Obama-South Carolina 1/26/08

Surreal MTP

Today, of course, was the first real Meet The Press without Tim Russert. And I honestly hope that until thy decide on one of the young turks or turkettes to replace him, that Brian Williams and Tom Brokaw switch off and share duties on one of the most important political shows on TV. At least until the election, because both sides, Republican and Democratic, are going to do there best spin jobs and these two anchors have the gravitas to say hey hold on a moment.

Today, it was Senator Joe Biden of Delaware and Senator Lindsay Graham of South Carolina that graced us with there presence at 10:30 am Philadelphia time. And, it was not that bad a program. Biden was Biden, which means he said some smart witty things and also sort of stumbled and bumbled a bit as he spoke. Classic Biden. Senator Graham had a pretty clean show, smartly letting Biden take up alot of the hot air.

Until (and you knew there had to be an until, its the Sparky Duck blog) the discussion turned to drilling for oil off the coasts of the United States. Now, I am not sure if Biden's point about land in the ocean already leased and not used by oil companies already not being drilled, why do they need more, point was spot on. It sounded a bit like a talking point that could be skewered eventually. But Senator Graham botched one moment for sure. Briam Williams brought up two quotes from two South Carolina newspapers that pointed the Senator, and co chairman of McCains national committee, towards being against the drilling off the shores of the United States. Specifically because tourism would probably suffer, which besides tobacco and two major Universities, is one of the biggest money makers for the Palmetto state. To quote Williams, "so Senator Graham, what changed your mind?" 4 dollars a gallon, so speaketh Mr Graham.

Does anyone realize how short sighted an answer that was? How the logic is all askew? Sure, approve drilling off the coast, the oil companies get what they want and then gas prices reduce. Until, the oil companies or maybe a pharmaceutical, or heck dairy farmers what something else, and then they race the price on the commodity to get something else they want. Senator Graham kind of just said that the government is held hostage to prices and corporations. This was smart how??

That would have been painful to watch

Unfortunately, technology screwed me today, since my phone beeped to let me know that Tiger Woods had defeated Rocco Mediate in a 19 hole playoff today. I did my best to stay away from any news, keeping the radio off and not skipping off to the Action News website to make sure Philadelphia had not imploded today, and yet, I could not avoid it.

So while Mrs Duck and I half watch our TiVo, there is a part of me that is glad to know. Because, the Duck Family was pulling for Mediate, not only because he was born in Pennsylvania, but because he was a normal guy.

Subway told us a story while we were at the Heritage. He was outside his shop, setting up for the morning, when he saw Rocco Mediate having a conversation about what wine to buy across the parking lot in Hilton Head. I've done that, you've done that, we have all done that, which is why Rocco was just a regular guy.

So to see him lose in Sudden Death, without knowing it ahead of time might have ruined my night.

Hilton Head Review, Part 2, Lotsa Golf

The weekend in Hilton Head was a golf fan festival.

Saturday was the latest day that I slept, and it was close to 9 am when I woke up. I think it was because I did not want to waste any moments of freedom that I had from that soul sucking job of mine. Sleeping can happen at home.

3 PM, Subway and I are on the golf course, the Golden Bear at Indigo Run. It was the first time I had picked up the sticks in about 7 months and really I did not play that badly. Especially since my sticks were still sitting in the basement of the home in Philly and I was using borrowed ones. The Golden Bear was a nice open course, with some great views and a some very tough greens to read. Plus there were spectators.



He was a small one.

By the way, Mrs Duck was at a spa with Doc at this time, somehow I think most of you will think she had a better time.

Saturday night was Wild Wings and Silicone Sister. Wild Wings was a positive, Silicone Sister not that much. Silicone Sister was a cover band of all those 80s hair bands. They were not half bad, except they may not have been the best for all the rebels in the audience. The feigned arrogance of the band did not help. Though a band that covers Bon Jovi works for me.

Sunday, the Verizon Heritage Classic was on tap. It was better tournament then last year, which is not that big a deal actually, since last year was a windblown, postponed mess. There were no big stars in last 2 rounds, besides Jim Furyk, but since it was not as crowded as last year, I was able to see Furyk and all the other golfers up close. Boo Weekley won again, which would have been more exciting if we had actually seen him chip in at the 10th hole to seal the tournament.

There was drunkeness and missed shuttles after the tournament, but really, doesnt every golf tournament end with drunkeness and missed shuttles? Oh and a few great pictures.

Hilton Head Review, part 1

Well, if you had under 3 hours in the how long it would take me to get annoyed at work over/under game, you won.

So, in an effort to try and still capture the trip down to Hilton Head and savor the feeling that is vacation, lets try and review a few of the days.

Delta is quickly becoming one of my favorite airlines. They were friendly, on time and actually kind of a pleasure to fly on. Yes, I know its amazing. So once we finally arrived via a connection in Atlanta, we got picked up at the Savannah airport by Subway. It took Doc a little while to get out of work, which was probably a good thing since Mrs Duck and I did need some time to decompress.

Then it was off to walk on the beach. Now, the Hilton Head beach is not as tropical as Florida or Hawaii, but when you have been dealing with the 50 degree weather of Philadelphia, it hit the spot. Though dinner that night at Turtles did not exactly hit the spot, since I got like little mini BBQ sandwiches. I could have eaten 2 orders and still have been hungry.

Friday, it was back to the beach. One complaint about Subway and Doc's house was that the bed was uncomfortable and the pillows were even worse, so being up at 7:30 was not a surprise. Folly Beach was on the agenda for the day, and while it was breezy at the shore, it was still fantastic lay out on the beach weather. Though the weather was ice cold. Subway and Doc were brave enough to dip there toes in the water, and that was about as brave as any of the 4 of us could get.

Dinner was at Shrimp Michaels and it was fanatastic, though danged expensive. I had soft shell crabs, which is a treat because they do not get up past the Delaware River. Dessert also easily topped the soft shell crabs.

In our next review, its golf and more golf. I know you are all so jealous.

Back in the Keystone State

Hey, was there some sort of Primary election here yesterday or something?

So, Mrs Duck and I are officially back from the land of Palmettos. We are both well rested and relaxed feeling, though also kind of exhausted. It is amazing how hard it is to sleep in foreign beds for long periods of time.I am sure that well rested feeling will escape us both by about 11 AM or so tomorrow, as we get entrenched back into the fun of work. The weather everyday there was near perfection, 70s to low 80s, sun, no humidity.

It should make plenty of sense then as I felt the gloom and bleh feeling wash over me just as I get a view of the grey buildings and hustle and bustle of the Philadelphia skyline. Now, I think the skyline of Philadelphia is gorgeous and the city is a great place to live in, but it does not have the slow downed relaxed attitude, with a sea breeze.

Which is why I now have a desperate feeling for a palm tree.

Palmetto Blues

It is not exactly a sad thing when I say blues, its more of the dominating color for the Democratic Party. Barack Obama won last night as expected in South Carolina, but really the other big story is the fact that Hillary Clinton not only lost the black vote in the state, but also lost the white vote by a percentage or 2 to John Edwards. If she is going to continue to be the strong front running candidate that her machine has in place, she will have to find a way to not have the historionics of her husband drive away voters.

Obama's speech last night was fantastic, he is able to saddle the electricity of a win and let it come out in his words to supporters when he wins. Of course, when looking at his policies, it will take time to dig deeper. Mrs Duck does not feel comfortable with his health plan in comparison to Hillary Clinton's plan. I actually have to do more research, since I maybe a tad jaded as a political watcher. It seems all candidates, even the ones I support, will just say what we do want them to say.

Super Duper Tuesday, as the media has decided to tab it, could be a major tipping point, or it could just send the Democrats into more of a mess. If Clinton and Obama take most of the big states, lets say splitting up California & New York, and Edwards steals a small state or two, or at least has a good enough showing to take enough delegates away to keep either one of the top 2 from getting a good stranglehold on the nomination, the race will spiral into more of a mess. Plus, the one true thing that does make me more nervous is the fact that there are about 10 days until the Super Tuesday. Plenty of time to have the candidates make some sort of slip up that will just make things worse when it comes to November.

The Republicans are slopping around Florida, where it will be McCain, Romney or even possibly Rudy, though that ship is sinking fast. Not that I see anyone sending Captain 9/11 a life raft anytime soon.

50 States 50 Hotties-South Carolina

Anthony was right, I am listing the first set of lovely ladies based on when there states ratified the Constitution. That will change later on, as I think I will go regionally, but for now, we are off to South Carolina.

The south is hard, because there are many many choices. I could have gone with Lesley Zen, since she has finally acted in a movie that is not pornographic. Or I could have chosen young stars like Ashton Lunceford or Allison Munn. Heck, even Eartha Kitt was hot in her day and I have this soft spot for Shawnee Smith. The south is overrun with hotness.

Andie MacDowell was born in Gaffney, South Carolina in 1958. When it comes to her, I am a sucker for the hair I guess.

Carolina Pipe Dream?

As I mentioned last week, I would into more detail about some things that happened during the little Hilton Head mini vacation.
Probably one of the best days, because Mrs Duck and I were able to spend it by ourselves, was the little sojourn around Hilton Head and Bluffton to do some house perusing. Our goal, at least I think its our goal since we have not really settled on a time table (which of course would just embolden the enemy) is to move south sooner rather then later, probably within the next 2 years. So, we stopped along the main road on and off the island to see some of the "plantations" and new developments going up.
Our first stopped showed us how living on Hilton Head Island or a golf course could be a tad over our head. Not only would the land cost over $100,000, the house itself would be around $400,000. On top of that are about $50,000 in regime and golf fees a year. Since last I checked, we did not hit the Powerball, that arrangement is a tad out of reach.
So, it was farther down into Bluffton. We found this cute set of houses a tad off the beaten path, in a development called Parkside at Baynard Park. They are a little sister to another development across the street, which actually works out well, since while the houses cost about half as much in Parkside, they still get to use all the amenities available to the people in Baynard Park. Now I am sure those people in BP aren't thrilled, but what do I care. :) We liked the houses in Parkside, because they reminded us of what we think southern homes should look like, with vibrant colors and many many porches in different spots. Plus, did I mention they are cheaper?
So, we now at least have a gameplan, a shot to know how much we will need to save to get to where we want to get to. Now, of course, we will also need to get Doc and Subway excited about the possibility of us being their, but that will be a slow slow process.

Its almost like your here

Yes, the luggage did finaly show up, at about 11 AM or so. I don't think the wife or I have ever been so excited to see clothes that were not new before. Plus, new underwear is always a plus.

Its 80 degrees down here suckers!

Alrighty, that was harsh.

Golf tomorrow, and you will all be glad to know that Mrs Duck did get to do some shopping to, though more of the window shopping variety. But you can't just get a house on a whim, Well unless your name was Trump or Hilton or McNabb.


And yes, USAir still sucks. I may sign off each post with that, just because it makes me feel a little better.

Good News Bad News

Good News-We made it here safely and the weather seems to be beautiful so far.

Bad News-Our luggage has not caught up with us yet, as of 8 a.m. today. Gotta love US Air!

Thursday 13 #30-The South Carolina One

Thirteen Things about South Carolina The Duck Family is off this weekend, to the Palmetto State, Hilton Head to be exact. Its sun, fun, warmth, golf and in laws. No, no, really, its going to be fun. So, to help you share in the excitement, my list of course, I am not bringing you with me. 1.South Carolina has one of the coolest state flags ever. 2.The capital of South Carolina is Columbia, even though the most famous known city would probably be Charleston. Columbia is also home to the University of South Carolina. 3.South Carolina was also the first state to succede from the Union. The bombardment of Fort Sumter, in December 1860, is the first major battle of the Civil War. No one actually died from the hostilities, though a soldier supposedly was killed when his cannon blew up as the North was shooting off a surrender. If you are ever in Charleston, you should be sure to head out to the Fort Sumter monument. 4.James Brown, Joe Frazier, Stephen Colbert, Strom Thurmond, Eartha Kitt and Ben Bernacke are all famous sons and daughters of South Carolina. 5.Hootie and The Blowfish are known for getting their start in the many colleges and college bars in South Carolina. You can either applaud that or throw stuff at your computer now. 6.Mrs Duck & I are headed to Hilton Head, where we will stay with Subway and Doc. Spice Girl and the Tin Man will be following on Friday. 7.It is nearly impossible to get a direct flight from Philadelphia to Savannah or Hilton Head. So, not only do we have to deal with USAir, but we also have to deal with USAir transferring in Charlotte. Joy! 8.The key feature of the trip, besides visiting of course will be the final round of the Heritage Classic, being held at Harbourtown Country Club. 9.The tournament is worth 5.5 million dollars. Yes, thats right, a bunch of fat guys and the guys you called geeks in high school will be chasing a little white ball for 5.5 million dollars. 10.The last time we visited, Mrs Duck and Doc swear they saw Tom Cruise. I was off at the bathroom at the time, and since their is no photographic evidence of this occurrence, I am not sure I believe it. 11.The Island Packet is the daily newspaper on Hilton Head Island. The Packet makes your high school newspaper look good. 12. The best place to get sandwiches on the Island is Larry's Subs. 13.We are just looking forward to spend some time in the warm air and sun. Please do whatever thing it is that you do to be sure that we are safe in arriving and that we have some warm air and sun. I may not be able to visit as many blogs as I like to usually on Thursday, because of last minute details, but if you do leave a link, I promise to check your list next week when we come home. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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