Sometimes, the celebrity birthday list in the paper catches my attention. Some days I don't recognize any of the names. Today (Thursday) the list falls into 3 categories:
People whose work I totally respect:
Phillip Seymour Hoffman is 42.
Allison Krauss is 38.
People I have no use for at all:
Don Imus is 69.
Slash is 44.
Monica Lewinsky is 36.
People I'm on the fence about, or not sold on:
Justice Anthony Kennedy is 73.
Woody Harrelson i 48.
Nomar Garciaparra is 36.
Daniel Radcliffe is 20.
Carry on,
JS4
P.S.
On Spellcheck, both Nomar and Garciaparra get highlighted. And I think Carrie may not like that I put him in the "iffy" category.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Bonus Track
I was trying to upload video directly to this post, but the best I could manage is a youtube link.
Bob Schneider 40 Dogs (Romeo and Juliet)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w5Y05f0Lig&feature=PlayList&p=E0A9B3C5128DEF49&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=19
On my run today, this song came on the radio, which is the most used feature of my mp3 player.
If you live in Austin, you may be sick of this song. Not me, it always makes me smile, even if I'm in a funk, or running in the humid 80 degree weather. I think I violated the "No Singing" rule when it came on this morning.
I don't know if this song is getting any run outside of Austin. The album is not even out yet. If you haven't heard it, listen, and then listen again. It's that catchy.
There is another new blog post below.
Bob Schneider 40 Dogs (Romeo and Juliet)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w5Y05f0Lig&feature=PlayList&p=E0A9B3C5128DEF49&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=19
On my run today, this song came on the radio, which is the most used feature of my mp3 player.
If you live in Austin, you may be sick of this song. Not me, it always makes me smile, even if I'm in a funk, or running in the humid 80 degree weather. I think I violated the "No Singing" rule when it came on this morning.
I don't know if this song is getting any run outside of Austin. The album is not even out yet. If you haven't heard it, listen, and then listen again. It's that catchy.
There is another new blog post below.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Health Care
Okay, I still agree with the argument that the U.S. is a "Center Right," generally conservative country. The health care debate is a classic example. War resolutions, and sweeping tax cuts are easy to get bi-partisan support on. Health care for all Americans is altogether different. When you have a broad majority in the House, and 60 Democrats in the Senate, this should be doable. We're not even talking universal coverage, or a single-payer plan here.
If you ask people what they think about the educational system, most say it's screwed up. Ask parents about their kids' school, or more specifically, their kids' teachers, the opinion is much more favorable. The same goes for the health care system. People say we need reform and broader coverage, in the abstract. But most people have insurance, and most of those people are basically satisfied with their health insurance. People are afraid that what is coming is going to disrupt their place in a flawed system. It is the perfect environment for fear-mongering.
A few weeks ago, I said to Carrie, "You know what Obama needs to do with the health care debate? LEAD." It was bad strategy to do the Energy Bill first, then leave the country, then come back and try to impose an artificial deadline on Congress. Obama is afraid to level with people about costs, you know, taxes. Yes, it is going to cost more to cover (nearly) everyone. Can we afford it? A wealthy and powerful country can afford its priorities. That we have gone so long without ensuring that people have access to affordable health care says something very troubling about our nation's values and priorities.
I still think they will get something through Congress, and I hope that it works out to be a good plan, or something that can be made into a good plan going forward. A lot of people, including me,
voted for Democrats to lead on this issue. Their job is to lead, even when the public gets squeamish about the details and the process. If they fail to get this done, it will be a monumental failure of leadership. Credit for success can be shared, but if Pelosi and Reid can't get a bill through, it will be their failure. And even more so, President Obama's.
If you ask people what they think about the educational system, most say it's screwed up. Ask parents about their kids' school, or more specifically, their kids' teachers, the opinion is much more favorable. The same goes for the health care system. People say we need reform and broader coverage, in the abstract. But most people have insurance, and most of those people are basically satisfied with their health insurance. People are afraid that what is coming is going to disrupt their place in a flawed system. It is the perfect environment for fear-mongering.
A few weeks ago, I said to Carrie, "You know what Obama needs to do with the health care debate? LEAD." It was bad strategy to do the Energy Bill first, then leave the country, then come back and try to impose an artificial deadline on Congress. Obama is afraid to level with people about costs, you know, taxes. Yes, it is going to cost more to cover (nearly) everyone. Can we afford it? A wealthy and powerful country can afford its priorities. That we have gone so long without ensuring that people have access to affordable health care says something very troubling about our nation's values and priorities.
I still think they will get something through Congress, and I hope that it works out to be a good plan, or something that can be made into a good plan going forward. A lot of people, including me,
voted for Democrats to lead on this issue. Their job is to lead, even when the public gets squeamish about the details and the process. If they fail to get this done, it will be a monumental failure of leadership. Credit for success can be shared, but if Pelosi and Reid can't get a bill through, it will be their failure. And even more so, President Obama's.
Al Pastor is the type of taco that we used to get at Taco Sabrosa. Now, when I drive past their location, all I see is a red blockade bar across the parking lot entrance, and a sign that says, "Closed for Renovation." Longest renovation ever, so I've been looking for a new Al Pastor taco place. A few months ago, I read about a place on East Riverside, close to where people get shot in Austin. Yes, people get shot in all parts of town, and we have a very low murder rate, but after midnight, I would not go to that area.
But the name of the restaurant is Al Pastor. So if you are looking for Al Pastor tacos, it's worth looking into. I went there with Julie and Ken when they were visiting Austin in April, and was impressed. The entire back page of the menu is full of their Al Pastor options, which means pork sliced off a slow cook rotisserie. The quesadillas were great, and the tacos were very good. The tacos came without cheese, an ingredient that made the quesadillas so tasty.
When I went in yesterday, I ordered the tacos with cheese, so this would be the true test. They were better than before, but still not perfect. The cheese wasn't fully melted, and there were bits of the pork that were too fatty to eat. So close. Close enough that I will get Carrie to try them, but really, the quest goes on.
In-store yesterday with Telegraph Canyon, which sounds like a wine label more than a band name. They had all the instruments I like (except the accordion), fiddle, mandolin, banjo, etc., but they never seemed to connect, and put it all together. Their sound was a little like Neil Young, but they had no stage presence or notable performance style. They had loaded in an enormous organ that the guitarist played some, but it did not help enough, nor did having a female fiddle player in boots and a skirt. Just something missing in all of it. Sadly, the most impressive thing was that someone loaded in that giant organ.
Peace,
JS4
But the name of the restaurant is Al Pastor. So if you are looking for Al Pastor tacos, it's worth looking into. I went there with Julie and Ken when they were visiting Austin in April, and was impressed. The entire back page of the menu is full of their Al Pastor options, which means pork sliced off a slow cook rotisserie. The quesadillas were great, and the tacos were very good. The tacos came without cheese, an ingredient that made the quesadillas so tasty.
When I went in yesterday, I ordered the tacos with cheese, so this would be the true test. They were better than before, but still not perfect. The cheese wasn't fully melted, and there were bits of the pork that were too fatty to eat. So close. Close enough that I will get Carrie to try them, but really, the quest goes on.
In-store yesterday with Telegraph Canyon, which sounds like a wine label more than a band name. They had all the instruments I like (except the accordion), fiddle, mandolin, banjo, etc., but they never seemed to connect, and put it all together. Their sound was a little like Neil Young, but they had no stage presence or notable performance style. They had loaded in an enormous organ that the guitarist played some, but it did not help enough, nor did having a female fiddle player in boots and a skirt. Just something missing in all of it. Sadly, the most impressive thing was that someone loaded in that giant organ.
Peace,
JS4
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Circumstances
Circumstances led me to Dallas on Tuesday of last week. I was reluctant to blog about those circumstances, but they are why I haven't posted recently.
My Dad had heart surgery at Baylor Medical Center in downtown Dallas. Thankfully, everything went well, and he is set to be discharged on Monday, the 20th. Once I knew he was all right, I started thinking about what I could eat besides hospital cafeteria food. In all honesty, the food at the hospital was better than I ever expected, but I could not resist the Metro Diner. It was across the street from the hospital, and completely surrounded by parking lots. Once I was inside the diner, I was relieved to learn that they had won the Dallas Observer's award for "Best Greasy Spoon" in 2004.
On Thursday night, I had breakfast for dinner, with pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausage. If you ever find yourself in East Dallas, and I hope you don't, this is a great breakfast or burger joint. In the foreground of the picture is a 70's Ford Fairmount, but as I was leaving, I noticed a high dollar BMW in the parking lot as well. It was an old school diner, and a welcome respite.
Before I left Austin to go to Dallas, my friend Tara asked if I needed to borrow some CDs to listen to on the drive. I declined the offer, but started to think about the kind of music one might listen to on a road trip to see a family member through heart surgery. The list included, but was not limited to:
Dr. John
Dr.Hook and the Medicine Show
Heart
Restless Heart
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Okay, you get the idea. Add to the list if you wish.
Too many people to thank for their part in helping my dad, me, and my family through this event. Just know that I am grateful. Very grateful.
Peace,
JS4
My Dad had heart surgery at Baylor Medical Center in downtown Dallas. Thankfully, everything went well, and he is set to be discharged on Monday, the 20th. Once I knew he was all right, I started thinking about what I could eat besides hospital cafeteria food. In all honesty, the food at the hospital was better than I ever expected, but I could not resist the Metro Diner. It was across the street from the hospital, and completely surrounded by parking lots. Once I was inside the diner, I was relieved to learn that they had won the Dallas Observer's award for "Best Greasy Spoon" in 2004.
On Thursday night, I had breakfast for dinner, with pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausage. If you ever find yourself in East Dallas, and I hope you don't, this is a great breakfast or burger joint. In the foreground of the picture is a 70's Ford Fairmount, but as I was leaving, I noticed a high dollar BMW in the parking lot as well. It was an old school diner, and a welcome respite.
Before I left Austin to go to Dallas, my friend Tara asked if I needed to borrow some CDs to listen to on the drive. I declined the offer, but started to think about the kind of music one might listen to on a road trip to see a family member through heart surgery. The list included, but was not limited to:Dr. John
Dr.Hook and the Medicine Show
Heart
Restless Heart
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Okay, you get the idea. Add to the list if you wish.
Too many people to thank for their part in helping my dad, me, and my family through this event. Just know that I am grateful. Very grateful.
Peace,
JS4
Monday, July 13, 2009
Comfort Food
Comfort Food. That's what Hyde Park Bar and Grill is all about. Whatever else is going on, I know we can get a great turkey burger or chicken fried steak just down the street from our house. Today it was the turkey burger and fries for lunch, at the "fork in the road." Carrie and I have been going here since 1992 or 1993, and it is still in heavy rotation, as anyone who visits us knows.
Flashback: Thanksgiving 2008.
We are hosting and everyone begins to arrive for a late lunch festival of Thanksgiving. From all over the state of Texas, relatives are bringing their assigned dishes, making for a great meal. My Dad arrives with fresh-baked pies that his wife Brenda has baked. Carrie catches me alone in the kitchen and says, "I don't think your dad brought in the gravy." I pause for just a moment, and respond, "Well, that's because I forgot to ask him to bring the gravy." Oops. We have to feed more than a dozen people Thanksgiving Dinner in about an hour, and we have no gravy. And it's my fault. Whom do you turn to in a moment like this? Hyde Park Bar and Grill, of course.
We had eaten there with Mom and Jim the night before, so I drove up there, confident that they would come through for us. The same woman who had seated us on Wednesday was hosting on Thanksgiving Day, so I approached her, saying, "Here's my situation." I explained my dilemma, and asked if she could sell me a quart of gravy. Her response could not have been more perfect.
She said, "I can give you some gravy. Wait right here." When she returned, she said simply, "Happy Thanksgiving." I thanked her profusely, as she turned back to her overwhelming holiday duties.
I drove home, eager to tell Carrie how awesome the people at Hyde Park were, knowing that she would not be surprised in the least. Thanksgiving Dinner was perfect, and we had more than enough enough gravy for everyone.
Hyde Park Bar and Grill.
Comfort, Indeed.
Peace,
JS4
Flashback: Thanksgiving 2008.We are hosting and everyone begins to arrive for a late lunch festival of Thanksgiving. From all over the state of Texas, relatives are bringing their assigned dishes, making for a great meal. My Dad arrives with fresh-baked pies that his wife Brenda has baked. Carrie catches me alone in the kitchen and says, "I don't think your dad brought in the gravy." I pause for just a moment, and respond, "Well, that's because I forgot to ask him to bring the gravy." Oops. We have to feed more than a dozen people Thanksgiving Dinner in about an hour, and we have no gravy. And it's my fault. Whom do you turn to in a moment like this? Hyde Park Bar and Grill, of course.
We had eaten there with Mom and Jim the night before, so I drove up there, confident that they would come through for us. The same woman who had seated us on Wednesday was hosting on Thanksgiving Day, so I approached her, saying, "Here's my situation." I explained my dilemma, and asked if she could sell me a quart of gravy. Her response could not have been more perfect.
She said, "I can give you some gravy. Wait right here." When she returned, she said simply, "Happy Thanksgiving." I thanked her profusely, as she turned back to her overwhelming holiday duties.
I drove home, eager to tell Carrie how awesome the people at Hyde Park were, knowing that she would not be surprised in the least. Thanksgiving Dinner was perfect, and we had more than enough enough gravy for everyone.
Hyde Park Bar and Grill.
Comfort, Indeed.
Peace,
JS4
Friday, July 10, 2009
Deer Tick. Seriously Having Fun.
I knew we were in for an unusual show at Waterloo when a member of the band strolled in wearing a long red shirt (up close it looked like a modified bed sheet) with a giant yellow "A" on the front. Yes, Alvin, of Alvin and the Chipmunks was the look he was going for.
He played much of the show on his own, bringing up his band-mates to harmonize for a song or two at a time. When it was time for another guy to play guitar, Alvin just gave him his guitar. Aside from the one guitar, the only other instrument used was Alvin's harmonica. Somehow, this totally worked.
As they played, I was thinking their major influences were Springsteen and Steve Earle. Covers by the Boss, (Nebraska) and John Mellencamp (Authority Song, to close the set) somewhat supported this notion. The lead singer may have been drunk, or he may have just been in character(Drunken Chipmunk, I guess), but if he was, his performance did not suffer from it. He was funny, technically sound, and decent on vocals. He called his friends up to the stage with the lure of beer. As he put it, "Nothing tastes better right after you've brushed your teeth, than a cold beer." Their semi-gruff harmonies rounded off the edge of the songs they shared.
I ended up buying a CD, which is pretty good. Deer Tick, from Rhode Island, is traveling around in an old, short school bus with an atlas on the front dashboard, and some funny bumper stickers on the back. My favorite was their spin on a patriotic theme.
I did walk over to Amy's for a dark chocolate cup of ice cream with fresh strawberries mushed in. Yummmm. After beer and ice cream, it was time for dinner.
He played much of the show on his own, bringing up his band-mates to harmonize for a song or two at a time. When it was time for another guy to play guitar, Alvin just gave him his guitar. Aside from the one guitar, the only other instrument used was Alvin's harmonica. Somehow, this totally worked.
As they played, I was thinking their major influences were Springsteen and Steve Earle. Covers by the Boss, (Nebraska) and John Mellencamp (Authority Song, to close the set) somewhat supported this notion. The lead singer may have been drunk, or he may have just been in character(Drunken Chipmunk, I guess), but if he was, his performance did not suffer from it. He was funny, technically sound, and decent on vocals. He called his friends up to the stage with the lure of beer. As he put it, "Nothing tastes better right after you've brushed your teeth, than a cold beer." Their semi-gruff harmonies rounded off the edge of the songs they shared.
I ended up buying a CD, which is pretty good. Deer Tick, from Rhode Island, is traveling around in an old, short school bus with an atlas on the front dashboard, and some funny bumper stickers on the back. My favorite was their spin on a patriotic theme.
I did walk over to Amy's for a dark chocolate cup of ice cream with fresh strawberries mushed in. Yummmm. After beer and ice cream, it was time for dinner.I went to Shoal Creek Saloon for a big bowl of Cajun gumbo. Duck, sausage and more in a dark roux. It was just cool enough to sit out back on their patio by the creek. Another good day in the Summer of Jay.
I think the strawberries in my ice cream may have been my only fruit or vegetable of the day. Oops. I'll have to try to do better today.
Peace,
JS4
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