8 March 2006

Further evidence I live in one of the most liberal counties in the entire country. See, this coming Monday there's going to be a massive immigrants rights rally on the National Mall. Some school systems are warning they'll punish students if they skip school to attend the rally. But in MONTGOMERY COUNTY--students are not only ENCOURAGED to attend, the school system will give students community service credit for going to the rally. Apparently some parents are hoppin' mad and have let the superintendent know about it--they say schools should be focused more on education, not political advocacy. It's tricky, but I think if parents have a discussion with their kids and attend the rally with them, I think that's okay. But I think the schools should stay out of this.

6 April 2006

While we were in Arizona, my friend's wife pointed out a store where you can design your own handbag in Scottsdale. It's called Kai Alise. Well, my partner was hooked. She picked out the type of bag, the features, the material, colors, etc. And today--after 3 weeks--it arrived. Here are some pics. She says they don't "show off" the strap--but I think you get the idea.




Ellie's too young to carry a purse (she's only 6), but she's always up for some girlie fun!

6 April 2006

So the media is all ABUZZ about Katie going to CBS and Meredith coming to NBC. I wonder how much the people outside DC and NYC care. I'm constantly amazed about the level of self-facination the media has about itself. I think both ladies will do very well in their new jobs. Meredith (though a little old) will be great on the Today show. The news "purists" think she isn't a "real" journalist anymore--but wake up: morning shows are NOT about journalism. (You can thank Katie for that--she who dressed as SpongeBob Squarepants one Halloween and showed the world her colon). As for Katie--the evening news shows are dinosaurs. With 24-hour cable news, people don't have time to wait until 630p every night to get the headlines. My prediction: She will be a curiosity at first, the ratings will spike, then settle down again -- below NBC but higher than ABC (they still have to figure out the whole bob woodruff thing). But her demos will RISE in the long-term, which is what CBS really wants.

5 April 2006

Interesting. Tom DeLay was asked on MSNBC's "Hardball" to name a Democrat with "strong morals." DeLay's answer: Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), who -- of course -- is openly gay. DeLay: "He's a strong, moral Democrat. I respect him greatly. He's a true liberal and he's unashamedly a liberal. I'm not going to judge him."

5 April 2006

YOUNG AND FABULOUS. That was the headline in a NY Times story today on the incredible win by the University of Maryland's women's basketball team who came from a 13-point deficit to beat Duke in last night's NCAA Women's Championships. It was UMD's first. And they won it in overtime...with 3 freshmen in the starting line-up. We totally stayed up and watched the amazing comeback. We were totally impressed with Kristi Toliver--a freshman--who hit a clutch 3-pointer with seconds left to tie the game. What was even MORE impressive is that she made the shot over Alison Bales--a beast of a woman who is 6'7"--on the Duke team. I'm not a huge basketball fan--and not a huge WOMEN'S basketball fan--but this game was totally enthralling. Much better then the men's final where Florida trounced UCLA for the entire game.

4 April 2006

"There was an Easter bunny centerpiece on the kitchen table where we chatted" -– Time's Mike Allen, on his seasonally appropriate interview with Rep. Tom DeLay ("The Situation").

Oh my Gosh! WE have an easter bunny centerpiece, too!

4 April 2006

The Washington Post style section has a story about the closing of several gay clubs/businesses in Southeast DC this weekend, to make way for the new Nationals Stadium. The story is HERE. (The story was on the front page of the Style section, complete with a big picture of drag queen "Ella Fitzgerald" -- see below--who's performed there for 20+ years and another picture of tearful gay boys watching. This is a BIG step for the POST who barely covers even the "High Heel Race" on 17th Street each fall in which thousands attend (including several TV stations and mayoral candidates.) We all knew the day would come--but I thought I'd have one more time to go and say goodbye. I've only been to Ziegfield's (and Wet) just a couple of times, so I wasn't a "regular" by any means...but I was glad those places were there. They were part of the gay history of this town --some have been there since the early 70s. They weren't the most wholesome of places, but I hope they can be re-located in an appropriate part of the city. Meanwhile, I hope the stadium really does revitalize that sorry section of town--adding business opportunities and jobs for the long-neglected residents there.

"So now you've done it, Washington. You've spurned the queens, and they are both heartbroken and livid."---Washington Post 4/406


Courtesy: Washington Post

3 April 2006

Got the yard professionally landscaped today. I like working outside and all, but it would take me a several months of Sundays to get done what 4 workers did today (in about 6 hours.) Got the front and backyard totally cleaned up, re-mulched, a damaged tree was taken down and replaced with skip laurel bushes, both lawns were fertilized, and several day lillies where planted. Here are some pics:

2 April 2006

The girl and I are heading to one of our favorite restaurants "Busboys & Poets" for brunch and drinks and heading to a David Mamet play called "Boston Marriage." It's nice getting out the routine a little...

Two pics from yesterday:

MAGNOLIA FLOWERS: from our tree backyard.


And CHERRY TREES BY CAPITOL: across the street from my office.