Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Some pics from San Diego
The London Riots
I've been fixated by the London riots because I'm concerned for my friends as well as I once lived in that lovely little village by the river. The scenes are appalling and it just makes me think what would happen here if these riots broke out.
Through all of this, I'm amazed by the way the English leaders have stepped up (or so it appears from this side of the pond). Like them or not, at least they are vocal and working through the issues. I mean, our economy collasped (once again) yesterday and our Congressional douche bags are on vacation, while the puppet in charge is blaming everyone behind a podium without taking questions.
David Gergen (CNN) wrote a great piece yesterday (link) about how we need leadership like Winston Churchill but we just don't have it -- well, that's more of my take on the article. But the fact is that in a time of crisis, Churchill rallied his people to get behind an idea and solve a situation rather than blame or fight with others. It's a great lesson / article that our leaders should learn, but I'm afraid that they have their heads stuck up the way up their ass and won't find the time to read the article.
Here's part of Cameron's speech from Number 10 this morning about the riots across London. Like him or not, its a pretty direct speech that gets right to the point and states solutions that the government is doing to fix the situation. You would never hear this from any of our "leadership" - we would somehow figure out how to blame Bush first, then complain about Tax cuts before getting to the real issue. I love how he ends it ... "now if you excuse me, we have work to do" ... not, later bitches, we're on vacation ... or ... POTUS will not take questions after the press conference.
"And I have this very clear message to those people who are responsible for this wrongdoing and criminality: you will feel the full force of the law and if you are old enough to commit these crimes you are old enough to face the punishment.
"And to these people I would say this: you are not only wrecking the lives of others, you're not only wrecking your own communities - you are potentially wrecking your own life too.
"My office this morning has spoken to the Speaker of the House of Commons and he has agreed that Parliament will be recalled for a day on Thursday so I can make a statement to Parliament and we can hold a debate and we are all able to stand together in condemnation of these crimes and also to stand together in determination to rebuild these communities.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, there is important work to be done. Thank you."
Through all of this, I'm amazed by the way the English leaders have stepped up (or so it appears from this side of the pond). Like them or not, at least they are vocal and working through the issues. I mean, our economy collasped (once again) yesterday and our Congressional douche bags are on vacation, while the puppet in charge is blaming everyone behind a podium without taking questions.
David Gergen (CNN) wrote a great piece yesterday (link) about how we need leadership like Winston Churchill but we just don't have it -- well, that's more of my take on the article. But the fact is that in a time of crisis, Churchill rallied his people to get behind an idea and solve a situation rather than blame or fight with others. It's a great lesson / article that our leaders should learn, but I'm afraid that they have their heads stuck up the way up their ass and won't find the time to read the article.
Here's part of Cameron's speech from Number 10 this morning about the riots across London. Like him or not, its a pretty direct speech that gets right to the point and states solutions that the government is doing to fix the situation. You would never hear this from any of our "leadership" - we would somehow figure out how to blame Bush first, then complain about Tax cuts before getting to the real issue. I love how he ends it ... "now if you excuse me, we have work to do" ... not, later bitches, we're on vacation ... or ... POTUS will not take questions after the press conference.
"And I have this very clear message to those people who are responsible for this wrongdoing and criminality: you will feel the full force of the law and if you are old enough to commit these crimes you are old enough to face the punishment.
"And to these people I would say this: you are not only wrecking the lives of others, you're not only wrecking your own communities - you are potentially wrecking your own life too.
"My office this morning has spoken to the Speaker of the House of Commons and he has agreed that Parliament will be recalled for a day on Thursday so I can make a statement to Parliament and we can hold a debate and we are all able to stand together in condemnation of these crimes and also to stand together in determination to rebuild these communities.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, there is important work to be done. Thank you."
Monday, August 8, 2011
Obama should be a de-motivational speaker
Nice job, annointed one. Please leave ... goto Hawaii, Chicago or somewhere but please leave. And stop blaming everyone else ... if you would have developed a plan, they you have the right to blame others - but you didn't. So ... simmer, simmer down now.
Ok ... off soap box ... and off to sleep. Lots of info and catch ups later or tomorrow.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Ahh ... San Diego ... that's German for ...
I've only been here for 24 hours but have decided that San Diego is amazing and certainly a future spot for vacation. Granted, I've only been to a few places that are touristy or work related, but so far, so good. Any time you can switch 100+ weather for no humidity 80+ weather is a tremendous win. Some take aways from day one:
- Seersucker: Amazing restaurant. Naturally, we ate at another Top Chef restaurant because that's what Jed does :). We had a number of amazing things including a pulled pork / peach dish, best beef tartare I've had in years, skirt steak with chimichuri / mint and Bernese sauce and since its a Top Chef restaurant, you have to have a braised short rib and a scallop.
- On a wander, we stumbled into Petco Park, made our way through the outfield and the park surrounding the stadium. We were escorted out by security, but they sure were friendly. So far, everyone out here is amazingly friendly ... a bit odd and aloof, but friendly.
- Since I have two 1/2 marathons pending, we went for a jog around Petco Park and the waterfront. Aside from the fact I went running right after a heavy lunch and felt like vomiting the whole time, it was amazing - only because of the scenery. Beautiful area and even though its hot, it doesn't really feel that bad because there is zero humidity.
- My hotel, Omni, is connected to the convention center and Petco Park which means win / win for work and for fun. Petco is a fantastic park and I love how they have mixed it right into the city. Dear Atlanta -- learn this and stop building stadiums in shitty neighborhoods.
- On the way in from the airport, we passed the USS Carl Vinson (CV 70) -- better know as Osama Bin Laden's last known residence. There are also a number of Boomer subs and guided missile frigates / destroyers in the bay and we all know how much I love to look at warships.
- And English might be the third most spoken language ... of course Spanish is one and Russian seems to be number two.
- The local news is so bad it is amazing ... it really is like watching Anchorman. Oh and all the weather women are preggo.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Greatest Birthday Gift EVER
The picture says it all ... FENWAY BABY!!!! Thanks Retired Sorority Girl ... this might be the greatest gift EVER.
An Update from 35,000 feet ... and no, it's not about the idiots in DC
Once upon a time, Delta loved to fly ... and it shows. Well, out with the old and in with their new slogan because this crew doesn't love to fly. Here are some fun things about my flight to the left coast: TVs are broken, all movies are $9.99 (ten dollars to watch Fast Five -- really?), there is a menu but they didn't stock any sandwiches (5:30 hour flight), someone evacuated their colon in the seat next to me, condensation dripping down the walls on to the seat is normal and pretty sure the captain just addressed all of us in Finnish. Yay!
Oh well, at least the destination will be nice. Jed is taking his skills to San Diego for a week and hanging out at the 2011 BlogHer conference. Needless to say, Jed is there for the work but will be curious what it 4,000 female bloggers think. Me thinks I'm going to need another vacation soon.
Much much more to come because rumor has it, San Diego has the ocean, polar bears, good food, a baseball team and a few other fun things that I'm not aware of at this moment.
Oh well, at least the destination will be nice. Jed is taking his skills to San Diego for a week and hanging out at the 2011 BlogHer conference. Needless to say, Jed is there for the work but will be curious what it 4,000 female bloggers think. Me thinks I'm going to need another vacation soon.
Much much more to come because rumor has it, San Diego has the ocean, polar bears, good food, a baseball team and a few other fun things that I'm not aware of at this moment.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Pretty sure the only people who like this deal are Asian ...
... because judging from the reaction in the Asian markets vs. the Western media, the US financial markets and in DC (aside from that shanty on Penn Ave.) no one is really pleased with the "deal". The lead story on CNN is titled: The Deal: Plenty for Everyone to Hate. Seriously -- Obama's network is even saying its crap (and you should see what his party is saying about him Link ... if I were Hilary, I'd consider running for president ... ASAP."
Looking forward to seeing what John Stewart has to share ... I bet it will be Comedy (INSERT WORD) - he can no longer say GOLD because he just sold it for $1,600 an ounce.
Looks like we are all going to need someone to blame and I say we pick on Joe Biden. Since POTUS refuses to do anything but take praise and hurl out lame / vague criticisms (even to his own party), let's just blame all of this on Smiling Joe. He's got on a 24/7 perma-smile and I'm going to guess that he's frequently drunk, so let's just say it's all his fault and move on. We are going to need someone to blame when POTUS' new "committee" doesn't decide on the budget and he invokes his executive power to raises our taxes. I'm not fully behind raising taxes because I feel we should cut spending and programs that don't make sense (cough cough ... national healthcare) first. The way we are headed, they ought to show a video on all inbound flights titled welcome to the United States of Europe.
POTUS will get his wish ... someday soon, we will all be apart of a nationalized healthcare system - either because we will have all lost our jobs and that's our only choice, or the Chinese will have called on their assets and acquired our nation.
Personally, I'd rather go out fighting ... WOLVERINES !!!!!
Looking forward to seeing what John Stewart has to share ... I bet it will be Comedy (INSERT WORD) - he can no longer say GOLD because he just sold it for $1,600 an ounce.
Looks like we are all going to need someone to blame and I say we pick on Joe Biden. Since POTUS refuses to do anything but take praise and hurl out lame / vague criticisms (even to his own party), let's just blame all of this on Smiling Joe. He's got on a 24/7 perma-smile and I'm going to guess that he's frequently drunk, so let's just say it's all his fault and move on. We are going to need someone to blame when POTUS' new "committee" doesn't decide on the budget and he invokes his executive power to raises our taxes. I'm not fully behind raising taxes because I feel we should cut spending and programs that don't make sense (cough cough ... national healthcare) first. The way we are headed, they ought to show a video on all inbound flights titled welcome to the United States of Europe.
POTUS will get his wish ... someday soon, we will all be apart of a nationalized healthcare system - either because we will have all lost our jobs and that's our only choice, or the Chinese will have called on their assets and acquired our nation.
Personally, I'd rather go out fighting ... WOLVERINES !!!!!
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