Hugging the Midline

How Phenomenal is This?

You can check out this whole pictoral essay of the inauguration here.

Feeling Inspired

Today Change.gov posted the ethics rules for Obama's transition team that will restrict the participation of lobbyists. Limiting lobbyists' impact on our government is my dad's favorite political cause, so I knew he'd be thrilled when I sent him the post: "WOW! You made my day!" was his quick reply. Later in the afternoon as our electrician was leaving our place he asked without prompting if I'd seen Obama's website. "It makes me proud to be an American again," he told me.

It's so cool to witness those around me feeling excited and proud and hopeful about our political process. And as someone who's pretty immersed in the Web both professionally and personally, it's especially cool to see how Obama is using technology. What a contrast between the current administration and the one on its way in. I can't wait to see what's next.

The World Reacts

I love this beautiful slideshow from Huffington Post of people from around the world reacting to the Obama victory. Hooray! :-)

Like Mama, Like Son, Part 937

"Mommy is Obama Mama, Daddy is Obama Daddy, I Obama Jack!"

Bizzy

Too busy to blog... Period of soul searching leaving me slightly out of breath... Work overload... Family coming to visit... Volunteering overload with Play Room grand opening party next weekend... Election overload (while waiting in line with Jack last week to vote, he was happily singing, "BarackObamaMama... BarackObamaMama..." and wilfully ignoring the "do not discuss candidates in line!" sign. 

Pics to tide you over. More soon, promise!

Undecided?

The two presidential candidates are so different that I don't understand how anyone could be undecided at this point.

Here's a hilarious David Sedaris essay to that point that Glen shared with me. Thanks, honey.

To put them in perspective, I think of being on an airplane. The flight attendant comes down the aisle with her food cart and, eventually, parks it beside my seat.

“Can I interest you in the chicken?” she asks. “Or would you prefer the platter of shit with bits of broken glass in it?”

To be undecided in this election is to pause for a moment and then ask how the chicken is cooked.

I mean, really, what’s to be confused about?

[Update: Funny, my last post mentioned that sometimes I think it would be fun to post edgier material. I was especially thinking of my admiration for blog superstar dooce. Then not five minutes after I posted this quote, I saw that she posted the same quote today, plus a very funny David Sedaris video clip.]

GratefulMo: The Great Schlep

Have you seen Sarah Silverman's (known around our house as Glen's second wife...) video for The Great Schlep? It's super funny, and is part of a campaign to get Jewish grandchildren to educate their grandparents in Florida about Obama, and to encourage people to talk to their relatives about Obama in general.

As I watched this video I started making my list and checking it twice, and realized that every relative I can think of is present and accounted for in the Obama column, even a couple surprise surporters here and there. Which leaves me feeling like we could blow this one out of the park, and a little grateful. (#211)

We Interrupt this Family Blog to Bring You an Important Message

I don't usually do a lot of cursin' on this here family-friendly blog, but I had to share a couple gems via Pundit Kitchen and Will.

Protect Me From the Things I Want, Take 492

I think it's safe to talk to me again today. I was taking the whole John Edwards affair thing a bit PERSONALLY for a day or two, I will admit, as if I were a jilted lover instead of just a jilted campaign supporter. But now I'm moving on.

Glen can correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think I asked him even once today to help process my FEELINGS about the situation. I have gone at least 24 hours without typing a certain person's name into a Google search. When I decided to finally discard the Edwards campaign sign that had been on the top of a cabinet for months, I did not rip it to shreds or burn it or use it to wipe away hot, salty heartbreak tears; instead I folded it in neat little squares and placed it in the recycling bin.

Now I've got some gratitude going on. I caucused for John Edwards four years ago and again this year. If I had gotten what I wanted then, he would be the Democratic nominee for president, and when the news came out that he lied about his affair, it would have pretty much guaranteed a McCain victory. So I'm reminded again today that if things don't always unfold exactly as I'd hoped, that's a good thing.

The Bush Disaster: Funny Because It's True

Bush Tours America to Survey Damage Caused by His Presidency