Eric Holder & The Senate Judiciary Committee

The band is BACK!   Eric Holder & The Senate Judiciary Committee put on an amazing performance yesterday at The Capitol Room.  Known traditionally as a texas two-step band, this performance added another element to the group...Jazz!  The group played their chart topping hits: Elitest Decordum,  Out of Touch with Americans, The Constitution Is Just An Old Piece Of Paper and That Wasn't The Question You Asked.  Though, after a short break in the set, the band played songs off its newly released jazz album Disdainees, which received a rousing response from the audicence and press.

Eric Holder's solo in Mirandize on the Battlefield combines not only rhetoic but a message of uncertainty.  It is a moving piece on hope and resiliency.  The song was followed, by an upbeat song entitled It isn't me, it is the Office of Management & Budget People which included an interesting self promotion from drummer, Chuck Schumer.  There are many other highlights and low points, actually more low points than can be mentioned.  It is a must see show!

Is this your first time riding the Metro?

The WMATA (Washington Metropolitian Area Transit Authority) has released a series of PSAs (Public Serivce Announcement) which I have begun to call the "Ding, Ding...you're an idiot" series.  While I completely understand the nature of these announcements is not to be insulting, but rather helpful to riders that may be tourists; the tone is nothing short of 'you're an idiot how could you possible ride public transportation.'  Here are a few thoughts I have in response to the PSAs; I'll let you guess the message....

1.  So, if we don't regularly use the Metro we should by a round trip ticket before going to a sporting event...well, isn't that obvious?
2. Yeah, we can see it is raining out and that would make a metal escalator slippery. No shit, genius.  By the way, who is the smart guy who thought that clay tile floor would be great for outdoor platforms in the rain?
3. We get it...when the message says the doors closing; they are actually closing.  We thought it was a freakin' joke.
4. No shit Sherlock, taking public transportation will put us in contact with other people.  Oh, yeah we won't cough on people...something our mothers instilled in us since birth.
5. We will say something when we frickin' see it...like, poor service, length delays, unannounced routine track maintenance, Metro after 10:00 during the week sucks and in general, everything other than terrorists.

Thanks Metro for treating us like childern of a lessor rail system...

Virginia Gubernatorial Elections

As a new resident to the great Commonwealth of Virginia, I am finding the 2009 Governor elections refreshing. On the one hand, you have Bob McDonnell who appears to be pretty darn crazy. And on the other hand, you have Creigh Deeds who appears to be excessively crazy. I may have my facts switched and in fact one is slightly less crazy than the other. My basis of knowing that both candidates are loco, as our Spanish friends would say, is solely rooted in policy beliefs. I'm really not sure, if elected, which political agenda would scare me the most and how quickly it would take for me to be crazy...like them.

Though, there is a silver lining in every cloud. They ain't crooks!!

While, I would like to see a more sound agenda that is in line with my own beliefs and is then representative of my lifestyle; I can however, rest peacefully knowing our future governor will not have kick-backs, ear marks and hush funds a plenty like Blago from the great State of Illinois. To say the least, I'm sure Creigh or Bob will actually live in the Governor's mansion...which will save taxpayer dollars. Not to mention 1000 other things that Blago did to gain office or during his time in office.

It will most likely be a game time decision on who I vote for, but either way Crook trumps crazy. So, I say either way is a win-win for this former Illinoisan. Let's up these crazies don't turn into crooks. Cause then I may just go loco....

Fall is confusing...

After spending most of my life in Chicago, I recently relocated to the Mid-Atlantic which for a Chicagoan is unquestionably the south. One block away from my home is a confederate solider memorial from the War Between The States. Therefore, I need not explain more on that topic.

While, I do feel on a daily basis more settled into my new city; the seasons remain to be very perplexing. Leaves are falling all around, daylight is shorter and there are more overcast days than a few weeks ago. Yet, the temperature is at times still in the 80s/90s and humidity is still high.

It is really a mind teaser for a Midwesterner. Leaves falling + shorter days = jeans and a long sleeved tee. Oh, not so fast my emancipation supporting resident! It is still HOT, like middle of summer Chicago HOT! For jeez, it is football season and I should be cooking up some Chili not sipping white wine and munching on a melon & prosciutto salad. Give me my season back!

The other fall day, I walked to the Metro just a few short blocks away. Again, overcast and leaves a falling I opted for the jeans and long sleeve polo. Arriving at the station, dripping of sweat and cotton mouth I came to one conclusion...I was dying, right there, on the spot, no questions asked. Then, I caught the temperature posted on the bank sign....87 degrees....in late September!!

The lesson learned here is that I'm going to LOVE the mild winters!