Opposing team appetizers are great for Super Bowl game day - Judy Walker: New Orleans Times-Picayune Food - NOLA.com

Here is a helpful reference to the wonderful book by your's truly and her best cooking buddy that might come in handy:
Opposing team appetizers are great for Super Bowl game day - Judy Walker: New Orleans Times-Picayune Food - NOLA.com

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Luckily, at least for time being, I remain employed and given the lack of security in anything these days I am not taking any time off. Consequently the Inauguration was not something I witnessed in real time. By the time I got around to checking on things the crowds had dispersed leaving a big impression that added to my depression about the current state of human existence.

Aside from the complete state of denial that we are all in, and in spite of the moving symbolism of the maturing nature of the human attitude toward our fellow beings, the 2 million + who gathered in collective ecstasy were apparently so overwhelmed that they were rendered incapable of picking up after themselves. And to make matters worse many attribute the behavior to the lack of trash cans occasioned by the need for security from planted incendiary devices.

What a crock! What this miserable massive display points out better than any worka day example is that as a people Americans are self-centered slobs who presume that there will be someone there to pick up after them and give nary a single thought to the fact that someone has to pay for it.

This was not a foot race where one is expected to throw his cup on the ground while running by the drink stand. The cost of picking that up is included in the entry fee. This was the mall of our nation's capital where people came to revel in the idea of change and hope in gigantic crowd amid freezing temperatures. As Americans it is impressive that so many came so prepared to weather the wait. What is disgusting is that so many thought nothing of trashing the place as if the concept of trucking out what you bring is difficult to acquire on one's own.

We are a nation of over-expectant pigs who love to moan about what everyone else does wrong but are completely hapless at helping ourselves. I was feeling a bit sorry for Obama as the herculean tasks he faces are made all the more Sisyphean by the inordinately unreasonable expectations he has created amongst the masses that not only will he single handed cure all our woes. But I am absolutely sick to learn that in addition we all expect him to pick up our trash, too. Change starts at the bottom. Apparently we need leadership at the most base levels. I wish him luck.

Read about the trash here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/21/AR2009012103900.html

Inspiring Story for and Inspirational Day

Yes, it is inauguration day. Despite all the gloom and doom of late there are some amazing things happening too.

Here is a story that just seems to fit:


KURTIS THE STOCK BOY AND BRENDA THE CHECKOUT GIRL

In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy was busily working when a new voicecame over the loud speaker asking for a carry out at register 4. Kurtis was almost finished, and wanted to get some fresh air, and decided to answer the call. As he approached the check-out stand a distant smile caught his eye, the new check-out girl was beautiful. She was an older woman {maybe 26, and he was only 22) and he fell in love.

Later that day, after his shift was over, he waited by the punch clock to find out her name. She came into the break room, smiled softly at him, took her card and punched out, then left. He looked at her card, BRENDA. He walked out only to see her start walking up the road.

Next day, he waited outside as she left the supermarket, and offered her a ride home. He looked harmless enough, and she accepted. When he dropped her off, he asked if maybe he could see her again, outside of work. She simply said it wasn't possible. He pressed and she explained she had two children and she couldn't afford a baby-sitter, so he offered to pay for the baby-sitter. Reluctantly she accepted his offer for a date for the following Saturday.

That Saturday night he arrived at her door only to have her tell him that she was unable to go with him. The baby-sitter had called and canceled. To which Kurtis simply said, "Well, let's take the kids with us." She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but again not taking no for an answer, he pressed. Finally Brenda brought him inside to meet her children. She had an older daughter who was just as cute as a bug, Kurtis thought. Then Brenda brought out her son, in a wheelchair. He was born a paraplegic with Downs Syndrome. Kurtis asked Brenda, "I still don't understand why the kids can't come with us?" Brenda was amazed. Most men would run away from a woman with two kids, especially if one had disabilities - just like her first husband and father of her children had done. Kurtis was not ordinary - - - he had a different mindset.

That evening Kurtis and Brenda loaded up the kids, went to dinner and the movies. When her son needed anything Kurtis would take care of him. When he needed to use the restroom, he picked him up out of his wheelchair, took him and brought him back. The kids loved Kurtis. At the end of the evening, Brenda knew this was the man she was going to marry and spend the rest of her life with.

A year later, they were married and Kurtis adopted both of her children. Since then they have added two more kids.

So what happened to Kurtis the stock boy and Brenda the check-out girl? Well, Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Warner now live in Arizona, where he is currently employed as the quarterback of the National Football League Arizona Cardinals and has his Cardinals in the Super Bowl.

Is this a surprise ending or could you have guessed that he was not an ordinary person? It should be noted that he also quarterbacked the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. He has also been the NLF's Most Valuable Player twice and the Super Bowl's Most Valuable Player.

A Delightful Daily Diversion

One of the interesting side effects of blogging is the creativity people bring to the format. A favorite is the Daily photo site. I have two friends who have them and they have led to others. Here are my faves so far (I know there are zillions of them so this is just a taste).

Have fun with this; a very cool thing and guaranteed to bring a smile when you see how people can see something special in the seemingly mundane beside the obviously wonderful things that are prevalent.

Phoenix Daily Photo: http://phxdp.blogspot.com/

Prescott Area Daily Photo:http://prescottareadailyphoto.blogspot.com

Venice Daily Photo:http://venicedailyphoto.blogspot.com

Costa Rica Daily Photo: http://tamarindodailyphoto.blogspot.com/