Thanksgiving vacation is coming to an end....
It was fun while it lasted.
Now, there's lots o' work and stress ahead.
But I'm not alone.
Check out this article from the Wall Street Journal about Sunday Night Depression.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Remembering Katrina Part II
I was cleaning out my email account and found these wise thoughts from my wife:
It seems like anytime Bush fucks up, all the Republicans are like,"let's not point fingers and play the blame game..." I was going to write more but what's the point. My main point I guess is that politics and policy are all about the blame game, really. So THEY should get over that. After all, Bush is employed by us, the taxpayers. And if your employee fucks up, you are going to tell him. You not only tell him, but you also say what he should have done, so that next time he doesn't fuck up again. Unfortunately this administration has been one mistake after another. What's not helpful is for Republicans to hide and/or ignore mistakes, if they do that then how is anyone going to learn from them and not repeat them?
It seems like anytime Bush fucks up, all the Republicans are like,"let's not point fingers and play the blame game..." I was going to write more but what's the point. My main point I guess is that politics and policy are all about the blame game, really. So THEY should get over that. After all, Bush is employed by us, the taxpayers. And if your employee fucks up, you are going to tell him. You not only tell him, but you also say what he should have done, so that next time he doesn't fuck up again. Unfortunately this administration has been one mistake after another. What's not helpful is for Republicans to hide and/or ignore mistakes, if they do that then how is anyone going to learn from them and not repeat them?
Remembering Katrina
Let's not forget the Katrina mess. Here was a good op-ed piece from the Times back in September. And here's a link to another good piece.
OPINION September 7, 2005
Editorial: It's Not a 'Blame Game'
No administration could credibly investigate such an immense failure as the government's response to Hurricane Katrina on its own watch.
September 7, 2005
It's Not a 'Blame Game'
With the size and difficulty of the task of rescuing and rebuilding New Orleans and other Gulf Coast areas still unfolding, it seemed early to talk about investigating how this predicted cataclysm had been allowed to occur and why the government's response was so slow and inept. Until yesterday, that is, when President Bush blithely announced at a photo-op cabinet meeting that he, personally, was going to "find out what went right and what went wrong." We can't imagine a worse idea.
No administration could credibly investigate such an immense failure on its own watch. And we have learned through bitter experience - the Abu Ghraib nightmare is just one example - that when this administration begins an internal investigation, it means a whitewash in which no one important is held accountable and no real change occurs.
Mr. Bush signaled yesterday that we are in for more of the same when he sneered and said, "One of the things that people want us to do here is to play a blame game." This is not a game. It is critical to know what "things went wrong," as Mr. Bush put it. But we also need to know which officials failed - not to humiliate them, but to replace them with competent people.
It's obvious, for instance, that Michael Brown has met the expectations of those who warned that he would be a terrible director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This is no time to be engaging in a wholesale change of leadership, but in Mr. Brown's case there seems to be precious little leadership to lose. He should be replaced with someone who can do the huge job that remains to be done.
But the questions go way beyond Mr. Brown - starting with why federal officials ignored predictions of a disastrous flood in New Orleans - and the answers can come only from an independent commission. We agree with the Senate minority leader, Harry Reid, Senator Hillary Clinton and others who say that such a panel should follow the successful formula of the 9/11 commission: bipartisan leadership and members chosen by the White House and both parties in Congress on the basis of real expertise. It should have subpoena power and a staff expert enough to find answers and offer remedies.
Mrs. Clinton has also proposed pulling FEMA out of the Homeland Security Department and restoring its cabinet-level status. That is premature. The current setup makes sense, at least in theory. The nation should not have to support two different bureaucracies for dealing with sudden disasters.
Before throwing the system into chaos again, an investigation should determine whether the problem lies in the structure or in execution. Yesterday, The Wall Street Journal showed how the Bush administration had systematically stripped power and money from FEMA, which had been painfully rebuilt under President Bill Clinton but had long been a target of Republican "small government" ideologues. The Journal said state officials had been warning Washington - as recently as July 27 - that the homeland secretary, Michael Chertoff, was planning further disastrous cuts.
This page supported the creation of Mr. Chertoff's department. But it was poorly run by the first secretary, Tom Ridge, with his maddening color-wheel alerts.
It is clearly in need of a hard look and perhaps serious reorganization. Senators Susan Collins, Republican of Maine, and Joseph Lieberman, Democrat of Connecticut, have plans for hearings, which is fine. But they created the department in the first place and may have more of a stake in the outcome than a panel of impartial experts.
The panel should also look at the shortcomings of local officials and governments. It was chilling, to put it mildly, to read Mayor Ray Nagin's comment in The Journal that New Orleans's hurricane plan was "get people to higher ground and have the feds and the state airlift supplies to them."
But disasters like this are not a city or a state issue. They concern the entire nation and demand a national response - certainly a better one than the White House comments that "tremendous progress" had been made in Louisiana. We're used to that dismissive formula when questions are raised about Iraq. Americans deserve better about a disaster of this magnitude in their own country.
OPINION September 7, 2005
Editorial: It's Not a 'Blame Game'
No administration could credibly investigate such an immense failure as the government's response to Hurricane Katrina on its own watch.
September 7, 2005
It's Not a 'Blame Game'
With the size and difficulty of the task of rescuing and rebuilding New Orleans and other Gulf Coast areas still unfolding, it seemed early to talk about investigating how this predicted cataclysm had been allowed to occur and why the government's response was so slow and inept. Until yesterday, that is, when President Bush blithely announced at a photo-op cabinet meeting that he, personally, was going to "find out what went right and what went wrong." We can't imagine a worse idea.
No administration could credibly investigate such an immense failure on its own watch. And we have learned through bitter experience - the Abu Ghraib nightmare is just one example - that when this administration begins an internal investigation, it means a whitewash in which no one important is held accountable and no real change occurs.
Mr. Bush signaled yesterday that we are in for more of the same when he sneered and said, "One of the things that people want us to do here is to play a blame game." This is not a game. It is critical to know what "things went wrong," as Mr. Bush put it. But we also need to know which officials failed - not to humiliate them, but to replace them with competent people.
It's obvious, for instance, that Michael Brown has met the expectations of those who warned that he would be a terrible director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This is no time to be engaging in a wholesale change of leadership, but in Mr. Brown's case there seems to be precious little leadership to lose. He should be replaced with someone who can do the huge job that remains to be done.
But the questions go way beyond Mr. Brown - starting with why federal officials ignored predictions of a disastrous flood in New Orleans - and the answers can come only from an independent commission. We agree with the Senate minority leader, Harry Reid, Senator Hillary Clinton and others who say that such a panel should follow the successful formula of the 9/11 commission: bipartisan leadership and members chosen by the White House and both parties in Congress on the basis of real expertise. It should have subpoena power and a staff expert enough to find answers and offer remedies.
Mrs. Clinton has also proposed pulling FEMA out of the Homeland Security Department and restoring its cabinet-level status. That is premature. The current setup makes sense, at least in theory. The nation should not have to support two different bureaucracies for dealing with sudden disasters.
Before throwing the system into chaos again, an investigation should determine whether the problem lies in the structure or in execution. Yesterday, The Wall Street Journal showed how the Bush administration had systematically stripped power and money from FEMA, which had been painfully rebuilt under President Bill Clinton but had long been a target of Republican "small government" ideologues. The Journal said state officials had been warning Washington - as recently as July 27 - that the homeland secretary, Michael Chertoff, was planning further disastrous cuts.
This page supported the creation of Mr. Chertoff's department. But it was poorly run by the first secretary, Tom Ridge, with his maddening color-wheel alerts.
It is clearly in need of a hard look and perhaps serious reorganization. Senators Susan Collins, Republican of Maine, and Joseph Lieberman, Democrat of Connecticut, have plans for hearings, which is fine. But they created the department in the first place and may have more of a stake in the outcome than a panel of impartial experts.
The panel should also look at the shortcomings of local officials and governments. It was chilling, to put it mildly, to read Mayor Ray Nagin's comment in The Journal that New Orleans's hurricane plan was "get people to higher ground and have the feds and the state airlift supplies to them."
But disasters like this are not a city or a state issue. They concern the entire nation and demand a national response - certainly a better one than the White House comments that "tremendous progress" had been made in Louisiana. We're used to that dismissive formula when questions are raised about Iraq. Americans deserve better about a disaster of this magnitude in their own country.
Seriously, what happened to Mikey?
I saw this on the celeb rippin' blog Go Fug Yourself. The caption was "Celebrity Bloat Watch: Prognosis Negative."
Really, what's happening with Favreau?
Dude, That's Some Sweet Marketing
So my wife just dropped the bomb on me - no, she ain't pregnant. But that little, trendy, boutique-like chocolate lounge that we thought was independent? Turns out, it's owned by Mars, Inc. Yes, the same folks who bring you Snickers, M&M's and Milky Way.It's actually rather brilliant. Mars has found a way to tap into a niche audience - upscale (mostly female) customers with a penchant for socializing and indulging in pricey sweets - while creating new revenue streams by entering into the retail space. I found some interesting commentary on Ethel's Chocolate lounge on a brand experience blog.
The brand experience blog mentions:
Mars, Inc. whose research revealed that "even the most diet conscious consumers ... would occasionally splurge on 'premium' chocolate -- in terms of calories and money -- if it were part of a broader social experience. Yes, they'd certainly go for a place to "chocolate and chitchat."
My Favorite Things #5
Whenever we got home from a trip, oftentimes the first place we went to was Nohana.They might not have known our names, but they always knew our order.
We we would share the combination box with California roll (no fish eggs), tempura, salad and tuna pieces. Miso soup for the both of us. Sapporo beer and chicken teriyaki appetizer added for me.
In later years, I would branch out to the Soft Shell Crab and the Salmon Teriyaki. But some things remained the same: the attentive service, quality of food, affordable prices, and familiar atmosphere. And, of course, those Tootsie Rolls they give you when they hand you the bill.
It's quite possible that Nohana is the restaurant we most frequented during our stay here. Heck, I don't even know what Nohana means, come to think of it. Maybe it means "Dumb American willing to pay for raw fish."
But alas, it was often our home away from home. Comfort food to the nth degree.
If we ever have a kid, perhaps we'll name him/her Nohana. Okay, maybe not. But maybe it would be a good name for a cat or dog.
Hmm, now I am getting hungry for some sushi and Sapporo....
Flirting With Disaster
You've got to be kidding me.
Reports came out Friday that former FEMA director Mike Brown ("Brownie" as Bushie liked to call him) is starting his own disaster preparedness consulting firm.
This guy played an integral role in NOT having us prepared for something like Hurricane Katrina. Now he's got the balls to set up shop and offer up his services? Is he going to teach us how to "f" things up, 'cause I don't see what else he's qualified to do!
Isn't this akin to Hitler providing "Sensitivity Training" classes, Billy Joel offering driving lessons, or Paris Hilton teaching Sunday School?
Only in America....
Reports came out Friday that former FEMA director Mike Brown ("Brownie" as Bushie liked to call him) is starting his own disaster preparedness consulting firm.
This guy played an integral role in NOT having us prepared for something like Hurricane Katrina. Now he's got the balls to set up shop and offer up his services? Is he going to teach us how to "f" things up, 'cause I don't see what else he's qualified to do!
Isn't this akin to Hitler providing "Sensitivity Training" classes, Billy Joel offering driving lessons, or Paris Hilton teaching Sunday School?
Only in America....
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Armitage Smells Like Money
It was actually nice out today so we took the El down to Armitage to walk around and window shop.
You can hate on the yuppies all you want, but hey, there are some fine shops around that street and seem to be more and more popping up all the time.
Some of the shops include: Kiehls, Paper Source, Vosges, American Apparel, Active Endeavors, Ethel's Chocolate, Benetton, Lush, Paul Frank, and Argot Tea.
Running perpendicular to Armitage is Halsted, which contains even more yuppie stores like Banana Republic, Escape (a Best Buy store), Aldo, The Blue Jeans Bar, Club Monaco, Barney's Co-Op and Guise.
My Favorite Things #4
How come everything that I am going to miss about Chicago (except for Lake Shore Drive) revolves around food?
Next up on the list - Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread and Wine.
We like the Fromager D'Affinois.
Fromager D'affinois
In the Brie family this French soft-ripened cheese has a 60% fat content with a white creamy smooth interior and a flowery white edible rind. As with most cheeses, Bries should always be served at room temperature so its full flavor is allowed to develop.
Characteristics: Cow's milk, soft-ripened cheese with edible bloomy rind, smooth and creamy interior
I told y'all
"The crowds were so thick that a brawl broke out among shoppers at one of Wal-Mart's Florida stores, according to eyewitnesses."
Nothing says yuletide cheer like a little scuffle among some White Trash shoppers at a Florida WalMart. I'll just assume that they are Christian and also voted for Bush.
Friday, November 25, 2005
My Favorite Things #3
Man, oh man.
I think I ate here twice the first week it opened. Or was it three times?
Either way, Bobtail is a great place - a new soda fountain with the old school feel.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor? The Merlot Signature Sunset.
My Favorite Things #2
View of the city - going down Lake Shore Drive....
I took this pic yesterday.
And yes, the windshield is dirty and we do need to get the car washed.
My Favorite Things #1
From now until the day we move, I will be posting a few of my favorite things about Chicago....things I'll definitely miss.First up - Intelligentsia Coffee....
Man, it's so good. We like the Quetzal Breakfast Blend.
Lately, I've really been getting into their teas too - current fav is the Organic Peppermint.
I'll miss you, Intelligentsia.
Tis The Season
Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy shopping. But this Black Friday thing is bullshit. Sure, growing up, what red-blooded American family DIDN'T have the tradition of going Christmas shopping the day after Thanksgiving?But alas, we are older and dare I say, perhaps even a little wiser now. So, why in the hell would anyone get up ass early in freezing weather to go shopping? Nothing's worth the rude shoppers you must battle, the long lines, and the fisticuffs that develop over parking space disputes.
Also, isn't it ironic that less than 24 hours after a day on which we supposedly are to give thanks for the blessings that we currently have, we are immediately clamoring for more? Let's call a spade a spade - advertisers, retailers, and societal expectations have created a tradition that manufactures unnecessary wants and desires.
Now, get out of the way, I'm headed to Best Buy for that Plasma Screen TV!
Top Tunes for 2005
Never too soon to start talking about top tunes of the year. I got inspired by my brother who sent me his list.
This year, instead of top albums, here are some of the top songs I downloaded from i-Tunes (released in 2005):
- Bloc Party "Banquet"
- The New Pornographers "Sing Me Spanish Techno"
- Hot Hot Heat "Goodnight Goodnight"
- Broken Social Scene "Handjobs for the Holidays"
- Weezer "Perfect Situation"
- Teenage Fanclub "Time Stops"
- Clap Your Hands Say Yeah "The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth"
- Death Cab for Cutie "Soul Meets Body"
- Brazilian Girls "Don't Stop"
- Aimee Mann "I Was Thinking I Could Clean Up For Christmas"
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Happy Turkey Day!
After the usual things to be thankful for (good health, great wife, loving family/friends, roof over our heads, good job, etc.), there are a few other things to be thankful for this holiday, such as:1)Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson finally announcing their split;
2)The news that T.O. will not be allowed to play for the Eagles again this season;
3)Last night's episode of Lost on my TiVo;
4)That whiny bitch Clay getting the boot in last week's Apprentice;
5)My wife winning a sweepstakes drawing - free Depeche Mode concert tickets;
6)That tasty little turkey we'll be devouring later on;
7)The FOUR days off we have before we have to go back to work;
8)ND football;
9)The earnings we made so far from selling some stuff on Craigslist;
10)Seeing HP: Goblet of Fire - this weekend...
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
IT'S ON....
It's official. We're moving.Now the fun part. Overpaying for an apartment.
But hey, it's NYC, right?
Not sure where we'll be. Manhattan or Brooklyn. Either way, it should be an adventure....
Monday, November 21, 2005
Evil, Thy Name is Dick
What a dick!
"What is not legitimate -- and what I will again say is dishonest and reprehensible -- is the suggestion by some U.S. senators that the president of the United States or any member of his administration purposely misled the American people on prewar intelligence," Cheney said.
Unbelievable. Pot calling the kettle black, no? They're the ones who started a war under false pretenses and have lied about so many things, but the senators who are questioning him are the ones who are "dishonest and reprehensible."??!!!
Sunday, November 20, 2005
F You, I'm Rich!
A story in today's Chicago Tribune caught my attention. It's about a group of entrepreneurs in the haughty Highland Park suburb who have produced "lattees" (see picture to the left).
That's right. It says "Half Calf Vanilla Nonfat Extra Foamy Latte."
Apparently a group of privileged Trixie moms decided it was just too much work to get their order out for their fav drinks. So why not simply point to their T-shirts?
Is it me, or is this pretty damn obnoxious? Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a tasty Starbucks drink as much as the next guy but there's a difference between buying a drink and advertising your privileged background with a shallow message on a T-shirt.
I can picture the Lincoln Park Trixies eating it up. But hey, why stop there? Why don't you just wear a T-Shirt that says "I'm rich, bitch!"?
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Pants On Fire
How does this guy live with himself?
Honestly, he must have no scruples.
He really does the devil's bidding.
How Can She Be So Skinny and Yet Live So Phat?
In yet another example of how Tyra Banks wants so desperately to become Oprah Winfrey, she recently donned a "Fat Suit" in order to go undercover and learn just what it's like to be, well...an average overweight American woman."As soon as I entered the store -- when I went shopping -- I immediately heard snickers. Immediately! I just was appalled and, and and hurt!"
Gimme a break, Tyra. Don't give us your manufactured sympathy. You take off the suit and you're back to being a vapid, skinny supermodel while the fat women in this country remain fat.
Get Back in That Closet!
Wow. This is an absolute trainwreck. I just saw snippets of R. Kelly's urban themed opera "Trapped In a Closet" on VH-1's Best Week Ever. I'm speechless. Apparently, the story centers around Kelly going home with a lady after a night of clubbing. Well, of course, the lady's married so Kelly finds himself "trapped in a closet" in case the husband comes home. I think hijinx ensue shortly thereafter.
All I know is that there are multiple chapters of this awful work and they include high-concept plotlines such as a midget crapping his pants. This is so bad, it might be good.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Sonbitch, it's Windy!
Chicago's known as the Windy City (for reasons other than the weather), but this past weekend it has everything to do with the weather.
We've got winds up to 35mph. Good thing I'm indoors, nursing yet another cold, sucking on some Vitamin C drops and listening to i-Tunes...
We've got winds up to 35mph. Good thing I'm indoors, nursing yet another cold, sucking on some Vitamin C drops and listening to i-Tunes...
I hate Spam
So apparently the new trend in spamming is infiltrating people's blogs and posting comments.
I noticed 4 comments added to my last post about Canadian music - and it was all spam! I'm researching some fixes but until then, "comments" will be hidden! Sorry to disappoint the two of you who may read this blog on a regular basis.
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Maple Leaves Ain't So Bad After All
Hey, when the heck did Canada get so cool? And no I'm NOT talking about temperature here.
Canadian music has come a long way from that monstrosity known as "Snow".
My favorite bands lately have come from our neighbors to the North. Check 'em out, eh?
Some Children Left Behind
The stroller set is up in arms in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood due to a sign put up at a local establishment asking that children use their "inside voice" when visiting "A Taste of Heaven."Well, that sign did not go over too well with locals. Here's one reaction:
"I love people who don't have children who tell you how to parent," said Alison Miller, 35, a psychologist, corporate coach and mother of two. "I'd love for him to be responsible for three children for the next year and see if he can control the volume of their voices every minute of the day."
C'mon lady. The owner of "A Taste of Heaven" has every right to put up that sign and to kindly ask that you and your brood not disrupt other restaurant patrons. If you don't like their policy, then it's your choice to take your business elsewhere. Just because you chose to have kids does not give you the right to let them run rampant wherever you go on the premise that "kids will be kids". You have a responsibility as a parent and more simply, as a decent human being, to be respectful and courteous of others around you. You're not entitled to get a free-pass on being civil to others just because you have kids and because it's hard to control them. Common decency, lady. That's what's expected.
Friday, November 11, 2005
The DUMBEST Family Ever
Just when I thought I could not get into a "Family Edition" of CBS' Amazing Race, there I am watching and selecting "Save Until I Delete" from the TiVo options.
There's been some real choice families in this competition. But none are quite as infuriating as the Weavers. Essentially they are a group of White Trash, Bible-toting, and ignorant hypocrites.
They claim to be the only family living a "Christian Life" but continually contradict themselves by talking smack about other families and attempting to sabotage the race for the other contestants so that they may benefit. Is that what Jesus would do, Weavers?
Hey, Pat...F You!
Yesterday, I saw a bumper sticker on a car that said: "Christian Right. They're neither."True dat.
Have you heard the latest? Jack-ass Pat Robertson has the nerve to give a Pennsylvania town a warning not to come crawling back to God if disaster ever struck since they voted against a plan to teach "intelligent design" in the schools.
Sorry Pat, remind us again when you became the mouthpiece of God? Oh yeah, and when did so-called "intelligent design" become a neccessary part of our public education system? And hey, that concept of God you presented is terrific. According to you, God sounds like a spiteful tween who was NOT invited to another girl's birthday party and reacts with: "You didn't invite me to your party, so now I'm ignoring you..."
Say it with me now: "You suck, Pat!"
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