Decision 2008

Now, after five long months of campaigning, caucuses, primaries, 3 a.m. phone calls, bickering, crazy pastors, superdelegates and the kitchen sink, we have a presumptive Democratic nominee for the 2008 general election. Though I am glad that now it's official, and that my guy is the winner, I can't help but feel a little bad for Hillary Clinton. I know, I know, after all the negative things I've written here, and angry feelings that I have had for her throughout this process, I may sound crazy saying that. But with as much drive and ambition and desire that she has had to win the presidency, it's hard to not sympathize with someone whose life goal falls out of their reach--and just barely by the way this worked out.
Ultimately though, the stronger candidate prevailed, and through this whole process, he's come out even stronger for a general election match up. People may say he lacks experience, but to take on the Clinton political machine and come out on top is no small feat. He set up and ran a successful national campaign. Sure he lost some races big, but he's shown to be one who can learn from his mistakes and improve from them. He's shown he has sound judgment and is willing to admit when he is wrong. He also has the courage to tell us what we don't want to hear but what is right.
There may be Clinton supporters who will see her loss to Obama as his stealing from her, and as such may be willing to support McCain. They shouldn't. Though the campaign may have had sexist tones, they have no more right to blame that for her loss than Obama did for his setbacks due to racial overtones--he won't and they shouldn't. If anything, her gender helped her to gain votes from millions of women who may not have voted had they not had the historic opportunity to vote for a viable woman candidate. Barack Obama ran a clean campaign, always rising above the mudslinging that went on. If he tried to fight dirty, it didn't suit him and it did him no good. His message has always been a message of change, and those who wanted to see change through Hillary would be foolish to vote for a continuation of failed Republican policies by supporting John McCain.
McCain is truly out of touch with America. He provided great service to this country, but should not be it's president. He's admitted to not know much about the economy, which is not what we need during these trying economic times. He's certain that all is well in Iraq, professing this yesterday while yet three more American lives were taken over there. As Barack Obama said in his speech last night "John McCain has spent a lot of time talking about trips to Iraq in the last few weeks, but maybe if he spent some time taking trips to the cities and towns that have been hardest hit by this economy – cities in Michigan, and Ohio, and right here in Minnesota – he’d understand the kind of change that people are looking for." At one point in his career, he may have been a "straight-talking maverick," but certainly is not now that he's trying to woo his party. He's embraced Bush's failed policies and offers nothing different, except possibly "bomb-bomb-bomb-bomb-bomb[ing] Iran."
So now, though no one knows exactly what Hillary will do from here (I, and many others, wish she would have graciously bowed out last night), it is time for the party to come together uniting around our candidate, and work for change this fall.

Tree Hugger

You may think that today, the first day back from a holiday (only my second this year--lame work calendar, I know), I would be posting something about my fun-filled weekend. If that's the case, you would be wrong my friend.
I have been woefully lacking on keeping the blog up to date. In an attempt to begin the catching-up, I'll share pictures from a trip that Mel and I took to the National Arboretum a few weeks back. This place is pretty darned cool--one of my favorite DC finds yet. If you're in the area you should check it out. If not, you should enjoy my pictures.

First, the Asian Gardens

Bonsai!!

This tree is nearly 400 YEARS OLD!! (but, it doesn't look a day over 200)

These are the original columns from the US Capitol Building

Melanie looking too-cool-for-school with her sweet shades, or pissed at the world, you be the judge (regardless, I think she's pretty cute).

Beautiful view of the Anacostia River (no dead bodies in it either).

Aren't we adorable under this magnolia tree? We had better be, it took about five tries to get this shot to work.

An artsy herb-garden pic.

And that's that. I hope you have enjoyed. Take a trip to see it up close. It's way cooler.

Oh, and one more picture:Don't forget to pet the Koi Fish on your way out

Older than 1 1/2 Barack Obamas

Chew on this:

Getting to Know...Well, Me

For a glimpse into my soul, check this out. (then return to finish reading here)
Those of you who read this regularly could probably point out several typos in past posts, and probably some in this one. My love of proper grammar is more of the verbal sense--though I do often look for errors in others' writing (in fact, I've even done it to scriptures, both in English and Portuguese. And yes, there are mistakes in there). I think that finding typographical errors and verbal faux pas (how would you pluralize that?) gives me some sort of adrenaline rush. So I do it whenever I can, much to the annoyance of those around me. My best friends and I often get into mini-tiffs over the correct usage of certain words. As a matter of fact, last week, I was on the phone with Kade, and he used a word incorrectly. He knew it (as evidenced by his brief pause after using it), and tried to let it slide, but being the good friend I am, I could not let that happen, nor could I let a chance to show that I knew something that he (at that moment--to a certain extent) did not.
So that's one of my many delightful quirks. I hope you feel closer to me now.
As a side note, the "Stuff White People Like" blog should be more like "Stuff Uppity White People Like." I could guarantee you that there are plenty of white folk who don't like (or even know about) half the stuff on there. Most of them living below the Mason-Dixon Line, with more children than they have teeth. But, as I am kinda uppity, it fits me.

I'm Movin' on...Well down Really...to the....West Side

Shoot, I wish I could say I was like George and Weezie, because I did change offices this week to far bigger and better, but I neither moved up (I was on the 31st floor in my old office, and am now on the 5th) nor to the East side (I was in Rosslyn--about as far East in Arlington as you can go...unless you count Crystal City or Pentagon City, but for the purpose of this blog, we'll note that I was as far east as I could be at that part of the county. I looked down onto the friggin' Potomac!! But I digress. I now moved about 2.5 miles west and am in the Virginia Square/Ballston area, back to the office building where I originally started with my company oh so many months ago).
Our whole group, who used to be split between two floors (and me at our corporate office) took over the 5th floor of this building, which meant new offices for all. So Monday was the big moving day. When I was shown my new office, I was shocked. It is so nice!! Brand new furnishings, including my super-sweet new 7-way ergonomically correct chair, window with a park view, and probably my favorite thing, lights that turn on when you walk in all make this awesome, especially for a peon like me. Oh, and did I mention it's bigger than my bedroom at home? I may just move in here.
Here are two pictures I took on Monday.

Sweet, No? I realize it's a little bare. I believe a trip to Target is in order.
So, though I will miss being able to see the monuments and Capitol Building every day, among other things, I think that the move will end up being fantastic., I don't think I'll miss the Metro ride (I'll be driving to the new office), or the feeling of being a living part of Cocoon, so I don't know how it' could get better...well, I do, but we won't talk today.

Hoosier Daddy!!

Okay, the title would have been even cooler if Senator Obama had won in Indiana, but with his less than two point loss in the Hoosier state being completely erased (as well as his loss in Pennsylvania) by his 15 point win in North Carolina, I'm okay with it.
Here's his victory speech in Raleigh last night. Dang I like this guy.

Youtube Is Good for Yet Another Laugh

I found this while looking at my friends, Jon and Carrie's, blog. It made me laugh, and I bet it'll do the same for you.