Friday, September 30, 2005

Red Sox Win

The Red Sox beat the Yankees, 5-3 tonight at Fenway Park. Both teams are headed into the final weekend of the regular season tied for first place. (Both teams have 96 wins, 66 losses.) It's another high drama weekend!

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Yankees Winning / Sox Losing

I'm right now watching the Red Sox give up the lead in a game they really need to win. It looked like batting practice for Tampa Bay out there!

With the Red Sox lead in the American League East down to half a game over the Yankees, the last week and a half of the regular season looks to be another nail-biter. I can't believe it!

Sunday, September 11, 2005

The Planes Operation

While watching the documentary Inside 9/11 a few days ago, I was struck at how precise and deliberate the terrorists were in their planning of the attack. They had been planning this for over two years! And for the last year, the pilots were here in the United States, no doubt hating every minute of it.

Osama bin Laden and his "team" called this mission "The Planes Operation." Al Qaeda drew their crew of "muscle hijackers" from their "Department of Martyrs", men who were predisposed to becoming martyrs for their radical cause. And when Mohammed Atta relayed the day he decided to attack, he used this code: "Two sticks. A dash. A cake, with a stick down." 9-11.

Saturday, September 3, 2005

The Boys are Back

Tonight, the United States mens soccer team qualified for next year's World Cup in Germany. They beat the team from Mexico 2-0 in Columbus, OH.

The United States have qualified for the World Cup the last five tournaments. It's going to be an exciting summer next year!

Friday, September 2, 2005

Nawlins

The first and last time I visited New Orleans was December of 1991.

I was there on a week-long business trip. I didn't travel with any co-workers, so I roamed the city alone after my day's work.

I had one of the "Best Meals of My Life" in New Orleans, a heaping serving of Crawfish Etouffee from K-Paul's. It was the first time I had this Cajun recipe, and it was a revelation. I was astounded by the spices, the texture and size of the crawfish. The meal was served on a generous bed of white rice. It was a taste sensation. I often think about this particular meal. I've had other versions of this, but so far nothing compares.

That week, I noted in my diary that I ate at the Palace Café twice, but nothing sticks out as a food memory.

On my last night there, I visited the famed Preservation Hall, a small music hall which features New Orleans jazz musicians, playing New Orleans jazz. The focus at the hall was the music. There were no chairs to sit on, just the floor. No food or beverages were served. Just music.

I remember how bright, sharp and sudden the music seemed to be in that very small room. It was magical, listening to the five musicians (a lot of brass, some strings, a piano) weave their gorgeous sound. The music struck me with its intimacy, its "nearness". As the horn hit some particularly aggressive notes, I remember thinking "he's going to knock us out with that sound!" I haven't experienced live music like that since.

It makes me sad that these places were part of Katrina's devastation.