Brooklyn

About a month ago Joy and I were over in the Windsor Terrace neighborhood of Brooklyn to try out a yummy new local hole in the wall called "DUB pies". For those passing through Brooklyn, I highly recommend the basic Steak Mince Pie or Shepherd's Pie. The Sausage Roll was good but a bit too greasy with a bit too dry a crust. Otherwise all is great. The place is quite near to Prospect Park (Southern end) so can stop off there before or after a nice day in the park.

Afterward consuming our wonderful New Zealand cuisine, we passed by a block party with an enthusiastic, if a bit mediocre, band. Jacob LOVED them and proceeded to dance like a madman: (video by Joy Romanski)

Previously posted at barackobama.com

The sister, all of about 10 years old, marched right up to the folding table Andrew had set up near the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for cherry blossom weekend.

Standing rod straight in her rose-colored t-shirt, 3 inches of braids sticking out, one to left and one to right, and with her chin up, she demanded of us in a brassy, matter-of-fact tone, "What are you DOING, here?"

Her younger brother, about 7 years old, crushed up behind his big sister and peered around at us.

"We're registering people to vote", Andrew replied gently, looking eye-to-eye with his young inquisitor, who then declared to Andrew in the same clear brassy tone, "I can't vote". her statement wasn't wistful, not in the least, but rather in the vein of "So what use are you to me, then?".

Andrew said, "We are part of a group who supports Barack Obama for president".

Little Miss Brass, instantly: "Who's THAT?"

There was a substantial pause as Andrew and i contemplated how to describe our candidate to a 10 year old. I scrambled about, looking for Barack's image on something, found him atop a copy of the banner atop our website, a bit distorted from being stretched and thinned, and said, "This guy, right here".

Little Miss Brass braced herself with both hands on the table and leaned over toward me to make out our candidate's picture. A moment of silence ensued, as it registered that the candidate sported her same skin hue.