I'm sure the world has been waiting with bated breath to hear my thoughts and opinions on the presidential race, and I guess I declared by attending the Obama rally in Columbia last night.
First of all, it was mostly gibberish, as various politicians (Jay Nixon, Judy Baker, among others) gave us the same attacks, rhetoric, and promises for twice as many services for half the tax burden. Baker teased us with a, "...and let's give Barrack Obama a great Mizzou welcome!! When he gets up here later."
Then we said the Pledge of Allegiance.
I don't think I've ever done that with 40,000 other people. It was one of those community bonding moments for me, as I stood next to an Army private with his family and said the words I've said thousands of times in my life. It felt different this time ... like it mattered.
Then he spoke.
Much of Obama's language was similar to what we've heard over the past few months, with many phrases copied directly from his Wednesday night TV special. But there was something about being there in person that was inspiring. I'm convinced that Barrack Obama is not a perfect man, and he will not be a perfect president. I don't even agree with some of his policies, in much the same way that I don't agree with some of McCains.
But I'm also convinced that things will be different after November 4, and in my opinion they will be different for the better.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Unplugged Weekend
Our internet was out this weekend (insert collective groan here).
I know. It was awful. I was disconnected from the world, from my e-mail, my fantasy football team, my Facebook status updates, and the always comforting "virus database updated" voice that pops up every day or so (he was replaced by an ugly red X over the application - a sorrowful reminder that we were not up-to-date, and when we finally did get back online we'd better watch out).
It was nice. I didn't run downstairs every 45 minutes to check my Gmail, blog, and whatever popped up on Google Reader (I did run down multiple times to power cycle the modem, check the wireless router, jiggle some cords, and test the resolve of Mediacom's customer service reps -- but that's another blog).
What I found by Monday was that although I was annoyed that I couldn't check up-to-the-second injury updates on my football team, I still won my game. I didn't really get any significant e-mails. And the virus updating guy's calming baritone returned to keep our family spyware-free.
What I did do was hang out with my family a little more, visit the library, spend time with friends for beer & BBQ, and watch late-night (well, late for us) football and movies with my wife.
I'm glad my super-high-speed, YouTube-friendly internet is back and I wouldn't wish our plight on anyone, but there were some advantages to the forced time warp to ... 2004.
No time to count the many blessings (nor name them one by one). I'm off to share my wit on Facebook.
I know. It was awful. I was disconnected from the world, from my e-mail, my fantasy football team, my Facebook status updates, and the always comforting "virus database updated" voice that pops up every day or so (he was replaced by an ugly red X over the application - a sorrowful reminder that we were not up-to-date, and when we finally did get back online we'd better watch out).
It was nice. I didn't run downstairs every 45 minutes to check my Gmail, blog, and whatever popped up on Google Reader (I did run down multiple times to power cycle the modem, check the wireless router, jiggle some cords, and test the resolve of Mediacom's customer service reps -- but that's another blog).
What I found by Monday was that although I was annoyed that I couldn't check up-to-the-second injury updates on my football team, I still won my game. I didn't really get any significant e-mails. And the virus updating guy's calming baritone returned to keep our family spyware-free.
What I did do was hang out with my family a little more, visit the library, spend time with friends for beer & BBQ, and watch late-night (well, late for us) football and movies with my wife.
I'm glad my super-high-speed, YouTube-friendly internet is back and I wouldn't wish our plight on anyone, but there were some advantages to the forced time warp to ... 2004.
No time to count the many blessings (nor name them one by one). I'm off to share my wit on Facebook.
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