Inauguration a week later

Tomorrow we will be 1 week into Obama's administration. I have watched all of the Sunday pundit shows and now feel fully informed to share my views.

1. Dick Cheney was the spitting image of Mr. Potter from It's A Wonderful Life. Seriously. Creepy
   
   



2. Have low expectations and you will always be pleasantly surprised.
   
   Obama's ultimate downfall will be not meeting the expectation of his supporters. They are vocal, invested citizens. Obama is the one politician my generation has respect for. Those with the most have the most to loose. But we must realize 6 months ago when he was campaigning we lived in a different world. The best laid plans of mice and men...and all of that. But what can we do? That is what Kennedy asked and what Obama said is the only thing that will save us. We each have to be responsible for ourselves and our neighbors.
   
   The movie 600 comes to mind. The reason why they were so successful is because you protect the man on your left and the man on your right protects you. What if we incorporated this into our daily life? The only way this works is with trust. Do we trust each other? Do we trust the government? Do we trust ourselves to do the right thing?
   
3. Now is our time. Not to sit, but to work.
   We are all responsible for this moment in history and we should all celebrate it to the fullest. Without prior generations of fearless individuals taking stands (personally and publicly) Obama would not be our president today. But what will our generation stand for? What moments in history will we contribute to? We are reaping the benefits of so many, how can we continue the good work?

One week down and 207 to go. Lets roll up our selves and get to work.

Watching war (**edited**)

I do not know much about the Israeli/Palestine/Gaza history or conflict.

(**edited**)
From watching George on This week, I originally posted incorrect information regarding this conflict. I still do not know much about the conflict, but this is a somewhat more accurate account:

I think it has something to do about Palestine and Hamas (ruling party of Palestine?) not following the established peace treaty where Israel returned control of the Gaza Strip in exchange for peace between the countries approximately in 2005. Can anyone correct me or expand on this?

The specifics of the situation aside, this is a war/conflict that America did not start. Is this how the rest of the world looks at the Iraqi war? Yes, it is on a smaller scale. Casualties have be relatively low, Israel did not start the conflict, but they uped the stakes with the ground campaign . From what I have learned through PBS documentaries, the Iraqi causalities from the shock and awe of "strategic smart bombs" were much less than when boots hit the ground. Is this going to be true in Gaza?

And I don't think America is completely clean of responsibility in this military action. Politics and US finical support of Israel causes aside, American has set a precedence for overzealous military reactions and the minimization of diplomacy. Ms Rice can say what she likes about a need for a "swift and sustainable" cease fire but, as a "superpower" what are we doing. Shouldn't all cease fires be swift and sustainable? It seems to me that those who have tried to mediate don't have the street credit with either group for them to stick with it.

Major military campaigns are not drawn up as quickly as Israel reacted. If they don't believe that Palestine will keep their side of the cease fire mediated by Egypt of course they are going to prepare for action. If Palestine sees Israel prepping, of course they will build up as well.

It is a vicious circle of mistrust. So who can gain the trust of both parties? Who can gain, and more importantly keep, the trust of countries across the globe. Now those of you who only see the liberal in me are guessing I am going to say Obama. But I am not sure. My good friend Barack has a lot on his plate. He has a few wars (Iraqi and Afghanistan), domestic issues (healthcare, the economy, bankrupt states), and global issues such as the need for true environmental and financial reform.

As much as I support Obama, he is not the silver bullet for all of our problems. Who else is going to step up and say "Everybody! Stop it! Shut-up. Sit down and lets talk to each other like human beings." I know it isn't that simple. I know I am living in a fantasy world with rainbow stair cases and lollipops flowers. But my good friend Barack cannot do it on his own. We need someone else. We need everyone else. What am I going to do to help. What can you do?

Reading Goals

I am sad to say, I have failed. In January I decided I would read 52 books and 52 plays in 2008. If you are up to date on my GoodReads account, you will see I am not even close. I gave up in October. And to be honest, the list might be a little padded as many of the plays were short plays, one acts, or original works that can be easily read on a slow train ride home from work.



In 2009, I want to set a more reasonable goal - 12 books that have been on the "burn" list. When I googled "burned book list" a blog came up with a list of the top 50 books that have been on the burn list. I am not sure how this list was established, but I was very surprised at what was on it. To Kill a Mocking Bird, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Great Gatsby - all books on the required reading list for my high school. Public schools in westside Cincinnati are not progressive - at all. How did these books get this list? When were they on the list? How and when were they taken off?


While these books shows how our society has progressed over the years, they also show the sad place we have come from. I have lead a very good life. My generation has experienced very little repression. Is there still racism? Yes. Is there still discrimination? Yes. Is there still room for development to a more compassionate and equal nation? Yes. But negative actions are no longer condoned. We have come a long way and my generation has not experienced much of the growing pains. I want to read these burned books to see what was thought to be so bad, how it is now received and how it made it back into common society.



As I read each book, I want to research the history of the banning, burning, and reintroduction. When I was doing the 52 list I was just trying to get through the book. Looking back I can hardly remember what I have read, let alone what I learned. While I will continue to read plays for my acting, my pleasure reading will be these burned books and their history.



I am not sure if I will reread a book I read in high school or college. Would a few years of life experience shed new light on the story? I am not sure, but I hope to find out.

No title can encompass what I felt last night.

I started to feel it last night as I left work to begin wondering the streets of the loop. I found out just hours before that I HAD TICKETS. I was on a high, giddy, but a little gun shy.

Even then at 3pm the universal excitement was palpable. There was something in the air. You know how it feels just before it rains - it was like that only 1000 times more.

We decided to eat and hang out at a bar before we headed to the rally. This was exactly what I wanted. Instant friends with all around. Everyone helping each other out with "what do those charts mean?" And then even moving to getting to personally know about the person sitting at the bar next to you. "I was in Australia for the past 8 years and haven't been able to vote. I was so excited that we came back 6 months ago and I can be a part of this!"

Last night I realized what it must be like to be a baseball fan. To have that collective of strangers all bound together for a common cause. It was a feeling unlike any other I have before, or maybe ever will again.

Getting into the rally was no big deal. We found a place on the hill and got ready to wait it out. But no, America said, in one voice, Yes We Can. I saw the screen and literally did not believe my eyes. "Is this just a CNN prediction? Is this really happening? Holy Balls - we did it!" I have no idea how I reacted. I must have screamed and jumped and then just stood silent taking in what had just happened. It was true.

Obama's speech was amazing. And we would expect no less. But it was different. It was presidential. He knows he has work to do. And I do not agree with everything he says, but I am confident he will listen when we don't agree, which is all I want out of a leader.

The National Anthem was a bit rough - wrong words, bad singing. But who am I to judge - I couldn't do it. We even tried to get the words right afterward and couldn't. I will google it later.

But my favorite part of the night was so simple and silly. It was a sound check. "Test 1 2 3. Test 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10. Test for the next PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES." The crowd went wild. For some reason that is when it was true for me. That is when I lost it. That was when I was confident that I would no longer be embarrassed by the man representing our nation. The President of the United States would be someone I looked up to and could be proud of.

And even today there is still something in the air. As everyone at work compared stories of last night and what our future would bring, I got teary eyed. I look at the cover of the Sun Times and my heart stops.

Last night was our VE day. Last night was our landing on the moon.

And I had the honor to be there.

(and I couldn't have done it with out Louisa and Joey - a big shout out to you for letting me be your "and guest")

Watch history, or participate in history

Alternate title: Should I Stay Or Should I Go Now? (nananananan)

Living in Chicago in November 2008 is a once in a lifetime experience. I am almost happy that the Cubs didn't get in the world series; combine with the Obama-extravaganza, the city would explode with excitement.

November 4 history will be made - no matte who wins. That is not the question. My question: Is it enough to watch history, or should I participate in it. I didn't make calls for any candidates. I didn't even donate. I did cast a vote, but in Chicago, it really doesn't matter - and I am pretty okay with it.

Should I go to Grant Park Tuesday night?

If I go, I will be able to tell my grandchildren I was there. I was with the other million people creating history. I will be a part of a once in the lifetime experience of a collective passion and (dare I say it) change.

If I stay at home I will most likely stay up on the information and delegate count more than if I went to the park. But information comes with anxiety and fear. I will be able to ride the coaster of the Electoral College count. I can eat popcorn, drink wine and cross my fingers and my toes feet away from my bed. I also don't have the possibility of dealing with riot-geared Chicago police or portable potties.

The cynic in me says Dayle is encouraging people to come downtown just to show the 2012 Olympic Committee that Chicago can handle it. The anxious single girl is afraid of what happens if Obama wins - or worse - if he looses. Wednesday will I regret that I chose the easy option? Wednesday will I be happy that when the news was out I was able to react personally? I really don't know.

Maybe the best option would be for me to go to the Obama party the same way I see all sporting events - box seats. Anyone have some box seats to the party?

just don't call me shirley

Call me naive. Call me old-fashion. Call me simple.

When did the primary focus of politics become numbers? What happened to character debates, scandals, fighting dirty, oh and the issues!

I like politics. I like to talk about the pros and cons of each candidate. Who is a hawk in sheep's clothing? Who is being lead by lobbyists? Who is going to say one thing to be sure they keep their base, but then do another once in office.

But, all I have heard about these past few weeks is numbers. Yes, the 2000 election taught us all something we had forgotten in our civics class - the electoral college. We are a representative democracy, for better or worse. But since when do we elect candidates on if they can win x number of delegates or this red state instead of what they stand for a politicians.

I don't have CNN or C-SPAN, but I do watch the Sunday morning shows and read online. All we hear about is number strategy - get this voting block, take the $50,000 yearly income sect and the female blue collar and you have it made. What about the freaking issues? What about the war? What about the vets when they come home from war? What about the uninsured? What about the under-insured? What about Roe v Wade? What about the type of supreme court justices they would appoint? What about the funding of public schools? What about the outrageous cost of higher education? What about global warming? What about the environment? What about our foreign policy? What about our allies? What about nuclear disarmormeant?

What about the my future and the future of our nation?

I could not give a shit if the candidate I support will be able to take FL or OH. I care about if they will work for the betterment of the country and the continuation, heck - improvement, of our nation and our way of life. Give me some numbers on that.

The Best Years of Our Lives

Released in 1946, The Best Years of Our Lives is the story WWII veterans returning from war and learning to readjust to civilian life. I had no idea what the film was about before I watched it. I am not even sure how it got in my Netflix list.

I am surprised this film has not been referenced more as vets come home from Iraq and Afghanistan. I have no experience with strength needed to return to civilian live after living in a constant state of chaos and fear. I don't think anyone who hasn't experienced it first hand (or through a loved one) knows the constant pain and struggle a veteran goes through. The Best Years of Our Lives is a very reserved post-WWII film tackling issues that are still taboo to discuss. I highly recommend reviewing this classic.

office funny

I have a craving. A burning desire. A intense painful longing, to be funny. I need people to think I am funny.

I am, if I say so myself, the funniest person in the office. Grant you, that is not the highest bar to judge myself against. But office funny is very different from any other type of funny. I would say that office funny is harder than regular funny.

By actor-standards, I am fairly funny. But a lot of my funny comes from the fact that I am saying/doing it. If anyone else did my Johnny Carson or Christopher Walken impression it wouldn't be funny. It would just be sad and pathetic. But, because it is coming out of this little, mousy, brown-haired, quite girl - it is hilarious. I recently added "hilariously terrible impressions" to my special skills list.

I am also quite well versed in mom-funny. Mom-funny is an art that comes naturally to me, even though I am not a mom. Mom-funny is mostly rhymed phrases with pop references that the mom does not fully understand. Often mom-funny is followed by a cute face, a shrug of the shoulders and "Uh? Am I right?" True-mom funny is not intended, which makes it even better. I can't define mom-humor, but I know it when I see it.* I think some mom-funny would really help Hilary's campaign.

Real live office-funny is NOT the same thing as a joke in the hit show (and one of my personal favs) The Office. In office funny you have to first go through a list of questions

• Will this get me fired?
• Will this offend anyone within earshot?
• Is there ANY chance of me accidentally sending this to the entire company?

If you answer yes to any of those questions, you have to let the funny go. The second step in office-funny is to gauge your audience. If you say the funny that is in your head right now, will anyone get it? If so, go ahead and try it. If not, best keep it to yourself. In all honestly, because it was office-funny, it probably wasn't truly funny. Therefore, it will not satiate your need of being funny.

The hard thing about being naturally funny, like myself, is when the funny isn't acknowledged. For being as funny as I am, I run into this fairly often. My hilarious obsession with the difference between "theatre" and "theater" is often ignored. My consent need to ask "Did you want caramel (phonetically kar-mel) or caramel (phonetically kar-ra-mel) on your ice cream?" is overlooked completely.

The most heart-breaking thing is when people don't know it is a joke. I know that the political commentator's name is George Stephanopoulos, but it is much more funny to call him George Snuffleupagus. Seriously folks. Give me a little credit.

Acknowledge my humor! Please!

*this was an example of funny. If you got it, kudos! If you didn't wikipedia it.

I'm in a smelly cab of emotion

Yes, the theater is only a 15 minute walk from my house. But it was raining, and after 9pm, and I can justify taking a $7 cab because I spent 7.5 hours today sitting behind a desk 'working'. So, on the corner of Lincoln and Beldon, I hailed a cab.

I sit. I smell. I regret.

It smells in the cab like wet 3 day old cigarette butts. At first I think the smell is from the last passenger. But as it does not dissipate, only permeates, I realize it is the driver. Ok, I can handle this. It is only a five minute cab ride to my place. But then, he wants to talk.

Now I am all for chatting up cab drivers. I have found cab drivers some of the most informed people in the city. I wish I could be that informed - and if I listened to NPR for 12 hours a day, I would be. But instead of NPR, this cab driver is listening to far right wing talk radio. Awesome.

So he starts in on the West Virginia primary today. I have not checked any of his facts, so if I misrepresent anything, please let me know.

Apparently Hillary won WV by 80%. All of this, according Cabbie McSmelly, to the lack of focus on the white, heterosexual, male. (His words.) I contemplated jumping out of the cab at this point. I can deal with smelly cabs. I can deal with chatty cab drivers. But both - with radical right wing conservatism - I just can't handle.

So screw it - just because he is in the driver seat of the cab doesn't mean he is the driver of the conversation. I challenge him, "Don't you think that election have solely focused on the white, heterosexual, male vote for quite a while?" I try to counter his arguments, but how do you form an intelligent rebuttal to a crack-pipe regurgitation of politico talk. So I give up.

I am calculating the crappy tip I am going to give this cab driver; but then I see that he is just an old man trying to make a living. He didn't charge me the $1 surcharge for high gas like he is supposed to. Once I stopped talking to him, he started to back peddle. He wished me a good night. I wimp out, tipped him fully and added the extra buck surcharge.

I don't think this means that I don't stand on my principles. It means I acknowledge the time and place to get on the soapbox. Maybe I am wishy-washy, but I like to think of it as compassionate. Has anyone coined "compassionate elitist"? If not, you heard it here first. Obama is a friend of mine on Linked In. Maybe I will pass it on to him.