Real News

With all the disaster, death, war, and horror that has been flooding the news these days (no pun intended), I'm relieved that some journalists are sticking to the issues that really matter. Michael Jackson went to the Hard Rock Cafe in Dubai to eat buffalo wings. The hard rock has three varieties of wings that range from mild to hot but use clever rock and roll lingo to describe the spice value. "It was not clear which Jackson sampled," wrote an E! Journalist. We need to get someone in Dubai to get a stool sample from the King of Pop to find out. What good is knowing he had wings if you don't know what kind they were. You can be sure I that I'll stay glued to the internet to find out what the wing of choice was. I'll also keep a close eye on any news about Martha Stewart now that she has her ankle bracelet off, and that Kanye West really has me steamed since publicly questioning the choices and actions of the Bush administration. How dare he exercise his first amendment right on national TV (I realize it probably wasn't the best time or place, but when is the time right to voice your opinion these days?). It's so comforting to know that entertainment journalists will not let a mere hurricane or war distract us from the news that really matters. If they did, it would be like saying, "the terrorists and hurricane have won." We can't let that happen now, can we... God bless America!
(I have the deepest sympathy for all those who are in or have family in the Gulf region and hope that everyone already has or can recover safely from this tragedy)


I went to the Jaramun Jazz festival yesterday. I'm still debating whether the two hour journey to get there was worth it. I guess you could say that it was worth it since I would have just been sitting on my rear or been out drinking with other westerners otherwise. We got there just as the sun was setting which was absolutely beautiful from our vantage on a small island surrounded by mountains. There were plenty of different tents with guys carving wooden baseball bats (very cool to watch), fish tanks, clothes, paint ball, and other things that I can't recall. The food was probably the highlight. We grilled chicken, veggies, and rice cakes in a skillet placed in the middle of our table (see attached picture). We all took turns stirring with the oversized wooden spatula. Whether the chicken was fully cooked or not is still in question, but I haven't been sick yet. One person got sick last night. I guess sanitation and food poisoning is much less off an issue here than in the states. They just give you some food to cook and let you fend for yourself without the slightest concern for what might come out of your body later. Everything has been solid for me thus far, so keep your fingers crossed...