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?

What I should have said yesterday

Today is January 2. I am a day late and a dollar short on recapping 2008, making resolutions for 2009, and living my first day as a model for the rest of the year.

I really hope yesterday is not a forecast of what 2009 will be. I slept till 10am. Got up, took a shower, then went to the couch for a nap. I was there till about 12:30pm. Now this is not necessarily a bad morning. I caught up on sleep. I relaxed. I slowed down. I got to the grocery because I knew I didn't want to start 2009 out with ordering out - I was starting 2009 with a homemade healthy meal.

When I got home I returned to the couch. This time I turned on the TV and I got the goldmine. An Andy Griffin Show marathon. Yes, "staring Andy Griffin and little Ronny Howard." From 1 - 5ish I watched and napped through Andy Griffin episodes. Do you want to hear the sad thing? (Yes there is something sadder than 4 hours of Any Griffin.) I had seen some of the episodes before.

I don't know what draws me to Andy Griffin. His overly religious episodes and every episode ending with a full grin (those had to be caps) is against almost every grain of my nature. But when I hear that whistle, I am intoxicated. I am memorized by pie making Aunt Bea, the fishing pole carrying Opie, and the lovable, endearing, and usually unlawful stranger in town.

Today was the complete opposite. I got up, worked out, made a list of chores, did a bunch of them, and was pretty productive. I think a combination of the two for 2009 is a good balance.

My phrase was "Fine in '09". But now I decided I am going to be "Divine in '09". 09 will include lists, chores, and productivity. But I also hope it includes napping, relaxing and Griffin. Divine, so, so Divine.

Nothing

It is so freaking hard to do nothing. I am at work. The only phone call I got was from my Mom. The only emails I am getting are spam and forwards from my also bored out of their skulls co-workers.

Why am I here? Just to sit in a chair and say I was here because I am out of vacation days. Do they know how much money they are spending on me being here? The coffee cup I used today? The lights in my office, and energy that powers my computer? The paper and ink I used to print off my boarding pass?

Truly, there are three reasons why I came into work:

1. Print off my boarding pass.
2. Pick up my Christmas present that was printed at the loop Kinko's
3. Go to the German Christmas festival.

I will go to the German festival for lunch today. A good old bratwurst with potato pancakes. The only thing missing is the mulled wine. (I am daring at work, but not that daring).

Tonight I have lots to do: chiropractor appointment, wrapping of above mentioned presents, final packing, ect. All things I could have done if I took the day off. But, lets be honest. If I had today of I would be about as productive at home as I am here. I would sleep till 11am, have lunch with a friend, look at my packing for awhile thinking - I should really work on that.

I even have personal stuff I could work on today at work. Am I doing it? Nope. I am totally checked out. My brain is turned off. I am now in a zen like state so I can survive O'Hare airport tomorrow without being sarcastic, mean, or in anyway disruptive to anyone. I have already prepared provisions if delays happen: carrots, power bars, cookies to barter with other passengers for standby status.

But now, I am going to do nothing. I will stare at my iGoogle page, but not read any articles. I contemplate the stacks of files on my desk, but do nothing about it. One thing I will do today - something I love to do - is make a list of what I should do when I am back. Yeah, that is productive! I will plan for the future. Next week when no one is here (though no one is here now) I will get so much done today's lack of doing absolutely nothing will be totally obsolete. Yeah I will make a list. Good idea Alyse.

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.

so what if i set my thermostat at 54?

Okay, that was a bit of an exaggeration. When I leave the house I turn it down to 54-56. When I first get home, I pop it up to 64ish. I am usually working around the house, making dinner and such; making a bit of my own body heat.

Once I sit down to do paperwork or watch TV I might bump it up to 66, or on a very cold day 68. But I have often been known to leave it at 64 and add on the blankets, hats and socks. Not to mention the warmth from my overheating laptop.

What happens when I go to bed? Now this might be where I loose a few of you...

Tonight (where it is about 10 degrees outside) I have on three pairs of socks, flannel pants, a long sleeve t-shirt, two sweaters, and a knit hat. Not to mention the five blankets on top. Throughout the night I may shed a few layers. The hat will probably be the first to go. Then maybe a pair or two of socks.

But the key to this system is the sock/pants relationship: tuck your pant legs into the first layer of socks. That way when you toss and turn throughout the night the pant legs won't ride up and expose your legs to the elements.

My electric bill is pretty good, but it is the gas bill I am worried about this month. You may ask, "You have a fireplace, why don't you use that?" But with the fireplace, I have to leave the damper open all night; which in my mind is just sending my heat out the chimney.

My system, though convoluted works for me. I think I will keep it. At least until I start seeing someone and have to explain my ridiculous winter going to bed rituals.

Dear Santa

I know I haven't written you in a while. Things have been a bit busy lately - growing up, finding out you aren't real, grocery shopping...but in the tough economy we are currently in, I thought it couldn't hurt to write to you and let you know what I would really like for Christmas - and the reasons why I think this is a valid request.

I would like a Wii with Wii tennis, boxing, fitness, and yoga.

I feel this would give me the opportunity to exercise when I have time with out having to leave my apartment. Also, if we did a cost analysis, I think the Wii would pay for itself once I cancel my gym membership (which I haven't gone to in over three months).

I have only tried the Wii once, but I really enjoyed it. Though I am not wild for the requirement to play doubles with yourself in the tennis module, it is something I could over come.

In 2008 I have worked very hard to be good. Even today I helped an elderly man who slipped on the snow on his way home from work. Sometimes my temper gets the best of me. (The infamous "cluster-mess" incident with the bus driver.)

A Wii is the only thing on my Christmas from Santa (I requested boots from my Mom and a watch from my Dad so all of that should be taken care of). If you do cannot give me a Wii this year, please give me a sign that I should give it to myself with my bonus money.