Like most folks, I spend my share of time sitting in traffic. And like most drivers I’m infuriated by the fools that insist on driving down the shoulder of the road to cut over into the front of the line at the last minute. I think those people are selfish and ignorant.
When we encounter traffic jams, we need to remember that they exist for a reason. Folks aren’t just lining up to go extra slow because it’s fun. There’s a lane closed or an accident up ahead and cooperation from all drivers is required.
The flow of traffic is most often impaired by road construction, a slow driver in the passing lane or, all too often in my area, debris on the road. But roads were closed in Miami for the strangest reason ever. A police officer shot and killed a naked man who was chewing the face of another man on a downtown causeway off-ramp.
Witnesses said that a woman saw two men fighting and flagged down a police officer, who came upon the naked man mauling the other man. The unidentified officer ordered the naked man to back away but, when the man continued the assault, the officer shot him. Witnesses said the wounded attacker continued to eat his victim, so the officer continued firing at least six times. The victim was transported to a local hospital.
The shooting and follow-up investigation tied up causeway traffic for quite some time as crowds were arriving at South Beach for an annual Urban Beach Week hip-hop festival.
The next time I find myself sitting in traffic, I’ll certainly remember that the cause could be just about anything imaginable … or unimaginable.
Copyright © 2012 www.DiatribesAndOvations.com
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Ovation: Huckleberry’s Pig Out Palace!
I love picnics. Before my family grew too large to gather regularly, we had weekly gatherings that we called “shindigs”. Our grandparents, great aunts and uncles would take turns hosting the picnics and they were always a great time. During the summer months, we would have our parties outdoors and there would be ball games, or badminton or baseball games for the children and the men would always play horseshoes.
The food would be a fantastic mix of everyone’s favorites and, often, we would enjoy grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. Some would call it bar-b-que however I have since learned it was anything but.
When I, eventually, moved to the south I learned what real bar-b-que is all about. It’s a long, slow process and southerners take it very seriously. The cooking and serviing of bar-b-que is an industry involving secret formulas to rival that of Classic Coke. I, not too long ao, was given a recipe by a new friend that allowed me to make a passable pulled pork bar-b-que in my crock pot that was easy to prepare and delicious. I’ve made it several times and thought it was the best I had ever tasted.
And then, today, I discovered Huckleberry’s Pig Out Palace in Henryetta, Oklahoma. At lunch time, while driving along the interstate, I decided that I wanted something different to eat … something that I couldn’t get at home … and I happened upon the Pig Out Palace. Locals enjoy it because it’s an all-you-can eat buffet but I chose to order a bar-b-que sandwich. I was so glad that I did. I wasn’t expecting anything spectacular but was pleasantly surprised, from the first bit, by the sweetly spicy and perfectly tender sandwich. It was wonderful and reminded me that trying new foods can still an exciting and memorable experience.
The memories that we made with our cousins and extended family will always stay with us. Be it pot luck in an aunt’s back yard or fried chicken on Palm Sunday, for me food makes memories. And today, I made a memory at the Pig Out Palace.
Do you have a favorite food memory?
Copyright © 2012 www.DiatribesAndOvations.com
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My only experience with shooting a gun was, as a boy, on a pheasant-hunting trip with my father. He cajoled me into shooting his shotgun (against my wishes if I recall correctly) and it about knocked me on my hind end. Ever since that day, and possible even before, I’ve been one of those left-leaning hippie tree-hugger anti-gun lunatics that believes that guns are only good for one thing … killing.
I respect others’ rights to own them, carry them with a permit and keep them on their night stands if it makes them feel safer but I’m convinced that should I have one of my own I would eventually get shot. Guns do not make me feel safe. Personally, I feel the safest in places where I know that there are no guns at all. I guess I figure you can’t get shot if there’s not a gun nearby.
It’s time for me to face fact. Guns are everywhere and they’re about to be given out as prizes. The Daily Caller, founded by notorious homophobic gay-basher Tucker Carlson, announced yesterday that it will be giving away an American-made “high-capacity” 9mm pistol per week until Election Day. The pistols will be manufactured in California in three different colors, each engraved with the Bill of Rights.
“Like most Americans outside Washington, DC, New York City and most of our nation’s news rooms, large numbers of Daily Caller readers love guns… we are excited to have the opportunity to give those loyal and engaged readers the chance to win a new pistol every week leading up to the election.’” – Neil Patel, Publisher and CEO of the Daily Caller
I’m not familiar with the Daily Caller (and I don’t intend to be) but I find it difficult to believe that this is legal … at least the way that it’s being presented.
Owning and operating a firearm is not just a right, it’s a privilege that many Americans have enjoyed for many different reasons for many generations. Unfortunately, there seems to be an awful lot of people with an “I paid for it, I took the class, I’ve got a permit, I’m going to use it” attitude that is, frankly, quite frightening.
Eventually, my father and his friends gave up pheasant hunting as the farmlands and forest preserves began to dwindle. Of course, I’ll never forget the time (and neither will he) that he brought home a pheasant that he thought he had killed only to learn that it was still alive and making a mess of our basement!
Giving guns away as prizes certainly diminishes the seriousness of their purpose.
Copyright © 2012 www.DiatribesAndOvations.com
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In 2010, I had the opportunity to see and hear Adam Lambert perform live when his Glam Nation Tour made a stop at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The venue, the original home of the Grand Ol’ Opry, holds historical significance to the music community as well as hosting a variety of performers throughout each year. He put on a fantastic show and I enjoyed it very much. Performing music from his debut album, For Your Entertainment, Lambert’s powerful voice and eclectic performance style kept the audience enthralled for the entire evening.
Lambert, who has never denied his homosexuality but avoided the issue during his stint on the eighth season of television’s American Idol, made history this week by becoming the first openly gay vocalist to have an album debut at the number one position of the Billboard album charts.
His second album, Trespassing, was released on May 15th and premiered at the top of both Billboard’s Top 200 chart and digital albums chart.. The album, with its mix of dance songs and power ballads, has received strong reviews from music critics. Although other LGBT recording artists, including Elton John and George Michael, have had number one albums, they were released prior to the artist’ coming out.
“I do feel like a trespasser, but not in a literal sense, because I don’t think I’ve broken into any property recently. I’m pretty eccentric, and as far as the music industry is concerned, I feel like a bit of an outsider. There are times when I feel like I’m breaking new ground by breaking in.” – Adam Lambert discussing the inspiration for the title of his second album, Trespassing.
Interestingly, Lambert’s debut in the number one position replaced another American Idol winner, Carrie Underwood, whose Blown Away was number one last week. Lambert is the seventh American Idol finalist to reach Billboard’s number one position following Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Underwood, Chris Daughtry (of Daughtry) and Scotty McCreery.
Are you a fan of Adam Lambert?
