We don't have TV. No cable, satellite, or broadcast TV at our place. Generally, I'm happy about that, although I do miss watching sports.
But I'm most happy because I'm not submitted to the endless parade of sound-bites that serve as "news". This weekend at the conference hotel and airports I've caught CNN several news cycles.
Yuck. It's as if the pressure to have 24-hour news has created a monster that can not possibly be fed with worthwhile content. So, the network has to generate "news" by finding any "interesting", "controversial", or "surprising" thing said by anyone even tangentially related to Sens. McCain, Obama or Clinton.
I mean, does anyone really think McCain or his people WANT another terrorist attack on US soil simply to give him a bump in the polls? I can't imagine that is true. And, I think it's generally agreed that McCain's foreign policy/military experience exceeds Obama. So, why is it "news" that one of McCain's "people" suggested a terrorist attack would help McCain?
Or, even worse, how is it news that Gen. Wesley Clark suggests McCain's military background is not exactly a qualification for President? I concur with the Op/Ed in today's Post...enough focusing on minor policy changes and inconsequential comments by surrogates. There are serious and fundamental issues on the table for this election. Let's get down to the hard work of analyzing the very different alternatives presented by McCain & Obama and quit looking for the "faux-pas de jour".
In another one of those "it's-a-small-world" moments, I noted on Meat and Three Cafe the other day that RTB would be in DC this week conducting Customer Service training for the Westin Embassy Row. Even though we live in the same town and work at the same place, we rarely get to spend much time together. So I was delighted to take the opportunity to stay with him last night at the Westin. My flight from DCA was a 9am, so by staying with him downtown I was able to sleep in until 6:30 and take the Metro to the Airport.
Plus, we went out last night and found an amazing pub in DC where they had about 15 small-print pages of beer choices. We both chose a country and tried new brews. The Boddington Cream Pale Ale was awesome!
We had a great time talking about life, work, and finances until about 2am. It was the perfect way to end an amazing few days here in DC/MD.
No, Dad and I did not go to the gym.
No, we did not go to a therapist.
Rather, we spent much of our time this weekend working some things out around the house. By my count, we put up six new light fixtures, one new ceiling fan, four new dimmer switches, two new dark brown light switches, and one new dark brown power outlet.
We had a lot of fun doing it all. It's great to feel useful and productive and to help out. These kinds of things can accumulate into a big hairy over-whelming que. But by taking a day off and doing it together it was easy and fun.
Today Older Brother, Dad and I enjoyed one of our favorite traditions...biscuits & gravy at Roy Roger's. These things probably have enough calories to get you through a whole day, but they are yummy and comforting to those of us who grew up eating this kind of thing. We had a lot of fun visiting and catching up over some pepper-covered biscuits & gravy.
After breakfast I went for a ride on Mark's new Honda Shadow 1100. It's super nice...has curvy handles that I loved and a nice quiet exhaust. I'm definitely going to go pick up a more quiet exhaust for my bike.
PS-don't I look like an angel in this photo?
