Carlisle, PA -- Down-Home Cookin' in Pennsylvania
Ever been to a Bob Evans? I hadn't before, though I'd always meant to. For all of you who don't know, it's the Southern equivalent of Bickford's in New England, kinda one level above Waffle House.
Pretty good... it's always weird to me how southern Carlisle is, even though it's only about 300 miles from home in a state that's not much more than an hour from home. Of course, it's only about 50 miles from the Mason-Dixon line. Must've been a contentious spot during the Civil War!
Pittsburgh, PA -- Jerry Falwell, Blasphemer
Paul and I were arguing a few days ago about John McCain's chances for the Republican nominataion in 2008... he says that McCain has made peace with the Bush camp and is now getting Bush money. While that may be true, I've predicted that George Allen, a Senator from Virginia, will get the nod. He's got a lot more in common philosophically and personality-wise with Bush, and I think that will get him the backing from the party.
Where does the base lie on this issue? Well, while the left has been complaining about John McCain speaking at Liberty University and thus cozying up with Jerry Falwell, the far right appears to feel differently. I was listening to Christian radio last night on the way to Pittsburgh, and the host was complaining about Jerry Falwell getting close with McCain and saying that McCain's appearance at LU means that it's no longer a Christian school. Why? Because McCain hasn't unequivocally said he opposes a constitutional gay marriage ban (he says he only supports it if the states don't so individually), he doesn't oppose embryonic stem-cell research, and he made a cameo in a "pornographic" movie -- Wedding Crashers!
The preacher gave out the phone number to Liberty and asked his listeners to call and complain. Not surprisingly, all of his callers completely agreed with his views on the issue. Would a McCain campaign keep the Republican base home on Election Day 2008?
Later in the evening, I turned to the national Catholic radio station, which I didn't even know existed. The hosts were the rare (at least to me) breed of evangelical Catholics. Strange to listen -- whereas the evangelical Protestants on the radio preach belief in God and Jesus, the Catholic hosts were preaching belief in the Pope!
Pittsburgh, PA -- I'm One Tired and Crazy Guy!
14 straight hours of driving! I arrived at the hotel at the same time as the morning paper. I'm not exactly sane, but you all knew that already... even my mom says that!
Home sometime Friday; haven't figured out all of my plans yet.
St. Louis, MO -- Gateway to the East
Halfway home! Not sure how far I'm going tonight (hoping Pittsburgh, but it's far). I'd like to get home tomorrow, but that's probably not realistic.
I'm having a very late lunch at an old-school Italian restaurant on 6th St. named Charlie Gitto's. It was strange to walk into a restaurant and be asked "smoking or non-smoking?" There are even ashtrays in the bathroom.
Speaking of ashtrays, it occurred to me on the way here that the Impala I've rented is the first car I've ever been in that doesn't have cigarette lighters or an ashtray. What does that say about our society that those features were standard in cars for so long? Has smoking been an assumed part of driving?
On my way up, I listened to the Cards-Phillies game on local radio while
Jimmy Rollins had his 38-game hit streak snapped in Philly. I was rooting for the guy... I love stats and records!
Kansas City, MO -- Blogging and Drinking Go Hand in Hand
Seriously...
Tonight's aforemention band (
Steve Mutter and Tracey Marie) was followed up by a dude named Keith on open mic, who sang "Sweet Low, Sweet Chariot," American Idol style. I'm working on posting a video clip (maybe in the AM)... he was really, really good.
More to say, but too tired to say it. KC seems like a cool town -- nite, readers.
Kansas City, MO -- Hey Motherf***er Get Laid Get F***ed!
The band at the hotel bar isn't half bad... they just covered Tommy James' (usually you don't put an apostrophe on a singular name, with the exception of when it comes from the Bible, and this one does -- check Roget's, and don't listen to Ava) Mony Mony, and as they went through the chorus, I was tempted to scream "Hey motherfucker, get laid get fucked!" I always wondered where that came from, and reconciling my web research on the subject leads me to believe it was Canadians in the early to mid '80s after Billy Idol recorded his cover, which was ubiquitous at high school dances. I still remember being horrified at my sister's Sweet 16 party in 1998 when her friends were shouting the obscenities during the refrain in front of my ultra-conservative grandmother!!!
Speaking of my sister, Dara, it was her b-day yesterday... wish her Happy Birthday in the comments area if you wish to do so!
And the bamd just stepped off, wrapping up with Santana's "Smooth" and "Lean on Me."
Good stuff.
Open mic time. I'm out.
Love from KC -- can I get slices here?
Oh, a quick FYI -- Cuervo Black = eh.
Kansas City, MO -- Not in Kansas Anymore
Did the whole drive across Kansas in something like 6-7 hours, and am hanging out at the bar in the Marriott in Kansas City for the evening. This is probably the best Marriott bar I've ever been to -- live music and lots of people... a duo behind me is playing Mellencamp. Fun stuff.
Off as early as possible to St. Louis tomorrow, though I may not leave until early afternoon -- I've got some work to do and would like to take some photos.
Salina, KS -- Plans Change...
Well, instead of traveling to Nebraska, Wyoming, and Utah, I decided that I felt like driving somewhere else... HOME!
Yup, all the way from Denver to Albany... been driving for about 5 hours, probably another 20+ more to go!
On my way out of Denver today, I listened to Focus on the Family, on which a pastor and a Catholic bishop were discussing Colorado's legislative effort to "defend the institution of marriage." Said the bishop: "What we have today is an assault on marriage, and if it succeeds, we will see consequences we cannot predict, and they will be bad." They can't predict them, but they'll be bad? How do they figure? The best example of horrible consequences they were able to give is Rosie O'Donnell's son asking why he doesn't have a father...
(An aside: shortly after, I passed Flagler, CO, which had a sign proclaiming itself the "Home of Al Borland" -- ummm, he's a fictional sitcom sidekick... someone should inform the Chamber of Commerce).
There's an awful lot of Jesus in Kansas... for a stretch, there was nothing on the radio but country and Christian music.
Kansas also appears to be home to the "World's Largest Prairie Dog," as well as a five legged cow. I haven't encountered any snake oil salesmen, though.
While on I-70, I crossed the Republican River. Haven't made it to Liberal, Kansas yet, though.
Speaking of Republicans, check out
this video by the band The Right Brothers... it's called "Bush Was Right." This and all of their other songs could've been written personally by Ken Mehlman, the head of the Republican National Committee. Their motto: "Truth disguised as music." Stephen Colbert HAS to have them on -- how do we go about getting them booked?
Denver, CO -- The Upshot from the Shooting
From the
Rocky Mountain News:
Two wounded in drive-by shooting
Denver police are trying to piece together the events of an early morning shooting that left one man critically injured and a woman with a wound that is not considered life threatening.
Police spokesman Sonny Jackson said the shooting took place shortly before 2 a.m. when patrons of a nightclub were spilling out on the sidewalk near 16th and Welton Streets.
"We aren’t certain whether two men were on foot, or if they were driving by when they opened fire on the crowd," he said. "We don’t know the motive and aren’t certain if the people that were shot were the intended victims."
After the shooting, the gunmen, who had been reported to be in a Chevrolet Suburban, were spotted by police near 15th and California streets, he said.
A pursuit ensued to East 19th Avenue and Welton Street where the suspects rammed a Denver police cruiser, then jumped and ran, according to Jackson.
Officers were able to capture them after a brief foot chase.
Jackson said the male gunshot victim was hit in the chest and was rushed to Denver Health Medical Center. The woman, helped into a vehicle by friends who planned to head for the hospital, flagged down officers on the way. The hospital where she was taken was not being disclosed for her protection, Jackson said.
"The club had nothing to do with the event and we are questioning patrons now trying to determine what may have prompted the shootings," Jackson said.
Denver, CO -- My First Crime Scene! (Jason Brzoska, Forensics Expert)
So, it turns out there was a shooting down by the 16th St. Mall, where Paul and I were just hanging out. After I heard gunshots, I saw a silver car speed away and then ran downstairs (after my last post).
I took a bunch of photos of the scene before they put up police tape, and then was told not to take any more photos. Of course, I didn't listen.
A young black male was running around 16th Street frantically, with friends trying to calm him down, screaming about how his "boy didn't do shit."
The cops had an African-American kid in cuffs who was insisting that aside from the car speeding away, two guys ran away on foot. The cops didn't seem to believe him, but as I was walking back to my hotel, I noticed a trail of blood leading away from the scene.
I told an officer, who immediately began inspecting the blood.
How cool! Well, a dude got shot, but I was indirectly involved! That's my little piece of Denver history... trip's all downhill from here...
Denver, CO -- Breaking News...
Wow... I was sitting in my hotel room here in Denver, when I heard gunshots, then lots of screaming, and now lots of sirens... I think it was in the mall I just came from!
More info as I have it... I'm going downstairs.
Denver, CO -- Rocky Mountain High
Writing from the Pinnacle Club, 38 stories above one mile up...
The Jewish Funders Network conference ended today (let me tell you, there's nothing better to bring out the pissed off Marxist in a guy than that conference) and Paul and I headed to Boulder for the afternoon. Gorgeous city. I climbed my first mountain, which was a bit intimidating, but ultimately not too bad. The air takes a lot out of you, though.
Pictures later in the week.
First thing in the AM, I'm heading into Kansas for breakfast, then to Nebraska for lunch, then onto Cheyenne.
Denver, CO -- Slices, Dammit!
I haven't written in a couple of days -- I've been in Denver but haven't had anything specific, good or bad, to say about the city. It's OK, I guess, but what kind of city can you walk 20 blocks downtown and not find pizza (Pizza Hut doesn't count)? Denver, apparently.
