June 2007 Archives
Bangkok 54
Had dinner the other night with Mike and Arlene Roberts, from Denver. Mike is a custom home builder and Arlene is an elementary school teacher in Denver Public Schools. We ate at Bangkok 54, web site, 2919 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA, 703-521-4070 [TCEDG | Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
Arlene and Mike Roberts
The only dish we tried that was so-so, and is not pictured, was the Tum Yum soup with shrimp. The shrimp was good, but the broth was very heavy and a bit greasy, not anything like the delicate Tum Yum soups we have had elsewhere.
The Fried Soft Shell Crabs were very good
Penang, curry chicken, was excellent
Pad Cha from the Sea was excellent
The Mango Sticky Rice dessert is one of the few desserts worth trying in an Asian restaurant (the other is the ABC in a Malaysian or some Thai places)
June 30, 2007 10:37 AM Link Dining Comments (0)
Glossary of Legislative Terms: "Passed"
Passed: Term for approval of bills and joint resolutions.
This definition is from our Glossary of Legislative Terms. Perfect reference tool of Congressional jargon and procedural terms. The cover and inside pages of this booklet can be customized with your logo and information. For more information, see our Booklets page. The Pocket Dictionary is based on the Congressional Deskbook, by Michael Koempel and Judy Schneider. |
TheCapitol.Net offers training and a Certificate Program in Congressional Operations and Federal Budgeting, we show you how Washington and Congress work. TM
June 29, 2007 08:17 AM Link Tips and Terms Comments (0)
Fred Allen
"I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me."
-- Fred Allen
June 28, 2007 09:07 AM Link Humor Comments (0)
Education Program Developer / Client Liaison
TheCapitol.Net, the exclusive provider of Congressional Quarterly Executive Conferences, will have an opening later this summer for a full-time person for Education Program Developer / Client Liaison.
More information is available on our web site.
June 27, 2007 09:17 AM Link Business Comments (0)
Shantaram
Then he smiled. It was the biggest smile she'd ever seen. It was radiant, and suffused with an irrepressible good humor. She looked into that prodigious smile, and a strange feeling took hold of her. She smiled back at him, despite herself, and felt a rush of well-being, an indefinable but overwhelming sanguine cheerfulness. Things will turn out right, the voice of her heart said to her. Everything will be all right. She knew, just as I'd known when I saw Prabaker for the first time, that no man who smiled with so much of his heart would knowingly hurt or harm another. (page 126)
When we're young, we think that suffering is something that's done to us. When we get older---when the steel door slams shut, in one way or another--- we know that real suffering is measured by what's taken away from us. (page 301)
You now the difference between news and gossip, don't you? News tells you what people did. Gossip tells you how much they enjoyed it. (page 363)
What characterises the human race more, Karla once asked me, cruelty, or the capacity to feel shame for it? I thought the question acutely clever then, when I first heard it, but I'm lonelier and wiser now, and I know it isn't cruelty or shame that characterises the human race. It's forgiveness that makes us what we are. Without forgiveness, our species would've annihilated itself in endless retributions. Without forgiveness, there would be no history. Without that hope, there would be no art, for every work or art is in some way an act of forgiveness. Without that dream, there would be no love, for every act of love is in some way a promise to forgive. We live on because we can love, and we love because we can forgive. (page 370)
Shantaram, by Gregory David Roberts
June 27, 2007 08:37 AM Link Caught Our Eye Comments (0)
Media Tip 7
Media Tip 7: Never say "no comment" -- it implies guilt.
This tip is from our booklet, Media Relations Tips: 102 Secrets for Finding Success in Public Relations. Practical tips for anyone who works with the media, works with someone who works with the media, or who works at an organization that is covered in the media. An easy handout for everyone in your group to make sure that they are prepared and confident if they ever have to deal with the media. Based on the Media Relations Handbook, by Brad Fitch. The cover and inside pages of this booklet can be customized with your logo and information. For more information, see our Booklets page. |
TheCapitol.Net offers Media Training and Communication and Advocacy Training, we show you how Washington and Congress work. TM
June 26, 2007 09:17 AM Link Tips and Terms Comments (1)
Teaching Inattentive Students
While lecturing, I learned not to check on the attentiveness of every student -- that would be counterproductive. To earn the students' concentration, I learned to "talk to the walls," that is, to speak in a low voice, pretending to be speaking to myself, which gave the impression that I was totally immersed in my ideas. The idea that I liked best was the idea that the students understood and remembered most.
"Teaching in Beirut," in "An Invitation to Laughter: A Lebanese Anthropologist in the Arab World," by Fuad Khuri, 2007
June 25, 2007 10:57 PM Link Caught Our Eye Comments (0)
Democracy in Arab countries
Given the substantial stress placed on "justice" in Islam, I reckon that if democracy is to establish roots in Arab countries, it will have to be linked to the concept of justice more than to the confusing ideology of freedom.
"Open secrets: Discussable but not publishable," in "An Invitation to Laughter: A Lebanese Anthropologist in the Arab World," by Fuad Khuri, 2007
June 23, 2007 06:37 AM Link Caught Our Eye Comments (0)
Glossary of Legislative Terms: "Scope of Differences"
Scope of Differences: Limits within which a conference committee is permitted to resolve its disagreement.
This definition is from our Glossary of Legislative Terms. Perfect reference tool of Congressional jargon and procedural terms. The cover and inside pages of this booklet can be customized with your logo and information. For more information, see our Booklets page. The Pocket Dictionary is based on the Congressional Deskbook, by Michael Koempel and Judy Schneider. |
TheCapitol.Net offers training and a Certificate Program in Congressional Operations and Federal Budgeting, we show you how Washington and Congress work. TM
June 22, 2007 04:17 PM Link Tips and Terms Comments (0)
Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Judy Schneider
We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"
Judy Schneider (bio), co-author of the Congressional Deskbook, shares her favorites.
Places to Visit
- I think the Franciscan Monastery and National Cathedral are two of the under-visited treasures in DC. I have been visiting the cathedral regularly since 1968, but only discovered the Franciscan monastery last year.
- National Cathedral, web site, 3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-537-6200
- Franciscan Monastery, web site, 1400 Quincy Street NE, Washington, DC, 202-526-6800
Restaurants
- Most restaurants I frequent are in the suburbs, but if someone else is paying in DC I think Oceanaire and Chef Geoff's are both terrific, but pricey.
- The Oceanaire, web site, 1201 F Street NW, 202-347-2277 [Hobnob Blog | Don Rockwell | Gayot]
- Chef Geoff's, web site, 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-464-4461 [Yelp]
- For less expensive and different type meals, there are some terrific small ethnic restaurants in Adams Morgan and Wheaton, MD (near the Wheaton Metro), the ethnic food capitol in the area. However, it should be noted that all of these restaurants are small local establishments with very limited ambiance.
- I love Chinese food and I think Hollywood East has surpassed Good Fortune, in part because the former does Cantonese, although both are good for dim sum. Hollywood East, 2312 Price Avenue, Wheaton, MD, 301-942-8282 [TCEDG]. Good Fortune, 2646 University Blvd W, Silver Spring, MD, 301-929-8818 [Yelp]
- El Pollo Rico has great Latin American. 2541 Ennalls Avenue, Wheaton, MD, 301-942-4419 [Yelp]
- Los Chorros has great Mexican. 2420 Blueridge Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 301-933-1066 [Yelp | openlist]
- Max's Cafe has the best corned beef and kosher deli food in the the area. 2319 University Blvd W, Silver Spring, MD, 301-949-6297 [openlist].
- Ferdinands has the best Italian food. 11300 Fern Street, Silver Spring, MD, 301-949-1917 [Washingtonian]
Fun
- Fun things revolve around golf, especially discovering new courses and there are many in the DC area. [A Guide to Washington area golf, from the Washington Post]
- I love Harper's Ferry, West Virginia and it is not far from Washington. [harpersferrywv.net | Wikipedia]
- I also love to gamble and everyone knows that Charles Town, West Virginia is 5 minutes from Harpers Ferry and 62 miles from my house. Charles Town Races & Slots, web site, 580 E 5th Avenue, Ranson, WV
- I also love baseball and frequent both RFK and Camden Yards as often as I can, especially if my beloved Yankees are in town. Washington Nationals web site. Baltimore Orioles web site [Sports in DC - from TheCapitol.Net]
- Finally, live theater, both in large venues like Kennedy Center, and smaller regional theaters is terrific in the DC area. [Song, Dance, and Theater in DC - from TheCapitol.Net | Theater & Dance - from The Washington Post | Washington, DC Theater - from DC Registry]
For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages
June 21, 2007 08:37 AM Link Dining ~ Dining and Things to Do & See ~ Faculty Favorites ~ Fun ~ Visiting Washington, DC Comments (0)
Can you read this?
From a friend:
Spelling reconsidered! All that time wasted learning spelling words!
fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too
Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.
i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Aza! nmig hu h? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it.
More
- The Simplified Spelling Society
- The Simplified Spelling Society - from Wikipedia
- NuSpeling: New Spelling & other Replacement Writing Systems
- Mark Twain quotes about spelling
June 20, 2007 07:37 AM Link Caught Our Eye Comments (0)
Media Tip 68
Media Tip 68: Develop a trusting relationship with your principal (boss). Learn your principal's views of the media and be supportive of his cause.
This tip is from our booklet, Media Relations Tips: 102 Secrets for Finding Success in Public Relations. Practical tips for anyone who works with the media, works with someone who works with the media, or who works at an organization that is covered in the media. An easy handout for everyone in your group to make sure that they are prepared and confident if they ever have to deal with the media. Based on the Media Relations Handbook, by Brad Fitch. The cover and inside pages of this booklet can be customized with your logo and information. For more information, see our Booklets page. |
TheCapitol.Net offers Media Training and Communication and Advocacy Training, we show you how Washington and Congress work. TM
June 19, 2007 12:27 PM Link Tips and Terms Comments (0)
Consensus
Nothing is more coercive and less efficient than the insistence on consensus. . . . As a Lebanese proverb states: "Plenty of ejaculations, but no pregnancies."
"Establishing an Arab association for the social sciences: The tyranny of consensus," in "An Invitation to Laughter: A Lebanese Anthropologist in the Arab World," by Fuad Khuri, 2007
June 17, 2007 08:37 AM Link Caught Our Eye Comments (0)
Glossary of Legislative Terms: "Star Print"
Star Print: A reprint of a measure, amendment, or committee report to correct errors in a previous printing. The first page carries a small black star.
This definition is from our Glossary of Legislative Terms. Perfect reference tool of Congressional jargon and procedural terms. The cover and inside pages of this booklet can be customized with your logo and information. For more information, see our Booklets page. The Pocket Dictionary is based on the Congressional Deskbook, by Michael Koempel and Judy Schneider. |
June 15, 2007 01:17 PM Link Tips and Terms Comments (0)
Media Tip 58
Media Tip 58: Avoid calling radio stations during busy times (6:00 am to 10:00 am, and 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm) while reporters are primarily delivering the news at thirty-minute intervals.
This tip is from our booklet, Media Relations Tips: 102 Secrets for Finding Success in Public Relations. Practical tips for anyone who works with the media, works with someone who works with the media, or who works at an organization that is covered in the media. An easy handout for everyone in your group to make sure that they are prepared and confident if they ever have to deal with the media. Based on the Media Relations Handbook, by Brad Fitch. The cover and inside pages of this booklet can be customized with your logo and information. For more information, see our Booklets page. |
June 12, 2007 07:27 AM Link Tips and Terms Comments (0)
"the real world, which is not the world of Britney Spears...."
Teens in America are in touch with their peers on average 65 hours a week, compared to about four hours a week in preindustrial cultures. In this country, teens learn virtually everything they know from other teens, who are in turn highly influenced by certain aggressive industries. This makes no sense. Teens should be learning from the people they are about to become. When young people exit the education system and are dumped into the real world, which is not the world of Britney Spears, they have no idea what's going on and have to spend considerable time figuring it out.
"Trashing Teens: Psychologist Robert Epstein argues in a provocative book, 'The Case Against Adolescence,' that teens are far more competent than we assume, and most of their problems stem from restrictions placed on them." An interview with Hara Estroff Marano, Psychology Today, March/April, 2007
Hat tip: 2 Blowhards
Quick media-world fact: ad people pursue kids and youngsters because young people can be hoodwinked and pickpocketed, er, influenced. They're buying their first cars and sofas, they're vain and insecure, and they're trying to attract mates. So they spend money on silly products, on clothes, on fashion, and on style. (Older people aren't so open to being affected by ads.) Well, how great it would be for business if the entire population could be kept in a state of perpetual anxiety, yearning, and dissatisfaction -- in a state of teenagehood?
"Adolescent Nation," 2 Blowhards, July 16, 2004
June 11, 2007 08:37 AM Link Caught Our Eye Comments (0)
Faculty Favorites: Dining and Places - Dan Parks
We asked our faculty and authors to share with us some of their favorite things about living in our nation's capital. Their responses are posted in "Faculty Favorites"
Dan Parks (bio), an editor at Congressional Quarterly, shares his favorites.
Best place to take an out-of-town guest to show off your knowledge of the Washington area
- Roosevelt Island, for an amazingly serene nature stroll located in the middle of six million people, and for the impressive, under-appreciated Teddy Roosevelt Memorial. web site, map (only accessible by car from the northbound lanes of George Washington Parkway, just north of I-66, and by bike and foot on the Mt. Vernon Trail from the Rosslyn side of Key Bridge)
Best beer selection
- The Reef: the owner knows his Belgians and keeps a rotating selection on tap. web site, 2446 18th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-518-3800 [Beeradvocate.com]
- Brickskeller: hundreds of bottle varieties from around the world Big Hunt. It's a dive, but excellent selection on tap. Try my local favorite, Tupper's Hop Pocket Ale. web site, 1523 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-293-1885 [Yelp]
Best place with view in a hip neighborhood
- Tabaq Bistro, on U Street. Good food, good wine, and a sweeping view of the city from the glass-enclosed rooftop. web site, 1336 U Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-265-0965 [Yelp]
- Catch some live jazz nearby afterwards at U-Topia on U Street or at the Vegas Lounge on P Street.
U-Topia, web site, 1418 U Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-483-7669 [Washington Post | Yelp]
Vegas Lounge, web site, 1415 P Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-483-3971 [Yelp]
Best bike ride
- From Rosslyn, the paved Mount Vernon Trail trail takes you along the Potomac River to Old Towne Alexandria, and then continues on to Mount Vernon. It's 40 miles round trip, so bring water and a power bar.
Mount Vernon Trail, web site from National Park Service, web site from Bike Washington
Also see "The Visitor's Biking Guide to Washington DC"
For more, also see our Visiting Washington DC pages
June 9, 2007 07:57 AM Link Dining ~ Dining and Things to Do & See ~ Faculty Favorites ~ Faculty and Authors ~ Fun ~ Living in DC ~ Visiting Washington, DC Comments (0)
Sen. Craig Thomas
Sen. Craig Thomas, R-Wyo., died Monday at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., where he was undergoing treatment for leukemia. His family announced the death in a statement.Thomas, 74, was diagnosed with leukemia in November, a day after easily winning re-election to a third term.
Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal, a Democrat, will name a replacement, who would serve until a successor can be chosen in a November 2008 special election. But under Wyoming law, he must choose from a list of three candidates put forward by the Republican State Central Committee because Thomas was a Republican.
Thomas was a member of the Finance Committee as well as the Energy and Natural Resources, Environment and Public Works, and Indian Affairs panels.
Like most Western lawmakers, he was a fiscal conservative who strongly supported oil and gas exploration on public lands, protecting private-property rights and farmers’ issues.
The senator’s wife, Susan, was at his side at the hospital Monday, along with their sons, Patrick and Greg, and daughter, Lexie.
"Wyoming Republican Sen. Thomas Dies of Leukemia," CQ Today, June 4, 2007.
More
- "Remembering Thomas: Quotes from friends and associates," Casper Star Tribune, June 5, 2007
- "Wyoming Sen. Thomas Dead at 74," by Mary Clare Jalonick, The Washington Post, June 5, 2007
June 5, 2007 10:17 AM Link Senate Comments (0)
You have two cows - additions from Hannah and Gen
Here are two new "You have two cows...." from Hannah and Gen in Australia
AUSTRALIANISM: You have two cows. You take one to the beach and teach it to surf, then you bung the other one on the barbie, drink some VB, and laugh at the idea of a surfing cow. What's a government?BITCHISM: You're a cow!
"Bung" is Australian slang for: To put or place. E.g., bung another snag on the barbie.
For more Two Cows, see YouHave2Cows.com
June 5, 2007 07:17 AM Link You Have 2 Cows Comments (0)
Greatest Italian tenor?
Who is the greatest Italian tenor of all time? Many love Luciano Pavorotti, Enrico Caruso, and Placido Domingo, but our vote is for Beniamino Gigli.
But do not miss the elephant version of Luciano Pavorotti singing La donna e mobile, from Rigoletto, in Elephants, Yeah! Yeah!
June 1, 2007 07:47 AM Link Fun Comments (0)