The Last Thanksgiving Meal

In the midst of a very joyous dinner last night, I found myself feeling sad. This is the first Thanksgiving at our Mt. Vernon Square condo without JH.

Last night's gathering will also be the last dinner party here before we move out and transfer ownership of this property to the buyer. During the meal, a host of different feelings surged through my head. Many of them were good memories -- our dinner parties, BBQs, friends over to watch rugby matches, etc. We had a lot of fun here.

There is no point in recalling the bad memories.

On the upside, our Franco-American Thanksgiving meal was a smashing success. Our five French friends thoroughly enjoyed this most American event and left with their stomachs full of turkey and fine California and Oregon wine. However, Julien's jello shots topped the cake. Les Garcons are learning the finest American culture!

Farewell to a friend

I didn't know Zack Tellier very well. By the time this skinny kid from New Hampshire arrived on the American University campus, I was already on my way out. We played rugby for the AU Rugby Club for a year, but we never talked about anything of any importance.

He was a gentle soul. But also I knew Zack as a rugby player, and as a hard-headed and intense young man who lacked directions but took every opportunity to live life to the fullest.

On Wednesday, words that Zack was KIA in Afghanistan hit me like a ton of bricks. He wasn't my best friend, but he was a part of the AU Rugby Club family and he gave his life serving our country. We had to pay our final respect to Zack, and to the Tellier family.

Chris Rutyna, Dave Radcliffe, and I drove up to Massachusetts on Thursday night. We attended the wake in Falmouth, MA but had to drive back to DC on Friday.

I'm happy we went. But I wasn't sure how I felt about going to the service of a friend - the first among my college friends to leave this world. We conveyed our thoughts to Sara Tellier, Zack's wife. But I found myself lacking words when I needed my wits the most. Seeing Zack's coffin laying in the funeral home affected me a great deal more than I thought it would.

As we pulled out of the service and toasted a drink in Zack's honor, a thick New England fog fell upon us and escorted us the entire drive back to Washington, DC. I like to think that's Zack saying his farewell to us and seeing us home safely. He was that kind of person.

In Zack's memory.

Gambas Al Ajillo (Shrimp W/ Garlic) Catalonia

This is making me hungry

1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup butter
1 1/2 lbs shrimp, peeled and deveined
4-6 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (to taste)
4 tablespoons flat leaf parsley, chopped
salt
fresh ground pepper

1. In a wide, shallow sauté pan over high heat, warm the Olive Oil and the Butter; add the Shrimp and Garlic and sauté quickly for about 2-3 minutes.

2. Add the lemon juice, paprika, pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste. Adjust seasonings to your liking.

3. Transfer to a warmed serving dish, sprinkle with the parsley and serve at once.

clipped from www.recipezaar.com

Rugby World Cup: Week 2

Amidst cries of "Waltzing Matilda," "forza Italia," "allez les Bleus," and even "allez les Lelos (Republic of Georgia)" in my head, I cheered for the USA Eagles tonight. Having missed the real time televised match this morning at 8am DC time, I watched my recorded DVD of the match. How can we lose to Tonga? While home nations and the southern hemisphere giants slap the "minnow" status on us, how can we lose to one of the world's poorest nation?

On the other hand, I interviewed a PAC manager for my office today. I know it's just how business is done in DC, but I'm still mulling over her claim that political donations are"clean, good, and contribute to the political process." Perhaps political fundraising contribute to further partisan political purposes, but it certainly doesn't serve the greater interest of the republic.

Then again, what's the difference between Hillary Clinton collecting $3 million a night versus the local school board candidate raising $500 through a bake sale?

US v. England

The Eagles made their best showing in the World Cup today. While losing to Le XV de la Rose, the Americans made their most committed display against a top 10 side.

I wish we can stop being content by making a good showing against the world's rugby powers. But I am happy today.

World Cup Rugby 2007 in France!

With all my professional and academic commitments I am involved with, the Rugby World Cup all the sudden dropped into my life the last few days!

I always knew this year's tournament in France is fast-approaching, but I always had other matters occupying my life. However, today is the kickoff match between France and Argentina, to be played in Stade de France in Saint-Denis! I am very excited and wish I can attend matches in person. Nonetheless, with work and school taking up my time and my money, I'll have to be content with watching the matches on TV.

While the first match is to be played at 21:00 Paris time, I can't escape work at 3pm DC time to watch the match. I'll be catching the replay at 21:00 DC time at home.

The wait is killing me .....

Ten Mile River trails

I've been going on hikes at the Ten Mile River trails for the past two days. On August 29 I took Max on the O'Shea Loop, which took up along the Delaware. We hiked about two hours but stayed by the river for another hour to rest and play in the water. Max didn't like the water but I swam in the river while Max stood on the shore looking very concerned.

On August 30 we took the yellow dot trail, which is also called the Tusten Mountain Trail, and went for a walk in the woods. The path took us to the summit of the hill (approx. 1,100 ft) and back down to the Delaware.

The views were great and the river was refreshing. But the best part was the absolute silence of the woods. For the hours of my hike, except for my own footsteps and Max's joyful rumps through the bushes, I got to enjoy a quiet walk in the Catskills.

Catskill visit

Day 1 - Got here on Saturday afternoon and was severely hungover from Friday night's outing. Got to Cochecton and had the first of several man-meals of the week at the Alpine House in Honesdale, PA - Paulaner München, schnitzels and potato pancakes – yum.

Day 2 – Got up and took mom's dogs for long walks. Procured a loaf of onion bread, hot Italian sausage, and apricot rugelach from the Collicoon farmers market and ate man-meal #2. Went and watched the local youth soccer team practice.

Day 3 – Did absolutely nothing. Read a little, visited PB, whom I haven't seen since he left Leesburg, Virginia more than a year ago. Got home and was happy to see J Corveau and his old lady Laura. This was the day of reunions with long-lost friends. Now past 10:30pm – drinking bourbon and writing in me journal.

Taco stand, Das Leben Der Anderen, and little buggy

It has been great to have a little of time and space to do my own things. It's tempting to dig into the fall semester's reading ahead of time, but I'm going to resist that impulse and just enjoy the relative free time I have these two weeks (aside from work during the day).

I was going to hop on the bike and truck out to Arlington to get some tacos tonight, but thought I google the subject and found Taco Pepito's Bakery in Adams Morgan. For Angelenos who grew up on roadside taco stands and trucks, DC offers very few options. What most people here refer to as "Mexican" are just "Tex Mex." Some have also referred to "Cal Mex," but as a Californian, I've never heard of Cal Mex.

Anyway, Pepito's is pretty close to the real thing. I got a carne asada taco and a lengua taco, and washed the food down with a lemonade. The price is a little high at $8 and change, but since I don't have many other options within easy metro or walking distance, I'll happily take Pepito's.

I just wish DC is a more civilized culinary town. While this city has plenty of highly priced but mediocre restaurants to serve them Gucci-ass lobbyists and lawyers, it doesn't do everyday comfort food very well. DC needs more street food!

On the walk home, I saw this silly little buggy. It actually fits four regular size people but it's only slightly longer than a scooter.

Netflix finally sent me Das Leben Der Anderen (The Lives of Others). It was a fantastic movie! I really enjoyed the subtlety of HGW XX/7's changes throughout the film.

I'm not sure where this is, but it's a photo by the Chinese photographer Cang Xin.

Me gustas!

Ride in Fox Country

I took a good spill on the way to Flint Hill, Virginia yesterday.

As far as falling off a bike, at least it was a lovely spot, surrounded by the Blue Ridge, vineyards, hawks circling above, and just a beautiful silence. I just sat next to my bike, laughed, and enjoyed the scenery.

It was great to get out of DC. After weeks of writing papers and studying for my final exams, it was refreshing to see Virginia's mountains. I started at 11am in DC and rode through Route 50 to Fairfax County, only stopping at my favorite Vietnamese baguette shop to fill up for a couple sandwiches. After that stop, I had no destination in mind and just rode aimlessly through Manassas Battlefield, down Lee Highway, past Thoroughfare Gap, up to the Plains, and down to Orlean via Route 55 and Leeds Manor Road.

While I sat in front of the tiny Orlean Post Office enjoying the sun and making the day's entry in my journal , an Orlean woman still in her riding boots suggested that I give Flint Hill's Griffin Tavern a go. After my soft dismount on the way to the pub, I had meself a pint and a sandwich in Flint Hill.

Nothing to complain about for the day. But I'll have to visit the Red Truck Bakery in Orlean next time.

Upside: I spanked my two finals today
Downside: I have one more exam to go tomorrow morning when all I want now is to have a drink and sleep

I'm going to take a good long ride out to the Shenandoah on me moto this Sunday and go for a swim in the river.

Things to do and places to see

Just jotting down thoughts so I won't forget them.

New places to visit and things to do:

• Krakow before it becomes another Prague
• NZ to see Maori haka and the All Blacks
• Sunrise on Mt. Jade, Taiwan
  
• Moscow, St. Pete, and Russia before someone figures out how to police the country
  
• Beirut before it's bombed again
• Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Pichu before too many yuppy hotels are built
• Paris anytime
• Hike the pilgrim trail to Santiago de Compostela
• Cardiff and Paris for 6 Nations rugby matches
• Fes to visit its Medina and Mellah
• Mendoza just to drink more malbec
• Travel to Cape Horn and Antartica by sea
• Upper Quebec to see polar bears
• Uluru
• Wagner Festival in Bavaria to see the entire "Ring" cycle
  
• Pow Wows
  
• One more buffet meal at Caesar's Palace, Vegas
• Actually finish reading "War and Peace"
• Motorcycle Che Guevara's trail from BA - Patagonia - Chile - Peru - Venezuela (especially if I can find a Norton Commando in working order)
  
• Learn how to take decent photos
  
• Find good meatloaf in DC
  

Talking to L. last night got me staying up late to think about what I want to do in the next few years, and what I’ve done in Washington in the last 10 years.

I wish I can simply travel. I still can, but need to finish my education and figure out a way to fulfill my commitments to my family. My parents aren’t getting any younger and I need to contribute to their well-being and happiness. Further, I rescued Missouri 10 years ago when she was a pup. She’s going with me wherever I travel to. Aside from that, as soon as my condo in DC sells, I am going somewhere (to Brussels for a MA, perhaps Paris and Singapore for INSEAD’s MBA, and at least to San Miguel de Allende to learn how to make molé).

As for my almost 10 years working in politics and government, I am a pessimist by experience but still an optimist at heart. I know how Capitol Hill works, and have contributed to its negative nature by working on campaigns and in congressional operations. But what democracy isn’t factional, chaotic, and self-serving by nature? At least Sulla no longer proscribes his enemies after winning a campaign. With that thought I still keep my faith in a well-managed democracy.

Lastly, I’m a political moderate by policy, but regard very liberal and very conservative individuals as my most trustworthy friends. Don’t ask . . . I’m still trying to figure that one out.

Nena - 99 Luftballons

I loved this song when it came out. It was 1983 and I was only 10. But I never knew it was about the Cold War.

Here are the Lyrics.


Hast du etwas Zeit für mich
Dann singe ich ein Lied für dich
Von 99 Luftballons
Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont
Denkst du vielleicht g'rad an mich
Dann singe ich ein Lied für dich
Von 99 Luftballons
Und dass so was von so was kommt

99 Luftballons
Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont
Hielt man für Ufos aus dem All
Darum schickte ein General
'ne Fliegerstaffel hinterher
Alarm zu geben, wenn es so wär
Dabei war'n da am Horizont
Nur 99 Luftballons

99 Düsenjäger
Jeder war ein großer Krieger
Hielten sich für Captain Kirk
Das gab ein großes Feuerwerk
Die Nachbarn haben nichts gerafft
Und fühlten sich gleich angemacht
Dabei schoss man am Horizont
Auf 99 Luftballons

99 Kriegsminister -
Streichholz und Benzinkanister -
Hielten sich für schlaue Leute
Witterten schon fette Beute
Riefen Krieg und wollten Macht
Mann, wer hätte das gedacht
Dass es einmal soweit kommt
Wegen 99 Luftballons

99 Jahre Krieg
Ließen keinen Platz für Sieger
Kriegsminister gibt's nicht mehr
Und auch keine Düsenflieger
Heute zieh' ich meine Runden
Seh' die Welt in Trümmern liegen
Hab' 'nen Luftballon gefunden
Denk' an dich und lass' ihn fliegen


Have you some time for me,
then I'll sing a song for you
about 99 balloons
on their way to the horizon.
If you're perhaps thinking about me right now
then I'll sing a song for you
about 99 balloons
and that such a thing comes from such a thing.

99 balloons
on their way to the horizon
People think they're UFO's from space
so a general sent up
a fighter squadron after them
Sound the alarm if it's so
but there on the horizon were
only 99 balloons.

99 fighter jets
Each one's a great warrior
Thought they were Captain Kirk
then came a lot of fireworks
the neighbors didn't understand anything
and felt like they were being provoked
so they shot at the horizon
at 99 balloons.

99 war ministers
matches and gasoline canisters
They thought they were clever people
already smelled a nice bounty
Called for war and wanted power.
Man, who would've thought
that things would someday go so far
because of 99 balloons.

99 years of war
left no room for victors.
There are no more war ministers
nor any jet fighters.
Today I'm making my rounds
see the world lying in ruins.
I found a balloon,
think of you and let it fly (away).

Mint Radio Poster

clipped from www.laradioameilleurgout.be

I posted this pic because I liked the photo - probably because of the woman, how she looked in her dress, the black and white background, and that she's walking her dog while wearing a fine outfit. But then I looked closer and she's walking a . . . . . piglet. . .

Bonde Do Role - Solta O Frango

A long-awaited splash of rain for DC

Me gustas cuando callas...

I'm not very well-read in Neruda. I would like to be.

I've been to his home/museum in Santiago de Chile and I enjoyed reading his autobiography. However, poems have always been challenging for me. I'll have to mull over this one a little more.

The Brazilian Girls, a New York City band, set the Neruda poem to a song. Have a listen.

Me gustas cuando callas

Me gustas cuando callas porque estás como ausente,
y me oyes desde lejos, y mi voz no te toca.
Parece que los ojos se te hubieran volado
y parece que un beso te cerrara la boca.

Como todas las cosas están llenas de mi alma
emerges de las cosas, llena del alma mía.
Mariposa de sueño, te pareces a mi alma,
y te pareces a la palabra melancolía.

Me gustas cuando callas y estás como distante;
Y estás como quejándote, mariposa en arrullo.
Y me oyes desde lejos, y mi voz no te alcanza:
déjame que me calle con el silencio tuyo.

Déjame que te hable también con tu silencio
claro como una lámpara, simple como un anillo.
Eres como la noche, callada y constelada.
Tu silencio es de estrella, tan lejano y sencillo.

Me gustas cuando callas porque estás como ausente.
Distante y dolorosa como si huieras muerto.
Una palabra entonces, una sonrisa bastan,
Y estoy alegre, alegre de que no sea cierto.

Pablo Neruda

I Like You when you're quiet

I Like You when you're quiet: it is as though you were absent,
and you hear me from far away and my voice doesn't touch you.
It seems as though you eyes had flown away
and it seems that a kiss had sealed your mouth.

As all things are filled with my soul
you emerge from the things, filled with my soul.
You are like my soul, a butterfly of dream,
and you resemble the word Melancholy.

I like for you to be quiet, and you seem far away.
It sounds as though you were lamenting, a butterfly cooing like a dove.
And you hear me from far away, and my voice does not reach you:
Let me come to be still in your silence.

And let me talk to you with your silence
that is bright as a lamp, simple as a ring.
You are like the night, with its stillness and constellations.
Your silence is that of a star, as remote and candid.

I like for you to be still: it is as though you were absent,
distant and full of sorrow as though you had died.
One word then, one smile, is enough.
And I am happy, happy that it's not true.

Upstate New York Ho!

The rental agency surprised me with a Ford Mustang convertible instead of my requested compact car. It's nice to drive something that is topless and with a little bit of umph. But I had to spend a lot more money on fuel. From this photo, one can tell Missouri really didn't like flying at 70 mph with the top down!

The weekend to visit mom in upstate New York was a blast! While I put in 12 hour days writing my papers and studying for my finance class, I got to see mom and took long walks with her and the dogs through the meandering countryside. I had the most fantastic dinner at the Main Street Cafe in Narrowsburg, NY. It was calf liver with lightly fried onions. Mom had the Chilean Sea Bass (to my disapproval), and my sister had a lamb stew. We topped it off a bottle of syrah from Bridlewood in Santa Ynez, CA. It was a lovely meal.