RENEGADE CRAFTERS

A Brilliant Meal for Fall!

2009-11-02T08:00:00.002-07:00

This lovely is stuffed with Mexican ingredients--tortillas, sour cream, roasted chiles, tomatillo sauce, roasted chicken, cheese, and generous seasoning--and roasted for 2 hours. Scraping down the cooked insides of this Baby Blue Hubbard yielded a delicious dish!

facebook kills the blog?

2009-02-01T15:20:00.003-07:00

I know I'm over it. Status updates, wall posts, notes, and other random updates that are automatically generated when the crafters haven't fixed their privacy settings on Facebook, keep me plenty up-to-date. I'm signing off the blog. It is just too much for me.

Get Ready to Garden!

2009-01-04T20:51:00.011-07:00

So you don't have to, I've linked pages of catalogs I'm ordering from this year:

Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds Good herb & Asian greens selections; no photos

Seed Savers Exchange Great pics, lots of organics

Baker Creek Heirloom Heirloom, huge selections (8 pages of tomatoes), not much growing info, not all depicted

Johnny's Organized by category, good growing info

Stokes Commercial catalog has a ton of growing info and mostly hybrids

Seeds of Change I'm ticked because they increased packet prices 50 cents--nearly a 20% increase; NM farm that grows organics

The Chile Woman My friend Susan ships transplants of chiles, peppers, tomatoes & tomatillos, $3 per plant

And if you want to see my veggie wishlist, it's growing & posted at my new garden produce wiki.

More on the Food Economy

2009-01-02T10:14:00.002-07:00

Wrapping up the previous post of the NYT article, his books, and prior rumored nomination to Secretary of Ag, Bill Moyers interviews Michael Pollan.

Culinary delights from 1974

2008-12-30T16:17:00.001-07:00

or ... reconsider that new year's diet. These are just plain priceless.

Weight Watchers recipe cards from 1974

Merry New Year

2008-12-25T21:04:00.002-07:00

And a toast to such lovely food-loving wits who share this space, and who, as it was put, have an insatiable intellectual curiousity for life and its components!

Cheers!

And on to 2009--what will the future of the RC blog hold? A death knell? Conversion to Twitter? Ads? Actual crafting?

I have to admit to totally loving this.

2008-12-23T17:42:00.002-07:00

The fine print: "You probably thought it was smart to buy a foreign import of superior quality, with better mileage and resale value. Maybe you thought that years of market share loss might prod us into rethinking our process and redesigning our products with better quality in mind. But you forgot one thing: We spend a shitload of money on lobbyists. So now you’re out $25 billion, plus the cost of your Subaru. Maybe next time you’ll buy American like a real man. Either way, we’re cool."

Blog Debut of SMT

2008-12-11T20:30:00.002-07:00

I had to do it. SMT, the child of CD2E & Jeepboy, is just too cute not to post. Congrats to the newest blog family. She is adorable and we can't wait to find out the person she turns in to.

The Internet is Turning My Brain into a Pretzel

2008-12-11T10:07:00.003-07:00

If you follow the right people on Twitter, this was in your stream today:

Obama's Twin Lives in Ecuador

...not to mention lots of other useless? info. Catch me there on travel stuff at VirtualHostel

Politicians are scumbags

2008-12-10T15:11:00.006-07:00

"Machine-style Politics is the only honest form of government." At least no one is shocked that the politicians are corrupt.

What?

Freelancers Union to Create Health Insurance Company

2008-12-10T13:15:00.001-07:00

You've heard about the Freelancers Union here; now there's more news to report:

Freelancers Union Starts Health Insurance Company
Frustrated with rising premiums, the Freelancers Union, a charity that has long provided health coverage to self-employed workers, is creating its own health-insurance company with $17-million contributed from a group of philanthropies including the Rockefeller Foundation, New York State Health Foundation, and the Pioneer Portfolio of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, reports The Wall Street Journal.

The company, Freelancers Insurance, will craft plans around members’ feedback and outsource each part of the plan administration to the most efficient bidder, says Sara Horowitz, executive director of the Freelancers Union.

News from the Mothership

2008-11-25T10:24:00.003-07:00

We will be closed for moving on December 1st & 2nd please plan your visit & Holiday Party planning around that time. We have a huge grand opening planned for December 3rd in our new location (right next door) and hope that you can join us for the event. We will be having lots of prizes to enter to win. The party starts at 10:00 a.m.

Stale Blog

2008-11-24T09:40:00.002-07:00

But I don't have the energy to contribute more than a picture of tumbleweed. Hopefully someone else has more energy than I do. We are as lame as Enjoy Every Sandwich these days.

Big Red F talent on the small screen

2008-11-13T09:14:00.004-07:00

So last night was the start of the new season of Top Chef and what a joyous surprise to see there are two Big Red F chefs (albeit, from Boulder) in the competition. They didn't mention a connection between the two during last nights episode nor do I recall seeing them on screen together. He is from Jax Boulder. She is from Centro... on the same block in Boulder. Of course there were 17 chefs last night (now 15) including two culinary school buddies a group that has dubbed themselves "Team Rainbow" (what gays on Bravo... um, totally expected!) I love Top Chef anyway but having folks from my most favorite local restaurant group in the mix just makes it all the more appealing! For the un-cabled, I think you can catch up on line.

They are in NYC this season. Last night they had to draw knives and venture into the different neighborhoods and prepare a meal inspired by that neighborhood's signature culture. Hosea won his head to head with Russian fare. Both made the final cut to move onto next week.

Holiday Gift Fairs

2008-11-09T14:48:00.001-07:00

Small, no entry fee gift fairs:

Nov. 14-16: DBG Holiday Sale + plants, 9-6PM except 5PM on Sat. and 3PM on Sun.

Nov.14-16: Fair Trade Gifts, Park Hill Congregational, 26th/Leyden, 3-7PM, 9AM-4PM & 11:30-3PM

Nov. 15-16: Artisans at Phipps Mansion, 3400 Belcaro Dr.,12-6PM and 11-4PM

Dec. 5-7: Women’s Bean Project, 9AM-2PM

Dec. 6: Young Americans Bank Entrepreneurs: 10-2, 3550 E. 1st Ave. (12/13 in Belmar)

Vent: Comcast

2008-11-07T17:14:00.002-07:00

Comcast needs a freaking IT governance framework for support. In english, please? They need a standard troubleshooting process for problems.

We have had the same problem all week but every technicians has their own theory on the cause. The tech earlier this week was certain it was a splitter issue. The guy I have somehow managed to talk to multiple times on the phone is certain it is a bad modem yet the tech who came this afternoon to replace the modem, he decided it must be the wiring from the telephone pole and refused to replace the modem. I think the problem is that they aren't truly cross trained across TV, internet, and phone so folks just pick what they know to replace. (JB thinks each tech gets paid more for certain task and that is all they do.)

GRRRHHHHHH... So if I appear to hang up on you- it is not personal. It just means I am still in Comcast Tech Support hell.

Still Crying...

2008-11-06T14:10:00.002-07:00

At 109, Slave's Daughter Revels In Historic Vote

Oh, THAT was yesterday. Here's today's, an address by Barack Obama to the 2005 American Library Association conference.

63% is a D

2008-11-05T21:35:00.003-07:00

Sorry to be a downer, but figures are coming out (and I did my own election night math in a messy spreadsheet that isn't as scientific as the pontificators) that around 63% of eligible voters actually voted.

That's barely a passing grade. And it's sadly one of the highest turnouts ever.

So for all of the newly registered voters, there's the cashier at Target who didn't have time before she rushed to class that morning, the pessimistic father who feels disenfranchised from all systems, and those who didn't even access multitudinous voter registration opps.

Obviously, many people feel disenfranchised from the political system. Or something else is going on.
What to do? Who? Why?

Where were the other two-thirds?? I'm going to have to hope that none of them were women, or maybe they'd just as soon that we didn't have the right to vote.

War. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing.

2008-11-04T04:52:00.003-07:00

Plan to watch on Wednesday: Medal of Honor

From the time the first speaker at September's screening took the floor until we left the street with busloads of some of the 103 living recipients of the Medal of Honor, tears streamed down my face back in September when we saw the premier of the upcoming PBS documentary, "Medal of Honor."

Out of Ken Burns' production company comes another poignant personalization of American history. For me, the unfathomable position of serving in the military, let alone going to unbelievably compassionate lengths at the risk of your own life, makes many of these men--and a Dr. Elizabeth Walter from the Civil War--other-worldly to me in a different sense than as heroes.

Perhaps with a true insight to pacifist views, the filmmakers relate the accounts of actual pacificists and conscientious objectors who ended up serving, and being among some of the recipients, 60 of whom live in Colorado. Anyone who watches with a keen mind and bit of patriotism will be indignant that the rage against immigration goes on after countless soldiers have gone on to forego their own country for the sake of ours. The film profiles three immigrants who fought despite being imprisoned for their heritage, entering the country illegally, or facing discrimination right up unto the circumstances that brought him into the line of fire.

I cannot imagine ever being in these shoes, or asking someone else to be in a situation where they would be faced with these choices, yet nor can I imagine in any way the benefits of killing another human, freedoms be damned. Really. There are other ways. The benefits cannot be greater than these costs.

Airs November 5 on a PBS station near you.

Free Stuff for Voters

2008-11-03T14:05:00.002-07:00

Other Freebies here...

Are you kidding?!

2008-11-03T12:06:00.003-07:00

We have a long way to go to improve this country. Tomorrow is just a small step, and here's just one example of how much work there is to do:

Stevens Juror Dismissed, Lied About Father's Death
She said she did not expect the trial to last so long and had purchased her airline tickets and tickets to the Breeders' Cup months ago.
U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan declined to sanction the juror.

Samantha Bee on McCain and abortion

2008-10-31T11:05:00.002-06:00

"Barack Obama will win: It's all in 'The West Wing'."

2008-10-31T10:24:00.005-06:00

Remember how sweet the victory of Jimmy Smits' Matthew Santos was over Alan Alda's Arnold Vinnick in the wonderful fantasy world of West Wing?!

It's all true, as it turns out: NYT

Movies that feed the addiction

2008-10-25T10:02:00.006-06:00

I, like most of you, am a total junkie for political news these days. I watch and read things that make me scream and rant and lie awake at night, and I keep watching and reading them. I'm obsessed. So our two most recent movie outings fed that obsession, but with different outcomes.

We drove 80 miles last weekend to Gainesville to see "Religulous". I did enjoy it quite a bit. I don't share all of Bill Maher's views on religion, but it did crystalize for me how fervently I resent the role that extreme religious beliefs play in our world. And I laughed a bunch. Totally worth the 80 mile drive. Except that last night we went to see "W" and discovered that "Religulous" is now playing here in Jax. Oh well, Gainesville has a Chipotle, so it was still worth it.

Seeing "W" was a different story. The parts that could be humorous won't be for another decade or so (if the world is able to recover somewhat by then). It is an absurdity that W is our president, but the destruction it has caused and continues to cause made the movie unbearable for us. And the thought that we could live through more of this idiocy with McCain/Palin made me ill. Maybe that was the point. Ugh.

Happy Obama Reggae

2008-10-23T18:45:00.000-06:00

Especially for RNesta!

$4,716.49 for hair and makeup

2008-10-22T13:06:00.005-06:00

Remember that $400 haircut of John Edwards- seems pretty reasonable in comparison with over $4,000 for hair and makeup. Looks like the RNC has shelled out $150,000 in “campaign accessories” for Caribou Barbie.

I wonder how much SNL has had to spend to knock off the look for Tina Fey?

Gadgetry

2008-10-21T21:55:00.008-06:00

Here's my new OXO food mill.

What could be better than grinding up apples, peels and cores to can (oh, don't start me on that dated word & my encounters with it this summer) applesauce this fall? Leaving behind the seeds, stringy peel parts and hopefully some stem pieces, many rotations produced Batch #1 of applesauce. 2 gallons down, 6 to go.

I could do this, you know, for real. This is who I was meant to be. Too bad I work.

And, it's ready to borrow at the BB&B.

Let the games begin...

2008-10-14T18:38:00.003-06:00

When I was trained to register new voters (a skill I sadly never got to use), I recall this checkbox and remember it seemed like a recipe for disaster. (Being me- I thought what a potential nightmare to support in a train-the-trainer set up.)

"With only a week left before the start of early voting, more than 6,000
people who registered to vote aren't eligible to cast regular ballots yet
because they failed to check a box on their registration forms. The number is
expected to rise since county clerks are still working their way through
last-minute registration forms that came in before last week's deadline..."

Death and Taxes

2008-10-13T14:37:00.002-06:00

Fix the Food Economy

2008-10-12T10:57:00.003-06:00

If you only read one piece on food or of this week's news, make it Michael Pollan's Farmer in Chief.

Already a rabid Pollan fan, I'll read anything of his that's put in front of me. But this is a smart article that has very little to do with food and everything to do with why the economy and the energy crisis won't be dealt with until the food economy is addressed by the next administration. Users of 19% of our fossil fuel, and contributors of 37% of greenhouse gas emissions, the agricultural industry has strayed way, way away from its roots. It now takes 10 calories to produce 1 supermarket food calorie, and the average American eats a half-pound of meat a day.

And I've only read about a third of the article--just had to share it!

A Night Out with the Guys

2008-10-10T20:13:00.006-06:00

I love these people. With whom else, in a span of a few hours, can you:

- calculate that a human can walk 1000 feet on the fuel of a single marshmallow
- hear a review of today's Chippie Lunch at Fero's, picked on the basis of 'I've seen it but never tried it' at Colorado/Alameda. For the record, the foodie in the group called it the most 'varied yet smallest' menu ever--Japanese, steak, Italian, burgers; BTW, I'm pushing for a restaurant review page at their website!
- engage in discussion of what the architecture period between Victorian and Arts & Crafts is called and its stylistic details
- discuss wills, child support, late fees, familial relations, and the general failure of your average person to be organized enough to engage in or avoid these financial dealings

Misc.

2008-10-09T16:06:00.007-06:00

Concert for Change
Thursday, October 23, 2008 from 7:00 – 10:00 pm
Oriental Theater 4335 W. 44th Avenue, Denver, CO 80212, 303-455-2124

Tickets are available at the door for a suggested donation of $10 or FREE to any
volunteer working a minimum of one 3-hour shift at the NW Denver Campaign for
Change office. Featured artists include well-known singer Mollie O'Brien
and guitarist Rich Moore playing the blues, vintage roots covers and gorgeous
ballads, Denver-based singer/ Songwriter/ Guitarist/ Teacher/Activist JT
Nolan and comedian Matt Vogl, a Comedy Works regular.Drink specials, including a
“Blue Baracktail” concocted especially for the event will be offered. 100%
of ticket sales will benefit Colorado for Obama. Attendees are asked to
bring a canned food item for the Bienvenidos Food Bank. Canned fruits,
meats, vegetables, juices, soups, tomato sauce and paste and dried pasta are all
especially needed.

Palin's kind of Patriotism (Shooting fish in a barrel)

'I only wish she had been asked: “Governor Palin, if paying taxes is not
considered patriotic in your neighborhood, who is going to pay for the body
armor that will protect your son in Iraq? Who is going to pay for the
bailout you endorsed? If it isn’t from tax revenues, there are only two ways
to pay for those big projects — printing more money or borrowing more money.
Do you think borrowing money from China is more patriotic than raising it in
taxes from Americans?” That is not putting America first. That is selling
America first.'

Lunch @ Red Trolley

2008-10-09T12:16:00.005-06:00

Perhaps to prepare for the winter, Red Trolley is expanding their offerings to include soups, salads, and popovers at lunch time. They are still working out the service kinks so not recommended if you are in a big hurry but the food was quite good. I had a cup of potato-leek soup, a salad of mixed organic greens-apples-pecans (had to opt out of the blue cheese crumbles), and a popover with peach preserves for $8. There isn't a menu but the choices provided to me verbally were two soups and two salads (the other was called the Red Trolley Salad so I assume that means it is standard. It involved goat cheese.) I took mine to go to make it home in time for a conference call so there was no temptation of an after lunch ice cream but they do have the $1 Tiny Trolley which might just make it the perfect lunch.

I saw the lunch news the other night when we went in for coffee from the fancy clover machine. (Now owned by Starbucks so only available at a limited number of local shops.) The decaf was excellent.

Oh, and Gelman's is now proudly serving Red Trolley ice cream.

Losing Bingo Squares

2008-10-08T08:49:00.014-06:00

If you had "Maverick" or "Palin" on your Bingo card for last nights debate- you were out of luck. Perhaps Tina Fey's last parody saved us from the Maverick crap.

Did anyone else notice that McCain seem to age over the 90 minute debate? He appeared to be physically limping by the end. And what was up with the furious note taking? He had his Sharpie out before the first question was asked.

Shamelessly Plugging

2008-10-07T15:02:00.004-06:00

Look, I didn't ask you to give to race for the cure, or the Aids Walk, or any candidate, or ask you to participate in any volunteer projects*. You owe me!

This is a great little effort to elect some local candidates that beleive in renewable energy. And I'm asking you to give. Any amount. The limit is a mere $50.

Wind of Change: Renewable Energy Fund Nope, it is not tax-deductible.

*Let's be clear, I also didn't participate in any of the activities listed here and god knows I don't do volunteer work. However, I have given over $1500 to elect good people in Colorado, so it is your turn.

Freedom Fries and Obamapolitans

2008-10-03T16:34:00.002-06:00

Gelman's is hosting Debate Watching events that include food and drink specials.

Read Banned Books

2008-09-28T20:55:00.005-06:00

Banned Books Week: September 27 - October 4, 2008
C'mon & read, there's a book for all ages--
And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell, a 2005 children's book based on a true story from Central Park Zoo's male penguin parents;
The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier;
and good ol' Huck Finn

Here's some more from the past decade. Maybe we should all send a copy to what's-her-name from Alaska.

P.S. Many of these are YA books, an alarming number of which I've read, and of which my favorite title is The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things

Pulpit Freedom Sunday

2008-09-27T12:10:00.004-06:00

Alliance of Right Wing Nutjobs and Round Churches stage a tax exempt circus

LA Times: Beware the bully pulpit
NY Times: Ministers to Defy IRS

Haagen Dazs Reserve

2008-09-27T08:27:00.004-06:00

With all the new Ice Cream Shops in the neighborhood, you may be surprised that we have time to try the new Haagen Dazs reserve line. The Amazon Valley Chocolate was decent but it is the Fleur de Sel Caramel that is blog-worthy. "Fleur de Sel caramels covered in a chocolaty coating blended into caramel ice cream with caramel ribbons and French sea salt accents. Crisp, salty nuances harmonize with rich, creamy caramel for the ultimate combination of sweet and salty." Ironically it was a Westword rumor of a similar flavor at Red Trolley (never available when we stop in) that planted the seed in our mind that we must have salty caramel ice cream... which we then discovered in the freezer dept at the grocery! Who knew.

On the subject of Red Trolley, IC reminded me that they do have a $2 Wynkoop Root Beer Float for "Happy Hour" 3-6 pm.

Check your Voter Reg

2008-09-25T12:47:00.003-06:00

Check to see if you're registered to vote:
http://www.sos.state.co.us/Voter/voterHome.do

Apples & Oranges

2008-09-24T12:06:00.005-06:00

They don't always compare, but this NPR graphic just condenses the election into a bite-sized piece of info, doesn't it?

Voting Guide Part 1: The NOs

2008-09-22T17:33:00.013-06:00

As with past Renegade Crafters voting guides- we suggest you vote "No" with few exceptions. This year the Nos includes a mix of good ideas that just shouldn't be included in the state constitution and pure evil anti-choice right wing bullshit (defining a person to include fertilized eggs).

No on Amendment 46: Discrimination and Preferential Treatment by Governments
No on Amendment 47: Prohibition on Mandatory Labor Union Membership and Dues
No on Amendment 48: Definition of Person
No on Amendment 49: Allowable Government Paycheck Deductions
No on Amendment 51: State Sales Tax Increase for Services for People with Developmental Disabilities (no constitutional earmarks)
No on Amendment 52: Use of Severance Tax Revenue for Highways (no constitutional earmarks)
No on Amendment 53: Criminal Accountability of Business Executives
No on Amendment 54: Campaign Contributions from Certain Government Contractors
No on Amendment 55: Allowable Reasons for Employee Discharge or Suspension
No on Amendment 56: Employer Responsibility for Health Insurance
No on Amendment 57: Additional Remedies for Injured Employees

From NYT

2008-09-22T17:13:00.004-06:00

Oh, I miss the West Wing...
OBAMA I didn’t expect you to answer the door yourself.
BARTLET I didn’t expect you to be getting beat by John McCain and a Lancôme rep who thinks “The Flintstones” was based on a true story, so let’s call it even.

The Pinocchio Test

2008-09-19T16:59:00.001-06:00

It's about time! The Wash Post blog has created a campaign Pinocchio Test to rate truthiness.

For the poltical junkies

2008-09-18T20:36:00.001-06:00

We won't have our mail ballots in hand for about 3 weeks, but for the people who want to get educated ahead of time, the final draft of the blue book came out today so you can study up on your ballot initaitives and referenda. We will need to do a voter guide soon.

What we aren't hearing about....

2008-09-18T18:48:00.009-06:00

... The McCain health plan would treat employer-paid health benefits as income that employees would have to pay taxes on.

Martha, Martha, Martha

2008-09-18T18:48:00.004-06:00

I have been in bed for the last two days treating a cold with rest, plenty of fluids, and a humidifier. I can't recall the last time I took two days off work to be sick. I have had plenty of time to catch up on my Martha.

Fine Living Network has just launched Whatever Martha where Alexis Stewart and Jennifer Koppelman Hutt mock old video footage of early Martha Stewart programming. (IC- Alexis & Jennifer also have a radio show on the Sirius Martha channel.)

I also caught Martha's regular show (the same one that plays on broadcast tv but is re-run on FLN) on the topic of blogging.

Something smells fishy...

2008-09-16T08:19:00.002-06:00

Perhaps Rove's comments can be taken at face value but it just seems unlikely... Does anyone else see horns and tail when you hear his name?

"McCain has gone in his ads one step too far, and sort of attributing to Obama things that are, you know, beyond the 100-percent-truth test," said Rove.

"In case anyone was still wondering whether John McCain is running the sleaziest, most dishonest campaign in history, today Karl Rove - the man who held the previous record - said McCain's ads have gone too far," said Obama campaign spokesman Tommy Vietor.

SNL Message from Sarah & Hillary

2008-09-15T17:03:00.008-06:00

Who says Tina Fey doesn't look like Sarah Palin?!

Using words like cankles & MILF, you won't want to miss (and if only I could stay up past 10 to have seen it on Saturday):

Clinton: “I believe global warming is caused by man.”
Palin: “And I believe it’s just God hugging us closer.”

An instant classic.
(And who says the NYTimes is biased to the left?!)

Movie & a Soda for a buck

2008-09-15T12:24:00.004-06:00

McDonalds is running a promotion where you can get an extra large soda for 96 cents (89 + tax) and a code for a free red box movie rental for one night (value- $1).

Re-invented (again)

2008-09-15T08:11:00.004-06:00

I think it is TJ Maxx who has a motto of "never the same place twice". It seems Gelman's has adopted this approach. Saturday night we discovered that Gelman's has forgotten that they are in a strip mall next to a Domino's and a by the scoop Chinese take out. They have moved further from casual neighborhood joint with yet another menu change and a velvet curtain at the entrance. The food was good but the tables were empty. I took advantage of the 3 course tasting menu while JB enjoyed the roast chicken (an entree that has made the cut through several menu changes.) Not that I can enjoy these days but I was most alarmed to see the Gorgonzola cheesecake had not made the cut. I really want this place to succeed but they worry me with the constant reinvention.

A sign that things are not going well- all the wait staff have turned over. But we found Springy Shoe girl at Mona's on Sunday morning. (Actually she recognized us but I guess it has been a while b/c she was thrown by my virgin bloody mary order... until I stood up.)

Hope and Ick

2008-09-12T15:35:00.005-06:00

DHP shared this gem: Women against Sarah Palin. The diversity of the voices on this blog are pretty impressive. Very hopeful that so many folks see through Palin.

And for the most anti-woman Palin policy of the week: I nominate the practice of charging victims for rape kits. Ick.

Oh, Poor Joe!

2008-09-12T12:38:00.003-06:00

Sorry, but this is embarrassing...The Bidens contributed an average of $369 annually in charitable gifts.

While the Center for Responsive Politics shows Sen. Biden with a negative worth. Is he just another example of borrowing money just to get by in America, or is this the personal debt he's incurred while running for offices, or what, really??? Figures like this give me pause to literally look out the window and ponder what goes on out there in the world. It's interesting to browse around at the Center for Responsive Politics for investments, liabilities, and income of our electeds.

$165K annual congressional salary seems like it might be nice, but I also assume it would put you in a position to give at least a whole percent of your income, not to mention tithing. I'm going to assume from this that Mr. Biden is not a church-goer.

Now while it's a fact that the poorest of our country gives the greatest percent of their income, our congresspersons' earnings put them in the top 0.23% of world earners, per the previously featured 'richness' calculator.

Candidates on Service

2008-09-11T22:13:00.006-06:00

If you missed the televised coverage, here are 8 video segments letting the 2 candidates say their piece on national service, following up on the issue of TIME that promoted national service.

I'm biased, but I thought McCain was creepy, off-message, and avoided articulating any specifics, while Obama eloquently spoke about his superior knowledge and specific plans regarding the issue while reaching out to say that government and military service are equally important as community service. I did think that the interview questions left much to be desired; I thought they were biased towards Obama's views and also let the candidates talk about whatever they wanted.

Finally, a reason to go to the burbs

2008-09-10T10:31:00.000-06:00

IKEA coming to Colorado.

$1 Billion Wish List

2008-09-08T22:22:00.002-06:00

What could America do with $1 billion dollars...my rough estimate of what will be raised and spent on the presidential race (open to more accurate figures here):

Reduce this year's contribution to the deficit
Buy 10,000 prosthetics for Iraqi war veterans
Seed the National Housing Trust Fund
Add $3 to everyone's stimulus check
Incentivize wind energy
Shore up our Social Security savings

French Food in NW Denver

2008-09-08T17:25:00.006-06:00

Friday night JB & I went to Brasserie Felix on Tennyson. We were surprised to get seated right away on a First Friday but based on our experience, I am certain reservations will soon be needed. (Early on we were able to walk right in at Duo too.)

We had an enjoyable meal. JB had a special salad with local heirlooms. The goat cheese free bite he shared with me was divine. I started with the french onion soup which had too much cheese for my taste but otherwise was solid. We both enjoyed seafood entrees (Sea scallops and shrimp over asparagus risotto with a lobster bisque sauce and mixed seafood, mussels, cockles, calamari, shrimp, garlic, parsley, lemon butter broth) but the menu is packed with carnivore options. We rounded out our meal with Crepe Suzette which would have been much better if we had not recalled the dulce de leche stuffed crepes from Centro.

The reason I know we will be back is that our most favorite waiter in Denver was wrapping up his training there. We have been fans of this sarcastic yet service oriented guy since we first crossed paths with him at DJs and then Mead St and now Felix. And if he leaves in a year for another spot in the hood- I am sure we will start to frequent that spot too.

Another note: Felix has recently added bottomless mimosas to the Sunday brunch (about the same time that Gelmans removed this from their menu.)

Eat Shit Sarah Palin. A lesson in Community Organizers.

2008-09-05T12:15:00.003-06:00

While Pitbull Palin is trying to figure out what a vice-president does, I thought I'd share something about the role community organizers play in our society. This is, of course, in response to her making fun of community organizers in her speech. "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a ‘community organizer,’ except that you have actual responsibilities.”

Ya, the mayor of a po-dunk town in Alaska has a ton in common with these folks ...

Jesus Christ - former carpenter who got a core group of 12 to serve on his "steering committee", a second tier with about 72 and after that thousands of followers. Went around healing the sick and feeding the poor for about 3 years in Galilee.

Martin Luther - put together a band of followers around his protest against the Holy See in Germany. Published a translation of the Bible into German to empower local peasants who couldn't read Latin.

Sam Adams - created the Sons of Liberty in Boston Massachutsetts in response to acts of British Parliament. Without it we would still be singing God Save the Queen.

Benjamin Franklin - created first public library system, first volunteer fire department in America in Philadelphia. Organized Continental Congress, founded the nation.

George Washington - put together a little group called the "Continental Army" to fight the British. Originally a volunteer organization known as the "Minutemen" in April of 1775..defeated world's most powerful military by October of 1781 in Yorktown.

William Lloyd Garrison - founded the American Anti-Slavery Society that fought for abolition of slavery in the United States.

Lord Baden Powell - After campaigns in Africa during the Boer War, put together a little organization known as the "Boy Scouts", now a world wide youth organization for boys and young men.

Juliette Gordon Low - founded the Girl Scouts of America to provide opportunities for girls and young women.

Clara Barton - A nurse during the Civil War, created the American Red Cross - still today a volunteer organization that does phoenomenal work helping victims of natural disasters and home fires.

William Booth - Founded the Salvation Army which takes care of the needy and provides shelter to the homeless.

Martin Luther King Jr., Andrew Young, Jesse Jackson, Ralph David Abernathy, John Lewis, et. al. - Founded the SCLC and fought for equal rights for all Americans regardless of race during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960's.

Susan B. Anthony - led the women's suffrage movement culminating in women being granted the vote in 1919.

Sir George Williams - Founded the Young Men's Christian Association or YMCA which provides opportunities to learn and grow to many young people.

Mahatma Gandhi - organized a community known as "India" to rebel against British rule through non-violent protest. Freed India from colonial rule in 1947.

Absolutely Not....Censorship!

2008-09-05T08:15:00.003-06:00

Shortly after becoming mayor, former city officials and Wasilla residents said, Ms. Palin approached the town librarian about the possibility of banning some books, though she never followed through and it was unclear which books or passages were in question., from the NYT, but search for yourself.

John McCain is a father of CIPA, 2001's Children’s Internet Protection Act, which while paved with good intentions, is another filtering requirement that every librarian knows how to circumvent if necessary. 'Cause goodness knows you can't have anything with the word 'breast' coming up if you're researching cancer....

How important is this discussion?? I don't know, it's YOUR First Amendment rights--that's free speech, for the uninitiated, and librarians are fierce defenders. Not to mention that the American Library Association challenged CIPA (just one of several internet filtering laws passed for our safety, because we're idiots that need protection as students must be taught math and reading rather than decision-making) at the Supreme Court level, but lost.

Links

2008-09-04T18:35:00.005-06:00

Steinem Op Ed: Sarah Palin shares nothing but a chromosome with Hillary Clinton.
And why we heart Jon Stewart:

Full Jails in St Paul

2008-09-03T15:34:00.003-06:00

I saw a stat on the news last night that almost 300 people had been arrested at the RNC on Monday compared to 150 all week at the DNC. And then I just got this action alert about Democracy Now Journalist Arrest.

Palin on the Rocks

2008-09-03T13:49:00.004-06:00

I am not really a fan of Drinking Liberally since their juvenile attacks on RC back in 2006 but I happen to catch this one in my junk inbox today and thought it was clever.

Palin on the Rocks: The Official Drinking Liberally Sarah Palin Convention
Speech Drinking Game

Take a Sip when She Says:
- faith
- Barack Obama
- abortion
- pregnancy
- She claims that "the media" is attacking her family
- She makes reference to being governor of Alaska
- She talks about the sanctity of life
- She makes a positive reference to Hillary Clinton
- She mentions Cindy McCain

Take a Gulp when:
- She claims that "the Democrats/Democrat party" is attacking her
party
- She makes reference to being a beauty queen
- She uses a down-homey aphorism
- She makes a positive reference to Geraldine Ferraro
- She calls Obama a Muslim
- She references her relationship with God
- She mentions the lack of a vetting process

Chug when:
- She claims that Joe Biden is attacking her family
- She makes reference to being a tv sports anchor
- She says that she "won't apologize" for something (e.g. her family, being
who she is, being a christian, etc.)
- She makes a positive reference to Gloria Steinem

Celebratory Toast if:
- She forgets a line/stumbles through a line
- She tries a joke about her inexperience

Finish Your Drink if:
- She is replaced by Phyllis Schlafly
- She mentions VPILF
- She claims that Barack Obama is attacking her family
- She makes reference to being a secessionist and/or under
investigation
- She makes a positive reference to Andrea Dworkin

Okay food. Awful Service.

2008-09-01T15:12:00.003-06:00

Yesterday was our first (and likely last) visit to Earls on the 16th Street mall. We were looking for a low key meal before catching Hamlet 2 (C+) at the Pavilions. We were really disappointed in our last trip to Appaloosa Grill (one of the few local spots on the mall) so we decided to give Earls a try.

Downstairs was open seating which is code for sitting 11 minutes before any servers notice you. The menu does not match the online menu. (Both items JB had picked out online were not offered at the Denver location.) The food was actually okay. The mixed greens came with dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, carrots, and grape tomatoes which were all fresh but the vinaigrette was a bit flat. The soup was decent and JB enjoyed his seared tuna sandwich. Just one example of the poor service: Our waitress took my club soda to refill mid-meal and disappeared for 20 minutes.

(sigh) Does dinner and a movie in Denver really have to be this cumbersome?

I want my 15 feet!!

2008-08-31T20:02:00.004-06:00

So we just left a movie at the Pavilions and walked passed Coyote (E Coli) Ugly. There was a group of Denver Firemen panhandling for Jerry Lewis standing at the rail directly across from the main entrance where an employee was sitting on the bouncer stool right at the entrance smoking! WTF? The Smoking Ban clearly states that smokers must be 15 feet from the main entrance. Do Denver Fireman in uniform feel no sense of law enforcement? And furthermore, isn't there a panhandling ordinance for downtown too?

Does McSame think so little of me?

2008-08-29T10:46:00.005-06:00

Does McSame (NOTE: Link inserted by IC, to highlight my new favorite blog) think so little of women that we should overlook all of Gov Palin's Anti-Women stances just because she has the same parts as we do?

UPDATE: Daily Show response with Samantha Bee: "Sarah Palin may be the ideological opposite of Hillary Clinton, but she's her gynecological twin."

Things we really should have captured on film...

2008-08-25T23:35:00.002-06:00

...me in my current condition at the Trojan sponsored DNC event.

Crowd Control Bingo (or the missing Seuss book)

2008-08-25T08:48:00.006-06:00

Yesterday JB & I went downtown to the Anti-War protest and the Green Fest. We saw...

Cops on foot
Cops on foot with dogs
Cops in cars
Cops in SUVs
Cops on the outside of SUVs
Cops on bicycles
Cops on motorcycles
Cops on motorbikes
Cops on horses
Cops on ponies
Cops in golf carts
Cops on Segways

Pepsi Center Feature

2008-08-25T07:35:00.003-06:00

Who knew the Pepsi Center's sprinkler system had a BS detector feature?

The $500 haircut has totally been put to shame ...

2008-08-22T14:56:00.000-06:00

John McCain is not benign

2008-08-22T10:01:00.002-06:00

The customer in front of me and the 20 something cashier at Sunflower- a self described "Hil-dog"- were venting about street closures to allow protests during the convention. I made the mistake of engaging in the conversation. "Hil-dog" doesn't think it is fair (1) that protesters don't have free range and then (2) that the closures will prevent his free range access to bars. He had some whine about those of us who aren't going to vote for Obama why should we be inconvenienced. And so I said something like you can't let McCain win and he says, "Oh, it's just McCain. It's not like it is Romney."

WTF. John McCain is not benign. Does he think just because McCain is a frequent guest on The Daily Show that it is not big deal if he gets elected? Especially this kid in his early 20s. Did you hear that McCain said he "does not disagree" with a townhall supporter earlier this week who called for a Draft? You think street closures next week are inconvenient. Try being deployed to Iraq! And you think we have freedom of speech issues now? What do you see happening with McCain's appointment to the Supreme Court? Heard of Roe-v-Wade?

People scare me.

And moving along to the REAL issues...

2008-08-22T09:38:00.003-06:00

I love NYT graphics. That's just the kind of gal I am. This (oh, you have to go to the Series Index and scroll over to the American Way of Debt graphic) looked a lot better and was more fun to explore in the actual paper, but did you know:

The average American household has $8,565 in credit card debt?
We've reached 1930s savings levels, at $392--that's ANNUAL--per household.

Aren't we swell?!

And I doubted the need for an organization like Colorado Saves.

It's about time

2008-08-21T13:39:00.004-06:00

The Obama campaign finally grew a set of balls.

And in other news, although voters perceive McCain to be a negative campaigner, they are still gravitating toward him. Gee, I wonder why campaigns are so negative ... uh, because it works.

Suburban Venture

2008-08-19T14:50:00.008-06:00

Saturday night we took 25 South to Greenwood Village. It was the new-ish Landmark Theatre that inspired the trip. We wanted to see Bottle Shock* without the discomfort of the Mayan. The theatre and screen were pretty modest in size (compared to a mega plex). The room smelled strongly of Dillards- enhanced by the over perfumed couple sitting next to us and perhaps a side effect of the overall demographic attracted to a 3pm showing of a wine theme movie in Greenwood Village. Tickets were $12 a head (flat weekend rate) which included the movie and self serve popcorn and soda. (Bonus: They have the fountain machines that include the secondary club soda option.) There is a full bar and they serve things in real glass. There is also a $3/tix VIP upgrade with better seating and wait staff who will bring you things from the self serve free selections or from the bar. (Most of the folks our age in the movie had shelled out the VIP charge and kicked back while bottles of wine were delivered to their seats.) Even the "cheap" seats are much more comfy than the Mayan. It is an interesting experience which I encourage you to try out next time there is a flick you really want to catch and it is only showing at an uncomfortable Landmark spot in Denver. It is quite a hike from NW Denver so I don't see it becoming a frequent destination but it is all rather intriguing.

*The movie, Bottle Shock, was solid and enjoyable. The plot is not as dark as Sideways and some appreciation of Napa Valley may be required. There are some subtitles which made me wish I hadn't left my glasses in the car. It is set in the late 70s and based on a true story. I would give it a B+.

Dinner at Pappadeaux rounded out the evening. It has pretty good food but less than 5 star service (example: when the host walked us to our seat- there was a tote of dirty dishes sitting in one of the chairs). It is always strange to me when chains have good food and bad service. It seems like something they could address in a universal training program- like Starbucks has. I have eaten at Pappadeaux in other cities and the food was very consistent (also pretty good).

Other dining options near by include Ted's Montana Grill and Hapa. (In a different time we would have planned our trip around Hapa Happy Hour where they have awesome cocktails and yummy raw fish.)

One of the downfalls of spending time in Greenwood Village- and eating at chains- is the increased likelihood of seeing evil characters in real life. In our case: Tancrazy. (Jeepboy quote of the week: "It's like seeing Hitler in person.")

Thinking of ???

2008-08-14T19:48:00.003-06:00

How timely that our Southern transplant has arrived, for I've just run across this magazine.

I think this speaks for itself.

Here we are...in Florida

2008-08-13T11:06:00.002-06:00

We made it. Twenty-seven hours of driving later, we pulled into our new town... and here we are. I guess I should look for work now, but its easier to sleep late, unpack slowly, and spend half the day on Facebook and now, the blog. So far, things I love: humidity, "po-down" rain, our top front porch, the neighborhood, the beach, the bridges, the river. Not as much: bugs. We miss y'all.

Forbes Top 10 Richest Celebrity Chefs

2008-08-12T19:39:00.006-06:00

1.Rachel Ray- $18 million 2.Wolfgang Puck - $16 million 3.Gordon Ramsay- $7.5 million 4.Nobuyuki Matsuhisa - $5 million 5.Alain Ducasse - $5 million 6.Paula Deen - $4.5 million 7.Mario Batali - $3 million 8.Tom Colicchio - $2 million 9.Bobby Flay - $1.5 million 10.Anthony Bourdain - $1.5 million

I feel sad for Paula that she makes so much less than Rach. And am I bit surprised that Tom Colicchio is ahead of Bobby Flay. I guess Bravo pays better than Food Network.

I am sure DHP & Rspe are just happy to see Giada didn't make the list.

Mistaken Identity?

2008-08-12T14:21:00.004-06:00

Headline from Comcast.net home page today: Is Clooney secretly advising Obama?
And I ask, or could it just be a case of Mistaken Identity?

On a more serious note, don't forget to vote today. No waiting at my precinct. There is a sneaky ballot issue allowing police to impound cars and jail anyone stopped without their license in hand. Bummer if you ever run to the store and forget your license. Even more of a bummer in my hood where traffic cops could become immigration enforcers.

More random shit

2008-08-10T21:57:00.003-06:00

Mad Men is quite possibly the best show to air in a very long time.

I spent some time doing political work today with friends and here are the results of some of our conversations...

Re: John Edwards ... "There's nothing like poverty and blowjobs".
Re: Barack Obama's supporters walking around talking about his wonderful speeches and doing nothing real to elect him ... "The hope is palpable".
Re: Everyone we called in Boulder named 'Serenity' or 'Faith' that hung up on us ... "Fucking douchebags".

Incomplete Blog Posts

2008-08-10T17:05:00.002-06:00

In the spirit of Rebeckspe's Placeholder post: Here are things I have thought about blogging about but haven't completed the thoughts....

- A review of the new Billy's Inn (and dining next to Jack)

- A comparison of Red Trolley and Little Man Ice Cream. And why neither are as good as Josh and Johns

-Things Focus on (your own damn) Family could ask their supporters to pray for instead of rain during Obama's acceptance speech- Like Peace & Understanding in the world

Think with your BRAIN for a change!

2008-08-08T19:29:00.004-06:00

Okay, men are evidently not only skeevy, but also IDIOTS. Please add to my presidential wish list "does not sleep around." If our misogynist society would elect a woman, we at least might not have to worry about this aspect as much.

While I'm on another harangue, the government, I am reminded $20 later, is also in collusion with television converter manufacturers. You see, only a certain number of the models are available, so once the lower-priced ones are gone, you'll just have to invest more money. I know I already complained about this, but I was reminded today during my purchasing event before my coupon made its untimely expiration.

Television

2008-08-07T21:41:00.003-06:00

It really sucks in the summer and I am very thankful for basic cable ... especially Bravo. I recently discovered Kathy Griffin: My life on the D list and am completely addicted. She's kinda annoying but her mother if fucking hilarious. Actually, her complaining about her mother is pretty damned funny too. My favorite line from tonight goes like this:

Rachel: Who raised you people?
Kathy: You've met my mother. I was raised by a box of wine.

Love it.

One Less Hassle by TSA?

2008-08-07T12:22:00.004-06:00

Will you be rushing right out to get a new laptop bag so you have one less 'chore' to do in the security line at the airport? I don't know, maybe TSA--oh even better, they have a BLOG!--could concentrate on something that benefits everyone, including the little old ladies in pumps who--like the rest of us--have to take their freakin' shoes off to walk on the filthy, germ-coated, bacteria-laden airport floor?!

Isn't this 'design contest' with select businesses kind of spoiling our established anti-trust laws? Or somewhat taste of government collusion with only major manufacturers??

Oh sure, the others will catch up, including my fav MP, but this screams of 'having money to make money' when the big guys get first shot and leave the rest to catch up to the market.

Community Credentials for DNC Mile High Event

2008-08-06T17:38:00.002-06:00

http://co.barackobama.com/invesco

gay strip clubs and douche bags on bikes

2008-08-06T11:05:00.004-06:00

First, please accept my apologies for being so bad about blogging this summer. It's not like I've been busy with work. It seems that my job this summer is to increase the stock of Grey Goose and single-handedly keep bars in Denver open.

Let me share with you some of my observances from my summer of debauchery.

Gay strip clubs are amazing. I highly recommend Boystown at 3rd and Broadway. Dammit those boys are hot-t and can do things on a pole that will make you sweat. And, yes they are clothed and are wearing fantastic shoes. Love it!

High gas prices have had a negative affect that I did not anticipate. Douche bags on bikes. I have a few tips for the assholes riding around my neighborhood. Get out of the middle of the street before I run you down. A helmet might be a good idea. You are a lot slower than the flow of traffic and you could at least fucking pedal to try and keep up. The gears that make it harder to pedal actually make you go faster. Now get out of my way while blow through my savings and pollute the environment. My gas taxes pay for these fucking roads and I'm going to drive on them.

I love Cuba Cuba. And the Cruise Room because of its heavy air conditioning, lack of windows, and strong drinks. Perfect for a hot summer night. I absolutely cannot stand Elways ... both the Cherry Creek and Downtown locations. Plastic surgery disasters seem to be their only clientele. However, the Ritz-Carlton hotel downtown is absolutely incredible and some day I want to make enough money to be able to stay there.

I went to the Queen Sooper on Monday and they were out of some very strange items. Organic milk, asparagus, and free-range chicken. This prompted me to wonder if this is how rationing starts. If I remember history correctly high prices and food shortages lead to rationing, right?

I've experienced a lot more this summer, but unfortunately Grey Goose has cost me some brain cells and I can't remember what I did yesterday let alone 2 months ago.

Good news for Creamy Crafter....

2008-08-03T13:26:00.003-06:00

... and a to-do for any visitors to the Springs: Josh and Johns is still open in Colorado Springs!

Men are Skeevy

2008-07-30T15:49:00.005-06:00

I write to share with you my disappointment today and the unfortunate subconscious association, now, of the Tattered Cover with perverts.
Not to remind you how hot I am--we leave that to The Speaker, ;-)--but to remind you that Men are Not to Be Trusted.

First of all--to the congenial man who PASSED ME A NOTE:
LIFE IS NOT THE FOURTH GRADE!!!! I'm sorry I couldn't read your entire list of multiple choice items, but just because we shared a power strip doesn't mean I'm there to pick up men. Not that perhaps the TC isn't a great place to pick up people, just get a little wiser to the signals, eh??!

Secondly--to the older balding slob closely perusing all levels of the tote bag rack and evidently not wise to the ways of the SKORT: I'M WATCHING YOU, TOO, YOU GIANT F***ING PERV.
He's undoubtedly kin to one of the drivers of the 4-cars-in-2-hours that parked alongside the kid-packed Pool in the 'Hood the other day, too. Just passing their lunch hour in the shade, I'm sure.

Disgusting.

Shop Local

2008-07-30T09:09:00.004-06:00

This is an incomplete post of my thoughts on the subject, but I thought it best to get the word out that I ran across the American Independent Business Alliance this AM. You might find it useful...

Bucket List- White Truffle Beurre Fondue

2008-07-27T20:42:00.004-06:00

It has been suggested that we come up with a bucket list around our household. A list of things we want to do before the baby comes. (Of course recent new parents have only one suggestion for the list: sleep, sleep, and more sleep.) Our list includes dining at locations that we would never dream of dragging a baby pod into. Which is perhaps what lead to one of the most delightful meals I have had in a while at Fruition. I really can't recall the last time I have had a meal as enjoyable. Reservations are required but available on Open Table. I think the food really speaks for itself here:

Seared Maine Diver Scallops: English Pea Agnolotti, Vidalia Onion & Foraged Mushroom Ragout, White Truffle Beurre Fondue, Pan Roasted Alaskan Black Cod: Littleneck Clam Chowder, Yukon Gold Potato, Smoked Bacon, Grilled Scallions, Fruition S’Mores: Chocolate Butter Cake, Banana Ice Cream, Toasted Cinnamon Marshmallow, Vanilla Bean Cheesecake Mousse: Bing Cherry Compote, Almond-Citrus Tuile, Red Wine Granita

The one unpleasant element of the evening was a table of country club seniors who loudly discussed topics including- history of lactose intolerance, fabulous wines served by Hitler at dinner parties, etc. These table neighbors did produce a JeepBoy quote of the week: "Not all old people are treasures."

My governor is hotter than yours.

2008-07-23T15:59:00.002-06:00

'nuf said.

Let's Hope for an A Student?

2008-07-19T11:42:00.003-06:00

This is old news, but recently refreshed in our minds thanks to CD2E's Pop--why our President is proud of being a mediocre student and thinks it's funny says a lot about his value of education and resulting policies.

Maybe not an issue to decide the election upon, but I have to wonder (as I can't seem to find reliable information) if this isn't something we voters should aspire to. Or not.

Perhaps it is after all, just a mark of being book-learned in a skewed system.

What RCrs are doing instead of blogging...

2008-07-11T08:37:00.003-06:00

Working
Packing
Sleeping
Craigslisting
Unisex baby name researching
Avoiding cooking (aka supporting the local economy)
Gathering content for how I spent my summer vacation essays

And, of course, anything in a climate controlled environment

Fireworks are (EVIDENTLY) Perfectly LEGAL

2008-07-05T13:42:00.006-06:00

I should book my July 4, 2009, holiday out of town right now while it's fresh in my mind. And has been since late last night.

You see, if you ever visited and thought Whittier was the pinnacle of fireworks display, come on over to Curtis Park, where your neighbors set off fireworks 'til 3 effin' AM. At least in Curtis Park, they are considerate enough to take their trash back home with them instead of littering the intersections for days to come.

Yep, that's right, not just any ol' activity, though; you haven't lived until you've gone outside in your nightgown at 1AM to ask if it isn't getting a little late to the guy (same one who's the owner of the Guy-Across-The-Street-Who-Yells-At-His-Kids mental image in my mind) setting off the display in front of your house--you know, it's so much better to view them from a distance, and you wouldn't want your own house in danger of catching fire, right?! Anyway, I've discovered my own ideal height of torture--being rudely awakened every 45 minutes by alarming firecrackers.

But the real point of this post is that whatever law or ordinance says that 'FIREWORKS ARE ILLEGAL IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER' is a JOKE!!! Do any of our city council members live in town, and if so, do they stay here for the 4th?! Or do they just live in the tony neighborhoods were they live out the suburban (and currently, my) dream of 'all quiet after 10'?! I have actually called the police before concerning fireworks and been laughed at, as if the situation--and it must be--is entirely out of their control.

When I wasn't being startled or wondering at what point I should try the 'fireworks hotline' I was busy planning my revenge. Although I like to think that I am a respectful person, such torture can drive a sleep-deprived citizen to new heights. How I dread tonight, July 5, when I'll be plotting my vacation for 2009.

This Sunday is the first Sunday after July 1, 2008

2008-07-03T12:03:00.005-06:00

And of course that means it is the first post-blue law Sunday in Colorado!

I may have to pick up a nice bottle of red for the cellar to celebrate the occasion... at a future date. =) A California Cabernet is surely calling my name over at Mondo Vino. They are having The First Sunday Celebration Sale - Take 20% off everything! (Open 10:30am -7pm‏)

Argonaut (aka the Mothership) has posted their Sunday hours as 10am- 6pm.

Tennyson Street Eats

2008-06-30T08:37:00.006-06:00

I am not sure if it is heat or the hormones, but the kitchen at our house saw very little action this weekend. The thought of cooking just doesn't sit well with me.

Friday night we tried Gemelli's Ristorante Italiano on Tennyson. It is in an old house closer to the 44th end of the strip. Don't be alarmed by the temperature in the lobby- the back dining room is nice and climate controlled. There is also a cute patio. The service still has a bit of a new feel where folks seem to be bumping into each other. I was dining with JB so of course one of the owners made an appearance at our table.

The dinner salad was really good with cucumber, carrot spirals, and mixed greens that included something other than iceberg and romaine. It was a much more exciting salad than the house salad at Patsy's. (But let's be honest, the homemade pasta will keep Patsy's on our dining list no matter all it's other flaws.) The entrees were solid. The best ever? No, but we didn't have any complaints. They were modest servings but reasonably priced. JB was very pleased with his ice cold Moretti on tap. They only listed one or two dessert on the menu but then our waitress brought a tray of options. The cannoli was very good.

Would I go again? Absolutely. Would I recommend it to GT as authentic? Probably not.

Saturday morning found us reunited with an old friend. DJs cafe is open again! They have new menu items but we both jumped right back to old favorites that were as good as we remembered. JB remarked that he was surprised they weren't promoting the grand re-opening more until we realized that every table was full 35 minutes into breakfast service on the second weekend they have been open since the fire.

Really, no, REALLY??

2008-06-26T11:51:00.002-06:00

Warning, the potheads are back. This time they are pushing the FAA to allow pot smoking in airport lounges. They are serious. I guess after losing the state-wide ballot initiative to legalize pot, they have to justify their existence to their funders. I would like to bring back our dead to us list and add SAFER Colorado. Douche Bags.

???!! (open mouth, speechless)

2008-06-20T17:27:00.005-06:00

OMG. Did you hear this? Girls' Pregnancy Pact (Albeit unconfirmed; I'm sure we'll hear more on this.)

WTF?!
Wow, I cannot believe how many things have failed at once here.
Or do they have a smart idea?! As one commenter pointed out, "By the time they enter the workforce, their kids will be in school." Another topic for the future reissue of Free Lunch....

Funny, I just finished Someone Like You by Sarah Dressen last night. This YA (that's library speak for Young Adult) novel talks about a teen who chooses to keep her baby sans father and prepares for motherhood with her best friend. Yeah, right. But that's why we love fiction, right? Oh, wait...it's not fiction anymore.

Take your dog to work day

2008-06-20T09:43:00.006-06:00

Today is take your dog to work day. I am lucky enough to have tres elefantes near by on a more frequent basis.

Any visitors to our house who has been advise to place their purse, shoes, or other items above 6 feet will laugh at this column from the Westword.

"....Oh, she also eats anything. Anything. Go ahead, ask me about something.
Adam, would she eat wood chips? You know, like the kind that are all over your back yard?
Yes, she eats fucking anything.
She wouldn't eat rocks, would she? I mean, those would mess up her system, right?
Yes, she eats rocks. I told you, she eats fucking anything.
Okay, well, how about a knife that you left on the counter?
Dude, who would eat a knife that got left on the counter...Annabel would! She eats fucking anything.... "

TV Converter Coupon

2008-06-18T06:21:00.005-06:00

Okay, I feel a little silly about posting this, but hopefully it will save some of you a few minutes. It does open up for discussion who actually has an old TV and no cable, so I guess I'm willing to step in front of the executioners here and fess up.

Households can request up to 2 $40 coupons from the government to convert old TVs (using an antenna) to the new digital reception which begins exclusive broadcasting February 19, 2009.

Flyer on accessing the coupon is downloadable and gives you lots of ways to access the coupons, including an online form.

Word to the time-constrained: The coupons are good for 90 days after mailing and must be used at time of purchase, so don't order until you're ready to shop.

Word to the frugal or of the government-conspiracy mindset: All of the converters I can find cost more than $40. Some $2.99 more, some LOTS more.

As you may surmise, instant-action InfoChef is now conflicted by these last two tidbits.

Breaking News

2008-06-13T14:43:00.001-06:00

NBC’s Tim Russert Dies

YUMMM!

2008-06-09T10:00:00.004-06:00

I am in love with this product, and I will feel a lot better if you waste some of your time browsing around here, too.