Election Awkwardness

It's the day after the election and I feel stifled and irritated by comments of those around me. I know everyone is entitled to their opinion, but...unless I can have a constructive conversation I keep it to myself. Especially with family and co-workers. The two most annoying me right now.

Just to get it off my chest, I need to re-butt the two things I've heard already today.

1. Criticism over the statement that it will take "sacrifice" by the people to get the job done. My favorite thing about our President Elect is he's not scared to tell the public to hold themselves accountable for their own actions. We cannot depend on one, or many for that matter, leaders to just fix everything without some push and pull from we the people. The downfall of President Current, is he never asked that of us, never asked us to engage with our own country-- just went out to fix it all alone with his groupies.

2. "All of a sudden everying was about African-Americans, it gave me a weird, bad feeling." Well, no shit, they are interviewing black people-- it's the media. 1. this is the most "historical" thing to happen in a presidential election, probably ever. 2. the media always goes for the obvious story. If Hilary won, would this person have said to me, what now it's all about Women... women are going to take over the country. This is just a bizzare thing to say, and it upset me enough that I had to write it out.

I hope that the 52% can help out the 48%, but I gotta say, it's hard to hold out our new-found hope when you hear this stuff.

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in Orlando

It's not every day that you get to participate in things that make you want to say "I was there when...". Well, thanks to a lovely friend working on the campaign, not only were we there, but we were VIPs! We were right to the side/back of the podium, about 25 feet from Obama and Clinton -- the first time they've appeared together since June.

Gluttony 101: Epcot Food and Wine Festival

I like food, I like drink, I like outdoors, and I like my boyfriend. So I got to combine them all into the 2nd annual day of serious gluttony, otherwise known as the 2008 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival, Cities in Wonderland.

Our journey begins with a choice: to go left or right, north or south, Canada or Mexico? We chose North. And so our journey around the world began. To Istanbul for Manti with Yogurt Sauce, a delectible dumpling with meat. Yum-o, to Louisiana for my favorite snack of the day.

Stop: Louisiana. Okay it's not a country, but one of the featured American cities at this year's festival. Not only was the crawfish etouffee my favorite food of the day, but we also stopped to see a chef demonstration--Chef Finnan taught us how to make some Shrimp Creole while I enjoyed my caffeine fix for the day, a very tasty hazelnut latte.

Fast forward through Chicken Brewat Rolls in Marrakesh (yum), Scallops with Cranberry Vinagarette and Baby Greens (pretty good), Spicy Tuna Roll (tastey), and Boxty...

The boxty is so, so. I had boxty in Irleand (like, the country, not the stand in EPCOT) that was way yummier, this one is slightly greasy.

Pit Stop: The History of Beer in America-- thank you Sam Adams for this enlightening session, but more importantly for the tastes of your delicious beer. This year, Sam, Sam Light, Octoberfest (yay!), and a specially brewed 13th Anniversary of the F&W Festival Beer (also yay!).

Worth talking about: Pepperberry Prawns on the Barbie with Sweet Potato Hash, was another highlight of the day. The Shrimp were tender and perfectly seasoned, and since I finally discovered the sweet potato in adulthood, can't get enough of it.

I lubricated the throat for this particularly fine bite with the Australian Wine Walkabout- got my passport stamped at all four tasting stations, thank you very much. I was a classy drinker though-- started with the lighter wines and progressed to the

heavier. (Last year I did the walkabout backwards-oops). Also noteworthy-- I don't always love lamb-- Alex's lambchop was d-lish and perfectly cooked.

And off for more... Samosa with Tamarind Sauce (yum), Chilled Tomato and Garlic Soup (pretty good), and one of my favorites from the 1st annual gluttony contest, the Chilaquiles from Mexico (yum, yum). It was as tasty as I remembered it.

That's just what I ordered-- other things I sampled via earlier mentioned boyfriend's orders or things we ordered to share included: Grilled Lamb Chop with Carmelized Onion Jam (yum), California Roll (yum), Grilled Beef and Hummus in a Pita Pocket (yum, yum), Louisisana Seafood Gumbo (yum), Mofongo from Puerto Rico (yum), and Resenburger Sausage with Sauerkraut in a Pretzel Roll (next year I will order my own-yum).

And that's not all, in addition to more beer, another glass of wine, and a large frozen margarita later, I also managed to find room for the Louisiana Praline Bread Pudding with Carmel Bourbon Sauce (YUM-- I RECOMMEND) and the Milk Chocolate Creme Brulee from France (So, SO-- more pudding than really creme brulee).

Did I mention I went back for seconds on the Shrimp Etouffee?

And to top it off a coffee and fireworks...Until next years annual celebration of eating your way around the world in one day.

Still Stuffed, Signing Off.

Slainte! (cheers in Ireland)

Indulgences

I can be sort of goofy when in public. When the mood strikes, watch out. So, I truly appreciate the people who play along. I don't really like grumpy people and when I come across a happy, fun person, it makes me happy. This simple gesture of silliness by the nice boy at Starbucks made my afternoon. I walked in with my friend who's name requires spelling/explanation-- so instead of using her own name she gives MY name. Jokingly I say, well, then I guess I'm Jen Two, Jen the Sequel.

Starbucks dude, the awesome guy, actually writes it on my cup. And so now I think he's fabulous.

Yes, it's the simple things. Thanks for indulging my silly moment Starbucks dude.

um, omg, no way, did you hear!?

Is it April Fools? What's going on?
People.com: I'm considering demoting you from my iGoogle homepage for this. The headline made me too sick to click through at first "Heidi & Spencer Plan Trip to Iraq." OMG, NO WAY! Did you hear Heidi and Spencer are going to Iraq?!

For what, I say to myself? To Perform?
hahaha. sorry, I crack myself up.

Okay, I couldn't resist, and belive me I tried, I had to click through and...

no seriously, the first line reads "Heidi Montag says her late stepbrother — who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan — has inspired her to visit the Middle East to perform for U.S. troops."

I am sorry about her brother. I am also sorry for the troops that will have to watch this performance.

I want my butterbeer!

I am a Universal Orlando Season Pass Holder. I can’t afford Disney. But one thing that I’m pretty darn amped about is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal coming in late 2009. One of the small joys of living in Central Florida is that if you like cheesy stuff like Harry Potter or Super Heroes or Cuddly Little Bears All Stuffed with Fluff there is pretty much always something “exciting” going on somewhere in town.

Unlike the giant wheel they are plopping in the middle of tourist-drive, this is a GREAT idea. Harry Potter is full of rich, vibrant characters, stories, and places—what would make a better Island at Island of Adventures!? So cool.

There is an undisclosed state-of-the-art ride experience planned for the new Island of Adventure. I do not know what this means. It better not stink. I don’t like to be disappointed, and I’m not sure if I ever thought anything at a theme park was as cool as I think this project is. If it’s a stationary simulator ride, I’ll be very sad. Will it be a roller coaster? Hmmm… I read today that they shut down the kiddie-ride that was in the area they are using for the island. What counts as state-of-the-art anymore? Ideas?

All I know is it’s not every day you can buy yourself some butterbeer at The Three Broomsticks…I’m so there.

Read about the Wizarding World Here.

Strange Things Move Me

Reminder: the world is good and full of people totally different from you, but all the while the same... human. This gave me chills and reminded me, in some strange way, how I want to live my life. Please enjoy this amazing video of "Matt" dancing around the world.