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.

Summer

So, last summer was hot. But I was kind of a mess and not paying attention to the weather all that much. So all year I was DREADING this summer. But I feel like we're being spoiled... highs of 90 in July! Yay! I hope it stays like this.

Aw, That's So Cute.

Just a quick question? Who decided the Democrats were so deeply divided amongst themselves? Oh, that's right. Pundits. Thank you cable news. It's like reality TV, the news only seems to be news because they choose to MAKE it news. Follow me?

Part of the political process in this country is that we the people get to hear out those who want the job. Then we pick sides. Then we vote for our side. One person wins. Then that person goes against the other,other side. The process repeats. In the end, some of us win, some of us lose. Where is this deep-seated animosity toward the first "other" they seem to talk about so much. Maybe during the process we hold on tight. But it's over now.

All this talk of unifying the party. Unify, schmoonify. Hope the town of Unity is enjoying its cheesiest day in the sun. It's just so deliberately cheesey, I kind of want to ralph. Are they feeding the media? Did the media feed them this idea? Chicken or the egg?

At the end of the day people will deal with their options. The political process is what it is. I just really hope they refrain from anymore of these Unity parites. If this is how cheesey the SUPER TICKET will be... I don't think I can take it.

Orlando Does Not Have a Subway

Duh. Okay-- I miss New York. Some times more than others. Some times more desperately than others. But one thing continues to frustrate me one year into my life in Orlando. One thing remain elusive in my new life. One things I can't seem to squeeze into my strikingly less fabulous and far less busy life in the burbs...Music!

Music moves. It moves the heart, the soul, the brain, the body. Music helped me breathe, it nourished the manic moods that ultimately drove me from the city, but that brought passion to life. Music walked 61 blocks home from work on a breezy spring evening. Music kept me awake on the subway at midnight when I should have taken a cab. Music urged me on, through the third load of whites at the laundromat. Music relaxed me while I sunned in the Central Park grass. It sounds crazy, but it connected me to my own life.

There seemed so much more time for music. But it's the subway and music- that dynamic combination- that I often miss so much. I do, I miss the subway, rats and all. It's where I watched people, listened intently to the song of the moment, and read the news and Harry Potter. I have not found that profound connection with my hand-me-down Jeep Cherokee and my life is a little less full. Gonna have to work on that.

Maybe I'm a little less moody with a little less music in my life. But I also think that I'm a little less me.

Mia, Wade, Shane – Where Are You?

I know things aren’t always the same a second time around—never mind the third, or fourth—but what is up with So You Think You Can Dance right now? I’m happy to experience work of new choreographers… unless they continue to make bad musical choices and create dance pieces that are either boring, or not appropriate for the setting, or just not well executed.

Every season has its flat moments… but I find myself continually disappointed this season. What Mia—you have an Emmy now, other things to do? Wade—all we get is one season? Shane—America’s Next Best Dance Crew took priority? You’ve really let me down. Tyce, thank gosh for you!

One more thing: dance SHOULD tell stories—but it’s not theater! I’m a sucker for a good “lyrical – Hip-Hop” routine, but once in awhile it would be nice to see two people dance in sync and just push out some funky moves.

I continue to support the show, and yes, I voted last night—but this is my cry for the choreographers to make some better choices! Quick Step to Phil Collins!? Sigh.

My Fafarazzi Team right now ? Joshua, Kherington, Twitch.

Travis, come back.

Big Wheel Rollin' In

Maybe it’s the cynic in me, but something about the London Eye is way cooler than the Orlando version we’ll be getting. No Thames, No Globe, No Big Ben. Just 25miles of restaurant rooftops and trees. I have mixed feelings about this.

Read the Orlando Sentinel announcement.

Weezer and Bananas Make Me Late for Work

As I'm leaving the house for work this morning, I reach for the remote to turn off the television when the new Weezer "Pork and Beans" video catches my eye.

Is that the "leave Brittney alone guy"? I'm intrigued.

It totally is-- the video features all kind of Internet/YouTube stars from years gone by-- the "shoes" guy, the "Brittney guy," "Afro Ninja guy," and a bunch of other vaguely familiar faces that brought back funny memories of wasted moments at work when we'd all gather round and say "OMG have you seen this!?"

And while my favorite purple dancing hippo doing Sisqo's "Thong Song" was missing, a personal favorite, the Dancing Banana is totally there!

"Peanut Butter Jelly, Peanut Butter Jelly, Peanut Butter Jelly, and a Baseball Bat"

Try to get that out of your head now.

See "Pork and Beans"

Need more? Check out "Pork and Beans" on Wikipedia

Do we love this millenium?

I guess it was bound to happen. How many versions of I Love the 80s can they produce? They will run out of things to love eventually.

I just watched a little of VH1's "I Love the New Millenium". Fun sure, but absolutely necessary? I'm not so convinced. Perhaps this would've been more fun, if we had to wait for it. At this point, it would be safe to say some music videos would suffice.

At least the music evokes more exciting memories than riding in the car with mom. In Da Club by 50 cent brings back slightly more provocative memories...of a whole five years ago. Didn't Lord of the Rings come out a few weeks ago? I guess time flies when you're having fun...

Well, they're doing it, may as well indulge, right? Check out the I Love the New Milleniumgame.

Oh, and I heart Michael Ian Black.

Forgive Me Carrie, for I Have Sinned

Repeatedly now, I've found myself in a room where I've had to suddenly burst into that noise you make when you don't want a surprise ruined... you know... "EH EH EH EH!!" with one hand covering an ear and the other hand forced out in the direction of the person who spoke last.

"I'm mad at Big because..."

"Oh I cried when..."

"I couldn't believe that..."

"I thought it was perfect that..."

I have managed to stop all of these sentences in their tracks. We'll see how much longer that will last.

I have not seen the movie yet. Please don't tell me anything. Not even about the stupid bird on her dress (this is the only thing that's been leaked to me). I feel like I've betrayed my own kind. Like I've betrayed Carrie Bradshaw. It's not like I don't care:

For years I've used Aidan, Big, Steve, Jack within analogies about my own love life. I am a sucker for big print, flowers, skirts, and fantastical (and curly) hairdos. Facebook proudly announces I am most like Carrie Bradshaw -- quirky, witty, and every guy's perfect first date." I have flitted out the door too many times to count commenting "I am SO Carrie tonight."

SATC is a profound television show that deeply impacted our culture, and has become part of our lives... so I feel so disconnected from the rest of the female race. I'm missing the final chapter. Why was this movie not a priority? I saw Kung Fu Panda first?!

I was a freakin' New Yorker for four years. I'm known in my closest circle for oft quoting Carrie and her "New York is my boyfriend, I don't need anything else" moments. Maybe I'm just avoiding an old flame? Oh well, no matter the reason, I must rectify the situation and fuel the fire so I can not feel like such a failure of a woman. Mission: Sex and the City this week.