Woo-hoo!! We're at a 42% response rate for wedding RSVPs. So far, 112 people are coming.
But 42% have given us SOME kind of answer, yes or no.
I am beyond surprised, and many of those who have not yet responded are family members who have no choice but to be there.
We're actually going to have a wedding- and people are actually coming to it!
Yikes.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
And growing...
Just a couple of weeks and inches and inches of rain later:
Close-up on the Cabbage:
the broccoli:
the basil:
the jalapeno peppers:
the zucchini
the still spindly eggplant
pots of rosemary and dill:
and our first pepper!!
Close-up on the Cabbage:
the broccoli:
the basil:
the jalapeno peppers:
the zucchini
the still spindly eggplant
pots of rosemary and dill:
and our first pepper!!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
And so it grows...
I started planting 2 weeks ago and had to stop due to excessive rain. I finished putting everything in the ground today!! We have lettuce, spinach, cabbage, eggplant, zucchini, broccoli, basil, jalapenos, and parsley. In the pots I planted rosemary and dill. Hopefully those will thrive and I can bring them in at the end of the warm months so we can have some fresh herbs even in the winter.
The irises bloomed too. They are beautiful, and absolutely everywhere in the STL right now, in all colors of the rainbow.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Let the Gardening Begin!
I had grand plans to expand our garden this year. I was going to do raised beds, bring in soil and have many more square feet to add many more plants. But then Rob went and decided we needed a wedding so I don't have time for that anymore. Still, I am going to garden in the space I used last year and will try to keep a small log of that process. We've had 22 inches of rain this spring, 9 above normal and have set a new record for rainfall so things are running behind. I managed to loosen the soil and take out the old dead basil branches from last year, and then composted my soil a few weeks ago. There were earthworms galore and many of them were so fat they resembled small snakes!! I was SO excited, I hope this means my little garden is off to a great start. These are the photos before planting began:
The greenery in the back are irises, which of course have been there for years and have bloomed a beautiful lavender this week. I will be adding plants this weekend. So far, I'm putting in spinach, purple cabbage, jalapenos, broccoli, basil, yellow squash, and butternut squash. I hope to get some eggplant starters from the Market this weekend too.
I heart gardening.
What a geek.
The greenery in the back are irises, which of course have been there for years and have bloomed a beautiful lavender this week. I will be adding plants this weekend. So far, I'm putting in spinach, purple cabbage, jalapenos, broccoli, basil, yellow squash, and butternut squash. I hope to get some eggplant starters from the Market this weekend too.
I heart gardening.
What a geek.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
CA Legalizes Gay Marriage
Two states down, 48 to go.
I'm so happy for Californians, may your weddings be joyful and your marriages long.
This made me happy.
I'm so happy for Californians, may your weddings be joyful and your marriages long.
This made me happy.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
We're Trendy
Oh my god. We plan a wedding on the cheap, the economy declines and now EVERYONE is planning a wedding on the cheap.
The average cost of a wedding is apparently dipping by a whopping $700 from $28,704, compared with $28,732 in 2007.
Hahaha.
Hilarious.
But we're still below the curve. Quite a bit, in fact. We may be trendy but that is quite a bit more than we plan to (and CAN) spend.
Imagine how much potable water one can buy for $28K.
That almost makes me cry.
The average cost of a wedding is apparently dipping by a whopping $700 from $28,704, compared with $28,732 in 2007.
Hahaha.
Hilarious.
But we're still below the curve. Quite a bit, in fact. We may be trendy but that is quite a bit more than we plan to (and CAN) spend.
Imagine how much potable water one can buy for $28K.
That almost makes me cry.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
14th Ward Obama Delegate
Oh, so this crazy thing happened and I'm somehow a small part of this historical election. On February 28, Missouri held its caucuses. I read this online, and never having been to a single ward or neighborhood association meeting since moving to my new 'hood 18 months ago, I thought what the heck? I'll go to the caucus.
I didn't understand the process fully, I STILL don't understand it but this was the Democratic Caucus for my ward. This meant that all the attendees got a chance to vote for their choice of Dem candidate by physically standing up for them and being counted. Edwards dropped out just before this, so at the meeting we could choose to caucus for either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. I suppose someone could have caucused for Edwards or anyone else or even "undecided" but no one did. We signed in to the meeting, said the pledge of allegiance, and then the Caucus Chair announced that Clinton supporters should go to one corner of the room and Obama folks to the other. The count was 12 for Clinton, 5 for Obama. This is surprising in some ways, given that Obama won my state and was heavily favored in my city, but not as surprising given that the demographic at the meeting appears superficially to be the types that Clinton attracts- white, working class, women.
From each caucus group, we had to elect one delegate and one alternate to represent our ward at the Congressional District meeting on March 17. We had to have one male and one female delegate, and one alternate of each gender also. The Obama group was all women, therefore we got to pick the 2 female spots and the Clinton crew got the 2 male spots. Four of the five of us were interested in being the delegate, so we went around our small circle and gave a short speech about why we wanted to be the delegate. By secret ballot, I was elected with two votes. TWO! Big support.
The Congressional District meeting was far different. Loud, crowded, chaotic and lubricated with beer. These meetings are all held in union halls and I suppose beer runs through these halls like the hallowed tradition of organized labor.
Lovely. I enjoy beer.
I had read up on the delegate process since being elected, but still understood minimally what was to happen. What I came to learn was that of that massive group of Obama supporters at the Congressional Meeting, we were electing 2 delegates to go to the NATIONAL convention in Denver. The big kahuna- oh, and two alternates as well. The Clinton supporters were also their to elect their delegates and the room was huge and unpartitioned, so as each group attempted to hear 1 minute speeches from our candidates, the other's group was doing the same thing. So confusing. Thank God for beer.
I did not run, as apparently there was paperwork that had to be navigated before one could declare oneself a candidate for the national convention. I would not have even known who to ask for that paperwork. We elected 2 young people, which thrills me to no end! A number of people running were middle aged elected people touting "35 years of experience" and dropping names left and right. I'm sure those folks have their place in this process, but to me a delegate represents their ward, district, and state and the vast majority of us are NEVER elected to anything and don't have names to drop. A young Wash U student who reminded me of a shorter, perkier version of Jeff Smith (imagine such a thing!!) who waged a serious campaign was our male delegate and an alderwoman who was elected at the ripe old age of 26 (and who now can't be a day over 28) was our female delegate. Our alternates came from Jefferson County. The voting bloc from JeffCo was unstoppable.
Next up is the State Democratic Convention, and all elected delegates (read: me) are eligible to attend and either run for a MO national delegate position, vote on who will be the national delegates, or both.
I wanted all my options open, so I called a number of people this time to see what paperwork I might need in order to keep myself eligible for whatever I chose to do. I was told my paperwork was in.
So this week is the convention! May 10, and I have been deluged with letters of requests for my support. Most of them are men, all white, and again most are elected to various offices. A handful have been regular, unelected Joes and I do believe two regular Janes are among the paper pushers. I've gotten two calls and one e-mail, one personally written poem, and a number of photos of people who want my vote. Only one is a person of color, and I am certain we have to elect a percentage of minority delegates that is consistent with the racial makeup of MO. We also have a choose at least 1 gay delegate, perhaps two. This might be tricky given that no one has an official Gay ID card, but I have gotten a letter from one guy claiming to be gay and running for delegate. I think I'll have to take his word for it. Of course my vote is already leaning towards him, based purely on his coming out to a bunch of strangers in the first line of a mass-mailed letter. Kudos, buddy. I don't remember his name. Hopefully he'll look like the gay guy at the convention. So kidding.
I may run. I may not. If I feel good about the people representing MO, I will not. I felt well represented by the delegates we elected at the congressional meeting so I have no reason to think we'll be picking all elected white middle aged namedroppers at this next meeting.
I've never been to a Democratic Convention, either- state or national. It will be an experience I think. If I run and win, I'll be headed to Denver in August for the Democratic National Convention and I'll be a delegate for Barack Obama, the presumed candidate for President.
I'm really, really excited about the chance to do that, but also just plain excited about his candidacy. The process has been confusing, but somehow I'm still a tiny part of history. Yes, we can.
I didn't understand the process fully, I STILL don't understand it but this was the Democratic Caucus for my ward. This meant that all the attendees got a chance to vote for their choice of Dem candidate by physically standing up for them and being counted. Edwards dropped out just before this, so at the meeting we could choose to caucus for either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. I suppose someone could have caucused for Edwards or anyone else or even "undecided" but no one did. We signed in to the meeting, said the pledge of allegiance, and then the Caucus Chair announced that Clinton supporters should go to one corner of the room and Obama folks to the other. The count was 12 for Clinton, 5 for Obama. This is surprising in some ways, given that Obama won my state and was heavily favored in my city, but not as surprising given that the demographic at the meeting appears superficially to be the types that Clinton attracts- white, working class, women.
From each caucus group, we had to elect one delegate and one alternate to represent our ward at the Congressional District meeting on March 17. We had to have one male and one female delegate, and one alternate of each gender also. The Obama group was all women, therefore we got to pick the 2 female spots and the Clinton crew got the 2 male spots. Four of the five of us were interested in being the delegate, so we went around our small circle and gave a short speech about why we wanted to be the delegate. By secret ballot, I was elected with two votes. TWO! Big support.
The Congressional District meeting was far different. Loud, crowded, chaotic and lubricated with beer. These meetings are all held in union halls and I suppose beer runs through these halls like the hallowed tradition of organized labor.
Lovely. I enjoy beer.
I had read up on the delegate process since being elected, but still understood minimally what was to happen. What I came to learn was that of that massive group of Obama supporters at the Congressional Meeting, we were electing 2 delegates to go to the NATIONAL convention in Denver. The big kahuna- oh, and two alternates as well. The Clinton supporters were also their to elect their delegates and the room was huge and unpartitioned, so as each group attempted to hear 1 minute speeches from our candidates, the other's group was doing the same thing. So confusing. Thank God for beer.
I did not run, as apparently there was paperwork that had to be navigated before one could declare oneself a candidate for the national convention. I would not have even known who to ask for that paperwork. We elected 2 young people, which thrills me to no end! A number of people running were middle aged elected people touting "35 years of experience" and dropping names left and right. I'm sure those folks have their place in this process, but to me a delegate represents their ward, district, and state and the vast majority of us are NEVER elected to anything and don't have names to drop. A young Wash U student who reminded me of a shorter, perkier version of Jeff Smith (imagine such a thing!!) who waged a serious campaign was our male delegate and an alderwoman who was elected at the ripe old age of 26 (and who now can't be a day over 28) was our female delegate. Our alternates came from Jefferson County. The voting bloc from JeffCo was unstoppable.
Next up is the State Democratic Convention, and all elected delegates (read: me) are eligible to attend and either run for a MO national delegate position, vote on who will be the national delegates, or both.
I wanted all my options open, so I called a number of people this time to see what paperwork I might need in order to keep myself eligible for whatever I chose to do. I was told my paperwork was in.
So this week is the convention! May 10, and I have been deluged with letters of requests for my support. Most of them are men, all white, and again most are elected to various offices. A handful have been regular, unelected Joes and I do believe two regular Janes are among the paper pushers. I've gotten two calls and one e-mail, one personally written poem, and a number of photos of people who want my vote. Only one is a person of color, and I am certain we have to elect a percentage of minority delegates that is consistent with the racial makeup of MO. We also have a choose at least 1 gay delegate, perhaps two. This might be tricky given that no one has an official Gay ID card, but I have gotten a letter from one guy claiming to be gay and running for delegate. I think I'll have to take his word for it. Of course my vote is already leaning towards him, based purely on his coming out to a bunch of strangers in the first line of a mass-mailed letter. Kudos, buddy. I don't remember his name. Hopefully he'll look like the gay guy at the convention. So kidding.
I may run. I may not. If I feel good about the people representing MO, I will not. I felt well represented by the delegates we elected at the congressional meeting so I have no reason to think we'll be picking all elected white middle aged namedroppers at this next meeting.
I've never been to a Democratic Convention, either- state or national. It will be an experience I think. If I run and win, I'll be headed to Denver in August for the Democratic National Convention and I'll be a delegate for Barack Obama, the presumed candidate for President.
I'm really, really excited about the chance to do that, but also just plain excited about his candidacy. The process has been confusing, but somehow I'm still a tiny part of history. Yes, we can.
Update on wedding biz...
So the beer is ordered. Sort of.
And the wine is purchased. Mostly.
Invitations are on their way to us, ready to be addressed, stamped and mailed by us sometime in the next 3 weeks.
I have clothing! No shoes, but who needs shoes anyway?
Rob will still possibly be naked I guess, as there is nothing on the horizon for him to wear.
We now have 6 people standing up for each of us, and I'm very happy about that.
Food, tables, chairs, tents, tablecloths- check, check, check, check.
I see entire blogs from people detailing their wedding planning. Ours is just about 75 days away and I can't bring myself to write a full post. Ah, well, what can you do?
And the wine is purchased. Mostly.
Invitations are on their way to us, ready to be addressed, stamped and mailed by us sometime in the next 3 weeks.
I have clothing! No shoes, but who needs shoes anyway?
Rob will still possibly be naked I guess, as there is nothing on the horizon for him to wear.
We now have 6 people standing up for each of us, and I'm very happy about that.
Food, tables, chairs, tents, tablecloths- check, check, check, check.
I see entire blogs from people detailing their wedding planning. Ours is just about 75 days away and I can't bring myself to write a full post. Ah, well, what can you do?
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Hectic Times
Blogger backslider.
I can't imagine anyone wants to read about wedding planning anyway, and that along with work and trying to get my roof and ceiling fixed interest anyone. Add that to a couple of late night outreaches, a some Obama delegate activity, my full time job offices being under major reconstruction and I've got nothing left.
Oh, and we've had flooding and earthquakes so far this spring too! Excitement all around, we're really just missing tornadoes.
I can't complain, most of the activities are good things. Outreaches mean I get paid, getting paid means getting my ceiling fixed, getting my ceiling fixed means getting the house organized again and feeling a little better about at least ONE part of my world. Wedding planning is a baffling mess to me, and I feel that I'll never know what I have missed ordering/renting/doing until the day comes. I do know that we currently lack beverages for the reception and that is critical.
Other things missing at the moment are invitations and clothing for both Rob and I. I think no one would argue that beverages come first.
So beverages are my plan.
In between construction, work, more work, and calling for estimates.
Must. Get. Beer. Ordered.
I can't imagine anyone wants to read about wedding planning anyway, and that along with work and trying to get my roof and ceiling fixed interest anyone. Add that to a couple of late night outreaches, a some Obama delegate activity, my full time job offices being under major reconstruction and I've got nothing left.
Oh, and we've had flooding and earthquakes so far this spring too! Excitement all around, we're really just missing tornadoes.
I can't complain, most of the activities are good things. Outreaches mean I get paid, getting paid means getting my ceiling fixed, getting my ceiling fixed means getting the house organized again and feeling a little better about at least ONE part of my world. Wedding planning is a baffling mess to me, and I feel that I'll never know what I have missed ordering/renting/doing until the day comes. I do know that we currently lack beverages for the reception and that is critical.
Other things missing at the moment are invitations and clothing for both Rob and I. I think no one would argue that beverages come first.
So beverages are my plan.
In between construction, work, more work, and calling for estimates.
Must. Get. Beer. Ordered.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Friday, March 07, 2008
And I hope...
"If one candidate's trying to scare you, and the other one's trying to get you to think; if one candidate's appealing to your fears, and the other one's appealing to your hopes; you'd better vote for the person who wants you to think and hope."-Bill Clinton
Monday, February 11, 2008
The anti-bride
Rob and I are going to get hitched.
That decision was made on January 30, 2008.
Its been discussed before, and I'm all for having a big party and am sure I will be with Rob for a very long time, indefinitely even. We've been together for almost 2 and 1/2 years and he can still put up with me, so I'd better hang onto him.
So now we've got to plan this party. I love the idea of the big party, and that's what I want to call it. We say some things to each other in front of tons of our friends and our families, then we have a rockin' outdoor music/food/beverage fiesta!
But its not so simple, and there aren't enough words in our lexicon to replace the conventional terms I'd rather not use. "Wedding" conjurs up the image of strapless dresses, French manicures, romantic soft music, teary-eyed mothers of the bride or groom, a charming blonde-ringleted girl sprinkling flower petals on a long carpet while stained glass church windows filter sunlight down on her flower-crowned head, tall perfectly coiffed white cakes and dance games like who's been married the longest?
I don't want ANY of that. I don't want to be called "bride" or "fiance" or call our party a "wedding". Its not that I'm scared of the commitment part of it, or even being linked for eternity (or at least for the next 50-60 years) to my Robert. No, its the traditional ideas that just turn me off.
The wedding industry is a scam. The money spent on these occasions is appalling. The amount of time and stress that are supposedly the "norm" is just not worth it. For fun, I googled some wedding invitation stuff to see if there are affordable, attractive, simple wedding invitations on recycled paper. Little did I know that I'm supposed to have about 16 pieces of paper PER guest over the course of the planning months. They all have to match. Save the date cards, invitations to the engagement party, actual wedding invitations, RSVP cards, envelopes for everything, thank you notes, labels for returns, labels for addresses, matching stamps, seals, pieces of paper to go BETWEEN each piece of paper, blah, blah, blah. Oh, and that's all about $5-6 per guest. We might be inviting 300 people to our party. Many of our guests are married or committed to other guests, so they'd just get one set of each but still- 300 x $5.50 is over $1600!!!!!
Do you know what I could do with $1600?!
Heck, Rob could own a car that runs for $1600. I could go to Asia for 3 weeks (by myself, sorry Rob we're not legally bound to each other yet).
We could get TWO great new computers. Or one really good computer AND a new state of the art camera. Plus carrying cases for both.
I could redo the electric in my kitchen.
We could donate that amount to HRC's work for marriage equality so that our gay friends who have been together 2-3 times as long as we can have the option of signing the same paperwork that we can and gaining the 1200 rights that we get from our dual signatures and a fee of under $40.
And that is the second reason I have a problem being a "bride" in a "wedding". Because I'm a girl and Rob's a boy, we get to call our party a "wedding". I don't want to, but I have the option. I'm uncomfortable signing a marriage license so the government will recognize our union, when I really don't CARE what the government thinks about my relationship and I sure don't like that they will choose to recognize mine when they won't recognize so many others'.
I'm not happy about it, but I've done my research and been swayed towards being more neutral about that marriage license business for myself. Since its important to Rob- very, very important in fact- and I've gained some understanding from my gay friends and Dan Savage, I'm probably going to sign on the line.
But instead of buying $80 pillows for our charming little ring bearer to carry our platinum, engraved $400 wedding bands down the flower-strewn aisle at our wedding/party, we're going to chuck some money HRC's way. And we'll ask our guests to do the same.
And then we're going to have a party.
That decision was made on January 30, 2008.
Its been discussed before, and I'm all for having a big party and am sure I will be with Rob for a very long time, indefinitely even. We've been together for almost 2 and 1/2 years and he can still put up with me, so I'd better hang onto him.
So now we've got to plan this party. I love the idea of the big party, and that's what I want to call it. We say some things to each other in front of tons of our friends and our families, then we have a rockin' outdoor music/food/beverage fiesta!
But its not so simple, and there aren't enough words in our lexicon to replace the conventional terms I'd rather not use. "Wedding" conjurs up the image of strapless dresses, French manicures, romantic soft music, teary-eyed mothers of the bride or groom, a charming blonde-ringleted girl sprinkling flower petals on a long carpet while stained glass church windows filter sunlight down on her flower-crowned head, tall perfectly coiffed white cakes and dance games like who's been married the longest?
I don't want ANY of that. I don't want to be called "bride" or "fiance" or call our party a "wedding". Its not that I'm scared of the commitment part of it, or even being linked for eternity (or at least for the next 50-60 years) to my Robert. No, its the traditional ideas that just turn me off.
The wedding industry is a scam. The money spent on these occasions is appalling. The amount of time and stress that are supposedly the "norm" is just not worth it. For fun, I googled some wedding invitation stuff to see if there are affordable, attractive, simple wedding invitations on recycled paper. Little did I know that I'm supposed to have about 16 pieces of paper PER guest over the course of the planning months. They all have to match. Save the date cards, invitations to the engagement party, actual wedding invitations, RSVP cards, envelopes for everything, thank you notes, labels for returns, labels for addresses, matching stamps, seals, pieces of paper to go BETWEEN each piece of paper, blah, blah, blah. Oh, and that's all about $5-6 per guest. We might be inviting 300 people to our party. Many of our guests are married or committed to other guests, so they'd just get one set of each but still- 300 x $5.50 is over $1600!!!!!
Do you know what I could do with $1600?!
Heck, Rob could own a car that runs for $1600. I could go to Asia for 3 weeks (by myself, sorry Rob we're not legally bound to each other yet).
We could get TWO great new computers. Or one really good computer AND a new state of the art camera. Plus carrying cases for both.
I could redo the electric in my kitchen.
We could donate that amount to HRC's work for marriage equality so that our gay friends who have been together 2-3 times as long as we can have the option of signing the same paperwork that we can and gaining the 1200 rights that we get from our dual signatures and a fee of under $40.
And that is the second reason I have a problem being a "bride" in a "wedding". Because I'm a girl and Rob's a boy, we get to call our party a "wedding". I don't want to, but I have the option. I'm uncomfortable signing a marriage license so the government will recognize our union, when I really don't CARE what the government thinks about my relationship and I sure don't like that they will choose to recognize mine when they won't recognize so many others'.
I'm not happy about it, but I've done my research and been swayed towards being more neutral about that marriage license business for myself. Since its important to Rob- very, very important in fact- and I've gained some understanding from my gay friends and Dan Savage, I'm probably going to sign on the line.
But instead of buying $80 pillows for our charming little ring bearer to carry our platinum, engraved $400 wedding bands down the flower-strewn aisle at our wedding/party, we're going to chuck some money HRC's way. And we'll ask our guests to do the same.
And then we're going to have a party.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
V-I-C-T-O-R-Y
Well, mostly. Obama won Missouri!! He won more delegates nationwide. He got Connecticut, he PLOWED Hillary in Kansas, and a few other states which were all surprises. Clinton won Cali, but I'd say the day held better news for Obama than Clinton.
There's still a long way to go.
Missouri has not picked a presidential candidate who ultimately did not win in my lifetime.
I have everything crossed, an Obama bumper sticker on my car, and more checks made out to his campaign than to just about anything else.
What else can you do?
There's still a long way to go.
Missouri has not picked a presidential candidate who ultimately did not win in my lifetime.
I have everything crossed, an Obama bumper sticker on my car, and more checks made out to his campaign than to just about anything else.
What else can you do?
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Super Fat Tuesday
Vote, vote, vote today.
VOTE.
Its your right, its your duty, women have have the vote for less than 100 years only. Use the rights people die to defend.
And if you need any further reason, no Bush is on the ballot.
VOTE.
VOTE.
Its your right, its your duty, women have have the vote for less than 100 years only. Use the rights people die to defend.
And if you need any further reason, no Bush is on the ballot.
VOTE.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Super Tuesday
<----------See the video just to the left, or here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHEO_fG3mm4
It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.
Yes we can.
It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom.
Yes we can.
It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.
Yes we can.
It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballots; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.
Yes we can to justice and equality.
Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity.
Yes we can heal this nation.
Yes we can repair this world.
Yes we can.
We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change.
We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics...they will only grow louder and more dissonant ........... We've been asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope.
But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.
Now the hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of LA; we will remember that there is something happening in America; that we are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people; we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter in the American story with three words that will ring from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea --
Yes. We. Can.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHEO_fG3mm4
It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.
Yes we can.
It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom.
Yes we can.
It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.
Yes we can.
It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballots; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.
Yes we can to justice and equality.
Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity.
Yes we can heal this nation.
Yes we can repair this world.
Yes we can.
We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change.
We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics...they will only grow louder and more dissonant ........... We've been asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope.
But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.
Now the hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of LA; we will remember that there is something happening in America; that we are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people; we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter in the American story with three words that will ring from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea --
Yes. We. Can.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
News Day
On cold January days, post holidays and before baseball season, there's not a lot of news.
Today is different. Heath Ledger has died.
I'm not attached to celebrities and their lives per say, but this man brought Ennis Del Mar to life and made a gay love story entertaining and tragic and more importantly- mainstream.
In more local news, Matt Blunt, Worst Governor in the US is not seeking a second term. No reason is given for now, none other than he's "already accomplished" what he sent out to do in his first term. But his first term is a disaster, he's already begun a campaign for reelection so this means one thing: Scandal.
I hope its a raucous sex tape, maybe some porn. This man is a born again, holier-than-thou nutcase so while I sincerely hope he is not ill or experiencing a family tragedy, I'm thrilled at the prospect of him being shamed and run from office. He's balanced our state budget on the backs of disabled children and poor families, so its his turn to feel a little pain.
January 2009 was already promising to be joyous with the inauguration of some president not named Bush and now, almost as thrilling- inauguration of of a MO governor not named Blunt.
RIP Heath Ledger. Happy retirement and please go away, Matt Blunt.
Today is different. Heath Ledger has died.
I'm not attached to celebrities and their lives per say, but this man brought Ennis Del Mar to life and made a gay love story entertaining and tragic and more importantly- mainstream.In more local news, Matt Blunt, Worst Governor in the US is not seeking a second term. No reason is given for now, none other than he's "already accomplished" what he sent out to do in his first term. But his first term is a disaster, he's already begun a campaign for reelection so this means one thing: Scandal.
I hope its a raucous sex tape, maybe some porn. This man is a born again, holier-than-thou nutcase so while I sincerely hope he is not ill or experiencing a family tragedy, I'm thrilled at the prospect of him being shamed and run from office. He's balanced our state budget on the backs of disabled children and poor families, so its his turn to feel a little pain.
January 2009 was already promising to be joyous with the inauguration of some president not named Bush and now, almost as thrilling- inauguration of of a MO governor not named Blunt.
RIP Heath Ledger. Happy retirement and please go away, Matt Blunt.
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