Good Call

Dear ESPN, just wanted to say how glad I am that I didn't take your advice.

Love, Me.

Can you believe what we just did!?

That was the last text I sent to my sister on Election Night last week as I was leaving Grant Park. Obviously I meant it in a good way, as if to say, "this is amazing!" And it truly was. I don't post about politics very often and everyone and their dog is bloviating on it nonstop, but having BEEN at Grant Park on Election Night and hearing PRESIDENT-elect Obama speak, I had to post my thoughts and pictures. I also want to preface this this the fact that I was essentially a republican when I got to law school. I went to see Sean Hannity, I listened to his radio show, I watched Bill O'Reilly and I couldn't get enough of Fox News. That has all since stopped.

A year ago I remember saying that there was NO WAY I would ever vote for Obama simply because of his lack of experience. At that time he was still in his first term as Senator and had only served in the Illinois state legislature. I felt this was NOT the credentials we need for the nation's highest office. Even during the summer I wasn't sure who I wanted to vote for (after Ron Paul was essentially eliminated). It was the "Reverend Wright" speech that really made me think. I didn't see it live, or even that same week, but when I did see in on CSPAN I remember thinking that this guy really has his act together. I certainly hadn't decided at that point to vote for him, but it started to seem more plausible.

I was sorta rooting for Mitt Romney in the Republican race (I guess it was a hometown thing) but I didn't really plan on voting for him. I truly was a swing voter. But hearing Obama speak, and having to compare him to McCain, the choice not only became clearer, but imperative. My view of McCain was that of the "old way" of doing things, he was the dial-up internet candidate, the standard definition TV candidate, the VHS candidate. Whether it was sincere or not, Obama sold me (and millions of others) on the idea that he is not part of the old guard. He is not a Washington insider and isn't beholden to the same lobbyist-run government. McCain, to me, just seemed widly out of touch with people like me.

Then came the economic meltdown. I don't blame any person or party for this, it was a combination of many factors. But the responses to it from both candidates was very telling. McCain wanted to give MORE tax cuts to the top of the top income bracket whereas Obama wanted to cut taxes for 95% of the working class. Don't get me wrong, I am aware that the rich pay the majority of the taxes, but the fact that they can AFFORD to makes it easier for me to swallow. That certainly isn't a reason to simply raise taxes, but this quote from Oliver Wendell Holmes sums up how I feel about it, "taxes are what we pay for a civilized society." I'm OK with paying a larger share (especially because it means I'm making more!) if it means that there is more police protection, more programs for getting the homeless off the streets, and nicer and safer parks and open areas.

I became very pro-Obama after the debates. I imagined a worldwide summit and I pictured who I would want to represent the USA, it was Obama by leaps and bounds. The "America as an imperial force" attitude was embarassing at this point, I wanted an "America as a force for peace" attitude. I don't believe that America can be the leader by example with McCain as President, just as it hasn't under Bush (whom I voted for both times).

So when I got my ticket for the Grant Park party (at 2 PM on Election Day) I felt legitimately excited to be a part of history. Now I know that that sounds cliche, but it really is the truth. America was about to elect not only a black man, but a man who had the vision and ability to get America out of this political rut of picking the lesser of 2 evils. The writing was on the wall for Obama, he had leads in states that hadn't voted Democrat in 40 years like Indiana, Virginia and North Carolina (sadly, not Utah). It was like a tidal wave, slowly building momentum then finally overtaking the whole country, it was a true mandate and electoral blowout.

So here are the best of my pictures. It was pandemonium but it was amazing, historic, and unforgettable.

It Really Does Work

Seth Rogen was on Kimmel tonight and when he came out I thought to myself, "man, he looks THIN!"  Kimmel brought it up immediately and Rogen mentioned that he lost the weight by simply eating right and exercising.  This hit home with me because I actually lost about 25 lbs this summer doing the same thing.  I had 6 weeks between the end of the semester and when my job started so I created a routine where I was either playing basketball or going to the gym 6 days a week.  I also stopped eating fast food, which was probably the biggest factor since it is LOADED with saturated fat and calories.

I've put a couple of those lbs back on since school started, but I'm still lighter than I've been in about 6 or 7 years.  I noticed that the biggest motivator to keep up the regiment was RESULTS.  The first 2 or 3 weeks were the hardest, but once you see the lbs coming off it's like a dopamine shot.  I also noticed how much more endurance I have, especially when playing basketball.  I used to be totally gassed after about 3 games, but now I can play 4 or 5 and be fine.  There is a park nearby where I run and last month I did a full lap (3/4 mile) non-stop, which is a big step for me and was one of my top goals.  I know it doesn't sound like a lot, but setting realistic goals, and MEETING them, is one of the most satisfying things we can do.  It has changed how I feel about myself and has given me much more confidence.  It really does work and can be done!

Information Overload!

Why I Love Firefox

If you don't have/use Firefox, YOU SHOULD. Aside from the speed and memory advantages, the library of add-ons that you can add is quite extensive, which is what really makes Firefox the coolest internet tool EVER.

Adblock Plus - one of the most popular and effective add-ons. It's one of those things that you don't know how well it's working until you go back and look at how it WOULD be.



FoxMarks - This syncs my favorites across computers, so if I update my favorites on my laptop it will automatically update on my desktop.

1-Click Weather - Just look for yourself...


Each button will take you right to the Weather.com page, very handy!

Fire.fm - This one is TRULY awesome. For those of you who know and love Last.fm, this add on turns your browser into a Last.fm player.



Scribefire - An awesome tool for bloggers, just click the little button and BOOM, easy blogging:


There really are a ton of cool add-ons, and I didn't list all of the ones I have installed. Go take a gander at the big list and maximize your interwebbing experience!

Good Start

I hope to see this headline at least 3 more times and potentially 7 times. Here's to wishing.

Should this Surprise Me or Not?

Exposing Myself, part 2

I buy all my clothes at Target and I'm not ashamed to admit it.  I just bought a polo, button up, and some nice slacks for a grand total of $58.  I don't even remember the last item of clothing I bought that wasn't from Target.  They fit great, look great, and are cheap...not unlike myself!

Getting closer to the end

OK, so I removed my last post in an effort to protect the innocent. But rest assured that, if you didn't see it, you didn't miss anything too exciting.

In other news, my 3L year is 3 1/2 weeks in and it's fun and boring and annoying all at the same time. The clinic is awesome because it makes me feel like an actual lawyer; and, since I am provisionally licensed, technically I am a lawyer...for now. My earliest class starts at 1:40 so my mornings (like today) are filled with The Price is Right and scrambled eggs.

The most important thing right now, though, is that football is back. I just love it so much! And pretty soon the Jazz will be back on, and that is basically what my life revolves around. So much so that I am getting League Pass so that I can watch every second of every game :)

And thanks to Ma for sending the zucchini bread, it is the BEST!

ur doin' it rong

From today's USA vs Cuba baseball game...


Pretty sure the cameras need to be IN FRONT of the backstop or at least to the side.

MSNBC = FAIL.

I Weep for the Future

From a poll on CNN.com's front page.

Granted it is unscientific, but still...43%!?

Cheaters

So, the age limit for Olympic gymnastics is 16, you can't be younger than that. Someone please explain how this girl made it to the arena...