Citoyen: A Perspective on Culture

Baked & Wired

My new fave cafe in Georgetown features exceptional tea and coffee, out of this world (looking) (but not nut free) baked goods, & a fun (but not annoyingly perky) staff. Located on Thomas Jefferson street behind Barnes & Noble, it's a great alternative to corporate coffee when you are in the area.

An example on how this place is so cool, today they were asking all AM customers to name the superhero he/she would like to be or to name a superpower he/she would like to have. They called your super-name to deliver your coffee from the bar. (I chose "Shape Shifter" as my power. Because I'd want to be "Mystique" from X-Men but, you know, a dude and neither blue nor scaly!)

The Standard response

11/6/2008: What to do on a beautiful Thursday after a big electoral win? A day at the spa is a wonderful answer. ;)

To relax after the final push, I had a detoxifying facial at The Standard / Lido Spa Hotel. A purchase of services permits you to use the full hamam, steam rooms, pool, and hot tub. The photo was taken from my iPhone camera while I relaxed in the hot tub.

11/13/2008: My experience in Florida feels as though it's a world away. Back to DC, deep into autumn. New job. Watching Washington, the country, and the world effect this transition.

TRACK: Magic

Robin Thicke |MTV Music

This song describes what it was like to be out on the town after last night's historic election here in SoBe. I could try to put my two cents in on the enormity of this win, but it would be premature and inconclusive.  Some writing today on the historical significance of the presidential elecion, the post-mortem of the campaign, and so forth.  Personally, I saw this one close-up as a result of my volunteerism and personal relationships with folks on the campaign.  What I can say... I've never been more moved by the sense of community and common purpose that I've seen on the Obama campaign.  I am hopeful that this sense will pervade the Obama administration, the country, and the world. 

PS -- Anyone else know that Thicke was not only the son of Growing Pains' Alan Thicke but also the son of Gloria Loring? (aka "Liz Chandler" from Days of Our Lives?)

Go Down On Him

... so that you can vote an emphatic NO on Proposition 2. (If you will be voting in Florida.).

Knockin' Like This ... For Obama

Today, a long day pumping up South Florida volunteers. In conjunction with the SEIU, we escorted Cynthia Nixon and Marisa Tomei to canvassing staging locations in Miami Gardens & Kendall. We also canvassed the student union at the University of Miami.

The pictures show posters hanging in the volunteer offices, Ms. Nixon giving a rousing speech to SEIU volunteers, Marisa Tomei with a U of M student, and U of M college Democrats in action.

A light day today in advance of a huge GOTV effort. Less than 24 hours to go: it's all excitement and cautious optimism.

Ft. Laudy's Field of Dreams

2:00 PM (ish).

Cynthia Nixon and Danny O'Donnell visit Ft. Lauderdale's GLBT softball leagues to visit volunteers with the Human Rights Campaign.  Florida's marriage inequality amendment -- Proposition 2 -- is not getting the press coverage of Proposition 8 in California but is yet another example of christian radicals using our families to motivate conservative voters.  Prop 2 requires 60% of the total vote to become law; polls show support for Prop 2 hovering around 55%.  In a Change Election, one hopes that perceived changes in attitude toward the LGBT community manifest themselves in the Sunshine State.

Burgers and Extra-Curricular ... Stuff

After church (circa 1130 am), the team visited Rosie's restaurant to speak with voters in the brunch crowd. Cynthia and Danny fired up the crowd, graciously posing for photos, and encouraging early voting. Ms. Nixon drew approximately 300 people to rally votes for Sen. Obama and against Proposition 2.

 

Gay Church

Obama surrogates Nixon, Wright, and O'Donnell attended services at Ft.Lauderdale's Sunshine Cathedral. A coffee reception and a brisk, well-organized meet-and-greet followed. At writing, it's 330 pm. The services started at 1030 am. A full day to promote early voting, Democrats, and Sen. Obama.

 

Driving Ms. Nixon

Today, I am part of a team supporting Cynthia Nixon, Jeffrey Wright, and Danny O'Donnell (frere de Rosie & NY state legislator). An informal series of visits to locations in Broward & Miami-Dade counties. The photo is from a drop-in at Java Boy in Ft. Lauderdales' gay mall. Ms. Nixon spoke with supporters and undecided voters on the issues important to our community and to the entire country.

Greyhounds for Obama

Cute boy. Cute band of greyhounds. The greyhounds pictured in Obama t-shirts were also walked by Matt Damon during his early voting parade on 10/27/08 in Miami Beach. The dog team stopped traffic during our luncheon for out-of-state LGBT volunteers at Books & Books cafe on Lincoln Rd.