A guide to decoding Bush, Robert Redford style.

Damn baby, it's dark outside. I know that now the solstice has passed, it starts to get lighter, bit by bit. But that's cold comfort when you are staring down many more months of darkness.

Still, I may be better equipped to deal with the dark, due to my genetic make up. Turns out that you have an easier time adjusting to the dark and not devloping SAD (seasonal affectivenss disorder) if you have a history of living in the darker climates. So, I have the British and Irish ancestors to thank, I guess.

But the dark is OK this week. All the twinkly lights look so nice, even at 4 in the afternoon.

This just in...Bill of rights pared down to a manageable six..

So Trent Lott decided to take a seat - or maybe he's just succombing to the pressure. Either way, good riddance. Although it's not all Lott.

In other happier news, CNN has a story called Pittsburgh: it's nicer than you think. Well yes indeed, the 'burgh is way nicer than most people imagine it has cool little neighborhoods, friendly people, amazing museums. It's also a city where you can actually afford to buy a home. Not like a certain city in the northwest (not naming names of course). The article talks about how people still perceive Pittsburgh as a polluted steel town. So a group of community leaders are trying to come up with a way to sell the city's new young and hip persona. Although I'm not sure they've picked the right people, for example, take this quote:

"If you had to sell the city like you sell the car, I think there is the false impression that Pittsburgh is something that older people would drive," she said. "I think people are surprised when they get inside and find that the city is a Cadillac and it's changed a lot in 20 years."

Yeah think hip, think young, think Cadillac. I think they are still a bit behind the times.

So, Iast week I had a very refreshing experience. A trip to the great county to the north, Oh Canada! It was a great trip, if only too short. Our destination was Vancouver, the purpose was music. We we're going to see Snoop Dogg. He'd appeared earlier in the month, but in Spokane which is further away, especially in the winter when there is a pass to pass. So the trip to Vancouver was excellent, the drive was longer than anyone wanted, but we got there in one piece and in the grand scope of things its the first time I haven't been lost in that fine city. We stayed right downtown, mere blocks for the venue - the Commodore Ballroom on Granville. The show was amazing, the rest of the crowd was much more civilized than the typical US crowd, the system sounded excellent, the atmosphere - the best.

The night before, I told a friend I was going to Vancouver for a show. She replied "You know what I love about Vancouver, and Canada in general, when you go shopping there, it's like everything is 40% off - all the time." Yeah, the shopping is nice, but during the holidays, I can't imagine a place I'd rather be.

my oh my. don't you hate it when your blog posts get sucked up into nowhere land. what's up with that?