Monthly Archives: August 2008

In Defense of Al Gore

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I spoke with my cousin C. today. She echoed the general sentiments of the analysts regarding Al Gore’s speech at the convention: dry and boring.

She felt like he simply read from his speech.

Let me offer a different perspective–perhaps you could have seen the speech as a truly dry wit? True, Gore is not given to grandiose displays of emotional involvement. True as well, he has the intonation of a college professor. .

Well, it seemed to me as though he was a dry wit. Of course, I could only see his back, but the Jumbotron showed his face, and I saw the crack of a smile as he talked about how the world might be different had people voted differently in 2000 (ESPECIALLY Justices O’Connor and Kennedy). This is no laughing matter, folks, so the fact that he is able to make a joke. . .  albeit a dry joke. . . well, that is simply a good speech.

Being there in the stadium, feeling the energy around me, hearing his speech, well–that made me very happy to be a Democrat.

Gore’s cadence, intonation, and whisps of smiles gave me all of the emotion I needed in a speech that contrasted what could have been with the present day.

Beef: It’s What’s For Dinner

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Do you remember that classic ad jingle? It was set to… Rodeo? or some other fun orchestral piece (one I actually played, I might add). Well, several friends from out of town wanted to get together for dinner & it looks like we are split between Ray’s Hell Burgers and Guajillo.

Michael Landrum (of Rays the Classics & Rays the Steaks) has decided to open up a new place:

We will be serving one thing only–10 ounces of our secret blend of premium and prime aged beef, char-grilled over an open flame. This is the same single-breed, farm-raised beef that we use at Ray’s The Steaks and Ray’s The Classics, aged in house ridiculously long, hand trimmed to the same exacting standards as all of our steaks, and ground fresh daily, several times throughout the day.

One downside? Not sure what veggies will eat. Maybe just a bun with really tasty cheeses? Of course, the bun is supposed to merely be ‘okay’, so I guess we will have to see, no? In any case, expect updates later.

Updated: beef was not for dinner. It is likely that I will not experience the glory that is a hell burger before I leave the district. My other option-the good moroccan place with belly dancing? Also rejected out of hand. What is it about my friends and a lack of enthusiasm for meat and exotic dishes?

Which reminds me: shabbot dinner last Friday. I went to a friend’s place, where we were treated to an amazing spread of kosher Persian food. Tender brisket, luxurious beans, creamy hummus, baked rice with onions. And much, much more.

Why no amazing pictures? It was shabbot! No electronics at the table, not even to document the fantastic meal.

My next project?

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Thinking of working on a DIY Cola. . . Now, we all know that you can’t “out-Coke” Coke.  Why?  Because Coke is much more than a beverage–Coke is a Brand.  In fact, Coke is probably “The Brand.”  Coke means fun, power, success, Santa Claus. Coke is one of the world’s most valuable brands.

But, I am not trying to achieve Coke.  I am trying to achieve a damn tasty cola. Here’s the recipe I am going to work from: http://www.sparror.cubecinema.com/cube/cola/new_recipe.html

Now, this brings me to another point–GNU licensing of recipes?  I think that it might be a good idea.  After all, what is a recipe other than a source code for creating food?  I still feel like the language of the license ought to be tweaked a bit though. . .