This Too Shall Pass

Ugh.

The tough thing about hope is that it doesn't always pay immediate dividends. Since my last Robe post, the Cubs have tied their longest losing streak of the year, looking fairly pathetic in the process; last night's 9-7 loss to Barbara Bush's favorite ballclub saw them failing to capitalize on numerous opportunities, before finally blowing it in extra innings. I don't think this is necessarily a harbinger of a collapse to come, but at the same time I haven't seen this team play this badly all year. Not to mention that it seems like Big Z's arm may be in worse shape than anyone's previously admitted. And three errors for A-Ram, all in the late innings? God, that was painful to watch.

Not nearly as painful to watch, though, as this week's GOP convention, which is surely the largest gathering of crooks, bullies, liars, god-botherers and pandering shitbags in recent American history — and Bush and Cheney aren't even in attendance. John "The Maverick" McCain has even managed to up the pandering quotient by choosing Sarah Palin over his preferred running mate, Joe Lieberman, because the Christian conservatives didn't like Whiny Joe. (Which is, actually, one thing that Christian conservatives and I can agree upon.) And, of course, McCain and his people cynically expect that American women will now turn out in force behind him, because he's picked a running mate with the same lady-bits as Hillary Clinton — the fact that Palin is diametrically opposed to almost everything that Clinton has worked for over the last three decades entirely notwithstanding.

Oh yeah, and did I mention that my Mom's purse got snatched last Friday afternoon, on a quiet and sunny residential street in the Mid-Wilshire district? She got knocked down and dragged down the sidewalk a ways, but — aside from being rattled and pissed off about the hassle of putting fraud alerts on her credit cards, etc. — she's okay, for which I am very thankful. But seriously folks, it's getting rough out there; despite McCain's claims that the US economy is in fine shape (and his pal Phil Gramm's statement that we're just a "nation of whiners" who clearly should be grateful for the few crumbs tossed to us from the rich mens' table), it's increasingly tough for a lot of folks to make ends meet these days. And when that happens, you don't need an advanced degree in sociology to know that crime goes up. So be careful out there...

On the positive tip, I am THISCLOSE to finally finishing my book manuscript, which feels great, and I'm getting ready to take my first paid vacation in over a decade. I'll be flying to NYC next week to hang out with my Dad, see some pals, and generally celebrate not dying two years ago when my appendix went bad. And I just got a new digital camera (a Sony Cybershot DSC-W170) to replace the one those cocksuckers stole from me last month, so I'm looking forward to being able to take some good snaps of Manhattan. I'm not gonna have a ton of free time, but if anyone can recommend some good eating and drinking establishments (preferably on the inexpensive side), I'm all ears...

Comments

[Vinnie Park]

My favorite inexpensive meal in New York City is Papaya King on 86th and 3rd Ave, not to be confused with the jive Grey's Papaya chain scattered over the upper West Side. Papaya King is the original deal. It's been there since the late 40s, back when there was an El subway running over Third Ave. ...I know the Robe hails from Chi-Town and may have some pretty high hot dog standards, but I'll take the Pepsi Challenge with a Papaya King dog anytime. ...I find it's best to specify that you want your dog well done so that it's CRISPAY on the outside. You can get it plain, or "with" (with sauerkraut), or my personal fave, "the home run" (with onions AND sauerkraut). I'm not into the Papaya drink 'cause to me it smells like throw up. Best to get your dog with a banana daiquiri. Be sure to bring some strong breath mints for afterwards. ...Have a great time! Congrats on the book!!!

[Michael]

My favorite part of the McCain/Palin campaign is the way they tout the fact that she didn't abort her down syndrome baby and that her unwed teenage daughter isn't going to terminate her pregnancy either to make the pro-lifers swoon.

[Greg Barbera]

enjoy NYC, the paid vacation and a new camera dan!

oh but keep a close eye out for the cocksuckin' criminals...

[ceci]

Dan, Stu and I tried "Rice" for lunch last time we were in NYC. Loved the Bhutanese red rice! They have several locations: http://www.riceny.com/pages.php?pageid=2

[Michael]

I heard there's this Italian place called Bar Pitti that's pretty good... I also found the best falafel I've ever had right off the Bedford Street stop of the L train, right in the heart of beautiful downtown Williamsburg. There's a splendid miso ramen noodle place on 49th Street between 6th and 7th called Sapporo. Killer and very cheap.

[Dan E]

Bar Pitti, eh? Sounds vaguely familiar...