Maybe Obama Will Win?

Eric Zorn is the columnist from the Chicago Tribune who made me a little nervous with his list of reasons that Obama would lose the election of Tuesday (see last post). Now, Zorn has submitted his thoughts on why Obama will win the election. I don't share all of Zorn's opinions, but did find myself very interested and, sometimes, in agreement.

Election 2008

Let's get two things straight upfront. First, I have never supported McCain. Second, I do support and am voting for the Obama/Biden ticket. But, and I know that I'm risking my "I'm a liberal" bumper sticker status here, I've never really felt comfortable sharing the same political space with the rosy-cheeked, bright-eyed, tail a wagging members of the cult of Obama either. Call me jaded, hell call me conservative if you'd like, but I just don't see a lot of REAL change a happening while Congress remains the same (old, white, stagnant), while skinheads plot the death of Obama and a large group of black students, while we waste time talking about the legal definition of marriage, while we lag behind the world in education, while we put individual and corporate profits ahead of working for the betterment of our community, etc. But, I will say that I believe Obama is capable of laying the foundation that is needed in order to see the kind of REAL change that many of us so desperately want to see.

Cult of Obama or not, what I do not want to see is McCain win. Maybe it's all the medication co-mingling in my system but I'm feeling a whole lot anxious and shaky about the upcoming election on Tuesday. To acknowledge the obvious = yes, I know that Obama leads in the most recent polls. However, as an informed citizen and teacher of history I know enough not to trust that this lead is nearly as strong as it needs to be to ensure a victory. I've also been obsessed with this map - watching it, studying it, waiting to see if colors will change as we head toward Tuesday. I know it's a numbers game, but look at all that red! Then, I read this article this morning, which expresses some of the same opinions and concerns that I have held about Obama since his acceptance of the Democratic nomination. Weird co-winky-dink? Probably. But it has me worried. And, very, very interested.

Give Me Steriods. Lots of Them. Now.

Can't fight it. Can't change it. It is what it is. Twice a year--October and April--I get horribly, horribly sick, and probably will for the rest of my life. It begins as a sniffle or a tickle or even a shiver. Then, like Hurricane Ike, it gains momentum until it quickly, but finally, reaches shore. And by that time, you can't stop it, you can only brace yourself for the ride. And, yes, if you haven't figured it out yet, I am sick. Truly sick. Deathly sick. I have only a squeak of a voice left, beat up bones and internal organs from a cough so violent and so relentless that it has registered on the Richter Scale, throbbing temples and a headache that won't quit, asthmatic episodes, and dry heaving. Insult to injury? Everytime I cough, I wet my pants a little. Sexy.

Ye Olde Renaissance Faire

The Event:

The Renaissance Faire was last Saturday at the school where Bill and I teach. I played Queen Isabella of Spain. Brilliant choice, if I do say so myself. Bill played Sir Walter Raleigh. Um...I'm still undecided about that casting decision. To be fair though, Raleigh was a better role than his original, Head Bridge Troll by Food Court.

The Review:

Let's start with the good news first -- beautiful, beautiful weather, decent, well-behaved crowd, ye olde good times with friends and colleagues, a chance to laugh at yourself in an ill-fitting rental costume, good exercise, and a SUPER, SUPER play (Midsummer Night's Dream - way to go Dando and Company!!!). And now the bad news -- it was a long, long day, I was sun burned, sore, and exhausted by day's end, I had to pay for my own food and drinks (I spent at least 20 bucks) and --best of all--I didn't get paid a cent from the district for being there for 9 hours. Yes, you read correctly. At the very least, they could pay to have my carpet cleaned (dogs, like most other species, cannot hold it for 9 hours~poor Grover!)

The Kid & Hubby:

Emma, A New Musical

It's a Wednesday Rep night for Bill and I so we're off to see Emma, A New Musical. Most of the time, I think it's a bad idea to mess with a really rich, really exquisite, and nearly flawless work of fiction (or a classic literary character like Emma) by turning it into a movie, musical, etc. But, in this case, I'm thinking that Emma and music seem like a good match. UPDATE: It was a terrific match....as Emma might say, "Well, it was just simply delightful." Very witty, very entertaining. This production is a perfect starting point for the Jane-curious. And, for the more Jane-expert, the musical is a perfect compliment to her written work. Emma runs through November 2, 2008 so go see it!

Center for Human Origins and Cultural Diversity

Welker, one of the other MRH history teachers, and I took our Freshman Humanities kids to the Center for Human Origins and Cultural Diversity at UMSL. This little known anthropology lab has four-45 minute interactive stations for the kids to explore human evolution. Teachers that teach topics that involve human origins and evolution should definitely find a way to bring their kids here. The kids had so much fun that they forgot that they were learning!

Mama Got A Brand Bag

I love bags - clutches, purses, totes, messengers, etc. - and have found that one can never have too many. But the one kind of bag that I have never bought is a work bag. They're always too heavy or too leathery or too ugly and, usually, too professional. On the other hand, casual work bags have never really felt right either - that is until now. This summer I bought the perfect work bag and I gotta tell ya about it because I'm so lovin' it. It's light-weight, attractive, and casual/professional. And, it's the perfect amount of utilitarian. But the best thing about the whole bag is that it's made almost exclusively from recycled and reclaimed materials. Give me a woo hoo!

Book Review: I Love You, Beth Cooper by Larry Doyle

After 4-years of pining for head cheerleader Beth Cooper, nerdy, nobody Valedictorian Denis Cooverman decides to use his 3-minutes of fame graduation speech to publicly declare his love for her. To his surprise, Beth isn't repulsed; in fact, she even considers dropping by his party. Thus, begins a 24-hour whirlwind, coming of age adventure complete with fun, booze, pranks, confessions, and witty, witty dialogue. Entertainment Weekly said, "Hilarious...Reminiscent of the best of John Hughes's 80's comedy classics...." Couldn't have said it better.

A List for October 5th

Things I Absolutely Hate and Always Will (in no particular order):

1. patchouli (i mean seriously, it's passe and it stinks)
2. autos that get less than 25 mpg (also avoiding discussing why i hate all suv's and most domestic models)
3. rabbits and, especially, small rodents (those ol' nasty teeth)
4. materialism (no explanation needed)
5. when you can but you won't think for yourself (you have a brain, why not use it?)
6. a warped sense of entitlement (i.e. i'm an american, i have a right to control the universe, not in my back yard!, drill, baby, drill! where are my cheap........, etc)
7. along the same line, self-importance (again, get over yourself--i already have)
8. deceitful behavior (c'mon, can't we all just be honest?)
9. littering (american indian crying, you know you all remember that one)
10. excuses (some are legit, but most aren't)
11. the movie Freedom Writers (what? you think i'm a chump?)
12. hate speech, ism's, and homophobia (it's just not cool, smart, or purposeful)
13. socks with sandals, especially adidas shower sandals (unless you're homeless)
14. giving the peace sign while being photographed (kids, celebs, etc -- it's totally played!)