world-wide high hopes have given way to something more pragmatic... and possibly a mild spanking for a couple that takes 2 long jet rides to go and shill for the hometown, when there are bigger global fish to fry, and domestic fires to put out.

one is left with an odd taste, was it o-man's job to conspicuously fail in this way, or was it another case of US exceptionalism with everyone assuming that if such a heavy hitter shows up to tout his city's wares, it's a slam dunk.

neither are particularly inspiring.

pancakes anyone?

~"When an inner situation is not made conscious, it appears outside as fate." Karl Jung~