today is the opening of parliament

and with that opening comes the president's state of the nation address. in this address he will discuss many things like crime rates and land use. however one of his focal points is economic development. now here's where the irony kicks in... i live on the street perpendicular to parliament and for the last 2 days and especially today things have had to shut down due to the opening. there are barricades along the sidewalk and our favorite little coffee shop, mugged, that is usually packed is deserted. so much for economic stimulation.