The first time I ever heard Jack White sing "Jolene" was at the Alexandra Palace in London with my friend Ang. She'd gotten tickets to the White Stripes gig and sold me one. (Thanks Ang!) The opening act was a band from Detroit named Blanche, a kind of alt. country/ Southern Gothic band that had an auto-harp in it. (Try to find something from them, as they were a pretty great band. The lead singer started the concert with, "Hello, we're Blanche." and then started playing. I liked that.) The gig was great, and in the middle of it, Jack White started to play a very haunting song I'd heard before, but couldn't place.
"Jolene" as everyone knows is a Dolly Parton song. It's the type of 70s Country song you'd expect: Married woman's husband is in love with someone else, and she's begging the woman to leave her man alone. It's a fantastic song in Dolly's repertoire, and perfect for her. (Although I certainly couldn't see anyone stealing Dolly's man. She'd probably get a good beating for that.) Still great song, and not one you'd expect to be covered by The White Stripes.
However, Jack White is a fan of that stuff. He was originally in a cow-punk band in Detroit named Goober and The Peas, and has also worked extensively with Loretta Lynn. He loves old country music, and it has influenced him probably as much as Son House has. So it's not a stretch for them to cover a song.
The one thing you have to get over is that Jack White doesn't change the words from feminine to masculine to make you feel better about it. There is no, "I'm begging of you, please don't take my girl." He leaves it as man. It changes the meaning of the song, and certainly gives the listener a new perspective on what's being said.
Then of course is the sound of Jack White's voice. Dolly's voice, even though the song is sad, still has a bit of a bounce in it. (It's Dolly Parton for goodness sake.) Jack's voice has more of a hard edge to it (as it would) but also a bit more of an urgency in it. There's an actual pleading in the voice. You can hear the heartache.
The music is of course heavy on guitar, but also very haunting at the beginning, with a lone guitar with an effect in the background. Starts the song with a bit of foreboding.
Live, this song just rocked. I can't tell you how the Ally Pally blew up while this song was being played. I'm sad that the White Stripes decided to call it a day, but at least you can listen to the music. See if you can find this song, and I think you'll like it.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Water outages and visit blues
So you've got a major visit going... what's the worst that can happen?
How about having about 90% of the homes in your housing pool go without water. Yeah, this is what happened today as we've got a Cabinet level visit to Johannesburg. Talk about a good start!
This happens to us about once every two to three weeks. I wake up, make tea and coffee for my lovely wife and I, and then watch as the water pressure SLOWLY starts to drop. Soon, none of the faucets work, and we're stuck without a shower for the day. Got to admit, place always smells a little nicer that day as everyone is wearing cologne or perfume, but it does get a bit overpowering. And you just feel gross.
Luckily for me the hotel that the delegation is staying in has a water supply separate from the city water. Otherwise, very upset group.
In a bit of kismet, though, the group that just lowered our hardship differential from 10% to 5% was in town for this massive water outage. (It's also affecting Pretoria, 45 miles away.) So, they are getting to see that maybe they jumped to a bit of a conclusion about this place.
As for the visit, the Secretary (but not State's Secretary) arrived an hour early. This lead to much running around and moving of vehicles to accommodate her. One of the advance learned a good lesson, which is don't hand a passport to someone who may look like they know what they're doing, as you might lose it. (He got it back, but it took some doing.) So between me re-arranging vehicles like I was moving place settings at a dinner party, and then sprinting to help load the luggage for the rest of the traveling crew, it was a busy day. Tomorrow I get to get up early and travel to the airport and do it all again in reverse. FUN!
Things I've learned from this trip:
1) You'll never get the credit if you're a Management Officer. It's your job.
2) It's easier to just take over a visit from another section's head, as you'll do the work anyways.
3) As difficult as it is, don't punch anyone. No matter how much they deserve it. (I didn't punch anyone.)
To be honest, though, this visit has been quite good. The people visiting are great, and the principal is very nice as well. Stress just makes me grumpy. Then again, being hungry does the same thing, so it's not a difficult state for me to achieve.
How about having about 90% of the homes in your housing pool go without water. Yeah, this is what happened today as we've got a Cabinet level visit to Johannesburg. Talk about a good start!
This happens to us about once every two to three weeks. I wake up, make tea and coffee for my lovely wife and I, and then watch as the water pressure SLOWLY starts to drop. Soon, none of the faucets work, and we're stuck without a shower for the day. Got to admit, place always smells a little nicer that day as everyone is wearing cologne or perfume, but it does get a bit overpowering. And you just feel gross.
Luckily for me the hotel that the delegation is staying in has a water supply separate from the city water. Otherwise, very upset group.
In a bit of kismet, though, the group that just lowered our hardship differential from 10% to 5% was in town for this massive water outage. (It's also affecting Pretoria, 45 miles away.) So, they are getting to see that maybe they jumped to a bit of a conclusion about this place.
As for the visit, the Secretary (but not State's Secretary) arrived an hour early. This lead to much running around and moving of vehicles to accommodate her. One of the advance learned a good lesson, which is don't hand a passport to someone who may look like they know what they're doing, as you might lose it. (He got it back, but it took some doing.) So between me re-arranging vehicles like I was moving place settings at a dinner party, and then sprinting to help load the luggage for the rest of the traveling crew, it was a busy day. Tomorrow I get to get up early and travel to the airport and do it all again in reverse. FUN!
Things I've learned from this trip:
1) You'll never get the credit if you're a Management Officer. It's your job.
2) It's easier to just take over a visit from another section's head, as you'll do the work anyways.
3) As difficult as it is, don't punch anyone. No matter how much they deserve it. (I didn't punch anyone.)
To be honest, though, this visit has been quite good. The people visiting are great, and the principal is very nice as well. Stress just makes me grumpy. Then again, being hungry does the same thing, so it's not a difficult state for me to achieve.
Friday, November 23, 2012
My Inner Lester Bangs: "Come With Me Now" by Kongos
A very happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers. That being my wife, my family, old friends from Port Orange that are on the night shift at the hospital, and random people who googled "Lester Bangs Gay". (That's a real search that found my blog, btw. Not sure where that came from.)
Anyways, back to MILB on Friday. This week, I'm going to give you a band from South Africa. Kongos are 4 brothers whose father was a famous (in South Africa) singer named John Kongos. John's biggest hit is in fact something you might have heard before. It was a song called "He's Going to Step On You Again." In 1990 it was released as "Step On" by The Happy Mondays. (With the great line of "you're twistin my melon man.")
Well, Kongos are a rock band from South Africa with a very eclectic sound. I mean, "Come With Me Now" starts off with an accordion. How many rock bands would have the guts to do that? Not many I can tell you. They sound like nothing I've heard before in music. I definitely like that they are trying to stretch themselves, and find a way to get their music out there. In South Africa they are huge. I mean, they played at Joburg Day 2012, and people on the radio still talk about it. (It was in September.) They and the Parlotones are the forefront of a large group of music coming from South Africa.
Now, onto the song. The lyrics speak of anxiety and fear, which is something we know a bit about. I can certainly identify with the first verse: "Afraid to lose control; caught up in this world; I've wasted time I've wasted breath; I think I've thought myself to death." Powerful stuff really.
It's a hard driving song with a lull in the middle for the bridge. The bridge has a haunting quality to it, with the music slowing and lowering with the main part sung in almost a falsetto ("Far Away, I heard him say") answered by a low, almost guttural growl, ("Come with me now") and trading back and forth, almost call and response. It's a good trick as the song picks up again and thrashes it's way onward.
At the end, it gets a bit deep but even then there's a bit of humor in the subject. The last verse says, "Confused what I thought with something I felt; Confuse what I feel for something that's real; I tried to sell my soul last night; funny, he wouldn't even take a bite."
Go out and buy the Kongos CD. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by it.
Anyways, back to MILB on Friday. This week, I'm going to give you a band from South Africa. Kongos are 4 brothers whose father was a famous (in South Africa) singer named John Kongos. John's biggest hit is in fact something you might have heard before. It was a song called "He's Going to Step On You Again." In 1990 it was released as "Step On" by The Happy Mondays. (With the great line of "you're twistin my melon man.")
Well, Kongos are a rock band from South Africa with a very eclectic sound. I mean, "Come With Me Now" starts off with an accordion. How many rock bands would have the guts to do that? Not many I can tell you. They sound like nothing I've heard before in music. I definitely like that they are trying to stretch themselves, and find a way to get their music out there. In South Africa they are huge. I mean, they played at Joburg Day 2012, and people on the radio still talk about it. (It was in September.) They and the Parlotones are the forefront of a large group of music coming from South Africa.
Now, onto the song. The lyrics speak of anxiety and fear, which is something we know a bit about. I can certainly identify with the first verse: "Afraid to lose control; caught up in this world; I've wasted time I've wasted breath; I think I've thought myself to death." Powerful stuff really.
It's a hard driving song with a lull in the middle for the bridge. The bridge has a haunting quality to it, with the music slowing and lowering with the main part sung in almost a falsetto ("Far Away, I heard him say") answered by a low, almost guttural growl, ("Come with me now") and trading back and forth, almost call and response. It's a good trick as the song picks up again and thrashes it's way onward.
At the end, it gets a bit deep but even then there's a bit of humor in the subject. The last verse says, "Confused what I thought with something I felt; Confuse what I feel for something that's real; I tried to sell my soul last night; funny, he wouldn't even take a bite."
Go out and buy the Kongos CD. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by it.
Monday, November 19, 2012
The Ride Is Over
Well, kind readers, I didn't get to finish the race. I decided to stop at 74 km. I know, I know, 20 km short! How could I? Well, I did some quick calculations and realized I was going to be swept up anyways, so why not get a start on the post-ride soak back home. Besides, my legs had been cramping up for an hour, and I just couldn't handle any more hills.
If you remember the map I posted last week, I stopped just short of the turn-off from the N14 to Summit. (And believe me, it was a summit.) I got in the back of a truck with my bike and 3 other people, and off we sped. Until the last water point, where we all got out, put our bikes in the back of a trailer, with about 20 other bikes, and boarded a large bus. As I sat on the bus, I felt a little sad that I didn't finish. The thrill of crossing the finish line with everyone cheering me, getting a medal, and the feeling of accomplishment was something I wanted. However, I thought some more on it. 74 km is WAY longer a distance than I probably should have done. I hadn't trained hardly at all, and was a little unprepared food-wise. (I gotta say, though, that the peanut butter packets were AWESOME! Since I'm not allowed to have any in the house do to a lethal nut allergy from Lovely Little Girl, this was heaven.) Plus, on the way to 74 km, I saw a lot of people being swept up before I was, and many of them looked like they were in much better shape than I was, so this was quite the accomplishment.
A few thoughts:
1) Johannesburg is HILLY! I'm talking major, San Francisco style hilly. It was crazy. I was in low gear pretty much the entire time going up these hills, and 4 times I had to get off to walk because it was 3 km long climb that just kept going up, and one time because I mis-timed my gear change and the chain came off. Not fun at all.
2) Riding through Johannesburg Central Business District was eye-opening. Looked like any major inner-city. Run down, falling apart infrastructure, public housing estates. But the people came out and cheered everyone on. It was very nice. When we moved into the city to go to Gandhi Square, I heard loud music. Not unusual, since many groups set up along the route and blast music, but there wasn't anyone around. It was then I realized that it was Sunday, and these were church services. That was very heartening.
3) This town LOVES this bike ride, even though it disrupts traffic. People all over cheering you on, offering water, food and even a place to stop for a beer. (Not sure anyone took them up on the offer.) Kids came out to slap your hand, and everyone cheered for you no matter who you were. (I was wearing my Arkansas Razorback bike jersey, and one woman cheering me on yelled, "C'mon Kansas! You can do it!" I was tempted to stop and explain it was Arkansas, not Kansas, and that we came first and that it should be pronounced "Kansaw", but I never look an encouraging word in the mouth.)
4) The route took us past some of the roughest areas surrounding Jozi. Lanseria and Diepsloot are but two, and man was that eye-opening. They also came out to cheer us on, but it was slightly different. While the adults stood and cheered, the kids further down kept asking the riders for chocolate. (Kudos for knowing that the bikers use chocolate to keep themselves going, but sad that they kept asking.) Really underlined for me the disparity in this country. People were driving past them on bicycles that cost $4-5k, and these kids hardly had anything to eat. Sad really.
5) The people that threw this event REALLY now how to do it. Each water point was like a party. They had mechanics there to help with the bikes; water tables with water, Powerade and Coke; ambulance crews for injuries; and physio-therapists to help with muscle problems. On occasion they had tunnels for you to go through with water spraying down. Really well done, and a great race.
So I didn't finish the race, and yeah I feel bad that I didn't. But I did finish the majority of it, in very high altitude, without really training for it. In temps on the road approaching 45 degrees centigrade. I can safely say that I am proud of what I did. It wasn't pretty at all, but I'm glad I did it. Now if I can just get an ice pack to sit on for the next two days, I'll be fine.
If you remember the map I posted last week, I stopped just short of the turn-off from the N14 to Summit. (And believe me, it was a summit.) I got in the back of a truck with my bike and 3 other people, and off we sped. Until the last water point, where we all got out, put our bikes in the back of a trailer, with about 20 other bikes, and boarded a large bus. As I sat on the bus, I felt a little sad that I didn't finish. The thrill of crossing the finish line with everyone cheering me, getting a medal, and the feeling of accomplishment was something I wanted. However, I thought some more on it. 74 km is WAY longer a distance than I probably should have done. I hadn't trained hardly at all, and was a little unprepared food-wise. (I gotta say, though, that the peanut butter packets were AWESOME! Since I'm not allowed to have any in the house do to a lethal nut allergy from Lovely Little Girl, this was heaven.) Plus, on the way to 74 km, I saw a lot of people being swept up before I was, and many of them looked like they were in much better shape than I was, so this was quite the accomplishment.
A few thoughts:
1) Johannesburg is HILLY! I'm talking major, San Francisco style hilly. It was crazy. I was in low gear pretty much the entire time going up these hills, and 4 times I had to get off to walk because it was 3 km long climb that just kept going up, and one time because I mis-timed my gear change and the chain came off. Not fun at all.
2) Riding through Johannesburg Central Business District was eye-opening. Looked like any major inner-city. Run down, falling apart infrastructure, public housing estates. But the people came out and cheered everyone on. It was very nice. When we moved into the city to go to Gandhi Square, I heard loud music. Not unusual, since many groups set up along the route and blast music, but there wasn't anyone around. It was then I realized that it was Sunday, and these were church services. That was very heartening.
3) This town LOVES this bike ride, even though it disrupts traffic. People all over cheering you on, offering water, food and even a place to stop for a beer. (Not sure anyone took them up on the offer.) Kids came out to slap your hand, and everyone cheered for you no matter who you were. (I was wearing my Arkansas Razorback bike jersey, and one woman cheering me on yelled, "C'mon Kansas! You can do it!" I was tempted to stop and explain it was Arkansas, not Kansas, and that we came first and that it should be pronounced "Kansaw", but I never look an encouraging word in the mouth.)
4) The route took us past some of the roughest areas surrounding Jozi. Lanseria and Diepsloot are but two, and man was that eye-opening. They also came out to cheer us on, but it was slightly different. While the adults stood and cheered, the kids further down kept asking the riders for chocolate. (Kudos for knowing that the bikers use chocolate to keep themselves going, but sad that they kept asking.) Really underlined for me the disparity in this country. People were driving past them on bicycles that cost $4-5k, and these kids hardly had anything to eat. Sad really.
5) The people that threw this event REALLY now how to do it. Each water point was like a party. They had mechanics there to help with the bikes; water tables with water, Powerade and Coke; ambulance crews for injuries; and physio-therapists to help with muscle problems. On occasion they had tunnels for you to go through with water spraying down. Really well done, and a great race.
So I didn't finish the race, and yeah I feel bad that I didn't. But I did finish the majority of it, in very high altitude, without really training for it. In temps on the road approaching 45 degrees centigrade. I can safely say that I am proud of what I did. It wasn't pretty at all, but I'm glad I did it. Now if I can just get an ice pack to sit on for the next two days, I'll be fine.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Bike Ride
So, the time has come for me to do my bike ride.
If you remember, I told you about my insane idea to do the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge, wherein I will ride my bicycle for 94.7 km (about 60 miles for you Americans out there) around Johannesburg. 5,800 feet above sea level at it's highest point. And I definitely haven't been training as much as I should have. Lovely English Lass is pretty worried about it I can tell.
But, my last training ride on Monday I did quite well, so off I go. My number tracker is KK 24433, and I start at 914 am Johannesburg time. (That's 714 GMT and 214 am EST.) My goal is to finish in 4 hours, which is an average of around 24 km per hour. That'd be great. If I don't average that, then I might get swept up by the ride van, meaning my day is over. Check later to see how I did at www.cyclechallenge.co.za.
Recently I purchased a new bike for the race. While I loved my Mongoose Mountain Bike from Wal-Mart, it wasn't going to get my where I needed. So I bought a new Fuji Nevada 3.0 MTB. Nice bike, and a great ride. (Usually takes me 20 minutes to ride my old bike from my house to the Consulate. With the new one, it took 10.)
Here's the route
So, pray for me kind reader. Hopefully I do this, and then I can continue to get back into shape. Plus, if I can do this, I can do anything, right?
If you remember, I told you about my insane idea to do the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge, wherein I will ride my bicycle for 94.7 km (about 60 miles for you Americans out there) around Johannesburg. 5,800 feet above sea level at it's highest point. And I definitely haven't been training as much as I should have. Lovely English Lass is pretty worried about it I can tell.
But, my last training ride on Monday I did quite well, so off I go. My number tracker is KK 24433, and I start at 914 am Johannesburg time. (That's 714 GMT and 214 am EST.) My goal is to finish in 4 hours, which is an average of around 24 km per hour. That'd be great. If I don't average that, then I might get swept up by the ride van, meaning my day is over. Check later to see how I did at www.cyclechallenge.co.za.
Recently I purchased a new bike for the race. While I loved my Mongoose Mountain Bike from Wal-Mart, it wasn't going to get my where I needed. So I bought a new Fuji Nevada 3.0 MTB. Nice bike, and a great ride. (Usually takes me 20 minutes to ride my old bike from my house to the Consulate. With the new one, it took 10.)
Here's the route
So, pray for me kind reader. Hopefully I do this, and then I can continue to get back into shape. Plus, if I can do this, I can do anything, right?
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Hyperbole
This election season brought out the hyperbole from everyone. I've watched it on my Facebook page, I've seen it in the comments section of blogs and newspaper articles I read online.
Seriously people, I'm glad everyone got involved in the election, and that everyone is passionate about the direction they think the country is headed. But let me just say something: Chill.
Really, everyone needs to just calm down. Those people saying they fear for the future of our country: Why? What exactly do you fear? Those that are saying they can't be friends with either a Democrat or a Republican: Why? What exactly is a reason not to be friends with someone? I've heard of people un-friending people on Facebook because of the election. That's insane! Just because you don't agree with someones political bent doesn't mean you can't be friends with them. But I hear it all over, on both sides of the political spectrum.
Maybe that's part of the problem, people. Maybe we all have such a narrow view of the world that we can't seem to understand why others would believe something else. That you have to surround yourself with like-minded people to reinforce your world view means that maybe you're just a TINY bit afraid to see what else is out there for fear that what you think is wrong.
Life is a learning experience. We don't walk along life without learning something new every day. How boring would it be if we never tested the boarders of our beliefs, and instead constantly hid from seeing that maybe what we believed isn't totally black and white, but really a shade of grey.
But let's cut the hyperbole out of our conversations. Obama is no more a Socialist than Ronald Reagan was. (I've lived in Socialist countries, and believe me: What he's pitching ain't Socialism. Until he starts paying women to go to the Doctor for their pre-natal check-ups, and paying for daycare for working moms, and giving lunch vouchers to every worker, then it isn't even close to Socialism.) The Republicans aren't Nazis. (No one is a Nazi, unless they are actual Nazis. Calling someone you don't agree with a Nazi is a cop-out and an easy way to lose an argument.)
Oh, and one more thing. If you can't be friends with a Democrat and you're a friend of mine, then I'm sorry that you'll be un-friending me. I'll miss you, and would still be your friend. Also, I may be a registered Democrat, but I also vote for the person I believe will do the best. There have been Republicans I've agreed with on things, and would have voted for if I could. (Bill Weld from Massachusetts or John Heinz from Pennsylvania are but two.)
Heck, if I un-friended all Republicans I'd lose almost my entire family and lots of my oldest and best friends.
Please, let's just try to work together. And remember the old saying in the Southern US: If you want to remain friends, never discuss Politics, Religion, or College Football. That's something I think we can all agree on, don't you?
Seriously people, I'm glad everyone got involved in the election, and that everyone is passionate about the direction they think the country is headed. But let me just say something: Chill.
Really, everyone needs to just calm down. Those people saying they fear for the future of our country: Why? What exactly do you fear? Those that are saying they can't be friends with either a Democrat or a Republican: Why? What exactly is a reason not to be friends with someone? I've heard of people un-friending people on Facebook because of the election. That's insane! Just because you don't agree with someones political bent doesn't mean you can't be friends with them. But I hear it all over, on both sides of the political spectrum.
Maybe that's part of the problem, people. Maybe we all have such a narrow view of the world that we can't seem to understand why others would believe something else. That you have to surround yourself with like-minded people to reinforce your world view means that maybe you're just a TINY bit afraid to see what else is out there for fear that what you think is wrong.
Life is a learning experience. We don't walk along life without learning something new every day. How boring would it be if we never tested the boarders of our beliefs, and instead constantly hid from seeing that maybe what we believed isn't totally black and white, but really a shade of grey.
But let's cut the hyperbole out of our conversations. Obama is no more a Socialist than Ronald Reagan was. (I've lived in Socialist countries, and believe me: What he's pitching ain't Socialism. Until he starts paying women to go to the Doctor for their pre-natal check-ups, and paying for daycare for working moms, and giving lunch vouchers to every worker, then it isn't even close to Socialism.) The Republicans aren't Nazis. (No one is a Nazi, unless they are actual Nazis. Calling someone you don't agree with a Nazi is a cop-out and an easy way to lose an argument.)
Oh, and one more thing. If you can't be friends with a Democrat and you're a friend of mine, then I'm sorry that you'll be un-friending me. I'll miss you, and would still be your friend. Also, I may be a registered Democrat, but I also vote for the person I believe will do the best. There have been Republicans I've agreed with on things, and would have voted for if I could. (Bill Weld from Massachusetts or John Heinz from Pennsylvania are but two.)
Heck, if I un-friended all Republicans I'd lose almost my entire family and lots of my oldest and best friends.
Please, let's just try to work together. And remember the old saying in the Southern US: If you want to remain friends, never discuss Politics, Religion, or College Football. That's something I think we can all agree on, don't you?
Monday, November 5, 2012
Elections
Tomorrow is the election. I've already voted, and hopefully my absentee ballot will get to there in time. I want my vote to count. Voting is a civic duty, and it is an absolute scandal that most of the US doesn't take the time to vote.
To be honest, I'm kind of glad that I am not in the US for election season. I live in either Virginia, where the airwaves are saturated with commercials, or Florida, where the airwaves are saturated with commercials. I'd rather watch the Eastern Motors commercials than anything to do with campaigns.
Since 2000, when I left to go overseas, I've only been in country once for an election. 2004. (Interesting note, I went to have rhinoplasty surgery the day of the inauguration. Came home and my friends Court and Bear, who were in DC for the inauguration, watched me suffer through not being able to breathe.) Every other election I've watched it from the comfort of another country.
In 2000, I was in Suriname, sitting down with the Vice President of Suriname explaining the ins and outs of the electoral college, and how the great part is that usually there is no ambiguity. We know who wins right away. Oops. Yeah, that was a fun breakfast to be at.
In 2004, before I came home in August, I got to speak at a girls school in London. I spoke about the differences in the US and UK elections, and got a very good response to my speech. (I also almost hit the headmistress in the head with a piece of candy and had a lovely discussion about why I once drove 2 hours to Philly for a cheesesteak. They asked if I could have gotten one in DC, and the short answer is "No." Long answer is no as well.)
In 2008 I was in Luxembourg with my little family, and expecting Crazy Little Man in March. We were also preparing to go to Bolivia, but that didn't work out. I didn't do anything special except wait for the election results to come in, and then find out if our Ambassador would be staying the entire time or not. (She did.)
So, once again I'm out of the country during the Presidential election. I have followed it extensively from South Africa. We'll have a breakfast on Wednesday for people to come and watch the results, talk to everyone about what this means, and then go back to work.
That's what most people don't understand about the Foreign Service. It doesn't matter who is in charge, we have a job to do and we do it. I mean, some people resign because they can't serve under certain administrations. (And not just Democratic ones, either. Contrary to popular belief, there are a LOT of politically conservative people that work in the Department of State. The three largest groups of people in the Department are former military, Mormons and former Peace Corps. Now, two of those are known to be very conservative. Just saying.)
Well, that's my discussion. If you're wondering whom I voted for, let me tell you: Nunya Business. Besides, I don't politicize that sort of thing. Just vote, ok?
To be honest, I'm kind of glad that I am not in the US for election season. I live in either Virginia, where the airwaves are saturated with commercials, or Florida, where the airwaves are saturated with commercials. I'd rather watch the Eastern Motors commercials than anything to do with campaigns.
Since 2000, when I left to go overseas, I've only been in country once for an election. 2004. (Interesting note, I went to have rhinoplasty surgery the day of the inauguration. Came home and my friends Court and Bear, who were in DC for the inauguration, watched me suffer through not being able to breathe.) Every other election I've watched it from the comfort of another country.
In 2000, I was in Suriname, sitting down with the Vice President of Suriname explaining the ins and outs of the electoral college, and how the great part is that usually there is no ambiguity. We know who wins right away. Oops. Yeah, that was a fun breakfast to be at.
In 2004, before I came home in August, I got to speak at a girls school in London. I spoke about the differences in the US and UK elections, and got a very good response to my speech. (I also almost hit the headmistress in the head with a piece of candy and had a lovely discussion about why I once drove 2 hours to Philly for a cheesesteak. They asked if I could have gotten one in DC, and the short answer is "No." Long answer is no as well.)
In 2008 I was in Luxembourg with my little family, and expecting Crazy Little Man in March. We were also preparing to go to Bolivia, but that didn't work out. I didn't do anything special except wait for the election results to come in, and then find out if our Ambassador would be staying the entire time or not. (She did.)
So, once again I'm out of the country during the Presidential election. I have followed it extensively from South Africa. We'll have a breakfast on Wednesday for people to come and watch the results, talk to everyone about what this means, and then go back to work.
That's what most people don't understand about the Foreign Service. It doesn't matter who is in charge, we have a job to do and we do it. I mean, some people resign because they can't serve under certain administrations. (And not just Democratic ones, either. Contrary to popular belief, there are a LOT of politically conservative people that work in the Department of State. The three largest groups of people in the Department are former military, Mormons and former Peace Corps. Now, two of those are known to be very conservative. Just saying.)
Well, that's my discussion. If you're wondering whom I voted for, let me tell you: Nunya Business. Besides, I don't politicize that sort of thing. Just vote, ok?
Friday, November 2, 2012
MILB: 4th of July Asbury Park (Sandy) by Bruce Springsteen
When I saw the destruction of Hurricane Sandy, my breath was taken away. I knew a lot of people in the New York/New Jersey area, and had been there a couple of times as well. Seeing Atlantic City like that was heartbreaking. It may not have been what it was back in the early 20th Century, but AC was something special. Seeing the Boardwalk (yes, the very same Boardwalk that is the most expensive property in Monopoly) torn to pieces is unbelievable. Seeing the other seaside areas destroyed and the lives this ruined was almost too much to handle.
As I read blogs from the area trying to find out how things really were, and if the storm was really as bad as the pictures suggested, I kept finding this song mentioned, or the YouTube video of it. "4th of July Asbury Park (Sandy)" , or just ironically, "Sandy" kept being mentioned as showing what the shore was like to New Jersey. Springsteen himself said once, "You travel around and people say, 'Hey, what's Asbury Park like?' and I play them this number."
This is what it was like along the coast in New Jersey. Like I said, I have a lot of friends from that area. I went to The George Washington University, and there were tons of people there from Jersey. (In fact, back in the day you could name a city and I'd tell you what exit off the Parkway it was.) Seriously, New Jersey was where almost everyone was from. (GW once made a shirt with a map of the US without Jersey on it that said, "GW: I'm not from New Jersey.") When they told me of their summers, it was always camp or going to the shore with their families. Going to the arcades, walking on the boardwalk, hanging out on the beach and getting in trouble. They'd talk about the rides at the pier, or just sitting on the beach.
It wasn't just people from New Jersey either. People from the Philly area also had fond memories of the Jersey Shore, before that phrase was tainted by people like Snookie. Billy Joel mentioned the Shore in his song, "Allentown." It was also where they spent summers. For my British readers (all 4 of you, whom I'm probably related by marriage), it would be like Brighton, or Blackpool. (Mostly Blackpool, now that I think about it.)
This song is a fantastic ballad, and really evokes the shore of New Jersey. Even the part of the fortune teller being arrested. How many times have I been on the boardwalk in AC and passed by the fortune tellers plying their trade? Lots. It's one of those things that happens in old seaside towns.
Listen to the song, and see what Jersey has lost. Bruce was right. I've heard my friends talk about the Jersey Shore and the power it holds. We've seen the destruction, and now I think we'll see it being rebuilt. Atlantic City will be back, along with Seaside Heights, Asbury Park, Sea Isle City and all the others. At least I hope so.
Prayers to those who were in harms way, and a quick recovery to all.
As I read blogs from the area trying to find out how things really were, and if the storm was really as bad as the pictures suggested, I kept finding this song mentioned, or the YouTube video of it. "4th of July Asbury Park (Sandy)" , or just ironically, "Sandy" kept being mentioned as showing what the shore was like to New Jersey. Springsteen himself said once, "You travel around and people say, 'Hey, what's Asbury Park like?' and I play them this number."
This is what it was like along the coast in New Jersey. Like I said, I have a lot of friends from that area. I went to The George Washington University, and there were tons of people there from Jersey. (In fact, back in the day you could name a city and I'd tell you what exit off the Parkway it was.) Seriously, New Jersey was where almost everyone was from. (GW once made a shirt with a map of the US without Jersey on it that said, "GW: I'm not from New Jersey.") When they told me of their summers, it was always camp or going to the shore with their families. Going to the arcades, walking on the boardwalk, hanging out on the beach and getting in trouble. They'd talk about the rides at the pier, or just sitting on the beach.
It wasn't just people from New Jersey either. People from the Philly area also had fond memories of the Jersey Shore, before that phrase was tainted by people like Snookie. Billy Joel mentioned the Shore in his song, "Allentown." It was also where they spent summers. For my British readers (all 4 of you, whom I'm probably related by marriage), it would be like Brighton, or Blackpool. (Mostly Blackpool, now that I think about it.)
This song is a fantastic ballad, and really evokes the shore of New Jersey. Even the part of the fortune teller being arrested. How many times have I been on the boardwalk in AC and passed by the fortune tellers plying their trade? Lots. It's one of those things that happens in old seaside towns.
Listen to the song, and see what Jersey has lost. Bruce was right. I've heard my friends talk about the Jersey Shore and the power it holds. We've seen the destruction, and now I think we'll see it being rebuilt. Atlantic City will be back, along with Seaside Heights, Asbury Park, Sea Isle City and all the others. At least I hope so.
Prayers to those who were in harms way, and a quick recovery to all.
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