Family and Life

Living in Santa Cruz for just a few weeks. Getting back into 'the good life' (family, Californian wine, running, yoga-ing, the ocean, Steve, the trials and tribulations of a privileged liberal community), and trying to be awake to what the universe has to teach me in my life in this moment, right now. Being reminded of what was important, what is important, what should be important.

Gun violence makes me so angry. The Keystone pipeline (remember I've been in Africa for 2 years so some stuff that is tired for you is still new to me). WTF? I read a little thing in the May 27, 2013 New Yorker (did I list reading The New Yorker up there in my definition of the good life? Well, please consider it edited in) about the terrible Keystone pipeline and for me it all boils down to one simple question:

how much oil would I personally have to commit not to use in the next year in order for Obama to say 'hell no!' to the pipeline?

It seems like a pretty 'simple' math problem to me (economist and math friends, help a sister out here). How much (of the worst kind of) oil would the pipeline bring us? Divide that by the number of Americans (or number of adult Americans? or number of car-owning Americans?) to figure out what each of our personal liability is. I'm thinking it wouldn't be all that much. Like, we each commit to make one less car trip a week. To ride our bike more.

Let's save the environment and our own hearts, let's bike!!

...I've definitely been hanging out with community college bike co-op-erators a lot lately, but too much? Nah, can you have too much of a good thing?

But seriously, let's kick this addiction to oil, be it foreign, domestic, north American, or whatever. Oll is oll, no matter where it comes from. And let's stop this gun violence. And let's make the world a better place. For everyone. White, black, rich, poor, American, African, otherwise. It seems like a lot, and it is overwhelming, but the day we get numb to it all and stop caring, that's a scary day indeed.

Santa Cruz summer to-do list:

• Bigfoot museum
• ride bikes downtown
• Lean In book club
• medieval feast
• Africa presentations
• see Steve multiple times per week
• find trivia
• Shakespeare Santa Cruz
• LA trip?
• run
• yoga
• read
• read some more

Is this real life??

Shit's getting real here people. I'm taking 9 credits at PCC, which I absolutely love. Well, I like my in-person Econ 201 class b/c I love walking around campus feeling like a college student again! I catch myself grinning like an idiot in class all the time. But just missing a bus and waiting 20 minutes for the next one in the cold...hey, at least there are STREET LIGHTS here in Portland! Man, you don't realize how awesome/necessary those are 'til you live 2 years without 'em!

But Stats online is gonna be a bitch.

I also got a full-time job, which starts next week. So after next Tuesday, I will have no life until April 16th (receptionist at a tax office, you see). Which is fine by me, really. I got bills to pay! Money is meant to be spent, and I have been spending it. And on it goes. At least I'll die having lived.

I have not fully transmogrified into my true Portland self. Yet. Quasi-lesbian haircut, check. Public-transporting myself around town, check. Library card, check. Now I just need some hipster glasses and a bike, to find a yoga studio I like and I'll be set.

In the next couple of days apps to grad schools will be 100% submitted. The week after next I'm going to Washington D.C. to attend the inauguration and staff ball, tour the White House and potential grad schools, and best of all, reunite with my girl Sorry Zead!! SOOOOO excited!!! I can't believe it's been a year since I last saw her! Rude. We're gonna make memories that'll last a lifetime! ...not that we didn't in Malawi...

I'm pleased. 2013 seems to be starting out pretty darn well. Let's keep this up.

A Day in the Life of a Field Organizer

UPS

I knocked a lot of doors today, and got a lot of undecideds or traditional dems who didn't want to request their ballots by mail. I was bumming hard-core, but when I got back to the office I found a completed walk packet from a volunteer who just recently came out of the woodwork. 9 VBMs! 2 voter regs! Suddenly everything was okay. This is hard work out here in rural SW Iowa, but it's worth it. We're covering a lot of ground, and hopefully won't hit any deer with our cars in the process. We're having real conversations with real voters and hopefully our dedication shines through. Whenever I'm feeling tired or down, I get re-inspired by the people I'm working for and with: women who want the freedom to make their own choices about their own bodies, (1 woman filled out a VBM today for that reason alone), seniors who rely on their social security to live (1 woman I met today makes it work with $700 a month...$700 a month!!! That's probably the cost of Mitt Romney's right shoe!), the gays and lesbians whose committed relationships deserve the same honor and respect as heterosexual marriage, anyone who believes in a free and open and loving society.

CHALLENGES

I need to make sure my volunteers feel appreciated. I need to get better at managing what little time I have. I need to find/make energy to be harder, faster, better, stronger. I'm here for all the Peace Corps Volunteers and employed people who don't have the time to give to the campaign but whose hearts are behind me and who are counting on people like me to pull it out and make it work. Let's win Iowa!!!

SOLUTIONS

The new schedule Megan just sent out! A possible DFO coming later this week! Faith, trust and pixie dust!

OTHER WORK

I voted! I cast my absentee ballot in the state of Iowa for Barack Obama and Joe Biden today! So excited and proud to vote for such great guys and to be a part of such a great team to get them re-elected! Let's win this thing!

Summer Vacation!

Two weeks ago I hiked Ruarwe. That involved meeting up with a handful of supreme beings, (fellow PCVs Sara & Garrett, or Sarrett, and Jay; Jay and the Gays!), and getting the best hitch ever in an American semi truck. The first time I've ever been in the cab of a semi-truck (or lorry, as they'd say in England or any former English colony), and it happened in Malawi. It was huge! (that's what she said) Sara and I squeezed onto the bottom bunk with one of the Malawians and Garrett sat up front. What a way to go down the escarpment: blue lake, green trees, baboons, a couple tons of pipes behind my head. At one point we went off the road a little bit and my heart skipped a beat imagining the fiery heap of unidentifiable metal and mush at the bottom of a cliff after careening down a cliff. We stayed the night in Mlowe at Renee's house, sans Renee. It's supposed to be a 3-day hike to Ruarwe from there, and our rough eye-ball estimates based on a map we saw on a boat suggest that in total the trek was around 50 kilometres. We were apparently extra ambitious because we did it in 2 days. I wanted to kill a bitch by the end. My feet are torn up (apparently the combination of old Nike trail runners and dirty Old Navy socks wasn't the ticket), but at least it was fucking beautiful the whole time, and there were monkeys! Then we got to the lodge (Zulunkhuni??), situated at the base of a waterfall. Para.Fucking.Dise.

I snorkeled, I jumped off a deck into the lake (≈8 meters, so, what, 24 feet?), I swam naked by the light of the full moon, I ate good food, I drank sachets (think: ketchup packet full of nasty 40% alcohol). By far the best way to drink sachets is to do slap shots: chasing them with getting a slap in the face. Apparently slapping bitches is a secret talent of mine, (just ask Garrett). We met a variety of interesting characters: a cute young British married couple, an American girl from Michigan who's been studying Hausa for 3 years (which begs the obvious question: Why? Followed by the next most obvious question: Ina kwana motherfucker?), and Charlie, the owner of the place who's been in Malawi for 13 years and is hoping to get a Malawian passport soon. We walked into the town of Ruarwe and bought masconeys (AKA big fat dinner rolls) every day, and on the last day took the only means of transport out of the place: a big boat called the Ilala that goes up and down the lake once a week. It was weird but good to be out of cell phone service for almost a week. And does that mean the kids who live in Ruarwe have never seen a car?

Last week I've been hanging out with Sally and Ellie in Salima for a Peer Educator/HIV/AIDS training Sally put together for the youth from 17 health centres in the area, including the one in my town. It was really excellent, and the youth from my area have some good sessions planned for when we get back (although I'm not so sure how the 'dangers of illegal abortions' session is going to go over at the local church). On the last day the training closed with everyone (even the girls!) demonstrating putting condoms on wooden penises (penii?).

Last Wednesday was July 20th. Big protests all over Malawi. Did it make it to American news outlets? Well, there's no petrol (oil) or Islamic militants here, so maybe not. (Although America did just pull out a bunch of aid and it was the 5th thing down on the Africa page on the CNN website…) Anyways, people have been rioting and looting, getting tear gassed and hacked with panga knives in the big cities. I'm having dreams about getting evacuated all over again. Ah! Bingu's blaming it all on the gays. Right: donors pulling out and an overvalued kwach are TOTALLY the fault of homosexuals (innuendos intended). Sheesh. It's shit like this that makes me appreciate my American upbringing, or rather, my liberal blue state Oregon upbringing. Even though blue isn’t a favorite color, (or favourite colour) in Malawi these days. DPP is the party they’re all demonstrating against, which, according to the minibus conductor yesterday stands for “diesel, petrol palibe” (no diesel or petrol). Scandalous! The opportunities and exposure to divergent viewpoints, the drag queens and the Planned Parenthood, the freedom of religion (and the freedom from religion) that makes America what it is-I had it pretty good growing up. Gays of America: fight for your rights and all that (yaay New York marriages! Yaay Obama appealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell!), but be grateful that America’s as open-minded as it is. You could be in Malawi, where being gay is illegal, and where you’d be getting blamed for Bingu’s forex problems.

A few days ago I flossed a filling out. Today I went to a most terrifying dental appointment. It hurt. But it’s over now. A bouncing baby boy was finally born to Mrs. Banda! She’s the burser (AKA secretary) at my school and also my landlord, which makes the new little tyke my cousin, I’ve decided. His name is Bonface Banda (BB, just like older brothers Bright and Blessings), and he’s super cute! Mission while in Lilongwe: buy some bitchin’ baby clothes.

Two nights ago I had another tortilla party at my house. I invited only guys (because I’m about to go hang out with a bunch of girls and successful career women at Camp GLOW for a week). Some of my friends brought banana/orange wine made for them by a nun. It was delicious. Now I’m chilling in Lilongwe, waiting for GLOW to begin on Sunday. I can’t wait to get girls all empowered and shit!

That's the update here. It's not much, but it's what I've got. My cat is growing, tomatoes are cheap these days. Anati MicPhallan, over and out.

March 21st, 2008

Some friends and I went to see Barack Obama speak at the UofO on this day a few weeks ago. I took a notebook to chronicle the event. Many people contributed. In their notes and scribbles, their hopes and fears are outlined. Their skepticism for politicians in general is tempered by their awe and respect for the great Barack Obama. Here are the real entries by real people, unabridged. Find out who this guy is and who the people are who would wait for hours in a line to see him. (Names sometimes omitted.)

• Rainbows have colors
• A neglected poodle left out in the heat is not a hot dog
• Why does Hawaii have interstates?
• I <3>

What do you get when you cross an apple, Ron Jeremy, and the end of a monkey? Fruit-cock-tail

What does a man with a foot long cock eat for breakfast? I like eggs, toast, and a glass of milk.

3:42 pm So I'm sitting here on the sidewalk enjoying a wonderful lunch/dinner of crackers & cheese along with honey roasted nuts. I'm looking forward to tonight, I hope this experience will make a positive impact on my future decision(s). We got 3 plus hours to go... tick-a-tock tick-a-tock

4:48 we miss Annette & Melissa...come back soon PLEASE

Reaction
What a great event! I am extremely satisfied with the support by our generation. OBama stands for many important issues, and I hope he has the opportunity to lead our country like no other president. His speech was amazing and he brings hope to the U.S. Now everyone, get educated & go out and fight for what you believe in!

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Why are you here? What are your thoughts?

Will Obama put me into some sort of mind controlled trance? 'cause that's what I want.

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O-bama. O-MG! O-regon. I'm peeing myself! I'm here! OMG! This is an historic moment. I got a crush on Obama. He's the best candidate, and I'm looking for some magic tonight! 3:37pm 3 1/2 hours 'til the doors open!

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3:54pm Obama line count - Eastside 550 Westside - rumored to be longer @ 4 per person hold 4400 total unofficial count

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4:59 1/2 So, one hour down like 4 more to go! I can't wait to see Obama! I'm thinking about stalking Obama but have not made up my mind! Time will tell. Bye for now!

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Danny registered to vote at his current address. Rock rock on!

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"I like excited old people!" -Josh

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"9/11 was an inside job" said a sign a guy was carrying across the street. "Yeah!" I said. "I know, it sucks!" he said. And that was that. - approx. 5pm

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Obama is young, energetic, and makes you want to stand up and say "Freakin A Go!"

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Canvasser for the ballot initiative - today I'm following Obama & talking to people. Good day.

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Hello future voters of my bloodline. I am here with my one true best friend/sister Annette, and we are rockin' our youth and our idealistic attitudes - if you ever become anything but liberal/democratic, may God have mercy on your soul. GO OBAMA!! p.s. we are all freakin' adorable

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"Been following Obama since Iowa" It's been an awesome ride, I don't want to ever get off!!!

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To finally have a president that stands up for the enviromment!
(Annette: Look he likes the environment! Josh: But he can't spell it!)

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Josh: "Some people have so much, I don't know, hope or something!"

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Love Obama's UNITY message! Time heal the nation.

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I've never seen Obama speak, what a good time.

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Some say "It's time for change" is just a pointless saying. They say "what chang?" You look around and this awesome crowd tells you! We want control of our future. We want an end to this vile and pointless war! We want freedom and a better economy! We want change from the rich to the poor! This awesome crowd is here for Obama! Yah!!! Finally this eloquent and brave man, while even being a politician, is here for us!

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I brought my 3 kids to this historical event in the first place because we come from a country that suffered 18 years of dictatorship, CHILE, with Pinochet and if this is a great experience of what freedom and democracy can be. Secondly, we are excited to see in the U.S. a president that understand and can represent minorities. And thirdly this is very very cool!! Thank. Also, it was a great chance to share our chips with you. Obama's real are you!!!

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"Times like these...times like those" did it in the 60's - really special to be here doing it again with my son Kris. Change CAN happen.

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I am volunteering today because we are blessed with a democratic system and inherent in that is a responsibility to others in our country and the world! <3 :)

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"Barack Obama's latest speech was almost touching & a little appealing. I do not support him though. I'm green & for Nader! Actually I may ride home & smoke..."

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I'm 58. Not since Bobby Kennedy have I felt so inspired & hopeful

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Keep up the good work Obama is a great relief in politics - listen to KRVM all music all the time

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34 yr old female - I think Obama is a legend in the making!

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I am Kenyan. I know Obama's family in Kenya.

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Obama fucking rocks.

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Obama 2nd time today...love him

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Reporting on Obama event...once in a lifetime opportunity KMTR

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Annette made the Obama event very entertaining!

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Mac Court is ghetto. People are crazy. (LOL WUT?)

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Well...I was undecided for awhile on the Obama/Clinton issue...but, when Clinton tried to shadily grab Florida & Michigan votes I turned to Obama!! He seems more fair, ethical & the least like a politician...if there is such a thing and...I'm on the campaign trail myself Mann/Nickerson '08!! It's a difficult path, but worth it (I hope). This is a monumental time in our lives & hopefully we will witness great changes.

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I'm going to fill the bubble in by Obama's name. Isn't that neat?

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Stuff! And things! Obama's pretty cool, but he'd better not be late!

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Dreams from my father (1995)

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Hello, my name is Kevin 51 year old white male inspired by rhetoric of Barack. His Tuesday speech in Philadelphia was "out of the park" it brought tears to my eyes for its depth & compassion. I have been following his life & passion for several month and have been truly moved by his openness on the political scene. When someone speaks to you "not at you" it is wonderful. Thank you Mr. Obama the next POTUS.

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We finally got in what a relief. I was willing to abandon everyone to enter, luckily all of your group made it through! Finding seats was crazy & apparently emotional for a few of us, but the seats we ended up with were worth a couple tears!!! P.S. screw those UofO ground level elitist tardy bastards!! 8:02pm

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Very happy to get in! Was worried-now VERY EXCITED. Originally from South Mississippi ART TEACHER Here to feel the energy of the crowd and soak up the experience- Took a pic of the bomb squad truck.

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Hi - I'm sitting behind you @ Mac Court. I'm so excited that Barack is going to be HERE. I thought I'd just have to watch speeches on YouTube forever. I really hope we can hear him, but it seems like we will be able to. I lost my friends along the way, so I'm here solo, so I get to focus 100% on Barack-who is so inspiring! Yay for Barack, make all your friends vote! -architecture student

***

Annette: They're closing the door!
Josh: Because he comes out of the floor!

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Wow! What incredible powerful, positive energy. After so many years of being disappointed over & over again by the leadership in this country, we finally have a leader who we can believe in, who has the integrity to do what is right and who can unify the people toward change that will benefit us all. Tonight, preparing to see Barack Obama in person is an incredible moment in time. Let's make it happen & send him to the White House. It IS up to US.

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I think this event is a powerful expression of our democracy. Our country is lucky to have such an inspiring candidate in Obama. My children, ages 10 & 15, will always remember this evening. Obama truly gives you "hope" our country can turn things around.

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My wife dragged me here. No, seriously... These events are for optimists, for people who still believe in the greatness of our country and our ability to move mountains when we are inspired by visionary leadership.

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This is what democracy is all about. Its very exciting to bring my kids to hear such an inspirational candidate.

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In 1968 I saw Bobby Kennedy while visiting California - since that time no politician has touched me like I am now touched by Barack Obama. Here with my wife and two kids on this historic occasion.

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My 13 year old daughter talked me into it, but it is cool.

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hi, I'm the 13 year old daughter - it actually didn't take much convincing I think he secretly wanted to come, so far it's pretty awesome but everyone has been waiting WAY too long seriously we need a system! Plus the mikes kinda suck...looking forward to seeing Obama though!!!! :)

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I want to see if Obama is the first candidate for the people rather than a few people. Will he help change U.S. policy for the benefit of all people?

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Obama's book "Dreams from my father" and his speeches have really inspired me. I think he is one of a kind and this is his time!

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Whatever else may be said of him, he is a phenomenon. A magnetic personality who I feel privileged to see.

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Hello Barack - may the wind always be at your back.

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Obama is risking it all to give our country a chance again to be a great nation. I believe that he really believes "All men (women) are created equal" and he wants to create the conditions so more equality exist in this country & the rest of the world. If he is gonna risk his life for us, we've got to think about what we're willing to do to bring the ideals that created this nation to fruition. Let's do it. :)

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Barack Obama is putting America on trial. Which America do we want to be? The fearful one George Bush and John McCain and Hillary Clinton are so sure we are - or the diverse, hopeful, rational, forward-looking one that Barack Obama believes we can be? The choice is ours. But if America turns its back on the blessing of this great man, appearing at our moment of need...we'll have nobody to blame but ourselves for the destiny we have chosen.

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ABCD Goldfish?
LMNO Goldfish.
SARZ Goldfish. CM?
(What?)

***

I was once skeptical of Obama's plans, his persona, his motives for running, and everything in between. Now, I feel energized, rejuvenated, and excited to be able to assist in America's first revolution since the one that set us apart from Great Britain! Obama is a candidate who I feel can be the first politician to live up to his campaign promises. If he gets elected it will be a historic moment not because he's the first Black president but because he will be the first politician ever to actually be an honest, positive, uncorruptable presence in the oval office. OBAMA 2008! A true awakening of our hopes for change.

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REACTIONS

Holy S**t!! That was spectacular! I'm moved & motivated & believe in change WE ALL can make happen!!

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This is an old person car, everything turns on automatically. - Annette

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I felt bad for giving my support for a candidate that I knew very little about, but it seems fate or the cosmos or just THE WORLD guided me toward this positive power within a man. I will no longer let myself be distracted, giving my focus and power to share with others and better assist myself, my community, my state, my nation, and my planet. Empowerment: a gift from B. Obama 3-21-08 Eugene OR 10:44pm

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@ the Shari's, with Matt and Adam, back in the Cor, 11:42pm

Amazing. Inspiring. NOT owned by corporate interests. NOT in it for himself. CARING. GOOD PLANS AND IDEAS. For as incredible as he is, it's weird that it's such a foreign concept to have a GOOD, GENUINE candidate for pres. He's MY candidate. For students. For the environment. For everyone. Everyone for Obama. '08. - Annette

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I have never been so overcome with emotion simply from someone talking! He gives me hope for tomorrow! I pray nothing happens to him!

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First of all - Annette is my lover!

My experience today was different from the rest of you. I support Hillary Clinton. I don't really have strong feelings towards Obama but however I believe he is a good guy. I was at a potluck for Alternative Spring Break because I am a good person like that. I was riding downtown (Corvallis) and I passed American Dream Pizza where Obama was getting dinner. It was exciting to see that he was in town. What I noticed was that people are very active politically. It really hit me that it is really important to people. They were throwing themselves at him and looking in on him as he was eating. What I realized from today is how active people are. I wish I could have gone to hear him speak because I would love to hear that perspective.

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To believe in the beauty of the unadulterated hope - is quite the awe-inspiring moment that power the movement for change. -Alisha

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What an amazing day! I feel so inspired and filled with hope for the future! Obama rocks!

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After a week of reflection, I've come to the realization that we truly can make a difference on the direction of this country. Barack said that it's so easy to be negative and be against something. It is much harder to support something and take a stand. I'm challenging myself to do that, I hope others who read this will do so too. Barackus with your caucus out baby!!

Barack and roll!

Friday night: saw Barack Obama speak some amazing words with some treasured friends, both new and old. A. MAZING! He lives up to all the hype: eloquent, electrifying, energized, and right on on so many points and levels. I made a book, which I may publish up here, in which I had some friends, some random people write their thoughts, on Barack or anything at all. It was amazing because it got me engaged in conversation with some really neat people. Well, I went to see BARACK OBAMA speak, so it was a given that I would be surrounded by some pretty neat people! Two things were confirmed: I love people, and Barack is my candidate.

The next day my mom and I picked my brother up from the airport! It's always awesome to see him. We drove to Bend and that night I went out to a bar with my little bro for the first time ever! Happy 21 a little late Miles! The next day (yesterday) he was looking pretty sharp in his Class A uniform, even though everybody else in his friend's wedding party were wearing tuxes or (I hate to say it) hideous bridesmaid's dresses. Cherie was gorgeous though.

BEST DAY EVER!!!!!! slash Horrible Hook-ups: Phone Calls That Should Never Be Made

One. I've been making plans all day for the trip to Eugene tomorrow to see BARACK OBAMA speak! It's going to be off the chizzain. 4-7 people I LOVE and me waiting for hours to see the most eloquent man of our time speak LIVE! I'm peeing myself at the moment!!!!

Two. My brother calls at exactly 6:01pm to inform me that he indeed WILL be coming home the DAY AFTER TOMORROW!!!! This after we were all excited that he would be coming home only to find out that his leave had been denied. SHIT! I started crying in front of clients. It was weird/bad news bears/awesome! Another reason I'm peeing myself and better start mopping up soon!

Three. AS IF THAT WEREN'T ENOUGH! Luke's party (in homage to Nicholas' horrible hair...: I hope someone burned that shit by now!) happened. HAPPENED! Oh shit was that shit happenin'! LOVE to Luke, Michael, Rocky, Tanzi, Phil the Shit, Scotty, Sophia, Chelsea, Ingrid, Tristen, Alisha, Nnamdi, Bisola, Monte, Matt, Dau, Shawn and ALL the hotties on the dancefloor tonight!

LOVE is spelled L-G-B-T. Truth is what I speak right now.

And finally, a final thought: when walking home drunk and lonesomeish by oneself at night (only because you're "one," and no one else is with you, not because you're particularly lonely or lonesome), don't, repeat DON'T call anyone you have any slight inkling to call. It was a horrible hook-up you're only thinking back to at the moment because it actually HAPPENED, and not because it was particularly good or wonderful, and so in all circumstances and cases SHOULDN'T be called. Pride yourself in going it alone, your own way, without crutches. Pride yourself in forging ahead, proudly and strongly and bravely alone. Pride yourself,...and don't under ANY circumstances, call ANYONE who isn't related or "related" to you. 'Nuff said.

Write, write, always write. Goo d night.

Sweet Home Alabama? Obama's coming to my home!

I may be going to Alabama in a month. With my mom to visit my brother. That's one good thing about my brother being in the army; for him I'm going to fabulous locales like Oklahoma and Alabama and discovering a side of America I never knew...(or ever needed to, really)...

Honestly, though, I would welcome the experience. I've never been to the South, and I always relish the opportunity to get out of my "blue state, 5th-smartest-city-in-the-country, college campus, very liberal" environment and point of view to see how other Americans are living and thinking the way they do (if at all...some blog comments I've been seeing lately lead me to believe that many 'Mericans don't have a brain to speak of). And meeting other people in the Army and their families is always interesting. I guess it's really happening then: my brother is going to Iraq.

Today is the 5 year anniversary of the war in Iraq. My brother enlisting has really forced me to identify my stance on the whole thing. I support the soldiers and their families, but I would never call this a "just" cause, or attempt to justify the reasons we are over there. I DON'T stand by the current president or administration at all, but that is no reason to take it out on the soldiers. Some of them were driven to the armed forces as their only option because of forces out of their control (lagging economy, little opportunity or education, etc.). Even the ones who do want to "kill, kill, kill;" they didn't make the authorizing decision to be over there in the first place. so until they do something stupid to actually upset me, I've got no beef with them.

In other news I'm going to see Sen. Barack Obama speak the day after tomorrow in Eugene!!!! I'm so excited! An historic moment, whoever turns out to be the Democratic nominee, whoever is elected president. Barack out with your caucus out, baby!

Here we go!

TODAY: I decided I'm voting for Barack Obama, in the primaries and the general elections. For multiple reasons, the first being: he has good experience, gives off good vibes, and therefore is who I have judged to be the best candidate. I don't want my fabulously-feminist family members to interpret this as a betrayal. I mean, don't we want our first woman president to make it there on her own, and not use her husband (e.g. "wife-of-the-president" status as official experience) to get there? This isn't about identity politics here, this is about who has the most change potential. But would I vote for Hillary if she gets the nomination? Hell yes! Democrats who say they'll vote for McCain (or not at all) over Hillary are crazy stupid.
TOMORROW: I'm getting my thesis printed.
FRIDAY: I'm graduating!
THE NEXT DAY: The world.