A nation united...

Today, I witnessed history. While I was not on the mall, I sat comfortably a few miles away in my DC apartment watching a event that I will remember for the rest of my life. President Obama's speech was moving and really served as a warning shot of sorts, sent across the country and across the world - we must come together in a tough time, something that Americans are not unfamiliar with.

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth. And because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

This could never be more true. While President Obama might be referring to the safety of our country, I think that he really wants to rid us of the politics of the past. The president really took us through history and brought us up to this point, a point that we must work hard and bring back the ideals that founded this country.

Its almost hard to even get all my thoughts down on...

New Obesessions for the week - Stumble Upon

Internet junkies everywhere, though I guess I'm not one if I just heard of this site now, can rejoice over a great website: www.stumbleupon.com. The site is great for people trying to waste a little time at work (note the time of this post, woops) or to those surfing aimlessly at 2 am waiting for reruns of Cheers to air.

How does it work? Simple. Sign up for free, click the types of things that interest you, load the browser tool bar and waala, you're ready to go. Looking for something funny to cheer you up? Click on a the humor tab and "Stumble." You'll be sent to a site that other stumblers found interesting, funny, stupid etc. You get the idea, its not rocket science.

After that, if you are surfing on your own you can rate a page as good or bad. Those ratings are fed into the database for other surfers like you. So, if you're bored or even if you're not, check it out. Maybe, if you are one of the 3 people other than my friends who have actually seen this blog, you'll Rate me with a 'Thumbs Up' and increase the traffic from 5 hits a day to 6.

Charleston NYE Vacation and Jason Isbell

After a few weeks of nada, I'll talk a bit about a great city and a great place to visit, Charleston, SC. Taking a 5 day vacation to get away from it all, Charleston was the choice. Staying at a small 18 room inn, The Anchorage Inn, nights were comfortable and just a few steps away from everything.

To the layman, saying you were going for a visit to "rainbow row," one may think you were in San Francisco, but that's not so in Charleston, SC. The nickname, or just name, for a strip of century old houses, each colored brightly, is just a few blocks away from the Anchorage Inn. However, this isn't exactly what I would call fun for the whole family. I learned quickly via carriage ride/tour, that this little row used to be the hustle and bustle of the town, and where one might find a few prostitutes.

Enough about that though. If you are looking for a fun town to grab a few drinks, get a little culture and eat great meals, this is the town for you. Never having visited the true south, i was struck by the great charm and famed sourthern hospitality. If you are looking for some great restaurants (not exactly the cheapest, but great for foodies like me). FIG will provide a bold delicious meal, Cru Cafe will give you a delicious lunch or dinner inside a small Charleston house. You'll feel like you are at grandmas. For a spectacular (pricey) meal, check out Tristan. You will be blown away by the 26 year old chef that roames the kitchen. If you a drink or a glass of wine is what you are after, Pearlz happy hour is fantastic. Oyesters, wines, beers, all for great prices in a great atmosphere; the blind Tiger Pub is great for a brew in a nice outside patio, and for a great dinner and a delicious glass of wine, check out Muse. A beautful house, delicious wines and a fantastic meal, I recommend the scallops.

Finally, a quick review of Jason Isbell's new years eve set at the Music Farm. Coming on the stage (after some pathetic opening acts) around 11:40, Jason did what he always does....Rock. Pulling out some great Drive-By Truckers songs and others from his most recent solo effort, Isbell did not dissapoint. I would have liked a longer set, but I can't complain as he rocked hard for every minute he was on stage. Knocking back some jack from the bottle, he pulled out some Tom Petty and ripped into a new song for the final encore. A great show all around.

If you have a couple days for a fun relaxed southern town, Charleston is the place for you.

The Economy and Sports (Baseball, I'm looking at you)

As the economy in the United States continues to sink deeper into recession (almost a Freudian slip of depression), many experts have said that sports will be directly effected; ticket sales and sponsorship. We have seen the US Government pump money into banks and lenders with $700 billion dollars, yet we don't see those banks drop the sports teams they sponsor. AIG, sponsor of the English Premier League (futbol) team Manchester United, a contract of 14 million pounds (28 million bucks), will continue to sponsor the team through 2010. And across the pond in New York City, the US financial mecca, the troubled bank CitiGroup will continue to sponsor the New York Mets 'Citi Field' despite the the $400 million price tag over twenty years. In other words, the US Goverment, aka. the American tax payer, is footing the bill for these glorious sponsorships, not to mention the million dollar bonuses to line your Armani suits and privte jets.

Unfortunately, it doesn't end there. Not only are sponsors sticking with these teams, the owners and GMs are spending like its 1999. While even my own home team, the Mets, spend money on free agents, it still frustrates me to no end that teams are still spending 100+ millions of dollars in a time when millions don't even have a job. If I were the owners, I wouldn't pay them this kind of money. Sports salaries and contracts have escalated to extraordinary levels since the late 90's, and the only way it can stop is if teams stop letting agents like Scott Boras dictate the market value of a player.

It really is somewhat sad to see a player like CC Sabathia accept $23 million a year, during such tough economic times. I'm not saying these players should just take less money because we're in a tough economy, I think that MLB needs to look at other sports like the NFL and the NHL and bring on a salary cap. Teams like the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Phillies and Dodgers will always have more money to spend, but, other teams like the Marlins, spend as little as possible, while remaining profitable. There needs to be a salary minimum and maximum. This is getting a bit off topic, but needs to be done sooner than later (not likely, but a guy can wish can't he?).

Sadly, people will continue to spend money to attend sporting events, watch on TV, buy their favorite player's jersey, so maybe this is all pointless, and nothing will change. But I think that as the economy gets worse, we will see lowered attendance and more people watching on TV, which is virtually free outside of their monthly cable bill. When the teams really feel the pinch, maybe they'll tighten up their wallet and players will get paid less.

A Tasty (and spicy) Chicken Dish for your enjoyment...

Chipotle-Lime Chicken Thighs w/ Rice and Peas

The basis of this recipe comes from the FoodNetwork

Ingredients:

Chicken:

4 lbs (or less) of chicken thighs (boneless and skinless if possible)
1 Onion diced
1 cup of carrots (about 3 carrots)
1 cup of Celery (about two stalks)
S & P (salt and pepper)
1 15 oz can of unseasoned tomato sauce
1/4 cup lime juice
1 Pepper from a small can Chipotle Peppers in adobo sauce AND teaspoon of sauce (use more for spicier dish)
2 clove garlic
1 Avocado diced (optional, for tasty garnish on top)
1/4 cilantro (Asian parsley)

In large pot place Onions, carrots, celery on bottom of pot. Arrange chicken thighs on top. Add S&P generously.

In medium bowl, add tomato sauce, lime juice, 2 cloves garlic, chipotle chilis and sauce. Pour over chicken. Cover, bring to boil, reduce heat to medium and keep covered, approximately 45 minutes.

Rice:

2 cups white rice
1 cup water
1 can coconut milk
teaspoon dry thyme
lime zest
Frozen peas - approximately 8 oz.

In medium sauce pan add all ingredients and bring to boil. Reduce to low and keep covered until water is absorbed and rice is tender.

Serve Chicken over Rice, top with Cilantro and Avocado.

Bon Appetite!

After a long Hiatus...the don returns

After being MIA for nearly one year, I have decided to resume this blog in the hopes of not just ranting about crap that pisses me off, but of recipes, music reviews, concerts I've attended etc.

It has recently come to my attention that the "Don of DC," which initiated this blog in the first place, posted a comment declaring he is the true, and first, don of dc. While technically, this fine individual is correct, I stand by my past statements and declare that someone simply being named Don, having Italian decedents and living in DC, does not make that person a true Don of DC. Having received the nickname nearly 9 years ago, I do not take criticism of my nickname lightly. I believe it is possible for the two of our blogs to coexist without further (this will be my final statement on the subject) attempts on either part to delegitimize one another. I thank you for your service to the City of Washington D.C., good day.

Dear Deer Park

The following is a letter that sent to deer park due to their inability to provide the service i subscribed to.

Dear Deer Park-

Apparently you have a great deal of difficulty following simple instructions. After have multiple deliveries brought to the front of my apartment building, which is basically the street, I sent the email which you will see below this one. I specifically asked to have the water delivered to the back porch of my apartment building where it was delievered the first two times. I am not even sure why I pay you if you cant do the job corrrectly, especially after I you told me you would fix the problem

Not only did they not deliver the water in the correct location, they only brought ONE jug. We have on our delivery schedule TWO jugs of water and again we have empties sitting here because you cant do your job properly. If you cant, then i will have to cancel this service and find a company who can deliver delicious water to my home. If you want to retain me as a customer you will bring the promised missing Jug this week, take my empties and find some way to rectify this situation with some free bottles or water or something. If you fail one more time to deliver water correctly, you can cancel my account.

On 12/4 you apparently were able to take the empties from the proper place, why cant you bring them to the same place.

Thank you and I hope you can resolve this unfortunate situation.

Evan