The world according to Americans

Cleveland Trip

Every time before I stayed around the airport. We booked downtown Hampton Inn this time and it's quite a pleasant surprise. Quite different from what I was told.

Why Judge Lowell Reed strikes down the online porn law?

The answer is simple. It's not really because it "dramatically" limited free-speech, but it's doesn't work. LA Times called it "the never-enforced law."

Nevertheless, it reminds a threat to all law abiding commercial web site, e.g. Salon.com, to be potentially prosecuted at an US attorney's pleasure. Or, as the Justice Department put earlier this week, be "the pleasure of the president." Sounds a bit gross? It is actually more than it sounds. That's why with so many lawyers out there, only ACLU has the spine to finally bring it down?

Mary J. Blige: Family Affair

Embedding is disabled, tried but still doesn't work. So Youtube is not stupid.

Mary J Blige - Family Affair

Let's get it crunk, we gon' have fun
Up on in this dancery
We got ya open, now ya floatin'
So you gots to dance for me
Don't need no hateration, holleratin'
In this dance for me
Let's get it percolatin', while you're waiting
So just dance for me

Come on everybody get on up
Cause you know we gots to get it crunk
Mary J. is in the spot tonight
As I'mma make it feel alright (Make it feel alright)
Come on baby just party with me
Let loose and set your body free
Leave your situations at the door
So when you step inside jump on the floor

Let's get it crunk, we gon' have fun
Up on in this dancery
We got ya open, now ya floatin'
So you gots to dance for me
Don't need no hateration, holleratin'
In this dance for me
Let's get it percolatin', while you're waiting
So just dance for me

It's only gonna be about a matter of time
Before you get loose and start loose your mind
Cop you a drink, go head and rock your ice
Cause we celebrating No More Drama in our life
With a great track pumpin', everybody's jumpin'
Goin ahead and twist your back and get your body bumpin'
I told you leave your situations at the door
So grab somebody and get your ass on the dance floor

Let's get it crunk, we gon' have fun
Up on in this dancery
We got ya open, now ya floatin'
So you gots to dance for me
Don't need no hateration, holleratin'
In this dance for me
Let's get it percolatin', while you're waiting
So just dance for me

We don't need, don't need, no haters
Just try to love one another
We just want y'all have a good time
No more drama in your life
Work real hard to make a dime
If you got beef, your problem, not mine
Leave all that BS outside

We're gonna celebrate all night
Let's have fun, tonight, no fights
Turn the Dre track way up high
Making you dance all night and I
Got some real heat for ya this time
Doesn't matter if you're white or black
Let's get crunk cuz Mary's back

Let's get it crunk, we gon' have fun
Up on in this dancery
We got ya open, now ya floatin'
So you gots to dance for me
Don't need no hateration, holleratin'
In this dance for me
Let's get it percolatin', while you're waiting
So just dance for me

Mamma Mia

Great musical. Have heard most of songs, probably in Disco bars. My favorate is the last song Sophie sings: I have a dream. Couldn't find a good profession video on YouTube, but here's a very good one.

SOPHIE:
I have a dream
A song to sing
To help me cope
With anything
If you see the wonder
Of a fairy tale
You can take the future
Even if you fail
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I'll cross the stream
I have a dream

COMPANY:
I have a dream
A fantasy
To help me through
Reality
And my destination
Makes it worth the while
Pushing through the darkness
Still another mile
I believe in angels
Something good in everything I see
I believe in angels
When I know the time is right for me
I'll cross the stream
I have a dream
I'll cross the stream

SOPHIE:
I have a dream
I'll cross the stream
I have a dream

I can't wait for the movie, produced by Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson. Rita is Greek, may be it will be shot in Santorini island?

Grand Hyatt New York

We stayed there for a long weekend.

Very good location. Literally steps from the Grand Central. However, this is the only thing "Grand" about this hotel besides it's "grand" rate starting at $350/night + ~15% tax. It doesn't even have a pool. Since it's on Park Avenue, I'd understand it belongs to one of the Park Hyatt's brand, but Grand? It's about 10-15 minutes walk and two stops on Subway from Time Square, which is where we went for the Broadway shows. Unlike Time Square, there are not many places close by open after 10pm.

It's an older hotel with very well maintained lobby and meeting facilities. The rooms, well, are really showing their age. The paint on the room doors start to peeling off that I still can't believe it's an Hyatt. I intended to take a picture of the door, but forgot to do so when checking out.

The King room we got is big and has modern decoration, while the bathroom is extremely small, comparable to those in 2-star motels such as Sleep Inn. We requested a quiet room which was facing inside. No view, but it is very quiet.

No coffee maker in room. We got vouchers for two 12oz coffee/day at the shop downstairs ($2.50/12oz). It's really good coffee, so is the napkins.

The trouble at Walter Reed

When you say we support the troops (may be not the war, for some), you have to mean it. How do you support the troops? The first thing you would think of is taking care of the wounded. Well, what's happened in the Walter Reed VA Medical Center is not exactly what one would describe as a warm welcome home.

One other thing, don't blame the Republicans for this alone. The Demarcates didn't do nearly as much as needed on your part. This is your watch too, even you were not the majority. There's a lot to do as the minority.