Watching the State of the Union Address (sans wonk)

Waiting for things to get started.

What’s with this boxy, buttoned up, hands-crossed-in-front look for the female legislators?

What would I wear? A smart black pantsuit, probably.

And if they didn’t want me to wear black? If they mandated softer colors?

Maybe taupe? I had an adorable 40s-style taupe skirt suit in college. Kind of a nubby, taupe-gray fabric, mid-calf skirt, button-up blazer. Very stylized, so cute. The year was 1993, so I wore a faux antique pin on it, but regardless, overall, it was a good look.

But taupe isn’t my best color. If I was going to be on tv, standing around all awkward like these ladies are, I’d want to be in a svelte pantsuit in my best color.

This is a little awkward for all of us - VP Biden, Madame Pelosi. Just standing there...

Call to arder!

Huh. Obama might be shorter than I thought he was. No, the others are on an elevated platform. *Sigh* I wish Handsome was here to hip me to the obvious.

Ooh, Michelle Obama is my girlfriend. In plum.

If Handsome were here, he’d be telling me, That’s Senator so-and-so, that’s Representative blahdee-blah, that’s Chief Justice XYZ. I don’t know.

Why is Bree from Sweet and Bitter sitting next to Mrs Obama?

This is an awful lot of glad-handing. Yes, Madame Pelosi, let’s do get started.

Does Obama have more gray hairs than he did before? (Surprise, surprise.) I think he’s a handsome man. I don’t think it’s just the oval of his office.

And now with the endless clappety-clap-clapping. Don’t they know this is a serious function? It's not like it's Bono, or something.

Not that Bono isn’t dead fucking serious.

Here we go...

I’m scared for him. It’s like watching figure skating.

...

This is more American history than I wanted. Oh, but I see what he’s doing. “Again we are tested...”

If she’s going to be on camera, Pelosi shouldn’t eat things beforehand that are going to make her burp during the president’s speech.

Good job, Mr President - remind us of the landscape when you took office.

“So we acted.”

Obama’s voice sounds a bit like he’s just finishing swallowing a gulp of oatmeal. Perpetually.

4:24 Each night? He reads letters from the populace each night?

4:47 He’s relating to our feelings: “Some are frustrated, some are angry. They don’t understand...” He’s reflecting our feelings back to us. He’s an active listener, my president.

5:18 “We face big and difficult challenges.” Good third-grade level language there.

6:41 “I have never been more hopeful about America’s future than I am tonight.” Never? I don’t care for that word, but I don’t know that I even agree with the sentiment here.

7:13 “We do not quit...” Maybe you don’t, Mr President... As for Americans in general...at best, it’s an unprovable statement.

Here’s the meat. At 7:43. But he was setting the stage. I get it.

“We all hated the bank bailout.” His first laugh at 8:15.

9:00 Now he’s talking about things I really ought to understand better.

10:38 He’s reiterating that he has cut taxes. Everybody seems very excited. It’s a standing ovation. (See? 11:13 - he’s very handsome. Look at that smile.) He’s getting in some points about how he hasn’t charged people taxes. A lot of his claims relate to how-things-would-otherwise-be. Speculation. Unprovable.

12:43 Yay, Recovery Act! My number one client is developing a project for ARRA funding.

16:11 Small business loans! Whoo-hoo!

19:10 I wonder if he’s had work done on his teeth.

He likes when people clap for him. But he looks surprised, too.

...

The camera pans across the audience, and I miss Handsome, or a trusty voiceover, sotto voce: "That young brotha is...", "The girl who looks like Bree from Sweet and Bitter is actually..."

Oh, shit, I missed something.

23:25 Wait - did the president just give them the hand?

Lobbyists are trying to kill something. And the president's upset about it. “We've got to get it right.” Another standing ovation.

...

24:00 Here we go: ...American innovation... investments in clean energy... jobs, jobs, jobs... production, efficiency, incentives... a new generation of safe, clean nuclear power plants...

What? Nuclear power plants? That’s what you’re gonna lead with? Holy crow, they’re giving him another ovation. “...new offshore areas for oil and gas development...”? WTF? “...continued investment in advanced biofuels and clean coal technologies...” Who’s this who’s ovating him?

...

Look at that grin on Joe Biden.

...

31:24 Wow - a $10,000 tax credit for college and an increase in Pell grants? That’s why America elects Democrats. A limit of 10% of a graduate's income towards repayment of student loans. Relief of debt for graduates pursuing careers in public service.

“Because in the United States of America, no one should go broke because they chose to go to college.”

Or because they chose a career in public service, arguably.

...

33:17 “...[W]e still need health insurance reform.”

I keep hearing myself say out loud, “Good luck.”

His smile is muted. Perhaps because it’s only so funny.

He’s heard stories about Americans facing financial ruin because of illness. Who hasn’t? That’s what I don’t understand. A health crisis can bankrupt your whole lifestyle - where you live, where your kids go to school. These are our friends and fellow Americans on the edge.

Oops, I lost focus again.

35:05 He’s acknowledging his wife for a new initiative to tackle childhood obesity in our lands - “Thank you, honey,” he says.

She doesn’t look too happy, though. She looks like she might eat him, yikes, and then all the rest of us.

“She gets embarrassed,” my president explains. (I just spelled that wrong again. Dammit.)

...

37:52 On bi-partisan support for health care. If anybody has a better approach, he wants to know. “Let me know,” is what my president just said to some doubter on his left. “I’m eager to see it. ”

I'd like to see big, tough street thugs start talking to each other like that when they’re about to scrap: “Let me know. What? Let me know, bitch. Come on. I’m eager to see it.”

...

39:13 On government spending. He’s going to clear things up, he’s "setting the record straight." Oooh, a timeline. Always a strong move, Mr. President. “All this was before I walked in the door.” Good clarification.

Oh, 40:15, I think he might cry. That’s what Mae's eyes looked like after lunch today right before tears started falling.

He sez we’re going to take steps. A government spending freeze - that sounds terrifying. Who’s that who's clapping without hearing him out on that?

Another good line for our thugs: “If I have to enforce this discipline by veto, I will, motherfucker.”

I like bi-partisan things that are stronger for being bi-partisan, but -- exactly, Mr President. Don’t use bi-partisan cooperation as a gimmick.

This Senate he keeps referring to sounds like it could be trouble.

I don’t know that I’m familiar with a pay-as-you-go law. But the audience seems to really appreciate it. Ah.

...

47:33 On campaign financing. Oh, he’s mad at the Supreme Court! Me too! Of course we are.

Hold on - What makes foreign entities “worse” than special interests? What’s that logic? That at least the special interests are Americans? His rationale might bear closer examination.

48:51 Oh, snap, legislators! One single website detailing all congressional earmark requests, to be published before the vote. Ha ha, motherfuckers. Game’s about to change. Watch how mouthy Americans get online.

...

49:14 Good - we’re going to talk about how we work with one another.

(Uh, I’m not sure that just because we’ve been talking about the same issue for hundreds of years necessarily means it’s a cornerstone of our democracy. But anyway...)

Yeah, you guys! Let’s not use politics to sow divisions and distrust amongst Americans.

Democrats, let’s not run for the hills.

Republicans, let’s not stonewall in the Senate.

Oh, my. Do the parties literally sit on opposite sides of the room? Still? What if your best girlfriend’s a Republican? I mean, your bill co-sponsor.

...

53:35 These are interesting points he’s making. What is he getting at?

Oh, he’s talking Homeland Security.

I wonder if the military generals ever clap for anything.

Poor veterans. We do have a responsibility to support them when they come home. Widespread applause. Ah, even the military generals are joining in with us on that.

The first wives are supporting military families? Didn't know.

I have a feeling I’m going to be embarassed when I find out who this Bree lookalike actually is, sitting next to Mrs Obama. I bet I'm supposed to know.

Nuclear weapons. Arms control. It’s like an old familiar song I hadn’t heard in a while.

No weapons for terrorists. And the generals are on their feet again.

...

He’s listed a lot of accomplishments tonight. I feel a bit like he’s about to ask me for a raise.

...

I’m ready for this to be over. And I haven’t been getting up and down to give him standing ovations. It has got to be getting tiresome for the people on tv.

...

1:01:14 Haiti. Afghanistan. Iran. Guinea. (Guinea?)

Human dignity. Always. That's my president.

1:02:55ish “If you abide by the law, you should be protected by it. If you adhere to our common values, you should be treated no differently than anyone else.” Sometimes I feel like in addition to being a really smart guy and a fairly ethical guy, he also knows how it is. Sometimes I feel like he knows exactly what it’s like.

...

1:03:16 On gays in the military. Wow, no one had done anything about don't-ask-don't-tell yet? Wow. How about we give gay Americans the right to marry? You don’t think that’s “the right thing to do”?

...

1:05:11 Uh, yeah, many Americans have lost faith in big corporations and the media.

...

1:07:42 “The only reason we are [here tonight] is because generations of Americans were unafraid to do what was hard...” Or they were afraid, and did it anyway.

1:09:58 Does Obama ever cry in public? Do we have footage? Is he gonna cry right now? Or did he gobble down some food with Pelosi right before he got here, and the catch I just heard in his voice is due to indigestion?

“We don’t quit,” he sez again. Uhhh...

But at least it’s over.

Look at Michelle’s terrific swoop of bangs.

Updated 1/28

Eating for Relief

You can call me shallow, if you like.

I've been looking for a Haiti relief fundraiser to attend.

Of course The Handsome Man and I have sent money already, but things are so devastated in Haiti. It’s mind-boggling. Times like this, when we're reeling from disaster, it's useful for us humans to congregate. It's a natural impulse. Also, I get a little spiritual about it, and believe that multiple well-meaning hearts gathered in one place can create a strong positive force. As I keep reading about the loss in Haiti, ugh - my soul gets heavy, and I want to be a part of a force for good.

The Colorado Caterer's Association has suggested that I might be a force for good while eating well and enjoying some quality time with my friends.

The Colorado Caterers are putting on a fundraiser this Sunday at Mile High Station from 5-9PM with live music and "amazing“ heavy hors d'oeuvres. Your $25 minimum donation grants you admission to the soiree and two drink tickets.

Good for them. Coming together is the right thing to do. Making it a fundraiser is the right thing to do. The event sponsors are being very generous (100% of proceeds are going to the Red Cross), which is the right thing to do.

And it works for me. Like I said, I've had the urge to gather.

Plus, my best pals are going, and their friends I like, and Handsome, and his friends I like.

Plus, it's at Mile High Station, where Handsome and I have been known to have a stupid good time. (We do well at weddings and bar mitzvahs.)

Plus, hello, drinks, meet the groove band.

Not to mention The Deluxe Nibblies.

It’s very much my kind of night.

Here’s my problem: the unfolding tragedy that is our raison d’etre.

I was reading in the NYTimes yesterday about the food shortages and widespread hunger in Haiti at present. It’s a desperate situation for thousands, if not millions (I’m wincing) of people. With that, how appropriate is my excitement over the prospect of tucking into those “heavy hors d’oeuvres” on Sunday? And it’s not just the food. There’s something incongruous about partying our way to disaster relief.

I don’t want to be too hair-shirted about this, or overly self-conscious about my first-world privilege or my self-indulgences or my personal good fortune. But, like I said to Handsome tonight, it’s bound to feel weird at some point on Sunday, and we might as well get ahead of it.

So here’s what we’re thinking: We’ll go to the function on Sunday, and make our contribution, and hopefully have a good time and some good eats. And we’ll do that after having had a delightful meal at home with friends on Saturday evening. (Been looking forward to that.)

But on Monday, we start a fast.

Duration: Monday through Friday. Purpose: Solidarity, heightened consciousness, sacrifice. Regimen: A vegetarian, sunrise-to-sunset, solid-food fast. Bonus: To the extent we experience any savings, we can make another donation.

It’s only so meaningful, in the grand scheme, but I think it will be centering. Also, you know... the positive force. It’s how Handsome and I plan to reconcile it, anyway.

I don't know how the event planners are going to manage the presentation of delectable cuisine and dance music against Haiti's desperation. That's a balancing act that would be tricky to emcee. It's going to be weird enough being a guest, having a good time for a good cause for such a tragic reason.

But if you believe there's value in coming together...

And/or if you were going to send more money anyway...

And/or if you think about it as sending up a light from your heart...

Maybe it's not so weird, and I'll see you there.

Our New Neighbor

A marijuana dispensary just opened at the end of our block.

I was feeling somewhat scandalized about that fact until my friend, who lives in a much nicer neighborhood than I do, lamented about the dispensary opening up at the end of her block.

Ah, Denver.

The Post recently reported that there are more marijuana dispensaries in Denver County than there are ubiquitous-ass Starbucks coffee shops. By a factor of almost 2 to 1.

I missed this coverage, which is too bad. With some prep, I could have responded to my new neighbor with much greater cool. Instead, I felt...I felt...I think I felt my property value going down.

Don’t get me wrong - I support medical marijuana. I know people who bought weed for mothers sick with cancer or chronic joint pain before the law changed, and it’s total bullshit that they had to obtain these drugs illegally. It’s appalling to me that our nation outlaws relief for those suffering from chronic illnesses if the remedy is using marijuana. That’s ridiculous.

What about our U.S. prescription drug industry? What about the many, many men, women and children in this country who use synthetic medications? Lots of Americans devour drugs, prescription and over-the-counter. What kind of self-defeating, anti-botanical hypocrisy is it to outlaw marijuana for medical purposes?

But, at the same time... a dispensary at the end of my block?

Couldn’t we have a marijuana district, or something? You could put it by the hospitals, or by the justice center, whatever. Somewhere nice and central. And not in my backyard.

(I realize this is an illogical, if not hypocritical, position. I'm working on it.)

Of course, I’m just a chronic illness away from being over-the-moon about the convenience of the whole situation.

For the record, I’ll take my health and these fleeting spells of NIMBY-ism any day, thank you.

Welcome to the neighborhood, Mary Jane. My name is Crystal, and I'll be supporting you only in theory.

These Lines

This morning, after our walk, Mom was telling me family stories about when she was a little girl. Of course, she had my rapt attention. I registered the sparkle in her dark brown eyes and the animation in her expression as she recounted tales of Meemo and Grandpa as young parents. And I noticed, once again, the lines in her face, especially the ones that frame her smile and occupy the space between her eyebrows. These are the lines I see taking residence in my own face, and I tend to regret my frequent scowling and wonder about getting Botox.

In Mom's face, though, these lines are beloved aspects. And that makes me think twice about even wanting to change time's trajectory across my face.

Instead, I'm inclined to love it.

Yep, all of it.

About That Hand-Crafted Menu

Back to the Gastro Cart Denver today for some more hand-crafted street food (that’s their term, “hand crafted street food”), and I realize my last post may not have done justice to their badass little menu.

In their words:

• Gyro: Roast lamb, taziki, napa cabbage, tomato guajillo mint foam, naan
• Veg Taco: Caramelized cabbage roll, whole grain rice, cream cheese, smoked jalapeno aioli, duxelle
• Spicy Chicken Taco: Roast chicken, kim chee, 1000 island, caraway, corn tortilla
• Quinoa seasoned with bread and butter brine

And for this week’s (Haiti relief) special:

A Slider with Crispy Pork, with a hint of Citrus (Griot), this is the Haitian word for this recipe, Spicy Cabbage, Carrot, Onion Slaw with Vinegar and Spice (Picklese) Bean Puree (Sauce Pois) all on a Cornmeal Roll

Today, Handsome and I both had combos. He got two veggie tacos w/ quinoa and a Throwback Pepsi. I had the lamb gyro, quinoa and a can of San Pellegrino carbonated lemonade.

We drove our box lunches over to the little park along the Platte River where Handsome proposed to me almost nine years ago. My, those trees have grown. But the size of the trees is far less striking than the size of the buildings that have sprung up over the years - glass high-rises, modern townhomes, street-level boutique retail. They go on and on. Things change.

The day was sunny, but windy and cold. We ate in the car, and then went for a walk around the park.

The food was amazing. Delicious and complex flavors, an experience satisfying to the mouth. I like a saucy sammich, which tends to mean a sloppy sammich. The lamb gyro was a tantalizing mess by the end of it. And lick-your-fingers good.

After the walk in the park, we went for cupcakes. I’m still savoring the frosting from the top of the remains of my red velvet.

Nice lunch. And the filtered sunlight this afternoon is so soft and sweet.

Happy Friday.

Eats and the Inevitable

I finally got to try the Gastro Cart in downtown Denver today, and ohhh yeah.

It’s just a little silver lunch cart on the corner of 18th and Curtis. They could be selling hot dogs. There wasn’t an awning, or a seating area.

But they’re working an angle, honey: it’s good food.

Run by two former line-cooks at Table 6, the Gastro Cart serves a menu that is (wisely) limited in scope. On the regular menu are chicken tacos, veggie tacos, a lamb gyro, and a side. There’s also a daily special. All this week, it’s the Haitian-style pork slider, with half the sale proceeds going to the American Red Cross for earthquake relief efforts. (Decent, right?)

The execution is incredibly low-budge. Specials are advertised on Twitter and Facebook. The menu is a photocopied quarter-page of white paper. Your pay options? Cash only.

The execution is also totally delicious. I got the special, the pork slider, and it was a really good little sammich. (With homemade pickle - cute.) Straightforward, but not simple-minded, not totally obvious. A surprisingly sophisticated combination of flavors.

I took one bite and thought, This could be habit-forming.

The Handsome Man and I are going back tomorrow for actual lunch.

I’m already loving this concept.

A movement towards really good street food. It activates my imagination: gastro carts and foodie stands on every other downtown corner, serving excellent, unfussy dishes at reasonable prices. Denver would become known for its sublime options for edgy corner dining. Our residents would come to define everyday eats as real food that supports local micro-businesses (and, preferably, local producers of produce, dairy and meat).

Let's face it - it’s only a matter of time before I find myself in a hairnet, guys. We might as well start getting our heads around it.

Yum

Yummy, yummy, yummy.

Heard about this project?

Fashion-wise, it's so delectable and provocative and absorbing.

Art-wise, and sociologically-speaking, the exhibition is still provocative, and quite absorbing, but slightly less delicious - I don’t know what’s going on with the names (slang? slurs?) that the artists have used for some of the groups. I'm devouring the thing, so I want to work with them. They’re maybe not in English? They're maybe how the groups refer to themselves? But, while there is an artists' statement, the choices of group names are not covered therein, so I’m left wondering if the artists are using their own terminology.

Not willing to unpack it right now.

View the selection at farpitz for a bite-size, tasty streetwear experience.