Let the mud-slinging begin

Now that there are unofficially two candidates running for president, I'm a much happier person. I haven't decided for whom I'm voting - that's what the next several months of debates and speeches are for. But knowing that there is plenty of time for candidates to make their case is a good thing - we, as a nation, will have the ability and time to research and make up our own minds.

Every morning, I go to CNN to check out the goings-on in the world. And, as much as I'm sick of the presidential campaign, I will occassionally click on the Politics page to get a quick synopsis. This morning, I did just that and found this page:

Now, I understand that the ad on this page is paid for by Obama. And I also understand that Obama is all up in the news right now because of the recent primaries. (Every link on the page is about Obama, along with the ad about Obama. Only one link mentions McCain...in respect to Obama). However, I also believe it is the responsibility of a new organization to watch its content and ensure that no wrong perceptions are made. When I was business manager of the student newspaper at Wake Forest, we constantly checked to make sure ads were placed correctly and that the overall look of the page didn't portray an unintended message.

When I clicked on this page, the unintended message was the CNN had placed its vote - for Obama. Of course, being who CNN is, I'm absolutely sure who they want to win this election. But as a reputable news organization, they need to make sure that their content, advertising and layout doesn't give away their intentions - explicity or implicitly. This isn't the first time I've found some biased reporting on this site, but the first time it struck me enough to get upset about it.

I don't know who I'm voting for in November, and I want to make an informed and educated decision based on my values and where I'd like to see this country go in the next four, eight, twenty years. I get especially stubborn and upset when I feel someone else is trying to make that decision for me.

Sweet Land of Liberty

I believe I saw my first plateau today. It’s strange to use the word plateau outside of a business setting - in recent history, I have used it to describe an area of a graph, a condition or state of being of particular business matters. But it’s been quite a long time since I visualized an actual plateau outside of the business setting.

Flying to California today, I looked out of my airplane window and marveled at the land below. I’m always in awe whenever I fly over the western part of our country. The land takes on different shapes and colors and few highways and cities mar its beauty. In a world of overpopulation and pollution, it’s refreshing to know that land exists that is still – somewhat – untouched by human hands.

Among the wrinkled mountains, snaking rivers and isolated lakes, I saw the first plateau. It looked as if a knife had horizontally cut off its peak, its sides rising from the dusty ground, only to be abruptly sliced flat. The last time I truly thought of a plateau in its most essence form was middle school social studies, learning about different land forms along with Native Americans and cloud formation. But it wasn’t until today when I really saw one in person – or maybe took the time to really notice.

And then I saw another one. And another. Each one took on a slightly different form, one was small and contained, another much larger. And then the mack-daddy of all plateaus – one whose sides rose from the ground, but the flat top extended for as far as I could see from 35,000 miles in the air.

On these western trips, I am constantly amazed by the vastness of our country. And while there are politics in this country that enrage us, war that fractions us, racism that divides us, and miles that separate us, we should all be united in that we are Americans, in that we live on and share this beautiful land. This land is our country and knowing that should bring us solidarity as a common people, as Americans. That no matter how different we are or how much we disagree or how many mistakes we sometimes make, we share this journey, this culture and this land together. Maybe if we embraced that solidarity more, embraced the pride in our patriotism, we would feel more like a family that argues and less like a garment that is ripping apart at its seams.

Sex comes to the city

Tonight was the Raleigh premiere of Sex and the City and I got to see the sneak peek! Special thanks to Alison who won two free tickets on the radio and brought me along. A little dinner beforehand with a glass of wine and then a special screening of the greatest movie to hit the streets of New York...kinda.

I did win a shirt before the movie started. They were giving out shirts to people for random things, and one of the things was having something from NYC in your purse. I, of course, had my MetroCard with me. Who knew it would come in so handy in NC?

Overall, I would give the movie a B+. The movie had its cute moments and its share of witty - and hilarious - dialogue. Every one of the characters are still true to form and it maintains a pretty good clip, despite the movie clocking in at 2.5 hours. Like hanging out with four of your best girlfriends, the time really did fly.

The biggest thing missing was that sparkle that came with the series. It seemed as if the actors were trying too hard to make this into something it wasn't. At times, it felt that the acting was a bit strained (I think Kristen Davis - Charlotte - did the best job of everyone). Even Oscar-winning Jennifer Hudson didn't seem to quite fit in. The plot was a bit thin; I had a hard time buying that Carrie would have done what she did. The movie didn't do much to develop the characters, which I realize is probably because it's aimed at a certain target - those women who followed the show for six seasons. But, being one of those girls, I still had a hard time emotionally connecting with some of the characters and their predictaments. Don't get me wrong - I laughed, I cried, I cheered. The movie was just missing that frosting on the cake. I would have just liked to see SATC go out with just a little more style.

But the point of a good chick flick is to get away. To escape into a fantasy of New York City for a few hours. And the movie did a good job of that. The fashion was fun to see, the city was fun to see, and the denouement of the show was fun to see. And, of course, seeing the movie with my good friend made it fun to see. Thanks for the fun girls night out, Alison!

On a random note, I just read an article in The New Yorker about Pascal Dangin, who is this world class retoucher of fashion photographs. Apparently, he's so good that photographers actually have him on set to help them with their photos. Well, he had a cameo role in the movie. He was on screen for all of three seconds, but it was so fun to see him and know who that crazy hair belonged to. And it made some of the movie make sense. Random to have just read that and then to have seen him in the movie.

A new milestone reached

I stopped at the gas station today to fill up my tank, and saw that the inevitable milestone has finally come to Raleigh: gas is $4/gallon.

So this is the first time, that I can remember, that a gallon of gas is officially more expensive than a gallon of milk. I don't know whether I should say "It's about time" or "Holy monkeys."

If Ford's announcement this week means anything, then maybe this means smaller, less-polluting, more-efficient cars are finally in our consistent future.

All in a wave

The human tendency (at least, I think it applies to all humans, although I haven't tested this theory among all the world's cultures) is to wave to a video camera. It's almost instinctive; as soon as the camera begins to whir, the jazz-handed wave greets the viewer.

We seldom sporadically wave in other parts of our lives. When driving down the road, we don't wave to fellow passerbyers. We don't wave to others on a train or if we see another plane crossing air space, miles away.

But, I noticed this weekend when vacationing at the beach, that we do wave to other boaters. I felt as if I was on a parade float, waving to people as we zoomed by each other. On almost every boat we passed, the passengers waved to us...and we waved to other passengers, sometimes instigating the acknowledgment ourselves.

And it made me think of other times that we wave to people. And I think that we have a higher tendency to wave to people when there's a personal contact made, like eye contact. In a boat, you can't help but see the other person coming towards you, and once that personal connection is made, it's rude not to wave. Maybe it's a way of embracing our humanity, sharing our collective sameness, acknowledging each other, especially when you have no other choice but to. In a car, we're distracted; we have an excuse not to wave and the person never really knows if we saw them or not. But out in the open - whether it's on a boat, or walking down a neighborhood sidewalk, or passing someone on a carriage ride - things become a little more personal.

Maybe we should all wave more, even when we're in our cars, or in a place where we normally don't wave. If anything, it's a friendly gesture, even if you do start to feel like you're in a parade.

Going Down?

I came across an interesting factoid in The New Yorker the other day ("Up and then Down", April 21, 2008): since the 1990's, the "close door" button on elevators doesn't actually work. The only person that can activate that button is a fireman with a key that he or she uses in the event of a fire or emergency.

How many times have I pressed that key impatiently, smashing it again and again to get a door to close, usually when the elevator has stopped nonsensically at a floor where no one is present? That button almost acts as a valve, releasing the rising anger and angst of frustration. As if pressing it again and again - even though the doors still don't seem to immediately close - helps keep our temper in check.

Or maybe we use that button as a signal, a way of letting others in the elevator know that we are in a hurry, need to get somewhere, frustrated that the elevator is taking it's sweet time to get to the next floor.

Now that I know that this button doesn't actually work for us common folk, I'm going to more carefully watch how other passengers use this button. I'd like to see how many times they punch the button and what makes them believe, as I did, that their actions actually have some sort of consequence. And maybe, if I'm feeling particuarly punchy - or brave - I just might share the insight of the dummy button with them.

What's Love Got to do with It?

When I was five or six years old, I would prance around the house with my favorite red purse, belting out the words to "What's Love Got to do with It?" My dream was to be Tina Turner - complete with the crazy hair - and marry Michael Jackson.

Well, some dreams don't quite come true. Alas, marrying the King of Pop was not in the cards, and neither was pulling off the crazy Tina hair - or getting the fabulous Tina legs, for that matter.

But dreams can come pretty close - in October, Abby and I will rendez-vous in Chicago to see Tina perform on her last tour ever! I'm pretty excited about the whole thing and just hope that Tina is prepared for me to sing with her on stage. Oh, Tina, you're "Simply the Best!"

By the way, do you know that Tina is 69 years old? I just hope I can age as gracefully as she has.

Yo Momma!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! As a special treat, I have a very fun blog that just about everyone can relate to. It's a website that invites people to send in their crazy e-mails that their mothers send them. You know the ones - the nagging ones, the unintentionally funny ones, the ones where your mom is trying to let you know she cares about you but it's just coming off as her being psychotic.

Before I saw this website, I thought it was just me. Now I know that I'm just one of a multitude. The Newsweek article about the blog is here.

And you can check out Postcards From Yo Momma here. Let the hilarity ensue! Thanks to Elizabeth for cluing me in and saving my sanity!

Commoditized

In the Dallas airport this morning, I walked by a vending machine. It didn't dispense candy bars or soda pop, but iPods. Press E3 for a blue iPod Nano. Or press A8 for an extra set of ear buds. A simple slide of the credit card makes the sale complete.

Amazing. Even iPods are becoming a commodity. Soon we'll be trading iPods on the Stock Exchange, right along with orange juice pork bellies.

Note: I actually found an image online of the exact vending machine at DFW so you can revel in the experience. Apparently, I'm not the only one completely amazed.

Voting Time

In just a few short days, North Carolina will be heading to the polls to cast its vote for a democrat presidential candidate. When news first broke that it may be North Carolina and Indiana - two states thought to be voting too late in the process to make a difference - who may determine the candidate, everyone here was all a tither.

But then it became the only thing we ever heard about. Now, I feel like North Carolinians are haggard and war-torn, tired of the pandering and ready for this whole thing to be over with. I concur. I'm ready for just two candidates.

Next Friday, North Carolina will also be holding other primaries other than the presidential one. Based on the signs I've seen at intersections, there's School Board, County Commissioner, Governor and State Senate. What exactly is a County Commissioner, anyway? And does anyone really care?

And the signs! I feel like we're running for high school Student Body President again. Colorful signs at every intersection shouting "Vote for me! Vote for me!" There are so many, I can't even remember who's running. It's all just a popularity contest, especially when no one even knows what your office does.

I'll be so glad when all this is over and the real fun begins!

Monday Laughs

Happy Monday!

Q: What did 50-cent say to his friend who knitted him a sweater?

A: Gee, you knit?

Oh, New York

I was in NYC this past week/weekend. I worked during the week, and then extended the trip to the weekend to see my sister, grandma and friends. Every time I go back to the city, I realize how much I miss it. It's like meeting a friend you haven't seen in awhile - at first you have to remember which way is North, that avenues go from East to West, and then you're back in your comfort zone again. It's like you never left.

It's strange that I find comfort among so much chaos. I guess the rest of my life is kind of the same way...I thrive in chaos. But what's great about New York is that, just when the chaos and the crowds may be getting the best of you, you can duck into a museum, or a book store, or a coffee shop and escape for a bit, find a bit of quiet and comfort amid the storm.

I've written before about how my infatuation with New York. I guess I thought that that preoccupation with the city would die down over time, that I would become one of those people who say they love the city, but could never live there. I guess you don't know until you're actually stuck there (yes, in the tiny, cramped apartment). Maybe I see the city through rose-colored glasses (that's my specialty, after all), but there is still something that draws me to the city, that fits me just like an old friend.

Happy Earth Day!

Hopefully everyone will do one great thing to help the Earth today. Our firm encouraged everyone to work from home today, to help keep 40 cars off the road. So I'm sitting on my porch, typing out a report and reducing my carbon footprint, while enjoying the beautiful weather we're having here.

In honor of Earth Day, and in the spirit of bringing the Earth to the forefront of our everyday thoughts and actions, here are 10 Ways to Go Green!

Happy Earth Day!

Pope Mania

I've been surprised by the amount of news coverage that the Pope's visit to America has received. As a Catholic, I know the Pope is a big deal to our religion, but I'm not used to everyone being as interested in him as we are.

JP2 had a big following, and I guess I could understand why he was so popular among Catholics and non-Catholics alike. He had charisma, he did a lot to bridge gaps between religions and countries, and he appealed to a lot of young people. Up until now, I thought if people liked the pope, it had more to do with JP2 than it did with the position itself.

Now I'm not so sure. Every major news channel, including CNN, broadcast the entire Papal Mass yesterday. That's several hours of continuous coverage on just one event. That's amazing to me. Why the interest in the Pope? Why are people from all religions and backgrounds interested in his visit to America? No other religious or political dignitary has ever gotten this kind of press or coverage. No president, no religious leader, no one. What gives?

Maybe it's a mystique around the office. Maybe it had something to do with the sex scandals in the Church. Maybe there's just nothing else going on in the world at this moment.

What is it about a Pope that garners so much interest? Yeah, the Catholic religion is one of the oldest and there's a lot of history (good and bad) with the religion and its leader. Maybe it's that few other religions have a head person like this, but still...there were CNN reporters - non-Catholics - who attended the Mass in Yankee Stadium and whose responses were those you'd expect to hear from someone who was Catholic. What is it about this one man - about this office - that generates this excitement?

It sounds like his visit went really well, and hopefully the first steps were taken to really heal the wounds of those victims and those of US Catholics. It will be interesting to see how his visit energizes our faith. And, it will be interesting to see if this visit will energize the rest of America, even those who just see him as a Pope.

Look Ma, no helmet

In anticipation of the warming weather, Scott and I had our bikes tuned up. New tires, new tubes, new brakes.

So I went out for a ride this afternoon and felt a bit naked. I didn't wear a helmet.

See I grew up in the generation that never wore bicycle helmets. My sister (six years younger) started wearing one when she become of bike-riding age. So I guess I just missed it. Since it was a foreign concept to me growing up, it just seems weird to wear one now. So I zipped around the neighborhood and felt a bit out of place. I felt that people were judging me because I wasn't wearing a helmet.

I can't help but think that riding a bike would be a whole different experience with a helmet on. No wind rushing through your hair, decreased field of vision, a strange balancing act, now that there's extra weight on your head. Not quite as carefree as careening on your bike without a helmet.

I guess we should probably get helmets, since it seems the vogue thing to do now. But it doesn't mean I have to like it.

When did I become old?

Reason #6: I was reading CNN.com today and came across the following story: New Kids on the Block Reuniting. In a nutshell, the NKOTB (New Kids on the Block) are getting back together, creating new music together. That, in itself, wasn't such a big deal, but the following statement in the article turned my blood cold:

The boy band New Kids on the Block, which sold 70 million albums in the 1980s and early '90s, has reunited and plans to release a new album and go on tour. The reunion comes 20 years after the release of the group's multiplatinum album, "Hangin' Tough."

I bolded the phrase in question. Twenty years? They had to be mistaken. So I quickly did the math...I'm 28 years old (going on 29), which would have made me eight or nine when the album came out, which would have put me in 4th grade. Yep, that's about right.

Twenty years? Seriously? I feel so old.

A few of my favorite things

Like the rest of the country, and especially those in North Carolina, I've been glued to the TV, watching March Madness. North Carolinians go crazy over their college basketball, and having gone to an ACC school, I've now become a part of this culture. I love Wake, hate Carolina, and am indifferent about Duke. It doesn't help that most of the people at the firm I work in graduated from Carolina. My week would be complete if Carolina lost today...

...but I digress. Because I'm glued to the TV, I've watched a lot of commercials. Some of them aren't confined to the March Madness season, but I just haven't seen a whole lot of commercials until now. There are two that stick out: the new Marine commerical and a Nike commercial, both of which are below.

I like the Marine commercial (other than the bias of my father being a Marine Colonel) because it's moving and inspirational. And every time I watch it, I notice something different. It wasn't until the third time that I realized they are spanning the United States, from Times Square, the mid-America, to San Fran. And it's not just the big cities, it's the small towns. The music, the uniforms, the landscape. It's just a very effective commercial. I've read somewhere once before that the Marines have the smallest advertising budget of the branches, but are the most effective in recruiting, dollar for dollar. I don't know who their ad agency is, but I think they put out some great stuff, overall.

The Nike commercial is kind of similar to the Marine one. I'm probably biased again because Chris Paul is in the commerical. But it really speaks to hard work and dedication of teams and individuals. The idea that, while everyone wants to win, it's those who put in the blood, sweat, and tears that are able to overcome even those favored to win. And that that work starts at an individual level. What's effective about this commercial is that there is no voice-over - just the chiming and the images.

Enjoy!

New US Marine Corps Commercial - 30 Second Version

Air Jordan XX3 - There are no Cinderellas

Give my regards to Broadway

The Wedding Singer. Legally Blonde. Spamalot. Titanic. Footloose. The Rocky Horror Picture Show. All these titles have something in common: they are movies that have been made into Broadway musicials.

I am bothered by this trend. Broadway has a certain mystique, a class about it that has created classical musicals. To bring a movie script onto the stage seems demoralizing and almost sacrilegious. I don't see Legally Blonde worthy of sharing the same circle as Andrew Lloyd Webber. Making a movie into a musical cheapens the value of Broadway.

(The Disney movies weren't included in my initial list. The Little Mermaid and The Lion King have made their debuts onto Broadway, as well. But Disney is in a different world, and almost shares that same mystique as Broadway. For some reason, I'm not as bothered by these animated movies becoming singing and dancing numbers on stage).

Could it be a societal issue? Are we becoming so secular that we are disinterested in those shows that we haven't already seen on the big screen? Are we trading the classics for the best sellers? Are we in danger of those famous Broadway musicals going dark, only to make their appearance again in brief revivals, a la Cats? What happened to the "good ol' days" when it was the silver screen that was honored to host a Broadway musical, and not the other way around?

I refuse to support any musical that has it's roots in a movie. I'll still go to Broadway musicals, but to see the quality shows, not just one that's hoping to extend its commercial value on 42nd street.