I love that despite being Mr. President to the rest of the free world, he's still Barack to Michelle and Dad in an overcoat to the girls. I love his story. I love his aloofness, his cool. I love that he has a sense of humor, but can be professorial, too.
I love Michelle. I'm really starting to adore her. In my mind she's making her way up there with the impeccable Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. I love her style. I think she's stunning. I love how she and her husband have tried to make the girls' lives as regular/normal as they can be. I LOVE that she shops at J. Crew. I love that she dresses the girls in Crew Cuts.
I love the girls. Those are my little lamb chops. I love that they go to Sidwell Friends.
I love that they're just a family that happens to be black, have a Mom as an attorney and hospital administrator and a Dad that happens to be the President.
To folks from out-of-town, the pomp, circumstance and history going on in DC right now is cute and all, but those of use who live in the urrrea will probably be a little salty when we realize that Obama and friends are running thru BOTH our pockets to help pay for this celebration. We all knew that he was tapping into our federal piggy bank to pay, I read yesterday that taxpayers in DC, Maryland and Virginia are shelling out $75 million via their local governments to cover costs operational costs.
Estimates are the total costs for Obama's inauguration could reach $170 million. Obama has raised an estimated $40 million to help cover the costs of little things like the train ride from Philadelphia to Washington on Saturday and that star-studded concert with U2, Be-yawn-ce, Bruce Springsteen and others on Sunday, there's also the actual swearing in ceremony which is pretty cheap by comparison at about $1.25 million for that. There are 10 official inaugural balls, not to mention the cost of all the extra security. Oh, and those 5,000 port-a-potties lining the National Mall.
Four years ago democrats cautioned President Bush about an extravagant inauguration calling it inappropriate during a "time of war". Well, four years later the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue, the unemployment rate is the worst we've seen since 1945, consumer confidence is down, the stock market is down, companies announcing daily they're laying off people, closing stores or going out of business all together, but not a peep out of the Democrats about the Obama inauguration. I'm fairly certain it's because he's one of theirs.
So, here's the question: Given the US's sour economy, do you take issue with Obama’s extravagant inauguration celebration or think it sends the wrong message?
I came wearing more layers than Muslim woman in Afghanistan, I saw the President-elect (Michelle, Joe and Jill were present, too) and I conquered Obama's Whistle-Stop Tour event in Baltimore today.
Although I enjoyed my time standing on line [from 11am 'til 5pm] in the well below freezing weather [19-degrees when Obama arrived] with the other 40,000 people who braved the elements to attend today's event, I'm thrilled to be inside.
I'm too tired -- and frozen -- to write anything of note right now. I'm about to curl up, drink this hot cocoa and try to thaw. With my own camera, I took nearly 100 pics today and hope to have them posted by Monday. I would say I'll have it done tomorrow, but my Ravens play Pittsburgh tomorrow in the AFC Championship Game for the right to advance to Super Bowl and I don't want to make any promises I know I'm not gonna keep.
Until I muster up the strength to post my own thoughts and pics, I'll leave you with these shots snapped by the Baltimore Sun.
Who: President-elect Barack Obama What: Whistle-Stop Tour for Ordinary Americans Where: War Memorial Plaza, Downtown Baltimore When: Saturday, January 17, 2009,4pm
I told you all in December that I'm not foolin with D.C. on 1/20 and I meant it. The inaugural balls are tooooo expensive (in any economy, but especially the current one), the swearing-in ceremony requires tough-to-get tickets that I couldn't get from my elected officials, the MARC -- the commuter train service that connects Bmore and DC -- has been sold out for weeks and on top of it all it's REALLY, REALLY cold outside. I'm just not doing it. Period.
Luckily, for me at least, the inaugural committee, by concocting this Whistle-Stop Tour for Ordinary Americans Obama is doing in Philadelphia and Baltimore en route to Washington, will allow me to get my fill of Obama without much drama.
Don't get me wrong, this will be no walk in the park:
"It's gonna be maaaad crowded", says our splendiferously ghetto (and allegedly criminal) Mayor Sheila Dixon. Ok, that's not a direct quote but her office did announce that the city is expecting 150,000 people downtown for this event.
It's been cold as fuck all week. This morning when I came to work it was 12-degrees outside. It will still be plenty cold as temps are expected to be in the teens when his train arrives at Baltimore's Penn Station.
There will still be hours of standing and waiting. My friends and I are planning to be downtown around 11:30am to wait for Obeezy's arrival scheduled for 4pm. We don't wanna be relegated to the overflow area several blocks away at the Inner Harbor. If I wanted to see this on video monitors, I'd stay on my damn sofa.
In the end, I'll just be able to hop on the Metro to return home opposed to having to negotiate shitty DC traffic and a 45-minute drive back home and more importantly, I just can't bring myself to allow sub-freezing temperatures to interrupt my date with history.
So, tomorrow I'll be cold and tired and cold and frustrated and cold and tired of standing, but at least I'll have pictures and the memories of a truly historic event to keep me warm.
I'm excited. This is exciting. Obama's coming! Yay!!!!
If you had to give up either the Internet or Television forever, which would you choose and why?
This, for me, is too easy. I would give up TV in a heartbeat. Not for nothing, but other than CNN, ESPN and shows I like to catch here and there, there's really nothing else to watch on TV. There have been several nights when I turn on the TV and even with DirecTV and its 400-500 channels there ain't shit to watch other than what I have saved on Tivo. With the internet I can watch movies, my favorite shows, shop, Wikipedia random shit, watch porn, talk to my friends and I'd only have one bill to boot!
Last night, I had nothing else better to do had a bit of time to myself last night, so I decided to read a bunch of the stuff I wrote when I first started this blog back in April 2007. Just to, you know, see where my head was at during that time.
The following is random shit from old posts circa 2007 I still think is funny.
April 29, 2007 - Berries and Cream
OMG. I'm so glad I found this. I used to love this commercial. I've already watched it like 10 between last night when I re-discovered it and today. Make that 11.
Random Musings - May, 31, 2007
I remember these snooty bitches like it was yesterday. Two fairly young post-college white girls. They had this little exchange as I was folding clothes over by women's suits when I worked at J. Crew part-time in '07.
Girl #1: OMG, did you hear about what happened to Liza? Her house burned down and she’s staying in a Red Cross shelter.
Girl #2: Yeah, I feel really badly for her. I heard the office was taking a collection for her and her family.
Girl #1: I heard. I decided not to give though. (hold up a $250 cashmere cardigan) I don’t have extra money.
Me: (Looks up at her)
Girl #2: I know what you mean. People get themselves into situations and expect others to bail them out.
Me: (Looks at her)
Girl #2: (to me) It’s the truth.
Me: (Stares silently. Continues folding)
Girl #1: Now I feel bad.
Girl #2: I don’t. Isn’t there a Banana Republic nearby?
June 27, 2007 - News Article
I used to post a lot of random new articles, but you hoes would never comment on them. Here's one from June 2007. I remember reading this in The Sun and thinking it would be a terrible thing for smokers in the area. The next day my guy called to let me know he had a new order in.
I wonder whatever became of this motley crew. LOL @ them speeding and getting caught with all this shit.
Police find 42 lbs. of marijuana in traffic stop Two men were transporting drugs from New York City to Washington, police say
By Liz Kay Baltimore Sun Reporter Originally published June 27, 2007, 6:24 AM EDT
Maryland Transportation Authority police arrested two men yesterday after police said they discovered nearly 42 pounds of marijuana in their station wagon during a routine traffic stop on Interstate 95 in Baltimore County.
A police officer stopped the driver of a 2006 Dodge Magnum south of White Marsh for speeding and following too closely, the authority said in a statement.
Raymond A. Sharpe, 25, of Lithonia, Ga., and Dewight Antwain Stephens, 26, of Hallendale, Fla., were charged with possession of marijuana and other charges, according to the release.
The two, who police said were transporting drugs from New York City to Washington, were being held on $100,000 bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center, according to the statement.
liz.kay@baltsun.com
June 20 2007 - Bushisms
These need no introductions. Prepare to laugh -- and cry.
Bushisms
"Information is moving -- you know, nightly news is one way, of course, but it's also moving through the blogosphere and through the Internets."
"You work three jobs? … Uniquely American, isn't it? I mean, that is fantastic that you're doing that."
"There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again."
"They misunderestimated me."
"Rarely is the questioned asked: Is our children learning?"
"Tribal sovereignty means that; it's sovereign. I mean, you're a — you've been given sovereignty, and you're viewed as a sovereign entity. And therefore the relationship between the federal government and tribes is one between sovereign entities."
"I'm the master of low expectations."
"I just want you to know that, when we talk about war, we're really talking about peace."
"If this were a dictatorship, it'd be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator."
"I'm the commander — see, I don't need to explain — I do not need to explain why I say things. That's the interesting thing about being president."
July 9th 2007 Ma'am, do not count to 10...beat your kids!
Apparently, this happened while I was in Whole Foods once. I don't remember it, but given the abundance of soccer moms at the Whole Foods near my old office, I don't doubt it.
Girl: (crying loudly) Mom: Stop it! Stop it this instant! Girl: (still crying) I WANT A COOKIE!!!!!! Mom: I offered you options and you chose not to make a decision. You can hold onto the ice cream, ok? Let's go pay. Girl: (falls limp on floor and starts crying more loudly) Me: (completely bewildered and alternately staring blankly at the woman and the screaming child) Mom: Get up Sarah. I'm not kidding. Girl: I WANT A COOKIE!!!!!!!!! Mom: Sarah, I'm gonna start counting. Girl: (screaming) Mom: 1-2-3-4...
September 24, 2007 - Chris Crocker's Crazy Ass
Random clips of You Tube celeb Chris Crocker. For a hot minute I thought he was the funniest thing every. Every fad has its day, I guess. He's a damn fool though.
November 28, 2007 - Taking matters into my own hands.
I don't know what the hell was going on with me in November 2007. I must've been going through a dry period or something. I can't think of any other reason I'd be researching radical masturbation techniques. Now that I think about it, I don't think I ever tried any of these. No time like the present, right?
Masturbation that Isn't Boring
Men have been masturbating basically since the dawn of time. In fact 99% of men masturbate, the other 1% lie about it. Although men and women both do it, men tend to think about it or plan it out more. Usually it is done in secret, maybe in the bathroom before work, or after the wife goes to bed. If you are lucky enough to live at home then you could masturbate all day long. Male Masturbation is usually about the final outcome, the intense pleasure that you know so well.
If you are getting bored with the basics of masturbation, then you should try some different male masturbation techniques. There are quite a few of them out there to give your hobby a new feel. One male masturbation technique that has been tried and enjoyed by man men is the Two Hands Full technique. It is a motion that is similar to milking a cow, the idea is to keep the motion going continuously by taking one hand and moving up, and follow right behind it with the other hand. It keeps the foreskin and testicles all the way up all the time so you have constant pleasure. You should use lubricant because of the fast motion, and it does take some practice but when it is done correctly you may never go back to the regular way.
Another different male masturbation technique is the pole straddling technique. Place a small pole or a broomstick between your legs and hold it steady while you masturbate. Moving up and down with your hips, you will find that as you are about to ejaculate your anus actually hugs the pole giving you an almost unbearable sensation. Again, this is one that you will have to practice before perfecting. It is worth it though.
Male masturbating techniques come in many forms and with different objects that can be involved. Here are just a few of the others:
One Top, One Bottom – Hold the top of your head with one hand, while moving your other hand down towards your testicles.
Packing Tape Technique – Wrap tape around your fingers and lubricate it to receive a whole new feeling of excitement.
Wringing It Out – Although it may look strange and painful, it is quite pleasurable. Take your penis and wring it out like you would a washcloth. Start slowly and use lubrication to avoid friction.
Glass Ball Technique – Move to the end of the bed so your testicles hang off. Place a glass underneath and let your balls fall into a tight fitting glass. Ejaculate like you normally would, pushing the glass with your testicles in it up against your perineum for an ultimate orgasm.
Again, there are many variations of techniques that can be used. Take your time and find something you like. One very important male masturbation tip to follow is to try to use the stop and go method while master bating. Masturbate till you are just about to ejaculate and then stop for a few minutes, and then start again until you are right about to have your orgasm, and then stop again. By the time you reach the 3rd or 4th time your orgasm with be more intense and longer.
Male masturbation can be an exciting new adventure if you try different techniques. Don’t feel you have to stay with the same thing you did when you were 16 years old. Yes, it may feel good, but new techniques will feel unbelievable.
Pacman Jones is an absolute trainwreck. Like, there's really no other way to describe this fool. He went to WVU, so it makes perfect sense. After leaving West Virginia after his junior season in 2005, Adam Jones was suspended by the NFL for the entire 2007 season, traded to Dallas for a 4th round draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft (lol @ that) and released by the Cowboys after one mediocre season.
Even if you aren't into sports you should watch this clip. In this video Professor Adam 'Pacman' Jones eloquently pontificates about being the innocent victim and his latest misfourtunes.
"Ummm, at the time, you know..uhhhh...scrip clubs is like regular clubs, but, you know, I haven't been in a scrip club in, what, 2 years, a year-and-a-half now...a year and...almost 3 years. Whatever it is, I haven't been to a scrip club since dat incident. I live and I learn, you know, I likeded scrip clubs."
In 9 days, Barack Obama will be sworn in and for some people that date can't come quickly enough. He will be the 44th president of the United States. He has huge challenges in front of him, starting with the crumbling economy and those two wars President Bush has us in. Hopes are high that he will be able to turn things around. Indications are that he may be able to do just that.
According to a new Gallup poll, 65 percent of Americans are confident in President-elect Obama's ability to be a good president. This is down a little from 70 percent a week ago, but still pretty good.
Since returning from his Hawaii vacation, Obama has encountered a couple of bumps in the road: the situation in Gaza, which he stayed away from by deferring to President Bush, criticism of Leon Panetta as his choice to head the CIA, Bill Richardson having to withdraw his nomination for commerce secretary, and official statistics from the Congressional Budget Office that project a deficit of $1.2 trillion for this year -- all this before he's even moved into the Oval Office.
Keeping in mind everything facing the President-elect and based on how he's conducted himself, has your confidence in Barack Obama declined any since the election or is it about the same?
Ravens still kicking after bruising win over top-seeded Titans Late drive, Stover's 43-yard field goal lifts team to AFC title game
By Barry Wilner | The Baltimore Sun 8:30 PM EST, January 10, 2009
Ravens kicker Matt Stover (center) and teammates Daniel Wilcox (left) and Chris Chester celebrate Stover's 43-yard field goal with less than a minute remaining, which lifted the team to a 13-10 playoff win over the Tennessee Titans. (Baltimore Sun photo by Doug Kapustin / January 10, 2009)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - As grudge matches go, this was worthy of the WWE. The Baltimore Ravens survived 13-10 against the Tennessee Titans on Saturday thanks to Matt Stover's 43-yard field goal with 53 seconds remaining.
Two teams with an extreme dislike for each other never stopped pounding it out in the wind and rain.
The difference: Baltimore forced three turnovers and never gave away the ball.
And when Joe Flacco led a 51-yard drive in the dying minutes to set up Stover's winning kick, the Ravens (13-5) were headed to the AFC championship game. Led by the first rookie quarterback to win two playoff games, the Ravens will play at Pittsburgh or San Diego next week for the right to go to the Super Bowl.
I was soooo anti- anything made by UGG until the white boys recently put me on to these. Like, I just didn't understand why women would wear those ridiculous Alaskan husky boots all the damn time. Now, I get it.
Initially, I thought, meh...UGGs simply CAN NOT be comfortable enough to compel me to pay $100 for a damn pair of slippers. Then, I tried them on. I damn near wore them out of Nordstrom.
When I wear these shoes it feels like the comfort gods are manufacturing tiny little comfort clouds made especially for me to walk on. If I could (read: if these weren't house shoes), I would wear these things everywhere I go and with everything I own regardless of color or style. That's how comfortable these are. In fact, I'm pretty sure I'll take them to my grave with me when I go as to be comfy cozy in my afterlife.
If you ain't got you a pair, you better get on it.
I'm so sick of fucking paying taxes. I know that's one of the constants in life you'll never be able to avoid, but FUCK THAT!!! I'm mad as hell right now!
I just walked down to the mailroom at the office and noticed our pay stubs were distributed. Because I get paid the exact same amount every pay, I usually just grab mine, throw the unopened envelope in my top left drawer here and let them pile up. I opened it this time because I wanted to know how much personal, vacation and sick time I've accrued cus I'm thinking about getting away for a bit in a few. That was mistake #1.
I just realized that Uncle Sam's greedy ass takes $508.53 in federal and state taxes , Social Security (that I'll NEVER recoup a effing dime of) and Medicare...every fucking pay.
EVERY FUCKING PAY!!!!
I'm not sure why I did this cus all it did was piss me off even more, but I crunched some numbers. That was mistake #2
The government takes roughly 25% of what I make bi-weekly in taxes. In total -- and this is what REALLY grinded my gears -- $13,224.64 is snatched from me annually in taxes.
I now know what getting butt fucked against my will by some big nigga named 'Tiny' in cell block #8 at Comstock or Sing Sing feels like. :-(
Here's a thought, Federal (and State) Government, maybe Americans wouldn't need freaking stimulus package, handout bullshit every quarter if we were allowed to keep more of the damn money we actually earn!!!
**walks away maaaaaad salty and slams the door behind**
One of the really cool things about blogging is having the opportunity to vibe with and read like-minded individuals with a lil bit of anonymity. My personal passion for prose aside, that and being able to share my crazy ass randoms with the world-at-large were probably blogging's biggest draws when I first started back in April 2007.
As the months progressed, I became more and more comfortable with the format. I posted a pic of myself with others here, dropped my first name there. Suddenly, I realized that more people than I think actually read my stuff and that I'm not all that anonymous anymore.
Case in point: I was sitting in on the little patio area in front of Chiptole at Inner Harbor before a movie a few weeks back. This guy -- a very nice guy named Troy -- walked past a couple of times, then came up to me and asked if I was who he thought I was. After some coversation, we determined that I was who he thought I was and that he reads my stuff. We said our goodbyes and headed in our seperate directions. As I walked to the theater just two piers and one neighborhood away, it hit me: without knowing me at all, that cat knew everything about me. Well, at least the stuff about me that I put out to the world.
