; Dijon Mustard Emulsion

Lamb

Cheese

Chocolate

Lots of good food. We had all sorts of things at sushi samba, including the rockfish and this seafood concoction. Pricey, but the company was fabulous. Lots of wedding chatter!

And SJE got into the draft on Saturday! It made for a very good day for him!

Ten Things

Love Justice Scalia.

Top Chef: Glad Stephanie wasn't eliminated last night. She, Dale, and Richard will be the final three.

Grey's Anatomy returns tonight!

I need to pack for NYC and prepare for Le Bernadin!

No wine in the house. Must make mixed drink.

Ran the usual outdoor route tonight. Last night did 4.5 miles. Did 4 miles on Monday. Walked uphill 3+ miles Sunday.

I have a new In Style for the bus trip tomorrow.

Is Ashlee Simpson pregnant? Do we care?

Wanna get the new Sarah McLachlan B-sides out Tuesday.

New Lost tonight, too!

Save the Catholic Schools

Bill Bennett's NRO column obviously struck a chord with me; it's something near and dear to me.

A new study by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute — a smart, highly regarded education think tank — estimates that 300,000 students have been displaced due to Catholic-school closings since 1990, and that taxpayers have spent upwards of $20 billion to pay for public schooling for these students whose Catholic schools have vanished.

It has now been 15 years since Star closed. Yes, I still think about it. With some of the controversy here about Archbishop Wuerl converting some Catholic schools to charters, this has been a news-worthy item here. Someone commented that we don't have Catholic schools to educate, but we have these schools because we are Catholic. Or something like that...anyway, when St. Veronica closed, obviously, I was a decade-plus removed from that environment. But there is a sadness that a generation of kids is being deprived of this education, Detroit kids who aren't Catholic and Catholic kids living in the inner suburbs. I guess this is all a product of demographics. But you can never convince me after what happened fifteen years ago that Church administrators and priests really care about this, really believe these schools are important and really will sacrifice for them. So if Wichita Catholics can make this a priority, well, that is one good thing about the state of Kansas. As for me, I need to think about what I can do.

Charleston

We were in Charleston over the weekend, staying at Charleston Place Hotel (I saw a bride!) and eating at the Peninsula Grill. We had a very tasty she-crab soup, some kind of ravioli (too small) and a fillet. Dessert was delicious, particularly their yummy coconut cake. The meeting itself was fine, though the news about little Francis and everything Amos is going through left me sad leaving. I am glad to be home, and count my blessings. Donna's little niece was born, 1 pound 12 ounces and your heart just totally goes out to this. And Ann's divorce and then everything that does suck isn't as bad as it could be.

Took it easy--a quick trip to Target and the grocery store, a workout, a nap, and new DH and Brothers & Sisters tonight. Yeah!

The Holy Father's visit

How neat was it to see Pope Benedict XVI at the White House arrival today!



HERE is the video of Happy Birthday.

What an amazing site it was on, a beautifully sunny 65 degree day, on the Holy Father's 81st birthday, to see him. He was strong, resilient, bold.

The speeches.

President Bush:

Here in America you'll find a nation that welcomes the role of faith in the public square. When our Founders declared our nation's independence, they rested their case on an appeal to the "laws of nature, and of nature's God." We believe in religious liberty. We also believe that a love for freedom and a common moral law are written into every human heart, and that these constitute the firm foundation on which any successful free society must be built.

Pope Benedict:

In a word, freedom is ever new. It is a challenge held out to each generation, and it must constantly be won over for the cause of good. Few have understood this as clearly as the late Pope John Paul II. In reflecting on the spiritual victory of freedom over totalitarianism in his native Poland and in Eastern Europe, he reminded us that history shows time and again that "in a world without truth, freedom loses its foundation," and a democracy without values can lose its very soul. Those prophetic words in some sense echo the conviction of President Washington, expressed in his Farewell Address, that religion and morality represent "indispensable supports" of political prosperity.

Wedding stuff

We registered last weekend at Macy's and Crate. Exhausting! I think we picked out a lot of small electric staples, great cookware, and some bedding/towel options. We need to still pick out dinnerware, but there are a few options we can look at. Nothing we're crazy about yet, though. We also looked at tux options, though Stephen keeps changing his mind! Three and a half months to go..I have an invitation option I want to consider tomorrow night. Plans are also in the works for a wedding shower. Part of me feels so shy about all of this. I don't want to anyone to really go out of their way for me, right? But excited too, though it's hard to admit!

Tomorrow is a big day...we see Pope Benedict at the White House. It should be a mob scene, but it will be really exciting!!!!!!

100th Post

Whoo-hoo. When I used to do the daily diary thing, I was doing a lot more posts than this. I basically started this as a way to get back into journaling, chronicling what's been going on with life, at least what I want to write about.

I don't have anything I really want to write about now. I'm listening to music, kind of watching American Idol's give back special, though I've largely muted the thing. It's fairly dull, not live, and there are already questions about how truly charitable it is.

So here are ten things on my mind, in no particular order.

1) SE's job search. 'Nuff said.
2) Registering this weekend, not to mention the multitude of other wedding stuff I got to get to.
3) New music. Still loving Basia Bulat and that India Arie song.
4) Running. Though I am a little sore today, I am so glad it is finally Spring!
5) My nephew who will be here very soon!!!
6) Work travel resuming very soon.
7) Needing a new Spring wardrobe.
8) Ladies poker night on Saturday. I am hosting, and utterly unprepared. And what if no one shows up?
9) #1. Yeah, that is the big one.
10) Yeah, and the wedding too. It is getting way too close.

Heroes

You read stories like this, and all of the stress of job searches and wedding planning is pretty much meaningless. Thank God for people like this. Or you read a story like this baby girl's and it resonates, and you think, wow, if I could only be that strong.

I don't write much about faith. There are times like last summer, after Margaret died, when I wonder how you can have faith when something so wrong happens, when someone who is so loved has her time cut short. And then you think about how much love is in the world, when your nephew receives dozens of gifts, and hundreds of strangers feel touched by a family they'll never know. You wonder how anyone can be strong enough and then you wonder how anyone could not be. And know that being a parent means what is best for your child, whether it means supporting their choices or relieving their suffering. Or knowing when to let go and how to ease the pain.

There are so many unimaginable tragedies in life, and families deal with them every day. I hope these families know that others care and are grateful and are thinking of them, for sharing their stories and letting others know you can survive.

television

OK, I am officially adding How I Met Your Mother to my tivo season pass list. Last night's show on Bracketology was the funniest thing I've seen on tv this season. Everything from the Ted Mosby is a Jerk website to the Doogie Howser blog entry really cracked me up. The cast is really funny and has great chemistry. Neil Patrick Harris rocks. Last week's hyped Britney Spears episode showcased how awesome Sarah Chalke was as Stella. The show returning so quickly from the interminable writers strike also scores bonus points. Let's hope CBS isn't foolish enough to cancel it. After last night's episode, no way.

Babies and Shopping and Detroit

Cindy's baby shower was on Sunday in Detroit. They got a slew of gifts, including several frog pods (whatever those might be). If it was a family venture, we definitely would have chosen a nicer locale. And food. And I definitely would want drinks at my shower!! Only the best for my little nephew :) He is going to be one big baby. Leigh Ann got him this super cute CMU onesie.

Mom also bought a dress, a black & white suit, to wear to the wedding. Very exciting for her. Not terribly flashy, but she looks really nice in it, very MOTB. Four months this week!

Steve got one job offer and he's stalling to figure out what else might be out there. I am keeping my fingers crossed things work out OK for him. He's in CA all this week.

I've had this headache that won't go away, though it's better now then it was earlier. Perhaps it was the screaming kiddos at the shower yesterday?

Music to check out

Jaymay
Basia Bulat

Presidential Daughters, Detroit, and DC

Fun piece in today's Post on Meghan McCain and her McCainBlogette.com blog. She sounds like a fun girl. There have been the inevitable comparisons between her and Chelsea, her and the Bush twins. Just leave it alone. Chelsea's been in the news because someone asked her a question on how her mom handled the Lewinsky story, and she expressed astonishment that someone would even ask that. Please. Juan Williams and Michael Reagan defended her answer on Fox News this morning. I think it's about time she actually speaks, and I'd rather have her give that answer then stand mute like the Clintons usually force her to do.

So in Detroit, Kwame is in so much trouble that even the Free Press is calling for him to resign.
Detroit deserves better. And it's sad that this could over shadow the awesome season the Detroit Tigers are about to have. Even Sports Illustrated is picking them! I may have to get myself something other than those yummy butter pretzels in Detroit this weekend (and other than a baby shower gift!).

It is a beautiful day, 69 degrees according to my computer. And cherry blossom festival time! And the perfect weather to get a good run outside tonight.