Hiatus

Sorry, folks! But, yes, I DID drop off the face of the Earth. The craziest thing happened, I was on this plane from Australia headed to LAX when we veered off-course and suddenly crashed on this island where crazy shit happens but no one answers any questions and the plot moves excruciatingly slowly.

Oh, no. That's LOST.

Dammit.

But, I'm back, I have a few reviews from June which I'll post for you and I hope to make more regular appearances again.

Stay tuned...

On The Ave. ***

I've recently had the pleasure of traveling to the great state of New York on three separate occasions, two of them being to the fair island of Manhattan. During one stay, I crashed at the modernly sleek On the Ave Hotel on the Upper West Side.

On the Ave is in a great neighborhood that is a quiet retreat from the bustle of downtown or mid town. It's very modern with the classic black, white and red palate - back-lit photography of Manhattan architecture, piano player after 3pm, flat-screens in the hotel rooms, nice bed linens, guest robe, slippers, and turn-down service. The rooms are small by normal standards, but not bad for New York standards. But the best perk is the price. I was traveling for business and stayed for $279/night. Not bad for New York at all, and the best deal in the city at the time. They seem to be running a current $199/night special for the summer. There's no restaurant, so that's a downer, and the elevators were having a bit of difficulty although that didn't really affect me at all. With a few cute restaurants in the neighborhood, and independent shops and groceries within a few steps, the hotel is a great find, and I'm giving it three stars. Have a nice stay... ***

Planes and Trains ***

The two most popular methods of travel between DC and Manhattan are by plane (i.e., "the shuttle") or by train, which means The Acela. Most people fall into one category or the other. Those who chose plane, I find, are more likely to be afflicted with ADD. As you can probably tell, I'm a train girl. But specifically, a fan of The Acela, which is the faster, nicer (all business class) train. And on the Acela, I find myself at home in the "quiet car", where loud-talkers, cell phones, and children are banned. Well, technically, I suppose that children can't be banned, but you never see them there. It's a small piece of utopia, especially en route to the bustling city of Gotham. While it's true, the plane may get you there faster, the train takes you from one downtown to the other without any standing in line. On the train, you have more leg room, larger seats, and that nice, gentle, rocking motion that always lulls me to sleep. Granted, the security is lacking, and this day in age that's a little scary. But I still love the train and give it three out of four stars. ***

China 0

I am officially boycotting China. I will no longer knowingly purchase any goods manufactured there including plastics, foods, clothing, cosmetics, anything. And yes, this is going to be a difficult boycott. I will also be boycotting the summer Olympic Games to be held in Beijing. What's the deal, you ask? I'm so glad you did.

First, China is the chief weapons provider, diplomatic sponsor and largest foreign investor and trade partner to Sudan. The Sudanese government, as I'm sure many of my readers are well aware, is responsible for abominable acts of genocide in Darfur. And yet China continues to strengthen its economic and military ties with Sudan when the Chinese government, single-handedly, has more power than any other nation to convince the Sudanese government to halt the slaughter and stop blocking UN Peacekeepers. China must act to end the genocide in Sudan.

Second, unless you were on another planet, you have heard about the extensive recall of tainted pet foods that originated in China. While the country does appear to be making progress on this particular issue, I can't help but feel that it's only because it has blown up to be such a disgusting mess. It has been widely reported that Chinese manufacturer’s frequently evade US border standards trying to push the same contaminated shipment into the US from several different entry points after being turned away. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. They take that advice to heart - KNOWING that they are breaking the law and endangering lives.

Third, China's blistering economic and industrial growth is having potentially irreversible impacts on the global environment. Everything is dirty. Seriously. Air and water supplies are so foul that a health crisis in that country is impending. And it won't stay "over there" for long. China's environmental problem is OUR environmental problem - we must require them to do more.

I'm sure you remember all the "Axis of Evil" BS spun by the President during his 2002 State of the Union address. While I don't allow myself to use the word "Evil", I certainly feel that China is contributing more than its fair share of negative vibes into the planet's ethos. For that, I give you NO STARS, China. No love. No money. Get your shit together.

Midwest Airlines ***1/2

Already this year, I have flown Midwest Airlines three times. Once cross-country to San Francisco, another time to Omaha for my father's 80th birthday, and just recently this week to Ohio for work. Last year, I flew the airline a handful of times. While flying Midwest isn't always the easiest way to get from point a to point b, there are many reasons why I opt to ride on this budget-friendly carrier over the big competitors.

First, the seats. My goodness do I leave their seats. And boy do I appreciate their seats even more after I've had to endure other airliner seats. What's so great about them, you ask? All of Midwest is First Class. Seriously. Those big comfy leather chairs that they always parade us economy types past en route to the cramped, blood-clot inducing seats that we have to stuff our bodies into. Midwest is comfy-cozy big leather seats all the way. You can almost hear the wave of sighs filter down the plane as passengers take their seats.

Second, homemade chocolate chip cookies baked in-flight and delivered to you warm. 'Nuff said. The gooey-ness speaks for its self.

Third, the prices are incredibly reasonable. When you take the above mentioned perks into account you would be a fool to fly any other way. Which is why, on a recent trip to Columbus, Ohio, upon learning that there was no direct flight available, I decided it was totally worth it to route my trip through Milwaukee.

So, check 'em out the next time you travel this great country of ours - it appears the airlines is doing well as they add new stops every day it seems. I hope the trend continues, the other guys could learn a lot from the simple and cost-effective luxury. Three and a half out of four stars. If only they gave free meals...or booze...then I'd be totally sold!!

Botalcura La Porfia Carmenere 2003 ***1/2

I am drinking a lovely glass of red wine.

At this very moment.



Yum.

I stumbled on this by accident at my local wine shop after a tough day at the office. It was an impulse purchase at the price of $12, but I'm oh so happy that the impulse came.

I'm a big fan of wine, but rather picky when it comes to red wine and I'm most schooled, really, in American red wine, which means tasty cabernets or zinfindels from California and an occasional dabble into French wines (though I find them particularly intimidating). This particular bottle of tastiness in which I am partaking hails from the Curico Valley of Chile. Having enjoyed some Chilean reds in the past, and being attracted by the label (yes...I'm one of those people...a pretty label never hurt anyone), and the 2005 Silver Award from the International Wine and Spirits Competition in tandem with the inexpensive price tag called me to just go for it.

Upon the pour, your glass is drenched in a lovely garnet color. On the swirl, there are a few legs left clinging to your glass, but not enough to cause concern for syrupy-ness. The nose is complex and aromatic. You can definitely smell some cherry to start with a full earthy depth to follow. Honestly, to me, it smells a bit like a super clean barn out in the country - maybe after a rain - very fresh, clean, and natural. When tasting, the cherry and berry hits you first, followed by something smokey like tobacco with a vanilla finish. The finish, in my opinion, is the best part. It lingers with you but does not turn sour nor astringent. Very smooth. Very tasty.

At this price, how can you really resist, and who hasn't wanted to visit Chile? I won't lie, I've had better reds, but this one is pretty amazing for the price tag without feeling or tasting cheap or mass produced. Three-and-a-half stars. Check it out. It would be great to share on a date.

Karl Rove vs. Sheryl Crow/Laurie David ****

Did you hear about this one?

The annual White House Correspondents Dinner was held weekend before last. This is as close as Washington gets to celebrity with politicos rubbing elbows with some of the Hollywood elite. There's usually a roasting of the President which is always fun, but it's all pretty G rated, and one of the few events where the Powers That Be in Washington can meet in the aisle and have a good laugh.

But Karl Rove was NOT laughing this year.

Apparantly, according to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., it went down like this.

The Dynamic Environmental Duo Sheryl Crow and Laurie David were in town on their bio-diesel cross-country tour. While at the dinner, the women attempted to chide Rove into a friendly environmental discussion. They were charming. He was rude. Rumors are flying that he literally spat on them. He turned his back on them and walked away.

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

As Kennedy said, "It was a very strange thing to watch, and a sad thing to think the government is being run by, you know, somebody like that."

HERE, here!

And might I say, so typical of many conservatives on this issue. I hiss at you.

So, Sheryl and Laurie, four stars to you for approaching this monsterously pathetic excuse for a man and trying to have a charming discussion with him. For attempting to educate him, or heaven forbid, engage in public debate. And four stars to your bio diesel tour. And four stars for the minnimal toilet paper usage, Sheryl, but may I ask, how often do you flush???