A new look

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Every now and then, I like to change things (as I imagine most people do).

getting out is hard to do

<![CDATA[ The Washington Post posted a fascinating story on the general exodus of Bush senior staff today. I find their reactions to the overall situation interesting in their conflict between the pressure cooker that they made decisions in and their realization of the results now that they have left. Some things -- Karl Rove can't stand Democrats who don't accept Bush -- don't change, but it seems that leaving the White House has allowed these people to reflect on their contribution to the Bush legacy and the costs they paid (or are paying) for those contributions.

At the same time, Jack Goldsmith, former head of the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel (and former University of Chicago law school professor) has a new book out on his time in government, especially around his review of the many questionable decisions (like justifying torture) made before he arrived. The former provost at UofC has a review of the book here. ]]>

hanging on to my holiday

<![CDATA[ I'm writing this from a bench in Napa, CA, where we've spent the past week dropping out of the usual rat race. As wine is probably my biggest (and most expensive) hobby, I'd set myself up for a week of heaven (aka wine tasting rooms). My favorites from the week are:

• Anything from Cline Cellars, especially Zinfandel and Syrah

• Buena Vista, which is making great Pinot Noir
• Ridge Wines (more the wine than the winery)
• Goosecross Chardonnay and Syrah (the latter is especially surprising in its long raisin-tinged finish)
• The General’s Daughter, which has the best shrimp and grits I’ve ever had

We went to many other places as well, fifteen wineries in all. Each had their own charms, but the places above are the one’s we’ll definitely go back to.

Pictures from the trip are available on my Facebook photo album.

Update: Virginia just reminded me that a favorite location I forgot to include is Hanna, which offers a great ros

's been a long time

<![CDATA[ My brother asked yesterday why I hadn't posted anything in 2+ months. The honest reason is that I haven't had too much to say lately -- most of my time has been tied up in work (which I don't blog about) and family (which I don't blog about). That usually leaves music, politics, and things I find amusing.

On politics: if you didn't catch the Daily Show last night, here is the interview with Barack Obama:

Barack Obama, Part 1
Barack Obama, Part 2 ]]>

a certain quality in the white house

<![CDATA[ As most (if not all) of my family and friends know, I'm a huge fan of The West Wing, and especially of the idea of a brilliant person in charge. So it was very nice to check out the Washington Post and find this editorial: An Egghead for the Oval Office

The op-ed piece starts by talking about Al Gore, but moves into the type of person we should elect in 2008:

I want the next president to be intellectually curious -- and also intellectually honest. I want him or her to understand the details, not just the big picture. I won't complain if the next president occasionally uses a word I have to look up.

I don't believe we'll find a Jed Bartlet to elect, but I'm hopeful for someone who may fit Robinson's job description. ]]>

across the pond

<![CDATA[ I'm lucky to be writing this in London. We just got here, but I fully realize now that Virginia found an amazing deal for lodging:

http://www.chslondon.com/vr/arg2/arg2.htm

The full list of places they manage is here:

http://www.chslondon.com/vr/properties.htm

Based on where I'm sitting now, I'd have to highly recommend their services. ]]>

pluses and minuses

<![CDATA[ I check this site periodically to see if anyone left any comments, mostly because they tend to come from people I hadn't heard from in some time. However, a couple of weeks ago, I checked to find that someone (or someones, I suppose) had not left any comments, but had rated (plus or minus) each post on the main page. I can't say that I follow the logic, but I'm glad someone's reading.

Also, I completed a second remix for "run and hide" -- it's a little more conventional, but still fun.

run and hide (extended mix) ]]>

Still surreal

<![CDATA[ From today's Chicago Tribune:

Mark P. Weinberg, age 37, untimely, beloved son of Marshall (Eileen Howard) and the late Andrea, nee Paul; loving brother of Douglas, Josh and Scott Weinberg; dear grandson of the late Albert and Tybal Weinberg; beloved fiancee of Carrie Moaty. Service Tuesday, 10:30 a.m. at The Weinstein Funeral Home North Shore Chapel, 111 Skokie Boulevard, Wilmette. Interment Westlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be amde to the American Cancer Society. Condolence calls will be received at Marshall and Eileen's home, 1320 N. State Parkway, Chicago, beginning Tuesday after the burial and on Wednesday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Funeral information, 847-256-5700.

Doug is my closest friend, and I've known Mark for 13 years. This is nothing short of devastating for Doug and his family; my family and I are doing what we can to help Doug through this.

The day after I found out, I happened to come across a song I wrote when Doug's mother passed away. A lot of things came back to me - how we used to argue extremist politics at barbecues, how we moved into the death trap apartment that he had first, how he was able to give Doug a job during and after college. In recent years, he found happiness that not everyone gets to have; I'm glad he had that chance.

Please, let me know where to be, 'cause I don't know
Don't leave me alone; I can't see where to go... ]]>

alinea

<![CDATA[ I was fortunate enough to experience (there's no other word) a meal at Gourmet Magazine's top restaurant, Alinea last month. Here's a fascinating article about the restaurant and its innovative chef, Grant Achatz.

• Part 1

• Part 2

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Here we go…

<![CDATA[ 2007. A new year, full of hope as we begin to see the 2008 presidential race develop. So of course, we need to get off to this start:

Hillary's team has questions about Obama's Muslim background

Apparently, Insight magazine, a sister organization to the Washington Times, got the scoop from someone in the Clinton camp. Today, they defend the article against the Washington Post by saying (among other things) that they're not in the office on Sunday. It may be time to play, "What's more likely?"

1. Hillary Clinton is going negative extremely early; or

2. The conservative media is shaking things up

For now, I'm going with door number 2. ]]>