Pretty Pictures Version 11.30.08

I fell asleep watching the TV last night. But I would have stayed up for fear of nightmares had I watched today's Pretty Pictures: Who Made Who with "TV Friend." I love these guys, but this shizz be freaky.

La Semana in News #8

Slow down, you Kansans!

Johnson County full of Johnsons? Really?

What? Real men can't like the ballet?

Lambada in my mouth. Drrty...

I'd rather have some salsa in my mouth. Drrtier...

Or some bomba y plena. Gotta love the misspelling and (sub)liminal messages. Them's my peoples.

Ay, por favor. People been declaring the end of the Commonwealth for decades now. It won't happen in our lifetimes.

Another hott Rican nabs a hott Merican.

Gimme Gimme #3

Since we are in the electronic age, today's installment is all about techie toys. And everyone who knows me knows I'm all about my gadgets.

Behold! This toy will make me switch wireless providers. Not this one, though (no Verizon in Rico; it's Mexican now). That one's for the Jayhawk. His maternal family's surname is Storm, after all.

Look! Now that we've replaced one old-azz tube TV in the house (thanks, Shatterproof), I'd like to replace the other old-azz TV we got with one of these. And it would go great with a new region-free DVD player so I can watch me the three previous seasons of El Internado (on every Thursday night at 10PM on Antena 3 simulcast, BTW). The drama!

Read! I can't have one for Christmas, but that's why Ricans celebrate Three Kings Day, too. Always two sets of presents. Smart, huh?

Listen! Internet radio, anyone? Me, please!

Now, go shop!

Pretty Pictures Version 11.29.08

Starting to talk about wish lists and Christmas made me think of today's Pretty Pictures. I hope we have a white one this year. Fleet Foxes with "White Winter Hymnal."

Gimme Gimme #2

Cooking Edition.

Everyone knows I've got a fascination with La Madre Patria. The wine, the food, the history, the culture, the parties, they all keep me going back to vacation there every year. So, to satisfy my need for all things Spain, today's additions to the Christmas wish list are a few must-haves: (1) culinary gems from crazy José Andrés; (2) treasures found on the road; and (3) the essential guide to cooking no self-respecting lover of Spain can go without. No need to buy me crazy 'spensive saffron, though. The Jayhawk and I are gonna get it on the cheap at El Corte Inglés when we fly across the pond in February. Place your orders now.

Pretty Pictures Version 11.28.08

Since the Holidaze are all about family, today's Pretty Pictures celebrate it (in they're own special way). Here's to my crazy Rican parents livin' it up in Europa and to my crazy urban tribe family livin' large in DC. Jay Reatard with "Always Wanting More."

Gimme Gimme #1

We're (I'm) starting a new category now that we're entering the Season of Receiving.

First on my list, I want Uncle Karl on me! Or on my finger, more specifically. And while I'm at it, I might as well ask for a Finger Anna, Finger Rei, Finger Doe, and Finger Yves to keep all my digits warm. Ooh! How about gloves with all of their faces on them? Even better!

But please keep Uncle Valentino away from me. He might rub off like he did on poor SJP. ¡Fóchila!

When in Rhodes...

That's where my parents were yesterday on Day 7 of their 28 Days of Transatlantic Misadventure. I talked to them as they were walking around the town before hopping back on the boat to eat their own Turkeyfeast, and they sounded like they were having an awesome time. So much so that my poppa told me that he didn't remember the night of Day 6 because of his drunkyness, let alone speaking with me on Day 1 before the plane took off for Rome to give me the number of the phone he's using because his doesn't have international coverage. Which is my move, thank you very much. The apple really don't fall from the tree, do it? I love my crazy-arse jet-setting drunky padres...

And I so wanna go on a cruise now. But I can't do 28 days. Or go on anything smaller than this boat. So I guess I have to wait until next year.

The Bird Is the Word*

Yesterday's feast at Casa Rosa/Carrie was awesome! It was like being in The Bronx with the crammed and cute space (with ample kitchen space, of course), people talking over each other, the salsa music on the stereo, the cooking, the yummy smells, the beers, and the sweltering heat up in that piece because of all the cooking and bodies and radiators you can't control. And the food! Oh, the food. Turkey wrapped in bacon (not chawbacon -- today's Word of the Day), butternut squash soup, cheeses and crostini, from-scratch mashed potatoes and cranberry relish, fresh green bean casserole, candied yams, mac & cheese (with white truffle oil), corn pudding(!), and my arroz con gandules. And the drinks! I'm not one for the bubbly because everyone knows it makes me bubbly, but mixing it with bitters and a brown sugar cube worked for me. As did the beers and the wine. All around, the Jayhawk and I had a great fun time. Hope everyone else's Pavo Day was just as fun.

(*Today's title brought to you by the Jayhawk)

Pretty Pictures Version 11.27.08

No posts today other than the Pretty Pictures: Jonjo Feathers with "Taxi." This Rican's gotta gets to cookin' for dinner tonight. I hope it won't be too hard to find a taxi because I'm not feelin' riding the bus all the way up to 14th and Military with a pot of piping hot arroz con gandules. ¡Japi Sansguivin!

Pretty Pictures Version 11.26.08

I want some of what these guys had to think up today's Pretty Pictures. I'll have it soon enough, though. Tomorrow the Jayhawk and I get to kick it DominiRican stylee at Rosa's house for El Día del Pavo, so I'll have my fun punch then. In the meantime, here are Bag Raiders with their own "Fun Punch."

(Aside: The track's good, but why e'ryone wanna be Ratatat, onetime?)

¡Me Encantan los Cables!

Because I get to see how far my peoples have come. And how far their imagination has come, as well. No more relying on drag queens to do celebrity gossip (although there's some new gossip show with a drag queen hostess in the works). They have their own telenovela version of the "Desperate Housewives" with a little of the lezzie action! I just finished watching tonight's episode, and boy is it bad. And boy am I'm hooked!

And Our New Poet Laureate Is...

La Palin! Talk about keeping it bipartisan in the new Administration. I always thought that Palin's way of speaking was poetic hick in a way. And, apparently, I'm not the only one. Although, don't it take a lot of boredom on the part of liberal gotcha media to think of her lipstick pit bull soundbite as the perfect example of modern haiku? Friends...

Pretty Pictures Version 11.25.08

I bet the boys at Commissary would like to run away like the chica in today's Pretty Pictures. Italy's very own Björk: Meg with "Distante."

(Video in italiano.)

I'd Rather Eat on Base

At least military bases have decent food courts.

"Personal relationship" aside, it looks like Tom Sietsema isn't the only one who can't stand the Commissary. From Tom Carman in this week's City Paper:

"I have only one comment after picking at an overcooked cheeseburger, a limp croque-monsieur, and a dry, flavor-challenged margherita pizza at the Commissary, the new flag-waving haunt in the old Merkado Kitchen space: The economy is gonna have to get a lot worse before I dine regularly at this cheap-eats spot."

Boo hoo.

In the words of the Jayhawk: "This guy sleep with one of the owners, too?" Makes you go hmmm, don't it?

I Knew Spain's Time Was Coming

Well, maybe not so much. It looks like Spain's sperm is the worst in Europe but still the best at making babies. I guess Spain's little boys have been making up for their weaknesses. It must be all that jamón ibérico that's giving them the energy they need to make the action happen. Maybe America's boys can learn from them. At least when it comes to high speed rail. How nice would it be to have a true high speed train route (in the Northeast Corridor, at least)? One can dream.

Pretty Pictures Version 11.24.08

I wish my money were elastic. That way it would snap back into my pockets instead of bleeding out of my account like it is now. But we gotta be careful in these hard economic times so we don't end up like the world in today's Pretty Pictures: The Dears with "Money Babies." Future apocalyptic separation of rich and poor kinda like modern day Rico, actually. Heh...

Keepin' It Mediocre

And on the Spain tip: An interesting article on how everyone wants an instant icon building in their town and why so many fall short. I'm probably more about instant gratification that the next guy, but iconic design can't be forced or pre-fabbed just for the dollars. That's when inspiration and integrity fly out the window and you end up with eyesores. Just sayin'.

¡Castañas!

I love Madrid in the winter mainly because of the stands selling roasted chestnuts on every other corner. Why don't we have that in DC? So, I was glad to see chestnuts at the local Giant but sad because the Jayhawk and I can't have open flames on our balcony to roast the chestnuts in. But maybe I can make this dish (with the suggestion of baking the chestnuts first) and make a yummy winter dinner, onetime.

(Video en español.)

Pretty Pictures Version 11.23.08

"Share the covers" on this fine Sunday. Pretty Pictures to keep you warm: Alessi's Ark with "The Horse."

La Semana in News #7

Don't speed in the Kansas. It might be fatal.

'Tis the season...for a felony.

I like it. Religion and the City.

No vacation for Trojans, indeed.

Don't that art belong to the people?

Whole lotta shakin' going on!

Pretty Pictures Version 11.22.08

Extra Extra! Tonight the Mango, Lady LaLa, and Shatterproof are making an appearance at The Red & The Black to go see the band in today's Pretty Pictures. I love these guys and have been following them for years now. Cute Baltimore indie rock boys. Only $8. Doors open at 9:30. The Oranges Band with "My Apartment."

(Update: The show was fantastic. And gracias to LaLa for keeping me from being too much of a starf*cker. Shizz could have gone down wrong had she not been there to keep me on the right side.)

Pretty Pictures Version 11.21.08

Rack your brains no longer. Today's Pretty Pictures are from the guys who are on the TV commercial for that fancy new Samsung Behold touchscreen phone (I want one). Kinda toned-down Wolfmother but not: The Blue Van's "Silly Boy."

The Chicken or the Egg?

Hmmm...What kind of racket does Crate & Barrel think they got going on here? Looks like C&B wanted to compete against West Elm's fancy Lutz & Patmos pillows and throws by knocking off Simone Shailes' designs instead of just collaborating with her like TopShop is. Tssk, tssk...It looks like peeps at C&B are getting lumps of coal in their stockings for Santa Claus Day. And they can even buy them off their own catalog! Nice.

Pretty Pictures Version 11.20.08

Robert Pattinson won the title of sexiest male movie blood-sucker for a movie that hasn't even debuted yet? Who the feck is this guy, anyway? Talk about voting fraud. Today's Pretty Pictures are my protest song against the rigged voting and what looks by all accounts to be a horrible movie that will make millions regardless: Everything Everything's "Suffragette Suffragette."

Oh, Hellz No

I take the bus everyday to and from work and love it. Even with the lack of true schedules, overcrowding, lack of AC in the summertime, homeless people who let their bodily functions take over, baby mommas with house arrest ankle braces, and bags of stinky fried fish, I prefer taking the bus than taking the Metro. But I'm seriously going to have to reconsider public transportation in DC altogether if they let the Westoboro Baptists advertise on the sides of buses. For all the...Seriously?! I know money's tight for Metro, but it can't be that tight. Come on, now.

Write Food Reviews; Will Travel

I love how Mark Bittman has a crappy kitchen just like the rest of us. But why bother investing in a kitchen with all the fancy-arse bells and whistles when you can travel and eat some of the best food in the world? Especially when you get to do it with Mario Battali, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Claudia Bassols? I'd never bother cooking if I had it like that. But I'd still cram my kitchen with all of the cooking goodies I could possibly afford (dollar and space wise) anyway. Just ask the Jayhawk.

(PS and BTW: I still want my jumanji 16-qt. red stock pot back, Tisha.)

Newman!

Looks like Jerry Seinfeld was onto something with that episode when Newman was caught not delivering his bags of mail. Maybe all those lazy mailmen were really just sad that they didn't get their own transfers to Hawaii.

(Illustration by Mark Alan Stamaty)

Pretty Pictures Version 11.19.08

This is what I've been for the past few days (hence the lack of posts). Whether as a result of my un-credible drunkyness during my birthday weekend or of early and long days at work, today's Pretty Pictures sum it all up: An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump's "Lights Out."

Fashion Ba-rocks!

Who da style icon? Not just Michelle. Barack's rockin' his own fashion scene. We've all been reading about how Obama's going to bring the cool back to DC. Well, he's promising to bring the cool style back to town, too. Of course, Hart Schaffner Marx gloating that I, too, can look "Presidential" if I wear their clothes is a bit much, but it's a brutal out there for retailers right now, so latching onto our new hope in politics makes sense as a business move. And they do have some demmed nice ties. Just sayin'.

Talk about Meta

If there's anything good that comes out of big box stores and how they're crumbling because of these hard economic times, it's that some ingenious individuals are using those empty boxes for better purposes. I'm still waiting to go shop at Circuit City's uber liquidation sale while eating some Spam sandwiches from the Museum, though.

What about Heh and Feh...?

Meh makes it into the English dictionary. I bet it was all due to that one episode of The Simpsons when Lisa and Bart keep repeating "meh" and Lisa finally says "I said 'meh...'" to end all conversation. It was only a matter of time before the word made it as an element of the official English language. Matt Groening rules the pop cultural world.

Pretty Pictures Version 11.14.08

I've been one of today's Pretty Pictures for the past couple of days, for sure, thanks to the clouds and the rains. That's November for you. Except for this weekend, though. It's Mango's birthday weekend, and there will be nothing other than party high energy!

Anyway, here's Passion Pit's "Sleepyhead."

Go-bama!

Hours upon hours of lost productivity right here. But, hey, you get to fight pork barrel spending and greedy Wall Street tycoons out to get you. I love me some Super Obama World!

Diamonds Are a Boy's Best Friend, Too

But only if they're synthetic and made from tequila. And only if you're a 17-year-old fratboy douche wannabe who just happens to be the most famous baby on an album cover in a generation. Maybe the diamondization of tequila will lead to a shortage of drinking tequila and make prices go up like the advent of ethanol did for corn here in Los Estados? Luckily, I don't have to worry about my auburn-not-ginger boy, Hot Ginge, going for the new diamond standard. As I remember, he likes the vodka...up his nose. Oh, Hot Ginge...You're the Hot Gingiest.

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

Pretty Pictures Version 11.13.08

Because it really is about having a choice, today's Pretty Pictures: TV on the Radio's "Dancing Choose."

We're Here!

Awesome recap of last night's march in NYC against the Prop 8 vote. I'm hoping that the one in DC (along with others planned all over the country) are just as successful and covered just as widely.

Now, somebody please shut that greasy old queen, Elton, up.

Japi Bersdei

Vogue Russia!

These are too cute and remind me of how my dad and I lost a bidding war with some Canadian tourists for a set of Russian dolls the Russian sailors were selling off when the Grand Regatta Columbus '92 was in San Juan. I hated them Canadians for getting the dolls, but we made out with some pretty awesome lacquer boxes, so I guess it all evened out in the end.

(Photo courtesy of my daily morning read, Fashionista)

Pretty Pictures Version 11.12.08

Today's Pretty Pictures seemed like a good fit for the weather (nice and mellow to cuddle up on the couch with some hot tea) and with my rants. Just like a newer tapas restaurant in Gtown or advocating for a cause are worthy of your esteem, so is this video: Hayden's "Worthy of Your Esteem."

Toros y Julie y Karl, Olé(stra)!

I forgotted to mention that the Jayhawk and I went to Bodega in Gtown on Monday night for dinner. The space is actually really nice with that whole retro-modern/contempo take on tradition vibe going on. And the menu was good. I mean, it's no Jaleo, but there are very few places that can wannabe Jaleo. We had all hot tapas because it was cold as fuzz out. The tortilla española good but was also all about the tangy mayo sauce that came with it. The croquetas de pollo were good and creamy but way too hot in temperature and not at all in spice (not that croquetas are spoda be spicy, but add some flava to them, onetime). The pulpitos were way overdone and way powdered in paprika (not cute). The butifarra catalana with the stewed white beans were amazing, though. The sausage was so nice and gamy, and the beans were perfectly savory and tender. The albóndigas estofadas (meatballs) were just that (meatballs with not much going on for them). The piquillo peppers stuffed with scallops and mushrooms were much better. And the creamy saffron rice with the grilled shrimp were right up there with the Catalan sausage. Overall: decent. Not a place I'd rush back to (or even go back to). But a place I'd recommend trying. Hey, can't be any worse that any of the places surrounding it, right? Mr. Smith's? Garrett's? Blech. Run away from that.

Just like the Cowardly Lion. He's got a new book out! Don't run away from that (especially when thinking about what to get the Mango for his birfday, you know?).

Oh, and Bodega's bread was good, too. Crusty but not mangle-the-roof-of-your-mouth crusty. Which I'm sure Uncle Karl would appreciate since he apparently only eats fake bread to go with his fake butter (scroll down like halfway down the page). Looks like he and Rosa Inés del Pilar (my little hermana, Juliette) got something in common. He'd be mortified.

Now What Am I Spoda Do?

It's so very true that now that the elections are over I haven't known how to use the Interwebs to pass the time when I don't feel like working. Luckily Slate is there to help a Rican out.

I think I'll make my next e-time occupier the post-Prop 8 events in California (and around the nation), though. The issue of gay marriage is much too important not to follow. And it's not just a benefits issue, either, but one of basic human rights and equal protection under the law. No group of people deserves to be targeted as a group and excluded from the Constitutional rights and privileges enjoyed by others in society. I think that's the one aspect of this whole debate, shamefully, that hasn't been hammered home and may have led to Prop 8's "yes" win. And let's not forget that we have DOMA to fight against in addition to the battles under way at the state level. Hopefully the strides made in MA and CT (and CA, for now) will count for something at the federal level when DOMA is finally done away with. That requires mega coordination and a renewed activist spirit, which you can see rising but isn't quite there yet. Maybe if peeps watch movies like "Milk" they'll be more motivated to become involved in the matter. I saw the movie last night at a Victory Fund event in Mazza Gallerie with Shaterproof and actually cried I thought it was that good. And I tell you it got me motivated. I'ma gonna give $$ to the Victory Fund as a first step. Another step will be to march this Saturday in protest of Prop 8. Who knows where I'll go from there? Political position in the new administration? Hmmm...

Pretty Pictures Version 11.10.08

I've got the day off from work tomorrow, so tonight the Jayhawk and I are going out. Maybe we'll go to Annie's. Ever since Casa Chimney Fall told me about their dinner this past Saturday there, I've been craving some cow. Granted, it's not the best place, but it's a decent standard, and I kinda wanna check out the renovations and the new menu and have me a London broil. Which connects to today's Pretty Pictures: I Heart Hiroshima's "London in Love."

Gobble Gobble, Indeed

AT&T is buying Centennial for a cool $940 million cash. Dayum! Looks like a lot more Ricans are going to be getting iPhones, now.

They won't be getting them at the Circuit City, though. CC filed for Chapter 11 today. So watch out for discounted electronic goodies before CC goes under for realz and all that inventory either gets bought by the Best Buy or dumped in a Chinese e-wasteland. Which makes me wonder about what will happen to the inventory from Linens & Things that doesn't get liquidated. Will that be dumped in a Chinese wasteland of beds-in-a-bag and potpourri ball sachets?

Lego My...

Lego men! A photographic chronicle of the history of Lego figurines. 4 billion Lego people in the world today! Fascinating.

Actually, there should be a recount of that census to reduce that number by 2 (for now) given that Lego men have been washing up on the shores of Britannia. So sad.

How Sweet It Is

See that? It's made of cupcakes! Yum! Maybe this is a physical representation of how sweet the Obama Administration will be. It looks like it will be in many important policy respects. And in social respects, too. You had to have seen the throngs of people hanging outside the White House a little bit ago to see Barack and Michelle caravan in to meet Laura and Jorge. The gaggle of older ladies all giggling and cackling away like giddy schoolgirls when he waved at them was priceless. Hee, hee...Too sweet.

La Semana in News #6

Running with windmills. Kathleen Sebelius to the EPA?

On the road, again. World travel Kansas style.

Nom nom! Chocolates! And he be friends with the Jayhawk. Bonus!

Frottage and color vibration...Drrty and pretty.

Gardening Rican style.

Surf's up, hermano! 40 years of surfing in Rico.

En la lucha (libre, that is).

Pretty Pictures Version 11.08.08

Today's Pretty Pictures are my birthday present to Boris. He loves these guys. Thievery Corporation (feat. LouLou): "Sweet Tides."

Pretty Pictures Version 11.07.08

Today's Pretty Pictures made me think of Wolf Blitzer giddy as a schoolboy when he was chatting with Jessica Yellin's hologram on Tuesday night. Turns out that people were right (Kitty: it was you calling it out, right?), and the hologram really wasn't (and couldn't have been). But these kids are real and are real indie rockers: Tiny Masters of Today with "Hologram World."

Happy Friday, mis bonitos!

Get Up Under That Bus

I refuse to post a Fox News video on here but will link to this one because it proves a point. Off-the-record Palinisims are now on the record. She didn't know who's in NAFTA (shocker) or that Africa's not a country (cause for concern). What's a greater cause for concern, though, is the fact that the media agreed to keep shortcomings like those off the record in the first place? Obvs that all Johnny McC wanted to do was win using La Palin's MILF factor and did not properly vet her at all. AND now he’s showing that he’s more than willing to throw her under the bus as a wannabe diva with uncontrollable emotional swings to save what little political face he has left. It's horrible. But it would have been worse for the nation had they won. I mean, what does that really say about Johnny that he'd knowingly go with someone as unqualified as La Palin was/is and stand by that decision at any cost? It's insulting, and a maverick he is not. I need a drink now.

We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident

That all men are created equal. Including skinny black men.

I think the drawing says it the best, though, don't you?

(Sketch by Patrick Moberg)

Way To Represent

Now what the fuh was up with this woman? Had to be tied down with duct tape on the plane by crew and passengers. And she had to be Rican from la Isla, too. Jesus Chreesus, ¡qué vergüenza! It's bad enough with my peoples and the clapping every time the plane they're on lands. But this kind of behavior? Ave María, purísima...

And what the fuh is also the problem with my peoples in general? Now they could be responsible for not letting the gays marry in the CA or the AZ. Sure, they all love them some Walter Mercado for the idea of his psychic abilities and flair. But when it comes to the reality of his sexuality and right to marry his fellow hombre, well, then, that's another story entirely. Not even Ugly Betty could convince them otherwise. And en español. Such a shame.

But, wait a minute. Did I just out Walter Mercado? He's never admitted he's the gay and has actually always said that he's asexual because he's celibate. Oops...Oh, well. It's not like we didn't know. Right, Ricky?

Pretty Pictures Version 11.06.08

Selling Wednesday's WaPo on eBay for up to $100 a pop?! Seriously...Tragedy inspires greed but so does happy history, apparently. Listen to today's Pretty Pictures and do right, people: The Holloways' "Sinners and Winners."

With that said, though, I think I'm gonna buy me one. Hee...

It's Cool, Daddy O

So I heard from Miss Veeda at the bus stop tonight that Barack and Michelle are going to be in town on Monday to meet with the Bushies for some QT. Which means that downtown's gonna be all kinds of on lock down. But it also means that the electricity in the air will be full on. And hopefully the coolness factor will be getting on, as well. And how can it not, really? This town's suffered through 8 years of unhipness with its Texas tuxes and ladies who fur. But now that we have a President-Elect that even Silvio Berlusconi admires, we have nowhere to go but up on the snap factor (no matter what people say about Michelle's wardrobe choices). Bring it on, cool cat. "Giovane, bello, e abbronzato," indeed.

Pretty Pictures Version 11.05.08

Presidential stylee today. Today's Pretty Pictures are almost 2 years old, but that was just about as old as the never ending presidential campaign season that finally ended on a super positive. They're also just as timely today as they were 2 years ago. Kinky's "Presidente."

Prezidencee...

I bet this is what Barack Obama feels like today, all giddy and shizz. Hee, hee...

I know I was all giddy last night about the win. I also know others shed tears of joy over it. And it's all good because people around the world cried a bit when they heard the news. For me? The tears came this morning when watching the recaps on the morning shows. And they felt good.

(and Now in Spanish): ¡Sí Pudimos!

Luis Fortuño beat Aníbal Acevedo Vilá last night. I wouldn't call it the crushing victory the Rican papers are calling it, but it was a horrible defeat for AAV however you look at it.* And good riddance. The fact that AAV even ran for the governorship is unreal. Talk about megalomania. But the fact that the PPD leadership allowed him to have the party presidency and run as its candidate simply boggles the mind. Never mind the 768,000 Ricans that voted for him. Where have these people been this whole time that they're seemingly unaware that their leader ran the Rican economy into the ground and is a crook and all-around slime bag? Incredible...

But, whatevahs. What's important is that AAV is no longer in power. And that my momma's cousin won the San Juan mayoral race last night, too!* ¡WEPA!

(*Articles en español)

Yes We Did!

This is where I was last night after the acceptance speech. No video can do it justice, though, because U Street was blowsed up! It was like Mardi Gras. Everyone out on the street laughing and chanting and yelling and hugging up on each other without knowing each other and honking horns and playing tambourines and blowing whistles and dancing on bus stop roofs and hanging from lamp posts and just having a good ole time. I'd never seen anything like that in DC and feel blessed that I was lucky enough to experience it with people I love. There's a lot of work to be done, for sure. But being on Cloud 9 is works well enough for me right now.

Obamanos!

(Thanks for KWa for the most awesome catchword, ever.)

Pretty Pictures Version 11.04.08

"Let the Spirit" move me, Roots Manuva! Today's Pretty Pictures (and Mango's own Calgon plea).

How To Survive Election Night 101

Distraction has been the word of that day today. I really do think that Election Day should be declared a holiday like it is in Rico. The Government knows ain't nobody gonna be workin' on a day like today, so why play and not officially call the day off? Plus, it encourages voter participation without celenebriation because there's no sales of liquor until after the polls have closed. So, what else are Ricans going to do other than go to the polls if they can't get their drink on?

But I digress. Distraction has reigned supreme today thanks to analysis like this, which goes in depth on what to expect tonight, especially in VA and PA. Which is encouraging and could lead to early happiness. But then there are stories of voting machine/process problems, and then palms start sweating, stomachs start turning, and headaches come on fast at the thought that VA could be the new FL. And the polls and the polls and the polls. It's enough to make a Rican and a Kansan go "Ugh."

So what to do to survive tonight? Forget what the NYT has to say and just drink, day job the next day or not. That's what this Mango and the Jayhawk will be doing at Casa Chimney Fall. That, and laughing at Jim Gilmore. According to the latest VA Senate race numbers, Jeebus, does he suck. Ha, ha!

We Voted!

Have you? If not, please do.

The Jawhawk and I voted today with Candy and Skittles. It was so exciting! And it was impressive to see that the line of people waiting outside the polling station's doors was all the way down the block at 6:45ayem. I know that a vote in DC doesn't count for much, but participating in the voting process makes you forget that, especially when you get to the voting room, take your ballot, go up to the booth, and use that #2 pencil to complete the broken arrow to officially vote for Obama-Biden. That was something. I even got TWO stickers out of it!

It's gonna be a long and (hopefully) fun and rewarding night tonight! We'll see if the Mango makes it to work tomorrow morning.

Pretty Pictures Version 11.03.08

It's been a bit of a rough day for both the Mango and the Jayhawk (too much work, too little time). So, I thought I'd add a feel-good smiley video to today's Pretty Pictures. It's a bit of an oldie (1 year old, but, come on, anything older than 2 months nowadays is considered oh, so very gauche and demode), but it's a goodie. Little Red's "Waiting."

Memories...

Light the corners of my mind...

Here's a trip down memory lane for the ages. This.F*cking.Election.

(Photo courtesy of The Daily Mail)

Tragedy Is the Mother of All Capitalism

Dayum! This shizz is just plain sick. Hocking a bedside shotgun rack in the wake of JHud's tragic loss. Again, just sick.

Nervous as All Get-Out (the Vote)

In case you've been under a rock or in a coma for the past 2 years, tomorrow's Election Day! And this Rican's anxious. Part of me is confident that Obama will win (especially after reading numbers like these), but the other part of me is worried that he won't (especially after reading numbers like these and what they imply). Tomorrow's going to be a very long day and an even longer night. I hope I can sleep tonight.

Pretty Pictures Version 11.02.08

Me likey Kiefer Sutherland. So, I was pleasantly surprised when I found today's Pretty Pictures and saw that he's not only in the video but also directed it. Nice. Here you have honeyhoney's "Little Toy Gun."

La Semana in News #5

Perfect for tailgating. The Tiki Taxi.

The Swedish are coming! KS and MO in the foreign spotlight.

Nobody likes to stand in line. Johnson County's record numbers for absentee voting.

"KU dismantles KSU." The Jayhawk goes insane and smiles ear to ear. The Mango examines his overgrown cuticles in desperate need of a manicure.

Luxury shopping/living or Mexican gay nudie bar district? Talk about unfortunate naming.

KCMO residents get in free to the Zoo all month long. KCK residents must sill pay.

Rican couple votes for president for the first time. Me, too!

On this day (well, yesterday, really): Rican Nationalists can't gack Harry Truman.

No SEIU for you! Good.

Ear-piercing? El coquí helps me fall asleep when I'm in Rico. Whiny Hawaiians.

Ricky Martin to release album this month.* Will there finally be a coming-out song?

Anibal seriously thinks he'll win on Tuesday.* Somehow the Rican economy tanking, the Gubment going bankrupt, and the Federal corruption charges against him don't matter. (Insert annoyed sigh here.)

(*Article en español.)

Pretty Pictures Version 11.01.08

Japi Día de Todos los Santos, mis bonitos! In honor of the day, today's Pretty Pictures are Grace Jones' "Corporate Cannibal." I know I wouldn't want to cross her. She spooky...