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Written by Karl in: Celebrations |

Nov
21
2008

It’s Jazz Week In Washington D.C.

At least for me as luck would have it. Normally I don’t stay in downtown Washington D.C. I’m usually setup in Arlington, as it’s closer to our offices in Virginia.

So thanks to one of the people here, I was shown the Jazz district and I all I can say is WOO HOO!

I’ll start with the first (and so far my favorite) place, the Bohemian Cavern: http://www.bohemiancaverns.com/. The Cavern is a great place. Great food, ambiance, music and history. Just a great Jazz club.

The other place I went to was the Blues Alley: http://www.bluesalley.com/. Blues Alley is also a great club in it’s own right. It was an older club, but a good club nonetheless.

As I continue to travel to D.C. I am becoming more familiar with the city, I am learning that’s it’s a great place for Jazz (amongst it’s other great sights).

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Written by Karl in: Food,Travel |

Nov
12
2008

Difference Between Veterans Day and Memorial Day

While yesterday was Veterans Day, I came to realize that many people do not know the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

There is a big difference and that difference is significant enough that I thought I should post it.

Veterans Day is the day to thank and honor those who served honorably in service to our country…regardless of wartime or peacetime. Deceased veterans are also remembered, but in the context of their service to the nation. In simple terms it is to honor and celebrate the veteran’s service.

Memorial Day honors service members who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle. Memorial Day is where we honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

So…hopefuly that helps everyone understand the difference – because there is a difference.

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Written by Karl in: Supporting Our Troops |

Nov
11
2008

Thanks On Veteran’s Day

Military Salute To my fellow veterans, I want to thank you for your service to our great nation. In these times of change it may be hard to remember that our sacrifices are why our country is in this historic period.

Good or bad, just remember that your sacrifice allowed the American people to make a comfortable decision under the banner of liberty…regardless of whether you agree with the decision of the people or not.

History
Veterans Day originally is held every November 11th, and though it typically falls on this day, officially the holiday is normally observed on the weekday that falls closest to November 11th every year. It was first incorporated as by President Wilson as Armistice Day in 1919. Other countries today also still recognize November 11th as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in honor of the Armistice treaty which ended WWI.

It was in 1938 that Armistice Day was enacted as an official American holiday. But eventually after WWII, citizens felt that the veterans of all wars should be recognized, not just those of WWI. So in 1954 Congress changed the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day. In America, the holiday now celebrates the approximate 2.9 million U.S. veterans with parades and ceremonies among other events.

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Written by Karl in: Supporting Our Troops,War..Then & Now |

Nov
03
2008

Now I Know Why Alaskan’s Want To Secede…

Son of a bitch!

Last week I was in Washington D.C. again for the second time in as many weeks and it’s just friggin’ amazing how the lack of knowledge of Alaska, the United States and Government is prevalent today.

I’ve always joked that my definition of the Average American is best defined by the character of Sue Ann Norris (mother of Ritche and Billy Glenn) who says as she pumps the shotgun “I’ll tell you one thing, they ain’t gettin’ the TV!!”

After this trip, it’s becoming clearer that this is the case.

So…let’s start with what happened and how I got here:

The day I arrive to D.C. I am looking for a place to eat. After a nine hour flight, I decided I wanted to have something other than airplane food. I realize how difficult it is to a) find a resturant open after 10pm in Arlington and b) a person who speaks english well enough to help me locate a place that is not closed. After an unsuccessful attempt to find sustinance I ended up calling for a pizza.

The following morning I went to the Safeway down the street to get snacks/drinks for the hotel and for an Alaskan, it’s warm in D.C. (@60 degrees). I mentioned to the cashier (a very nice older woman) about how warm it was and started a dialog with her about how I’m from Alaska. Here is how it went:

“You’re from Alaska?!?”
“Yep.”
“They’re no Blacks in Alaska!”
“Beg your pardon?”
“They’re aren’t any Black People up there!”
“Just like they’re no Hispanics in D.C.?”
“Don’t be silly…they’re Hispanics all over Washington!”
“Just like they’re Blacks in Alaska!”

In the end I showed her my driver’s license as well as the Juneenth Pictures I had on my blackberry! Regardless she ended up calling several co-workers to show them the “Black Alaskan.” Needless to say I was upset as I headed back to the hotel.

Thursday I was watching CNN in the AM and listened to the “Situation Room” as they spoke to a reporter from the Anchorage Daily News regarding Senator Stevens felony conviction. Neither the CNN or ADN reporter knew if the Senator would be able to be a sitting Senator if his conviction stood. They even discussed how he could run Senate business from jail!

Just as an FYI…a Senator can not maintain his position should he be sentenced to Jail time. While he is appealing his conviction, he is actually able to maintain his seat as long as he is not sentenced. Upon sentencing, he must resign and then either the Governor appoints his replacement or a special election is conducted.

So Friday night I ended up watching Real Time w/Bill Maher (mainly because all I had was HBO and the movie I wanted to see was after the show). The left wing nut jobs are beating on Govenor Palin. At one point they are calling her an albratross on Senator McCain’s neck so one of the panel asks what’s a bird in Alaska?

The answer given was “penguin.” For those not in the know, the only penguins in Alaska are in the Zoo as penguins are native to the SOUTHERN hemisphere (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penguin).

The last thing that was discussed was Sarah Palin’s support and Todd Palins involvement with the Alaska Independence Party, which they kept touting as the “Alaska Secessionist Party.”

All this just simply made my blood boil.

Also somehow we are a “socialist state” since we get our cut of the profits from oil revenues (this was told to me by a gentleman on my return flight). I guess that makes Texas, and Louisiana socialist as well.

The interesting thing when I speak to the people I meet in my travels from California to D.C. is I find that many do not know that until the late 70′s, Alaska (and Hawaii) were forgotten realms to the rest of the US. Alaska did not have many things in the way of state services until oil was found.

It’s amazing how many people think Texas is the largest state in the US and that the “Continental US” does not include Alaska and Hawaii (which are a part of North America, thus part of the continent).

In a world where Alaskans are considered some sort of backwoods frontiersmen and women who still live in Igloos (seriously….I am asked about that ALL THE TIME) that don’t know about the conveniences of modern living like indoor pluming, it’s easy to see why most Alaskans want to no longer be part of the United States.

I think it’s interesting to see this come up when there are tens of thousands of people who still reenact a war they lost and somehow see that they will refight and this time win that very war somewhere in the future.

Or where the people screaming about this have stated they will leave the country and relinquish their citizenship should their candidate loose the election!

So…now you have a perspective on why we don’t want to be bothered by the rest of the United States. Until our Govenor ran for V.P. no one really knew (or cared) about Alaska…except as maybe a vacation spot.

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