Weekend Political Roundup

It has been a big week, and yesterday was a HUGE day in politics.  I’m sure thousands (if not millions) of you logged on to see what I had to say about Barack’s speech and McCain’s VEEP pick.

Sorry for the disappointment.

Let me just say that instead, I focused on singing a lot of Karaoke last night.  ‘Nuff said.

For those of you who wondered why I gave so much coverage to the DNC this week, don’t you fear.  I will be putting the same amount of scrutiny into the upcoming RNC.  So stay tuned.

Continue reading Weekend Political Roundup

What a Guy

How does this man do it?  Bill Clinton definitely had the money line in last night’s speech:

People the world over have always been more impressed by the power of our example, than by the example of our power.

Bill was in rare form last night.  He is one of the most gifted politicians I have ever witnessed in my lifetime, able to pull speeches like this out of you-know-where and knock them out of the park.

Now, I have one major problem with the logic here.  I doubt a Vladamir Putin or a Mahmoud Ahmedinijad is paying much attention to America’s example.  Everyone guns for the person in first place, and America has gotten slightly complacent as the world’s leading nation.  However, my belief is that the only way America can stay on top in the long term is to always keep the moral high ground, to be above reproach and honest to ourselves and to the world.

That is all I have for today.  Pitiful, I know.  It was this or nothing at all.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsuits

Continuing this online knock-down-drag-out yet another day, I have to comment on Hillary’s speech last night.

First of all: wardrobe. I know that it seems like a stereotypically unfair way to start my evaluation of this speech.  But I’m just going to say: women, it’s your own dang fault.  You have an INFINITELY larger range of styles and colors that one could don for this occasion.  If you only had the foresight to be as boring and predictable as the men…

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Michelle Obama for President

Last night I watched most of the highlights of the Democratic National Convention.  I’m not a Democrat, but I feel it’s my civic duty to listen to the hot air blow from both parties in order to make an informed, independent decision.

Last night’s headliner was Michelle Obama, and can I just say that I am now more excited about Michelle than I am about Barack and McCain combined?  Call me young and idealistic, but you can’t help but watch her and be amazed by her beautiful vision of our country.  And man can this woman can give a speech!

Forget Barack… I want Michelle Obama for President!  At least she can get through a complete thought without pausing awkwardly in the middle, like Barack.

(Someone does need to teach her the right way to say “Iraq”, though.  The public television people are probably curled in the fetal position over in the corner…)

Nancy Pelosi is a Communist

Obama Chooses Biden

Joe Biden was the right choice for Obama.  I liked him in the Democrat’s primary race.  He lends experience and gravitas to the Obama ticket, while not overshadowing the top of the ticket (like Hillary would have done).  Now that this is done and the hand wringing is over, it is clearly the right decision.

The question still remains, though: Can two waste-of-skin Democrat senators actually succeed at the top two executive positions of the biggest enterprise in the world?  I’m still not convinced.

Continue reading Nancy Pelosi is a Communist

The Olympics Needs Some Comic Relief

Have you been sucked in by the Olympics?  Can’t seem to turn the TV off, even when it’s 2am and your eyes are slamming shut?  Does all the intense drama, excitement, blood, sweat, and tears have you on the edge of your seat?

I just hope you didn’t miss this stunning performance…

[flashvideo filename=/video/funny-turner.flv /]

Really… it’s no fair that the women have different events than the men.  Plus, they get to wear cute little hair accessories.  I say, “Equal Gymnastics Rights for Men!”

(Thanks, Erika for sharing the hilarious video)

Lists that Rule My Life

There are two major lists that have ruled my life…

The first were “to do” lists.  My mom used to leave these on the counter every day during the summer to encourage us to do something around the house while she was gone to work.  I never understood why she did this until I had a house of my own.  Turns out, it’s really hard to keep a house clean, and even though she would leave the kitchen or family room in decent condition when she left in the morning, it must have been super-disheartening to return to it each night in a complete disarray.

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Guest Blog: Tip Jar

Is it just me, or has the “tip jar” custom developed into a practice that is completely out of control?  It seems to be that no matter where I turn there is someone there with a tip jar waiting for me to give them extra money for doing a job for which I just paid them.

Please don’t get me wrong.  It is not that I am cheap (contrary to what W.E. may think).  I often tip waiters at least 20 percent if there service is above and beyond and they are attentive to my needs.  I just don’t understand why I should tip the little asian girl who spoons in my two items along with my fried rice and lo-mein noodles into the little styrofoam tray.   I think I actually take more steps than her as i walk back and forth in front of the glass covered steam table trying to decide what my two items will be.  We then walk together to the register where I pay and she puts the container in a plastic bag with a big red smiley face on it.  If I beg and smile she will put two soy sauce packets in the bag with a napkin and plastic fork but I don’t think she is really happy about it.  What can I say?  One packet is not enough to bring the fried rice back to life.  But I digress.  There, in front of the register, is a tip jar. I just don’t see what service has been rendered that warrants a tip.

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Celebrating Singleness: Putting the Pieces Together

One of my favorite activities at our perennial family get togethers is to do a puzzle.  Over the years we’ve done a lot of different puzzles in different styles.  We’ve done oddly shaped puzzles, we’ve done massive puzzles, and we’ve done intricate puzzles.

The truth is, though, I am really bad at puzzles.  I usually will sit down for 5-10 minutes, try to put in a few pieces, then get bored or frustrated and move on to another activity.  If you want to know who the true puzzle queen is in our family, it’s my mom.  (Tio and Aunt Sherrie do a good job too, but Mom is the ultimate puzzle focuser.)

I’ve found the trick to participating in the puzzle, though.  I join early and strategically claim the part of the puzzle with the most detail, which will be easiest to put toegether.  Things like rooflines, people, even lattice work or anything geometrical will do.  What you don’t want to do is come to the puzzle late when there is only one or two things left… the sky or the water.

Continue reading Celebrating Singleness: Putting the Pieces Together