PLEASE VOTE.

Even if you do not have any preference for the Presidential race, there are most likely some important issues on the ballot for you.  Arizona, for example, have several questions related to Marriage Amendment, Majority Rule, and more.  Answering those questions one way or another will make a profound impact on many people’s lives, and should be taken seriously.

You do not have to vote for every race.  In fact, do not make a choice for a certain race if you do not have a preference, or do not know who (or what) to pick.  Just make the effort to research the important questions and races, and vote wisely.

It is our important part of being an American — making our voices heard, one vote at a time.

PLEASE VOTE.

Thank you.

It has been a while since I reviewed a restaurant. Partly due to the fact that I get tired of writing about places, and especially since I have been to a whole sea of “perfectly adequate” sites that does what they are meant to do, and nothing more: Serve edible food.

The past few weeks I have been working here in Bentonville, Arkansas, I had the pleasure of being introduced to the Mecca of BBQ.

I can hear you now: ‘Wait a minute; this is Arkansas, not Texas/Memphis/North Carolina/Cincinnati!’

Just as unbelievable as it is that we could have the world best pizza in Phoenix, Arizona, not downtown Bronx, we can have the world best BBQ in the middle of nowhere, not in the middle of the best places. It all boils down to one thing: Competition breeds similarity.

It take a complete shift to a different audience who are more willing to try something unique, rather than with a bunch of people who are stuck ordering the same sauce since they were born, for creativity to blossom.

It took a group of Buffalo ex-pats in Pittsburgh to come up with the most brilliant and hottest chicken wings sauce anywhere (Joe Vs the Volcano.) Unfortunately, that recipe has gone by the wayside ever since Fat Heads South Shore Saloon was renovated and shifted their menu toward draft beer and Pittsburgh dishes. I suppose there weren’t enough people brave enough to keep them afloat by burning their tongues frequently enough.

* * *

I do not know the history behind this place, Whole Hog Cafe — other than the award winning food they have entered in so many competitions that their place is jam-packed with trophies. That’s right; these are not your typical bowling trophies at your pizza parlor. Those trophies you see all around the restaurants are awarded for the food they make, not for how well they play sports on their free time.

Granted, Whole Hog is a wee bit too much for a lunch, but their general options are excellent. To make a note, while the ribs are far better than your typical ribs at whatever fancy ribs place you may attend, the food of choice for lunch is Pulled Pork.

For a place that serves hundreds of people a day, somehow this pork dish is not the blandest thing around. They did it right, by god they did it right. The only way to beat the taste is to slow cook your own pork and eat within minutes of finishing. The pork is moist, but not soaked. The taste is tangy but not fake. They do indeed smoke the food on site, as we noted downwind.

Not only that, their coleslaw is very solid. Again, not soggy, but very crunchy and freshly made (the proper way at that.) Their other sides are solid, including the potato salad, and fried beans — a must for any BBQ lover’s dish.

Unlike most places that would slather their BBQ sauce all over the pork, they do it right — you can eat the pork straight (and it’s very tasty at that already). However, they also recognize that people are diverse, so they offer seven different sauces. Some are sweet, while other can be quite spicy. My favorite is the tomato and vinegar, slightly tangy — while others go crazy for the southern vinegar and spice, quite bold. One spice is held back, “Volcano” — something I have not been brave enough to try.

In the end, whenever it was discovered that we are planning to head to Whole Hog Cafe for lunch, our group of people usually double if not triple in size of eager eaters. Finding seats are difficult for large groups, especially if the banquet room is reserved. But the wait and the search are worth it, as the food gives us a true taste of America.

If you ever find yourself in Arkansas or nearby states, do take it upon yourself, BBQ lovers, to pay this place a visit.

P.S. Yes, this place is far better than Gates in Kansas City, for those who may be asking. For those who know, it is high praise, indeed.

In 1996, I voted for Bob Dole, despite the fact that Bill Clinton was on his way to being a model of fiscal conservative partly thanks to the Republican congress that took over in 1994.  I thought that Bob Dole would represent the same idea, and felt that his staff screwed him out of the election by attacking Bill Clinton far too harshly.

In 2000, I voted for George W. Bush not because he was a good choice, but because I do not believe Al Gore would have been a viable choice as a President.  His intelligence, and passion for certain subjects aside, I do not see him as a leader.  Yes, I was suckered into believing that George W. Bush was a “Social Liberal, Fiscal Conservative” person.  Well, actually, he may be, but he’s too socially liberal in allowing his staffers to run amok.

In 2004, I abstained from voting.  Neither George W. Bush nor John Kerry motivated me enough to vote for them.

This year, 2008, I will be voting for Barack Obama.  I am voting for him because he is the best person to represent me, despite a few shortcomings.

Barack Obama is a leader.  He is the kind of person who many of us are drawn to listen, and rally for.  Many echoes the soul of John F. Kennedy in the way Barack Obama speaks.  Not only will Barack Obama help lead us, he can help us feel proud to be an American again.

He is by far more fiscal conservative than John McCain, based on his tax and spend proposals.  After all, analysts noted that his proposals are projected to cost 1.5 trillion dollars less over the long term than John McCain’s proposals.  I doubt that Obama will be able to balance the budget, but I know he will have a far better chance to achieve this than John McCain.

Barack Obama is not dumb.  He studied Constitutional Law, lending him a deep understanding of how things work.  He will not outright break our precious rights, like our current president did.  His opinions of the gun rights may get some of the absolutists all upset, but is far more sensible for us, taking in account our rights to protect ourselves, with and without guns.

But what of our security?  Ask yourself this — would you rather have a president that actually would listen to our foreign friends, or someone who would refuse to meet with the leader of Spain because he feel slighted by their choices in withdrawing troops from Iraq?  Now ask yourself this — would you rather work with someone who listen to you, or someone who does not?  With Barack Obama, the chances are higher that our foreign friends and enemies would be more respectful toward him and America as a whole because he demands respect, and gives it in return.

I want a leader.  I want a fiscal conservative person.  I want someone who will listen.  I want someone who is capable of making tough choices intelligently.  I want someone who encourages me to contribute and feel more proud to be an American.

I want Barack Obama to be my President.  So I will vote for him on November 4, 2008.

There are far too many stories by the media of kids with their dad being on the road for days on to the end, bemoaning the loss of their father, and whatever guilt-laden reasoning for their own failings due to the absence of their poppa.

It have been over four weeks since Heather moved in with me. Just last week, I came up with a realization that even in this world, this issue is not quite as black and white as I thought it would be. You see, by traveling, I bring myself out of that house for days on to the end, allowing Heather and myself to be able to do our own things.

We are a very intimate pair of people, longing to touch and hug and be with each other. This desire cut into our own pre-existing needs to get things done. Bills, repairs, errands, and to-do lists are one thing that we need to take care of. However, it is self-reflection, doing our own things, and returning to our own worlds that are also very important for ourselves. While we enjoy talking with each other to a great extent, we also have many friends and families that we treasure to a great extent.

And the greatest thing about traveling? We get to experience reuniting with each other every week. How cool is that, eh?