The greatest thing since the princess could fly in Mario Bros. 2

Super Obama World

My sentiments exactly...

A gift.

Something I really hate..

...people who think it's ok to clip their finger nails in public (i.e. the subway, bus station, airplane, etc.). It drives me insane. Not only is the thought of projectile, germ infested, nail shards arbitrarily whizzing through the confined public space revolting, but the sharp, spine-stinging, clipping sound makes me want to crawl out of my skin. I witnessed a man on the subway the other day partaking in this activity. After polishing off four or five fingers, he suddenly noticed the sour faces of his fellow passengers. But instead of putting the clippers away, he decided to instead: roll his eyes and smugly continue his little petacuric project; slowly collecting as many nail crescents as he could, ones that were caught on his sweatered belly. Gross.

Why? Why did he think think the subway was the best place to do this? Bleh...

I don't know why I love this song so much...

So, this is the band MGMT and their song Time To Pretend. I'm not sure why, but there's something about it that I love so much. I could try to go into why; and try to speculate and dissect the song and the band's music - and who/what it represents, but I'll spare you... I think for now, I'll just put it out there. They're from Brooklyn and the song has gained some traction this year both nationally and internationally. Rolling Stone listed them in the top 10 "Artists to Watch" in 2008. The video is bizarrely and uniquely fascinating. I'm interested to see what happens with this band. Enjoy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVnRzEjpUmE

YES WE DID!

Welcome, President Obama. Welcome.

Getting Back on the Horse

So it's been almost 3 months since I've been back from Europe and I have no idea where the time went. I've felt as if my career has been on an agonizing pause. Well, I'm ready to jump start this one...

I just launched my website and ordered my business cards and promotional post cards. I'll be submitting my headshots and resumes to agents as soon as they arrive to make submission packets. I'm finally getting back into dance classes and there's a slew of auditions coming up.

Getting stable enough to begin again took much longer than I anticipated. Working at such a corporate establishment with such crappy pay made me realize just why I'm out here. I'm here to make a living at what I love. I can work a shitty job anywhere, but I chose this path because this is the one thing that makes me the happiest. It does however take alot of self motivation and consistent effort. I'm always looking ahead. I have to do at least one thing for my career everyday of my life - that's my new mantra. It keeps me focused. I don't want to waste a single day.

Hopefully finding an agent won't be too difficult. We'll see.

Check out my website!

First Dude? How about First Dud?

Not so surprisingly, the right-wing network FOX News got the first interview with Sarah Palin's husband; apparently aka "First Dude". Words are not needed to express the embarrassing, patronizing tone needed for Alaska's "well-versed" First Dude. It seems as though at times she's speaking to a puppy. You really can't makes this shit up. America, this is actually happening.

RNC Seeks Better Funding for Ejookayshun?

This is no joke... I can only imagine the camera crews just waiting to get a good shot of that sign. On the other hand, that entire convention was nothing but a joke.

Nun Beauty Pageant!!

Ooo... snap.

I just love when these smart ass, right wing, nut-job, political "analysts" get called out on the vile crap that flows from their face holes. :-) Just say NO to the Republican's lying and contradicting agenda!!!

I hope all women in America share this sentiment

A Heartbeat Away From Cynicism
By Ruth Marcus
Washington Post 8/31/08

And my response...

What Ruth says is dead on. McCain's VP pick should be a slap in the face to all Hillary supporters. Women and men who supported Hillary felt that she had the experience and leadership to take on this country's problems - not simply because she had a vagina. Now, I may have had my problems with Hillary's candidacy (mainly her political ethics, judgement and candor) but I'm not blind to the reasons why people supported her. And for John "Skeletor" McCain to choose the least experienced and tested woman (or in this case: person) in presidential candidacy history, and expect those who supported the most experienced and tested woman in presidential candidacy history to just throw their support to her because they fit the same gender is outrageous and truly insulting.

This is to say that this is the main reason for picking her.

But they both give us little doubt that that is indeed the reason for picking her. With her reference to Hillary and "history making" in her speech to the crowd of Daytonians Friday, it was merely the cherry on top of their completely transparent cake of political maneuvering. And frankly, it's sad, desperate, and woefully obvious. Since she won't bring the knowledge, international (hell, even national) experience, or even name recognition to the table at this point in the game, it's obvious he chose her for two things: God fearin, gun slingin, right-wingers - and old Hillary supporters.

Well, here's a bit of news for you McSame, the right-wingers were already going to begrudgingly vote for you anyway (because they always vote in the name of abortion and guns. The God they seem to worship apparently told them that the best way to get the American people to see the light and stop killing babies and hugging trees, is to work through the political systems. Brilliant! I think I missed that Bible update memo where Jesus told mankind to force others with different views to live "righteously" through the corrupt hand of earthly law. You know, that part where he told us to demonize those who don't wear american flag lapel pins or sport the yellow ribbon on our super-sized SUVs? Who needs compassion or willingness to let others decide how to live their own lives in a free country anyway? Just make sure those queers can't enjoy the rights we possess when they too decide to dedicate their lives to each other. Oh yes, Jesus would be so proud to come down to Earth and see us legally forcing others to live their lives according to how we interpret the word of God. Wouldn't he just smile to see us pick and choose which phrases in the Bible we're going to dedicate our energy to oppressing others in His name? I'm too tired to actually do what Jesus did: live by example or spread the Word through actions and compassion. Jesus only did that because he didn't have email back then to smear anyone who thought differently than him. Hell, it's much easier and quicker to just vote it in or copy and paste the agenda through email forwards. Wouldn't he be so proud of the stuff we forward? Full of fair, balanced "facts". I just can't wait to see the look on His face when He sees how much sin judging I do for Him. Don't worry God, I got it covered down here. I can smell a sin a mile away and I'll vote that sin away in your name. Kudos, me. Now lets go teach our children the same things! Oh, and don't forget about that sin, science. It's Satan in a test tube.)

Anyway...

Here's the other bit of advice I have for you, McTurd. Women aren't stupid. The Hillary supporters aren't all deaf, dumb and blind. They tend to be able to read and think on their own too. And here's something you might want to think about: they just might catch on that the only thing these two women have in common are their genitalia.



"Go, get em for daddy, sweetheart..."

The next VP

Feedbag

Missed Connection Section Series: I

So, sometimes when I'm bored at home (like my temporarily broke ass is right now), I like to browse the Craigslist "Missed Connections" page for some gems of entertainment. For those unaware of "Missed Connections", it's the area of Craigslist where, like in many personals classified ads, people can post messages to random people they've encountered, and yet failed to exchange contact info, in the hopes that that same random person will reply with an affirmative response for reconnecting. Though they typically describe the person by what they wore and note the time and location, often times you'll get a glimpse of how they express their sudden infatuatory emotions. Sometimes it's crude, many times it's cliché, but every once in a while you find some that are so bizarre that you can't help but pause and imagine the circumstances and reasons this person felt to publicly publish his/her emotions in such a fashion.

And so, in light of these treasures, I've decided to start a series titled "Missed Connection Section Series", showcasing some of my particular favorites. And since these are "public publications", I feel no guilt reposting for our humor and neither should you. Enjoy!


--
we were at the yankees game and you bit my sleezy hotdog - m4w - 23 (yankee stadium)
Date: 2008-08-19, 4:10PM EDT

you were short. professionally unsuccessful. you had lots of gel in your squirrel twirl. and it was dyed blonde in certain areas. it looked like a raccoons tail. you had a tramp stamp of the fibonacci sequence and a neck tat of all the rubik's cube solution algorithms.

me? i was big. a big bro. not anymore, but i was then. this was 3 days ago. i dropped all my baseball nutz onto my crotchal region and i know it made you gasp with professional delight™. i KNOW it did. shutup. it did. liar.

come over. i want you to dip your hands into my fishbowl and attempt to destroy him (Vlad). Vlad will bite you, then it's time to stop. take those slimey fishbowl hands out and then fold my laundry with them. i like this. it motivates me to take better care of my garden. i have fresh arugula, basil, and jabanero peppers growing in it.

then once i cultivate my crops i will wed you on a paper mache yacht in my mom's backyard. let's make it happen, we have so much in common. if it's not working we'll take queludes and just do it anyway, cool?

--

Hi Sharon, this is from Paul your Munchkin - m4w - 32 (Starrett/Long Island)
Date: 2008-08-19, 2:59PM EDT

Hi. Yeah, I still think about you sometimes. I'm surpirsed we haven't talked in so long. I was thinking about it today, yeah, I do care about you still actually..I wish I could talk to you...wondering if you've forgot about me by now, or gotten over me...so many thoughts, when I'm alone sometimes I think about you...just wishing we could meet in front of the firehouse tonight and talk and hug.
Just wishing we could take a ride down Atlantic and go to the promenade tonight..that would all be so nice.
I miss u munchkin.

--

To the angelic girl with the huge, pink Hello Kitty bag! - m4w
Date: 2008-08-19, 1:01PM EDT

...
I see you at least once a week. We must live close to one another because we both get on the train at the same station. We always walk to the end and enter the last car of the train, and we both get off at the same stop. I won't say what train or what stations because, well, I want to keep you to myself...and besides, I don't want to alert potential stalkers...one (me) is enough, lol.

Actually, I rarely look at you...I don't want to be rude. I hate it when people do that to me, so I won't do it to you. If I wanted to see you, all I have to do is close my eyes. You are probably in your mid 20's. You have long blonde hair, and while I'm sure that, that is not your natural color, it's gorgeous on you. You are not too tall and not too short, and I think you work out often because you look really good...plus, you're always running up the stairs and it seems like you're doing it with ease. I run every night and even I breathe a little uneasy at the top...I can't imagine what you put yourself through at the gym!

You are very feminine, I can see that from the way you stand and walk...so classy with a hint of snob...I love it! My favorite features of yours, though, are your eyes. I don't look at them often, but I glance at them once in a while. They're beautiful...filled with emotions. They're even sad at times. They make me wonder what's happened to you to make you feel that way. Or maybe I'm just thinking too much, who looks happy during rush hour on a work day, right?

I wonder what your voice sounds like. Would it be warm and sexy, or sweet and kind to reflect the personality I imagine you have? With my luck, though, you probably don't speak English and are a Man-Eater. ...

--

red hair and hand and neck tattoos at beacons closet - w4m (williamsburg)
Date: 2008-08-19, 2:24PM EDT

You were selling clothes with what appeared to be your girlfriend? You have bright orange hair that is shaved like nazi youth weirdness but somehow works and looks hott. You have a god tattoo on your neck, but I get the feeling you are a satanist. If you weren't with a girl I would have asked you to fuck me. Oops, I mean I would have asked you to get a drink sometime (read: many, many drinks until I am blackout drunk and wake up tied to the bedpost hopefully and getting spanked by you). I would love to take you home with me and put eyeliner on you. Or maybe we could 68 and I'll owe you one? If it was still June I would have asked you to be my prom date (JK). My parents would be so pissed to meet you. They don't like tattoos or "ppalgang". But I do! Let's make babies! LOL ;P

--
Jane says - w4w
Date: 2008-08-19, 7:42PM EDT

my apologies for getting stuck in your tuna nets.

Fun.

Finally...

People are finally speaking out about this stupid offshore drilling crap and McCain's political senselessness.

Know-Nothing Politics
By PAUL KRUGMAN

Brilliant... and...

The Energy Drill
By GAIL COLLINS

And now for the actual government report...

Impacts of Increased Access to Oil and Natural Gas

The GOP's shit on their face...

The Tire-Gauge Solution: No Joke

and Obama's actual solution.

but alas...

Multiple Oil Company Executives Gave Huge Contributions To Electing McCain Just Days After Offshore Drilling Reversal

Blow-up church looks to lure beachgoers

Man calls 911 after Subway left sauce off sandwich

And this as well...

Man tells 911 slot machine stole his money

Hangin in Hungary

So, I've found myself in the Budapest airport with an open wireless connection (!!) and a couple hours before I board... I've got some time to write.

This last part of my trip has been quite interesting. It started on the morning of my hostel check-out in Vienna. Over a surprisingly scrumptious bowl of complementary cereal, I met a lovely Californian named Marina, with whom I accompanied along for a day trip in Bratislava, Slovakia. I wasn't originally planning on a Slovakian excursion, but from Vienna, it's quite close and fairly cheap, so we hopped on a train and headed out on our impromptu adventure. After getting only slightly and briefly lost in the post-communist wonderland that made up suburban Bratislava (My Cali-companion spoke fluent Russian - which apparently helped with a few bilingual Slovakians), we made it to the city center. Bratislava wasn't much to see though it had plenty of charm and after walking around taking pictures like the shameless tourist I am, and sweating enough to sufficiently fill a standard bathtub (that's right, you like that image. admit it... tub-o- Reid-sweat...), we sat down for a fiercely refreshing frozen fruit drink concoction. I'm very happy I had someone to go with.  It was good to have someone to talk to and I'm not sure what I would have done if I had to sit alone at that transfer train station in the middle of creepy NOWHERESVILLE, Slovakia on our way to Budapest. I certainly wouldn't have figured out how to use the restrooms or read any portion of the menus. Big thanks to Marina for the assistance and the laughs. 

So much of Slovakia seemed worn out and run down. Everything seemed so manual and archaic. Weeds took over so much of the paved areas and rust and graffiti seemed to be everywhere. At one point I suddenly became self-conscious about my photography when I realized I was taking pictures of how poor things were. To me it was poetic and beautiful, but I couldn't help but wonder what a local was thinking of me when he'd see me taking pictures of the corroded, graffiti-tagged trains.  The Slovakian demeanor felt cool and distant with fixed focus. I don't mean that in a negative connotation. They were all extremely nice (with the exception of the chick working the tourist information center...), but they have a somewhat distant way of interaction - more so than any other culture I've met so far. Bratislava had such a laid back Mediterranean feel. People strolled instead of bustled. 

Budapest was next on the itinerary. I took my time with this city. I lazily sight-saw and tried very much to relax on these last few days of travel. I went to a Hungarian thermal bath in the main park which was an amazing (and surprisingly inexpensive) experience. Everywhere I read said a trip to Budapest was not complete without paying a visit to one of their baths and I agree. They had 9 thermal baths, three of which were large outdoor ones with fountains and fun statues. I lounged the whole day there taking in the warm waters, the sauna, the café and sun. By the time I was walking out the door, my muscles felt like jello and my mind felt similar to an alcohol buzz. 

The food in Hungary is incredible. I made sure to experience the foods of the culture including stuffed cabbage, goulash and gyro pita with paprika. The best meal was the stuffed cabbage at this town square restaurant in the small town of Eger, Hungary (about 2 hr train ride from Budapest,) - stuffed with beef, lamb, rice and seasoning drenched in a cream sauce. Amazing. Egar was probably one of the most beautiful towns I've ever seen. Very clean (a sharp contrast from the very dirty Budapest) and full of Hungarian charm, it's somewhere I want to go again someday. I wish I had budgeted more time there. My day trip could've easily turned into 2 nights if I had the time. I've found that some of my favorite European experiences come from the small towns where the true national culture thrives; stepping away from the tourist traps and congestion.

All in all, I loved Hungary. I took quite a few Hungarian traits from my mother (round face, wide jaw, high cheek bones) and as a result many people thought I was a local. I've never had so many locals approach me assuming I lived there, spouting fast Hungarian to my slightly frightened blank face. Or even funnier, I'd get Americans or Brits approaching me speaking very slow and single-word english. It was very cool.

For now, I'm excited about going home. I've had a blast, but it's time. I'm excited to hit the ground running and find a job asap and start really searching for an apartment. I've got alot to accomplish when I get back, but for now, I'm going to grab a bite before I board. :-)

Australian doctors warn against 'designer vagina' craze

A Few Notes on Vienna

6 interesting things I've found in the city of Vienna, Austria:

1.) Cheap eats = Kebaps! And these suckers are delicious. So big, that even I couldn't finish it. Can you believe that?!

2.) Several clothing stores pose their mannequins as if they are frozen in a random action. Example: I passed by this mens clothing store and the three business suited mannequins were positioned as if they were running and leaping in the air. Wiring was threaded in the clothing to simulate the flapping tie and jacket sides to an impressively extensive detail. Another store, a lingerie boutique, positioned their scantly clad lady mannequin (complete with anorexic rib bone detail, nonetheless) pressing her hands up against the window as she was bent over at the waist. She was a classy girl. 

3.) Small children were cuter when they were speaking French along the western swiss border than the ones speaking German here. 

4.) People take their pedestrian traffic signals seriously. In New York, if a car isn't speeding past a crosswalk three feet away from you, aiming straight for your kneecaps, we pedestrians will pedestriate, goddamnit... Here, on the other hand, a tumbleweed will blow through the intersection and the typical Austrian will seriously hesitate with nervous anxiety before choosing to betray the red signal and cross - that's if they're so daring.

5.) I'm not lying when I tell you I saw a dude with no legs and one arm getting around on a skateboard. 

6.) The mile long outdoor market called Naschmarkt is quite the amazing experience. Vast amounts of fresh produce is displayed and available with almost every vendor shoving samples in your face. The smells were incredible. 

Oh, the beauty I've seen...

Wow, I’ve been busy… I’m not sure where to start.

I’ve been in Europe since June 6th and it’s been nonstop. I started in Dublin visiting my friends Deb and Colin. They’ve got a really nice place and they are two of the coolest people I know. Colin took time off from work and accompanied me along all of the touristy stuff (the Guinness Factory was a definite highlight) and then took me along the coast of the Irish Sea. They took me to a great pub and we stayed in and cooked one night. All in all, it was a great time and I look forward to my next visit.

After that, I flew over to London and spent a few nights there wandering the city. I took one of those free walking tours and I got to see the main sights. I got to meet up with my friend Wojtek for a bit and then headed out to my gig in Italy.

Italy this year was pretty frustrating. This is my third summer working for this company (La Musica Lirica) and it was definitely the most disappointing. I mean, I’m proud of the work the interns and I did. The task at hand was nearly impossible. We had a mere two weeks to build a permanent universal set (this was a series of wheeled, skeletal structures to support scenic flats and accommodate for doorways and windows, etc. for all of the company’s operas), the scenic flats for two operas (big ones – Boheme and Figaro) with just one saw and one drill, extremely limited resources/budget - all in the middle of small town Italian culture (language barrier, noon-4:30 store closings, etc.) without a car, cell phone or realized budget. The interns worked their tails off. Tech week was hell and by the end, the product that I was presenting was (forced by my restrictions) severely mediocre. Never in my life have I labored so very hard on something for it to come out so embarrassingly lukewarm. It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t what I wanted to present.

I hold a very high standard for the product I put out and I found it hard to find that balance of: A) hanging my head in shame from not being able to accomplish what I wanted and B) lifting my head up for the immense amount of shear labor my team and I put ourselves through. I found myself conflicted between approaching my colleagues with my tail between my legs or approaching them defensively like a beaten dog knowing full well that they didn’t have the slightest clue as to how much work had truly gone into this project. Trust me, keeping sleep deprived, volunteer workers’ moral up after the director tells them after opening night how disappointed he was as they limp and hobble into the meeting, covered in bruises, scrapes, cuts and paint was a challenge in and of itself. I was happy however that once the tours began to run, I was able to let the interns go to the beach and sleep in a bit. They worked very hard and I truly appreciated it and give them much respect.

After the program, I decided to take two weeks and travel a bit. It was just what I needed after the year I had - let alone the program I just left. That pretty much brings me up to date. I spent the first part of my travels in Rome with the interns and Jason (who was able to come out and visit!!) On my last day in there, after two interns and Jason went back to the states, Molly and I rented a scooter and cruised through Rome, spinning around the Coliseum then out to the beach – definitely one of the coolest things I’ve done – very. very. fun.

My next destination was Switzerland with a pit stop in Pisa to see the famed leaning tower. As my train coasted north along the western shoreline, my eyes were fixed out the window at the absolute beauty of northwest Italy. The sea was a deep, rich, sparkling blue with some of the most vibrantly colored flowers and foliage surrounding every orange-roofed home and lazy walkway. I watched as the sun drenched everything, speeding past the locals and winding along the sandy beaches and rocky cliffs that make up the coast. Amazing.

I arrived in Interlaken, Switzerland in the early evening – just in time to watch the sun set behind the Alps. Breathtaking. The hostel I had hastily booked turned out to be ok. It was a bit of a party hostel with a bar and club attached, but I didn’t much care for it. I was out hiking by 8:30 in the morning. Both of the lakes were beautiful. The water was a bright, blue – crystal clear. The trails were beautiful and I was able to hike to a couple of old ruins. I hiked up the side of one of the mountains for one insane view of the eastern lake. Gorgeous. I wasn’t prepped for how much Interlaken was an adrenalin, extreme-sport town. Everywhere I looked there was a booth for paragliding, skydiving, canyoning, etc. If I ever make it back there, I’ll have to budget for it, because it all looked like so much fun. I’d look up and see over a dozen paragliders soaring through the sky like aimless birds.

As I looked for a hostel for my next destination I couldn’t find any that fit my price range. I had waited too long to book a cheap hostel in Bern or Luzern and the internet at the hostel in Interlaken was expensive and I only had three minutes left in my session. I quickly found a random hostel in a random town that fit my price and had good reviews. As I printed out the confirmation, I realized I’d never heard of this town. I looked on the Eurail map and it wasn’t on there either. I panicked for a bit but when I went to the train station and asked for a ticket to a town called Gryon, the ticket agent told me that my Eurail pass covered it. I had to transfer a couple times and the final train I took was a cog train up to this smaller mountaintop where Gryon is located, surrounded by the most impressive set of mountains I’ve ever seen.

This has been BY FAR the most amazing hostel I’ve ever stayed in. It’s a chalet hostel resort totally secluded from everything. Spotless clean and ridiculously ornate, the large, open, rustic style of this chalet gives way to a truly relaxing and carefree break from the rest of the world. I walk out to the large back deck, take in a deep breath of clean fresh air, look out to the vast view of the Swiss Alps and hear nothing but the sweet sounds of nature. There are hammocks, overstuffed leather couches, multiple lounge areas, great beds, a nightly campfire and a large kitchen with outdoor grill. It’s summer camp for twenty somethings. So many people here have stumbled across this place and simply stayed, canceling the rest of their plans to stay in paradise.

Yesterday, I took the hike of my life. It was a 9 hour hike up to the top of this ridge surrounded by massively jagged, awe-commanding mountains. I passed through farms, forests, rivers, waterfalls and paths of stone. At the top, there’s a view of the next set of mountains and (randomly) a very small, family ran farm with a modest restaurant for passing hikers. I sat at one of the outdoor tables and had an incredible meal of ham and potatoes and continued around the ridge to circle back home. Filling my water bottle straight from the waterfalls, I hiked along the river and watched the sunset turn the grey Alps to silver, to pink, to purple, to heavy blue. That night (last night) I sat around the campfire with a bottle of wine and met a few other travelers and watched the stars.

This has been the highlight of any of my travels. This is a place I’d come back to in a heartbeat. It’s good for hiking, skiing, glacier hiking, mountain climbing, etc… but also good for doing simply nothing. The people are great and the atmosphere is unbeatable.

Tomorrow I head to Vienna, Austria. I’m looking forward to it. I’ll get to meet up with a friend there from the Italy program. Then, I’m off to Hungary before going back to New York. I’m starting to miss home and I’m very much looking forward to settling in and getting stable as I’m sure Jason is too. It may be rocky for the first couple weeks back home as I look for a job and get my feet back on the ground, but things will be good. Things are looking bright. ☺

I love kid enthusiasm...

See more funny videos at CollegeHumor

Today's News

Dog Killed by Street Cleaner - Right off its leash!!

Ireland Knocks Down EU Treaty

Get Screwed by Obama or McCain!

Here we go...

I think Hillary met her match in who lives the most in La-La-Land...

This is Hill-arious! The Hil-monster's Hit List.

Hillary's Battleship is Sunk: and somehow it's Milton Bradley's fault...

So the DNC rules committee is meeting today about the Florida/Michigan primaries disaster. For those unaware of the disaster, here's my best recap: Florida and Michigan broke delegation rules by pushing up their primaries earlier in the year. This was their decision and they were warned by the DNC that if they did, the consequence would be that all of their delegates would be stripped away giving them no voice in the election process of the Democratic presidential nominee. Yes, this was a pretty harsh ruling - and no one really foresaw the race being so close that it would really matter as much as it does now - but both states moved their dates in defiance of the DNC. Both Hillary and Obama agreed to not campaign in Florida while every democratic candidate at the time (with the suspicious and curious exception of Hil-monster) took their name off the Michigan ballot. The states then held their supposed meaningless and worthless primaries and to no surprise, Hillary (the most recognized candidate at the time) won both states. 

I can't imagine a more unfair competition. People need to remember: At the time, Obama was not a household name. He was campaigning state by state, primary to primary. He didn't have the luxury of brand-name recognition like "Clinton". If you take a look at poll numbers of all of the early primary and caucus states, Obama lagged considerably behind Clinton (including South Carolina where he eventually steam rolled her) until he was able to campaign properly; organizing a grassroots support, running ads and working the stump swings. And due to FL and MI's conscious violation of the DNC delegation rules, both Obama and Hillary chose to not properly campaign there. Consequentially, the voters in both states were not given the opportunity of a fair, balanced primary process where both camps could state their cases relevant to each state. 

Now, she won Michigan mainly because she was the only name on the ballot by 55% (the rest voted "uncommitted"). When every democratic candidate, in a unifying move, took their names off the ballot, Hillary apathetically left hers on - leaving the rest of the candidates instantly suspicious, but not too alarmed since the votes weren't supposedly going to count anyway. By the time Florida voted, it was just the two of them on the "worthless" ballot. The only shred of campaigning on the Obama side was a brief television ad that was a short lived national ad. Polls showed that his name recognition nationally still didn't yet compete with Hillary's at the time. (That wouldn't start to happen until his 13 contest winning streak after Super Tuesday)

Now to the point: Where was Hillary's "passionate", outspoken struggle to save the voices of FL and MI voters before January? 

Americans didn't hear a peep from her about this "injustice" until she started getting thumped in the election primaries. She had agreed to the party rules at the beginning of the campaign season and now that she's got no other hope in sight for the nomination, she wants to suddenly change the rules and have the DNC count the votes of hideously unfair primaries. Suddenly now, she's an advocate of voters' rights. What about the voters' rights to a fair campaign? Imagine for a moment if FL and MI had overwhelmingly voted for Obama. Would she be out there with her battle cry then? This is again the Clinton machine's "Say anything, Do anything" style of politics. It's disgusting. And now she's turning her aggression on the leaders of her own party. They've organized rallies and marches to get the delegates fully seated and recognized. 

This puts the DNC in a very difficult position because, yes, the stupid idea of stripping both states of all of their votes (as opposed to the GOP's "half-vote" punishment for rule-breaking states) shouldn't have happened and they are now caught with shit on their faces. They are left with this decision: Do we stand strong with the original rules laid out against violating states and hold our ground, thus ignoring the votes of millions? Or do we show our weakness and count the votes of unfair primaries and bend the original rules at the expense of the candidate who played by them. What signal would that send to states who break the delegation rules in the future? 

The Obama camp recognizes the dilemma of shutting out the votes of both states (in light of how it would effect the voter conscience of these swing states in the general election), but also knows how cheap these wins were for her. So they're willing to compromise. Don't expect that same C word from the Hill camp. They want it all. It's their last and only hope.

But what really gets me is where the blame is being placed. Hillary and her (apparently increasingly psychopathic) supporters are taking aim at the DNC rules committee as if they had anything to do with the states' decision to go against party rules. It'd be like me and a friend sitting down to play Battleship (initially agreeing upon the rules) and blaming Milton Bradley's rules writers when my opponent is about to sink my battleship. 

In my opinion: I say "No dice". I'd be a bit more empathetic if it was the general election where we're actually voting to hire the president, but as for a political party coming together to pick their candidate, I'd be knocking down the state's party leaders demanding them to cough up the millions and fund a revote where the candidates can properly organize a real campaign process. It's their fault we're in this mess. They were the ones who went against the party's rules. They should be responsible for fixing it. (Their attempts at organizing a revote were shot down due to the high cost. They then threw the problem on the national leaders to fix.)

It wasn't until recent decades that actual civilian votes were taken to select the party's candidate. It use to be up to a handful of the party leaders in some smoky, Washington back room. This lead to statewide caucuses (which contrary to alot of my friends' opinions, I support fully) where party voting members who cared about who their party's nominee would meet and physically voice their opinions of who they felt the nominee should be. 13 states still hold caucuses today. This is an incredible process because it gets party members who've educated themselves on their party's candidates to come out and state their case to each other about who should carry the nomination - as opposed to having it on a primary ballot among a laundry list of other voting issues where any passive voter going in to vote yes or no on some local or state issue can cast their not-so-educated or not-so-challenged vote for their party's candidate - whether they understand their party's values and ethics or not. A caucus forces party members to publicly announce and defend their choice. It is not an election of a citizen tax funded government official. It is simply a party coming together under the purpose of party ethics and agenda to debate and nominate the candidate who best represents them and can best achieve them. I love it. It has it's down sides in terms of the difficulties of (for instance) senior citizen or single mom participation, but there's plenty of ways to fix those problems and it could be perfected. Just my opinion...

Anyway!!!... Hillary can go ahead and try to act like she's suddenly the messiah of "voters rights", but it's painfully obvious that she wouldn't be out there working it if it wasn't going to throw her horrendously organized, sickeningly miscalculated, and pathetically negative campaign a fucking bone. :-) Just don't go screaming foul at the rules you agreed to play by.

Monkeys control a robot arm with their thoughts

My Life Philosophy: Success and its relation to you and those "out there".

There is no failure in life. Just learning. The only failure is if you refuse to learn. 

Our culture demands quite a bit from us in terms of "success". This success comes in a variety of forms and measurements depending on many variables. Examples of said forms could be monetary, fame based, procreation rate, popularity level, ethics or exoticism while the said measurements of these forms are based on the expectations held by the ones who judge your success or (more importantly) your own personal expectation. A few examples of said variables would be 1.) your personal (perceived or in some cases delusional) circumstances in your present life 2.) the (perceived/unperceived) circumstance of the "judger's" present life in relation to yours 3.) your personal history of "success" - just to name a few. 

So the question is, what is your personal expectation of success? Is it monetary? Are you trying to be wealthy? Or just wealthier than those around you? Are you looking to achieve fame? Locally or nationally? Are you wanting children and a family? Are you looking to achieve a balanced ethical life? Or at least the perception of such? Or are you one who bases success on the exotic experiences the world has to offer - the amount of travel, activity, recreation?

Now I'm not saying that it's one of the above. It can most definitely (and usually is) a combination of these. For some, a successful life consists of being wealthy with a large family and a healthy balance of ethics. While for others, national fame is the one and only goal. And so on...

That may be well and good, but what bogs many down is the expectations of success of those around us - or as I say "out there". What do those "out there" expect us to achieve in order to label us successful? Many view your success based on what they perceive is important to you. If you grew up loving the stage, they base your success based on whether or not you achieve national fame. If you grew up in the church they'll base your success on how ethical you conduct your life. And so on...

These successes are then measured by your scale and theirs. And all too many times, our own scale is affected by those "out there". Who doesn't like being perceived as "successful"? Who doesn't like to have a quick impressive answer to what's going on in their life? But these measurements are determined by a slew of variables - most notably circumstances. For instance, someone who has encountered a divorce in their life leaving them with pennies in the bank will have a lower expectation level when success is measured in terms of monetary achievements. This is why it's always so impressive when this someone springs back fast and acquires a large sum of wealth on their own. They become a success story. Trauma in one's life lowers expectations of those "out there". 

So now my point: Rhetorically, are you someone who plays the success game for those "out there"? Are you one who projects a standard for those to base their measurements? Are you one who's bogged down by everyone else's opinion of what "success" is for you? Do you cause or project the image of trauma in your life to lower expectations? 

I've decided to live for me - my own happiness - my own form of success - my own measurement - under my own true circumstances. It's easy to let others determine it for you, yet it's also easy to sabotage yourself when your life circumstance gets bumpy. I won't lower my own goals for personal success, nor will I inflate the severity of "trauma" I incur or receive on my way there. Besides, most people out there are more impressed with those who're able to see that and actually live it without caring about outside opinion.

On that note, I leave on this: On the road of life and its destination toward success: There are no failures in life. Just learning. The only failure is if you refuse to learn. - I've learned to not let myself get snagged on personal "failures". The word failure has such a dismal, irredeemable connotation. We as humans learn (from very young ages) from so called failures. It's how we grow and survive. We learn from them. They aren't bad. They're good. These so called failures teach us. - With that said, the only dismal, irredeemable failure comes when we refuse to learn from them. We have the ability to dig our own graves in this sense. 

So finally: Failure, like success, is what we make of it. Live for you. Not someone else's "you". And grow from life's gifts of mistakes. That's what I've decided for myself. 

Pretty amazing.

MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

Why I love Brooklyn

It's just one of those amazing days.

I stepped out of my apartment today onto the sunny, leafy streets of my neighborhood. Eastern Parkway was buzzing with locals all along the pathways busy with church events, community organizing meets and general stroll. The air was perfect at just the right temperature and not a cloud in the sky. As I headed east toward Park Slope, my sneakers felt like it had some extra bounce and I continued that bounce past the Brooklyn museum; its fountain in full working splendor and a large handful of observers lazily relaxing on the oversized cement bleachers and steps, sunbathing and chatting. The fountain shot up chunks of water and they'd glimmer like sliver dollars in their midair spin only to splat down to the water surface with playful claps.

Just beyond the museum is the monstrous opening to Prospect Park. There in the Plaza, in front of the Grand Army Arch, was the Saturday morning open market. Dozens of booths lined the opening sections of the park gates. It seemed as though every ethnic group was represented with excited, beaming shoppers hopping from booth to booth. The air was potent with the fragrance of flowers and fresh baked goods. I stopped by a booth and picked up an herb roll for 50¢ (!!) and nibbled it as I passed through.

Making my way along the slate sidewalks toward Park Slope, I stopped to check out what the homeowner called "a good old fashioned stoop sale" in front of his brownstone. Nothing really caught my eye, though he had a good literature selection for sale. I passed a few more before cutting through to 5th ave.

And here I am now at one of my favorite brunch places in Brooklyn sipping coffee and enjoying to atmosphere. I love days like this and I love being reminded why Brooklyn is my favorite borough. It's got that neighborhood feel with the Manhattan historical charm. I love where I am in life and I feel like I'm on the right track. I'm just going to soak it in until I head to Europe for the summer. I'll sure miss it while I'm gone.

Sorry for slacking on the posts... I was busy sitting here.

So... to make up for my absence, I've compiled some gifts of random, interesting goodies. Enjoy!

Gift #1

Gift #2

Gift #3

Gift #4

Gift #5

Who are you calling elitist?!

Using her last muscle fiber in her cold, pitiful grip, Hillary continues to milk the "bitter" comment Obama used days ago in reference to how Americans feel toward their leaders and how they tend to vote. Distorting his meaning to the point that you'd think he punched a blind elderly lady, she continues to cast him as an elitist among the dreaded San Franciscans. With so much slimy, political crap spewing from her venomous mouth, it of course makes my fingers itch to go on a rant...

Cambridge Dictionary's definition of
elite: group noun [C]
the richest, most powerful, best educated or most highly trained group in a society

Keep that in mind.

First thing's first. She's drowning. Hillary's campaign has been one of the most fascinating train wrecks in political history. Keep this in mind: Hillary Clinton, in January of 2007, had all the toys in the sand box. We're talking about the mighty Clinton machine. She had everything. She had double-digit poll leads nationwide, a huge jump-start of super-delegates, name recognition - I mean, she was the first lady of one of the most successful presidents in decades for christ's sake. She had all of the "best" advisers, fund-raisers, supporters, organizers, networks and cohorts. So, why on Earth is she now desperately screaming and name-calling about one poorly worded, easily understandable statement about a fact that no one seems to want to admit: people vote on single issues (like guns or religion) because they feel as though their elected officials won't fight for the real issues they're suppose to be fighting (the economy, the housing crisis, unemployment, health insurance - basically the real issues that effect the average American) causing bitterness about the voting process?

It's because she knows very well where she stands in this race. She knows she has a less than 15% chance of convincing the super-delegates to go against the voice of the voters and hand her the nomination. She's desperate. She knows she has to win Pennsylvania by huge margins to even begin to have an argument worth arguing in regards to the nomination. And as we all know, when Hillary gets desperate, Hillary gets angry, ugly, immature and downright embarrassing. This is not the confident, collected, calm Hillary of Jan.-2007. This is a primal Hillary; throwing every last thing she has at Obama since nothing else has seemed to work. Forget the kitchen sink. That was thrown weeks ago. She's throwing herself with claws out.

Her behavior sustains the reason why so many Americans dislike her: power hunger. By choosing to put her campaign message on hold to attack so aggressively against a fellow Democrat in this fashion shows how much she couldn't give two shits if a Democrat gets elected as long as that Democrat is her. Does anyone really see her bowing out gracefully in June and pretending to back Obama? I can just see her locking her jaw for a grin and forcing her hands to clap at the convention. There's no line anymore with her. There's no grace. No class. No backup plan. No responsibility. It's all about her and not the party and its values. It's sad.

Now, I'm not saying that Obama can't take it. He and his campaign are gearing up for these kind of petty attacks from McCain and the GOP. These low tactics are, in fact, generally found in the GOP playbook. But as it's often said, there's ways to fight your enemies and there's ways to fight your family. Hillary seems to fight the Obama camp like an enemy. Hillary supporters are always quick to use the old "If you can't handle the heat, stay out of the kitchen" card, but that's irresponsible. Hillary fights as recklessly as she organizes in her campaign, and to desperately go after one ill-worded statement and twist it's meaning like that, only hurts the Democratic party than help her campaign. And here's why:

Hillary has lately gone into great length trying to paint Obama as an elitist - a big reason why many Americans felt disengaged from Kerry and Gore. She's trying to sink to the lowest of the low - if she can't win, no one can. Hillary was probably one of those kids who'd knock over the checker board if she realized she was about to lose.

Hillary, herself, is an elitist. Who in the hell does she think she's trying to portray herself to be? Does she expect us to forget how much richer she is than Obama? Oh, lets say 110 times richer?? Does she really expect us to believe that the single-parented, broken-homed, black candidate with the south-side Chicago community organizing background named Barack Hussein Obama is really the candidate of the two who could be labeled as "elitist"? Are you kidding me?! Does she really believe that? Apparently... because now she wants us to believe that she's a gun toting, God-fearing small-towner full of rage over the fact that someone could possibly have made such an assumption. Bull shit. That's almost as hard to swallow as how she can't seem to understand how Obama would view many Americans as "bitter" with the state of the country. Maybe it's hard to understand their bitterness when you're busy swimming in $110,000,000 from you and your husband's book and speech deals, selling the presidency.
Who's really out of touch here?

What Obama said (in admittedly rough terms) was that many Americans are frustrated and bitter with the state of the country and it's leaders to the point that they turn to the only things they feel are being heard such as guns, religion, etc. when going to the voting booth; single issue voters. My father is one of them. He figures that all politicians are alike when it comes to the financial, economic issues - that they won't look out for him. So, instead, he votes based on which candidate has the loosest policy on gun control instead of the candidate who is best qualified for serving the country and all (and I do mean all) of its people. This is a fact. And here's another fact for you: Millions of other voters feel that way too. Be it gun laws, abortion, same-sex marriage - you name it, these people will vote solely on those specific issues - and that is a big issue when running a campaign. These voters lose sight of the grander picture because they feel as though those are the only issues the president has any interest in pursuing. You got to hand it to Karl Rove during the last election - Keep the voters' minds off the economy or failed war. Keep their minds on abortion and guns and homophobia. Millions and millions of Americans are bitter that they can't afford their house or send their kids to college or afford health insurance or save for retirement. That is a cold, hard fact. And for Hillary to act shocked and pretend to misunderstand that fact is obviously misleading and is yet another lie to add to her pile. And for her to spin this around as if Obama was actually talking down about small-town Americans while calling him an elitist is revolting and slimy.

And above all of this, she repeatedly evokes the name of the city where Obama made the comment: San Francisco - knowing full well the connotation that comes along with that city and its citizens. I'm sure every San Franciscan is really appreciating being called elitists. I'm also sure she wouldn't be as crass if the California primaries weren't already over. And what's with her - and quite a few commentators - feeling like it's ok to label higher income, college educated voters "elite" or "the latte-sipping" voters (his strongest voting bracket)? Because heaven forbid Obama - or said commentators - label lower income, undereducated voters "dregs" or (let's be not-so-P.C. and say:) "racist white-trash" (her strongest voting bracket). It's somehow ok to label and name-call those who've been able to educate themselves but not the other way around.

But here's the reality: Obama has the ability to look beyond that. He sees that not every college educated American is a "latte-sipping" citizen. He also sees that not every undereducated American is "racist white-trash". He understands that this country is full of "elites" and "dregs" and "everything-in-betweens" and that they range in differences in religions, races, ideas, backgrounds, sexual preferences and education - but most importantly: They all are equally American. So as Hillary slings her new found guns and religion, Obama will continue to clarify what he meant by continuing to tell the truth - something Hillary's been having a hard time grasping.

Whew... my fingers are tired now. I needed that.

Fascinating... I've never heard of "tree people"

I haven't laughed so hard at a SNL skit in a long time...

If Hillary was a marshmallow: Part II

Just when you thought it was about to be nothing but a mere memory - Bill brings it back! This is a tag-on to a recent post of mine about Hillary's fictitious embellishment about her "landing amidst sniper fire" in Bosnia and why I felt the media served her nothing short of a slap on the wrist. The real problem, in my mind, is how she handled it. Yes, telling lies or embellishing untruths is wrong and screwy - and the media came down on her for it. But how she handled it is what I'm so disgusted about and what I'm concerned with. It was her wide open opportunity to show some real, honest leadership and apologize for stretching the truth about something that never happened; owning up to a mistake - being a real, fucking human being and taking responsibility for it. The American people are smarter than she treats them. This is exactly what is so off-putting about her. This is why she needs huge crews of strategists and advisors to figure out a way to somehow soften her image and show her "human" side. This is why she had to conveniently shed tears the day before the New Hampshire primaries - ultimately getting New Hampshire women to come out of the woodwork to vote for her out of pity. One would be stupid to believe that was a coincidence. It was calculated. But that's just the point - and this is what gives me hope about Americans - they catch on. Usually....

In this instance, however, H-bomb's excuse was one of the lamest, calculated explanations you could serve to the public. The clinical term "misspoke" is a slick one and sadly, I felt like the Americans who followed it bought the cheap excuse with a mere shrug - prompting me to write the first installment of this now two-part saga. But then Bill came along and shot off his yap as he does oh-so well to Hil's distress - countering the accusations of lies dealt to his wife with... what else - more lies!! - not to mention a healthy dose of down-playing and misguidance. 

Please read the article by the AP.

My favorite quote comes from Hil to Bill: "You don't remember this, you weren't there. Let me handle it." What is this?! The Godfather? Ha! It's as if they're tag-teaming who's going to calculate and handle damage control over their campaign atrocities. Yikes... 

And to be quite honest, how could anyone look at this and not fear the foreshadowing of such an embarrassment of an administration. I can just imagine Hillary handling presidential pressure from the media on the White House lawn and seeing Bill get off his ass from the couch, wiping the potato chip crumbs of his sweat pants, and embarrassingly defending her every mistake... 

Bill has been the blessing and the curse - the ointment and the burn. He never seems to know when to shut up. Though without him, she wouldn't have had as high of a profile as she needed to enter the national stage; with him there as defender and commentator, he's proven to be quite the hinderance. 

Who else is tired of not just the lies, but the calculating cover ups and cheap, lame explanations? Who's over the pathetic image struggle this woman is having? One day she's crying, the next day she's holding up boxing gloves. She seems to never know who she wants to portray. It's sad. And as an actor, it's thrilling to imagine the complexities of image control that must plague her everyday. Yes, it must be hard to be a woman in her position. I'm sure she feels the need to project the fighter image, but what the world needs now is a uniter not a fighter.

So, Hillary...

a.) Stop lying.

b.) Stop embellishing.

c.) Shut your husband up and run your own campaign.

d.) Fess up to your mistakes like a responsible adult.

e.) Don't expect the public will buy your cheap excuses. 

f.) Relax and be a human being. Other human beings tend to like that.

g.) Be a uniting presidential figure and not an angry, fighting senatorial figure.

And yes, I am an Obama supporter, but a large reason why I'm such a passionate supporter is due to the fact that she serves as such a contrast to him. Although he may not be perfect, he's at the very least, the first to admit it and the first to confront it - and I find that admirable. For instance: In the aftermath of the Wright controversy, he decided to not merely downplay it and politically attempt to write it off (this would be the politically safe things to do). He instead decided to examine it on a broader scale and ultimately challenge Americans to look at each other and our culture differently. He took his embarrassment and found the opportunity to not only accept the responsibility of the fact that he was a member of this church, but also examine why Wright acts and speaks the way he does; without necessarily defending what he said and not demonizing him as well. That, to me, is a valuable gift to have as a leader: the ability to understand those he/she/we disagree with, no matter how strongly, and address it without justification per se, but without writing him/her/them off as evil as well (i.e. Bush's "Axis of Evil"). I look at Hillary's campaign (the train wreck that it is) and I thank God there's another option. Obama '08!

The Story of Barack Obama's Mother

This is a great article that Jason sent me - a good read. Enjoy!

Egypt sentences 5 men for homosexuality

Ah, the history of political fear mongering: kids edition

What better way to scare up some votes when your campaign is in the shitter?! Go after the kids of America!

On the road again... but where to?

The cast and I are about to hit our southern leg of the tour and I'm pretty excited about it. Along the way, I'll be able to see my cousin in DC, my sister in Florida and numerous friends scattered across the southern states. Though I'll miss the city desperately, I'm looking forward to warmer weather and relatively later call times. 

I do, however, keep thinking about what's next. I find myself doing that alot - consistently looking forward to the next job, living situation or project. It's a bit frustrating because I've set my sights on August; completely skimming past my tech directing gig in Italy during the months of June and July. Not that I don't look forward to Italy - I do - but I guess I'm looking forward to that time when I'm no longer living out of my suitcase. This year has been just that: "The Year of the Suitcase". I've been bouncing all around with my belongings still stowed in my Chicago storage unit since I moved out of the apartment on Janssen Ave. in Chicago after graduation. My poor cat has had three temporary homes since then and my luggage has seen better days. Hotels have recently been the norm for me while my daily routines are far from routine. I'd sure like some stability (or at least consistency) in my life. 

When I get back from Europe, I plan on staying here in the New York for a long while - only taking jobs here in the city. I want to take classes and devote myself to my craft. I want to hold down a nice apartment and focus on me for a while. I may need to get a temporary side job in order to do that but I'll cross that bridge when I get there. Hopefully I'll be able to find some quick tech work while I get situated and stable enough to hit the auditions. However it works out, I'll be good. I'll be happy. 

I am quite happy in my life right now and I do enjoy the adventure that this year has proven to be. Come May, I'll have spent my first year out of college supporting myself almost completely on professional theatrical gigs from acting to stage managing to scenic/lighting designing. I'm now in the Actors Equity Association (I just got my card in the mail!!). I can't complain. But like I've said before, I would sure like to step out of that shower and not have to pull my clothes out of a suitcase... But until then, my cat and I will have to be patient. I think he's got that one down just fine...

Today in Bizarre-o News... Oh, the humanity.

• Dancer at Topless Club Catches Fire During Routine
• Mother and son arrested for stealing food from church
• Police: Woman Stabs Husband During Fight Over Hot Dogs For Dinner
• Kids' Dress-Up Day Draws Christian Ire
  

Why I do this for fun...

The dangers of blogging have come to surface. This shit kills you.

Bowie makes me happy...

If Hillary was a marshmallow, I'd make s'mores...

Politicians make mistakes. They do. They are in fact human. Not only are they human, but they are under a social microscope, and under great pressure. Every waking second is scrutinized. That is why they tend to speak broadly and carefully when addressing issues they are supposed to know. And from time to time, they stumble. They stumble and the people therefor react. Now, the reaction can vary depending on how severe the mistake was (Iraq, anyone?), whether or not the politician had foul motives, or whether it was an innocent mistake (i.e. stupidity, naivety, misinformed or ignorance). The politician is therefor expected to address his/her mistake with an explanation in order to quell any offenses, fears or misunderstandings. And finally, the people in turn, react to this explanation based on how they gage the politician's honesty and situation.

Hillary Clinton had recently been exposed by CBS and Michael Dobbs from the Washington Post (giving it "4 Pinocchios" no less) for making up a story of how she landed in Bosnia amidst "sniper fire" during her years as first lady. This is what she said:

"I remember landing under sniper fire. There was supposed to be some kind of a greeting ceremony at the airport, but instead we just ran with our heads down to get into the vehicles to get to our base. But it was a moment of great pride for me to visit our troops"

You can read the Post article here and view the CBS report here and here.

Hillary should've been roasted for this one.

Point number one: It was her. This is her speaking; not someone else, not some crazy campaign affiliate, not her pastor, not a family member - her. These were spoken by her.

Point number two: It was scripted. The reporter in the video is asking for clarification of her January stump speech when she was taking on Obama's assertion that being first lady isn't exactly the actual elected, presidential experience she's made herself out to be holding (and now that we are finally getting a glimpse of her newly released first lady records, we can now take that assertion as fact. Conveniently and "coincidentally" for her, they were released after the Ohio and Texas primaries). She originally made this claim, along with a string of others, in scripted, prepared, typical, stump-speech format. This wasn't just speaking off the top of her head. This was scripted. In the stump speech, she was careful enough to say "Somebody said there might be sniper fire" (even though all who were with her don't remember any mention of sniper fire or even the threat of it). But to follow up with her clarification that there was, in fact, actual sniper fire is a bold and stupid move.

Point number three: The clarification was not just a slip of the tongue. This isn't like Sen. George Allen and his "Mucaca" slip. This was a multi-phrased, embellished story. She starts it with "I remember landing under sniper fire."

But this is where it gets good for me.

The media took her false clarification and slammed her on it with the aforementioned article and CBS news report. It ends up getting millions of views on YouTube - topping the amount of hits received by video of Obama's controversial pastor and rivaling video of his speech on race. She made her mistake and the people responded. But what's truly precious about this whole episode is her explanation: Misspeaking.

She said in response:

"Now let me tell you what I can remember, OK -- because what I was told was that we had to land a certain way and move quickly because of the threat of sniper fire. So I misspoke...I went to 80 countries, you know. I gave contemporaneous accounts, I wrote about a lot of this in my book. you know, I think that, a minor blip, you know, if I said something that, you know, I say a lot of things -- millions of words a day -- so if I misspoke, that was just a misstatement."

Aside from the fact that no one involved recalled telling her or hearing someone tell her anything pertaining to sniper fire - and the fact that the war was over and that they were in the safest area of that region, I'd like to examine the wording here. I examine it because this was her prepared response. She had time to consult her advisers on how to best handle this flap - days in fact. And this is the word she chose to use in her explanation.

The word "misspeak" is the safest political word for lie. NPR did a great episode examining the meaning of the word. A lie is nothing short of an untruth and that is exactly what Hillary did. She spoke an untruth. Now, did she speak this untruth by simply "misspeaking" a word or phrase? Did she "misspeak" a word that she accidentally used incorrectly in a phrase or sentence? Did she "misspeak" because she was misinformed on the topic? Did she "misspeak" about a topic she did not fully understand out of simple ignorance?

No. She did none of these.

This is not "misspeaking". It's, in fact, what real people call a lie. Now, I'll be kind. I don't think it merits the ultimate burning at the stake. It's not like she lied under oath (she learned that lesson from her hubby). But a lie is a lie is a lie.

What she did was fictitiously embellish. She was under pressure to make herself seem like she was as qualified as she was trying to feed us. And in doing that, she lied. But this is what makes me worried: This is the amount of pressure it took for her to lie to us? And not only that, she had to craft out a word like "misspeak" in order to save face - further misleading the public. Now, I know it's not like she lied about something like weapons of mass destruction in order to invade Iraq (no, she just declined reading that bill and voted for it anyway; costing thousands of lives and billions of needed dollars in order to appear strong politically on foreign policy), but it just shows how much she'll do to project whatever she needs to project in order to win votes - even lie to us if she needs to. And it deserves, at the very least, a roasting. It does make me question her honesty - especially in her particular situation: the campaign trail where we are to examine the candidate for the most important job in the country - if not world.

I'm sorry, but I'm sick of it. I'm sick of the lies, the side-stepping, the constant calculative maneuvering. I want transparency in my candidate. I know that Obama isn't absolutely perfect. He's one of those human politicians who make mistakes like any of them, but he at least supports transparency and asks the voters to hold him accountable. It's just one more reason why I'm throwing my support his way. I'll take truths over "misstatements" any day.

I've always wanted to do this.

Findings of a NYC Aimless Wanderer

I felt like such a hipster today. I know it's against my grain to be one. As much as I'd love it, I'm just not that kind of guy. I'm not one of those strategically artsy NYU kids you see with the funky clothes and strangely designed facial hair... It'd take too much of a commitment and it's not in my nature, and to somehow force that look/lifestyle as so many do, would be as pathetic as a strained comb-over. So, it's quite alright. I like myself as I am. BUT! Alas, I decided to spend my day off alone, and finally took the advice of a newly acquainted friend of mine, Travis - a former high school classmate of mine that I never really got to know until that beautiful invention the kids like to call "facebook" came to be years after we graduated. Now, Travis is a total hipster through and through. And a natural. Tragically smart and witty, good looking and a globe-trotting student of Yale, he's got an admirable sense of taste. Months ago he told me that I had to pay a visit to this brunch place off the JMZ line called Moto. 

A review by: Me, someone who knows not what he's talking about...

I too, highly recommend it. Never have I had a cappuccino or espresso in America taste so close to the ones I love so much in Italy. The food was incredible and the atmosphere was comfortably eccentric. It had an authentic, turn of the century style that was not just interesting to look at, but relaxing as well. 

I was reading Kurt Vonnegut Jr.'s Breakfast of Champions at my table while wearing one of the cast members' aviator sunglasses and a jaw line of facial hair stubble as I sipped my espresso. The waiter, a huge Vonnegut fan, strikes up a conversation with me about the book and his other works. For a fleeting moment, I felt so hip. It cracks me up now. I mean, I love being the average "jeans and tee-shirt" wearing, vinyl record collecting theatre dork that I am, but I do adore those that pull off that style so well. It was fun while it lasted...

I walked around Williamsburg, Brooklyn for the first time and fell in love with it. I could live there. I'd like to live there. I'm going to live there. It was a community of homes with your typical bodegas and delis with a scattering of coffee shops, cafes and unique restaurants/bars. Close to trains that take you pretty much anywhere in the city you'd like, it seemed like a nice place to live without all of stress and outrageous rental prices. 

It was a great way to spend my day; aimlessly wandering the streets of New York discovering areas I've never been before. That's one of the big reasons I love living in large cities. There's so much to explore and do. There's so much individual character in all of the areas of the city, and it's ever changing; making the discovery endless. I'm beginning to really fall in love with this city. I'm glad I'm staying. It's been treating me nice so far.

Today in "H"-bomb news

The Hillary camp can't seem to pay the bills. Not only is this a slap in the face to those who've supported her - tirelessly working to make her look good, but what does this say about how she'll handle our economy? It's not just rude, it's scary.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0308/9259.html

Hillary's claim that she was under sniper fire in Bosnia: When it's scripted, prepared remarks, it's not "misspeaking", Hillary. It's called lying. We're not stupid.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/30/opinion/30rich.html?ref=opinion

Good to know...

22

Well, I hope she washed her hands..

Am I who I want to be?

This is something I ask myself just about everyday. Generally, it hits me in the morning shower. It's a good place to be introspective. I mean, not only are you naked, but you're practically feeling every imperfection of your body as you scrub away the grime. You start thinking "Damn, I need to do more sit-ups." as you scrub your belly or "Why don't I ever think before I eat?" and you start to observe yourself a bit more below the surface. This cleansing nakedness is a bit poetic, don't you think? You're starting a new day; a fresh new beginning. As you wash away the funk, the smell, the dirt of yesterday, you are starting anew to face the world. 

Let me just branch out on a tangent for a spell.

Lately, I've become a grooming product whore. I've begun to appreciate the effects that total cleanliness has on my day. It surely affects my confidence, energy and motivation. I'm more likely to have a productive day if I started it fresh and clean. I like to take my time too - I don't care how early I have to wake up. This may make me a girl, but I frankly don't care. Maybe it's genetic. My mother used to always wake up hours before she had to go to work because she considered it "her time". I find it therapeudic to the soul. A cleansing ritual. I love it. So I am a sad, weakling when it comes to the personal grooming aisles at Walgreens. Seriously, I could spend hours in one aisle debating over which lotion ingredient has the best effect on my skin or what kind of mouthwash will fight plaque and whiten my teeth... I don't find it to be narcissistic by any means - just simply indecisive.

Now I'll take it back to my point.

It is at this point of the day (the morning shower) that I ask myself "Am I who I want to be?" I try to be honest with myself and determine if I'm truly happy or not - or at least content. Am I progressing? How fast? Has it changed since the day before? By how much? Where was I this time last year? Am I a better man than I was then? What have I learned since then? How did I handle my problems then compared to now? How did I treat others then compared to now? Was I surrounded by those I loved? Am I still surrounded by them? If not, why? Who've I had to say goodbye to and to whom have I said hello? Am I a good friend? Am I a good person? Would I want to hang around myself if I were someone else?

I examine my past actions, current state and future goals. I wrestle with how to correct the problems of the past (or at least learn from them), be content with what I have in the present, and how to reach those goals of the future. I believe the most important of these is the present - particularly when it comes to work since I'm following the profession of what makes me the happiest. I find that whatever I am doing, I need to find a way to love, with all of my heart, whatever it is. It could be crap. I could be doing Joseph and the... Dreamcoat again as devastating as that may be, but for the sake of my sanity and the quality of my work, I need to find the parts that make me happy and focus on them. 

I also examine my environment. Is it where I want to be? Am I surrounded by people who care about me? It all has a daily effect on who a person is and who they are becoming. I find it important to live in a healthy environment with healthy people involved, because I know who I am and how I work. I'm a total Pisces. 

These are what go through my head as I shower. Now you know what's in my head when I'm naked... But then I step out, dress myself (if I remember) and face the world the best way I know how with a clean, fresh start - knowing full well I'm bound to pick up something I'll want to wash off the next morning, but at least I'm hitting it fresh and new.