The Writing on the Walls

Christina has a new post about some of our recent renovations.

Not Chicken and Waffles

An article in the Washington Post on new or upcoming additions to the Prince George's County restaurant scene. Opening soon is "Gladys and Ron's Chicken & Waffles". My first thought was that it's too bad Oma isn't around for that. She loved chicken and waffles. But then I went to the web site, it said

It is widely known that Chicken and Waffles started in Harlem, New York.

That didn't sound right. Further, the picture (shown above, but modified) didn't look right.

Some further Googling took me to what I was looking for -- real chicken and waffles. The key sentences are

It is very common in PA Dutch country...

and

Serve the waffles topped with chicken and gravy.

Sadly, I can't find a picture of these chicken and waffles on-line. It's probably just as well; my cholesterol is increasing just writing about it.

This Is Why I Vote No on Vague Ballot Questions

In October, I gave my endorsements on Prince Georges County ballot questions. I said,

Questions A-E are for approving bonds allowing the county to borrow money for roads, libraries, public safety, county buildings and community colleges. The League of Women Voters directs me to a web site where I can look up the text of these bills. Unfortunately, the text just gives a list of projects and refers me to the county "capital program" for details. I can't find the county capital program on-line. They're making this too difficult. In general, I'm going to vote no. But the roads need help, and I find it hard to believe that libraries can't use the money, so yes on A & B, no on C, D & E.

Hmm, "county buildings", what could that be for? After reading an article in today's Post, I have a guess.

The council plans to spend about $1 million to renovate members' offices and staff workspace. And $177,400 has been earmarked for replacing a county car and five sport-utility vehicles assigned to council members.

Now I don't know that this is the same bucket of money. It certainly seems like the cars wouldn't come out of "county buildings" money. And maybe these building expenditures are needed. But given the way they spend the money on cars, I'm not too confident.

According to the plan, the council expects to replace a 2000 Chevrolet Blazer with 56,281 miles; a 2002 Chevy Impala with 53,244 miles; two 2003 Chevy TrailBlazers, one with 61,172 miles and the other with 55,162 miles; and two 2003 Ford Explorers, one with 45,692 miles and one with 53,244 miles.

Kung Fu Hustle

Ben and I saw "Kung Fu Hustle" Saturday night. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't this. I think I had seen some previews where members of the "Axe Gang" did dance moves, so I thought it was going to be to music what "Shaolin Soccer" was to soccer.

Nope. The dance moves were just throwaway gags in a movie full of throwaway gags. The basic plot of the movie is that a guy who wants to be in the Axe Gang and his Silent-Bob-esque sidekick go into a poor neighborhood and stir up trouble that brings down the wrath of the Axe Gang on the poor neighborhood. The neighborhood, as it turns out, is home to a variety of retired kung fu masters for inadequately explained reasons.

The movie was pretty funny in parts, and if it was formulaic, it wasn't a formula I was used to. Still, not as much fun as Shaolin Soccer. 3/5 stars.