Caucus, Caucus, Caucus!

Yipee Ki Yi Yay! I am excited. I have been waiting for this day for weeks now.

The Iowa Caucuses.

The beginning of the end for the slow adult running the show in the US of A. I'm surprised it wasn't him who said US Americans because it sure sounds like a Bushism.

Anywho, I find the whole caucus thing really interesting. Apparently, you must be there by 7pm sharp, or no caucus for you. It begins with people going into corners of the room to show support ("vote") for a candidate; the candidates that don't muster at least a 15% vote are thrown out as "not viable". What follows, is a period where the people that voted for the non-viable candidates are persuaded by the supporters of "viable" candidates to join their band wagon. This is amazing to me - that there is actual interaction in a voting event!. It makes we want to caucus! I would be an excellent persuader. I love to debate politics though I avoid it most of the time. Actually I just love to debate (read: argue). The official results are then sent BY MAIL! Not electronically. By mail (though I am sure we will find out the results tonight and you bet your keister I am staying up until at least 11pm if I have must. I know, 11pm - wooo, so late. It is for me, ok, tough guy?)

Over here in Cali, and most other highly populated states, we have a primary with secret ballots. So, I do feel like I'm missing out. But not by the hair on my chinny-chin-chin would I move to Iowa just to caucus. Too damn cold and flat.

Juno

We decided to see a movie on New Year's Day and apparently so did a lot of the tri-city area here in North County. The movie of choice was Juno. Why not an action or thriller or serious drama?

Because I am a pansy-ass.

I enjoy movies that don't make me scared or sad. A little sad is ok - I don't mind tearing up for Forrest Gump or Stepmom. However, Sobbing? Not my thing. Violence? Absolutely not my thing. It's not that I want to pretend these things don't exist in the world, because I know they do; I simply prefer to keep my mind in a happier state. Movies -- that are by all means, great, well-made movies -- like Deer Hunter, Million Dollar Baby, and Saving Private Ryan leave me emotionally wiped out for several hours, it not more. I am incapable of being able to separate myself from the story. Thus, why I avoid them more and more as I get older.

Anyway, Juno was excellent. I told L it is definitely a movie I'd like to own (not that we don't already own 200 DVDs - along with 400+ CDs. It's a tad excessive). The script was great, the acting was great - it was cute while being edgy. It's hard to be cute and be edgy at the same time. So, if anyone out there is reading this, go see it!

What? Not convinced by my thorough review consisting of only telling you it was "cute and edgy"? Eh, I am too lazy to use my brain to give you more details, so just take my word for it. Especially if you are a wuss like me who doesn't like violent and/or super-sad flicks.


Moosewood Restaurant Simple Suppers

A good friend of mine gave me a great cookbook with 90+% vegetarian dishes (with a smattering of fish dishes, like maybe 7 out of over 150+). I have to say, it is fabulous. Why? Another great review coming your way. Actually, I might be a little better about this one.

The recipes are simple. I'm not just saying that. They really are. Either they have few ingredients (like 5-6) or they have a little more ingredients but simple preparation. Even my picky-ass mother was all over that cookbook on Christmas Day. I'd be in the middle of getting ready to make one of the dishes only to find my book had been swiped from the counter and in her lap on the couch. That is really all you need to know.

So far, I made 2 dishes - Navajo wtew (which has some kick - sweet potatoes, onion, and peppers in a smokey tomato-chili sauce) and orange almond polenta cake. The cake was good, but would have been better with finely ground polenta instead of the coarse type (it had a bit of a crunchy texture). The Navajo stew was excellent - especially with the suggested yogurt topping to tame the heat a little.

FYI, I wasn't paid by anyone to hawk the above movie and cookbook. I am just passing along my recent good finds :o) Especially with trying to be vegetarian, the cookbook comes in handy for ideas.

Comments

  1. Juno was written by a blogger, Diablo Cody. I had drinks with her 2 years ago - how crazy is that?!

    ReplyDelete
  2. wow - that's nuts! it's a great movie, we really liked it.

    time for you to get your screen play out :o)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts