Bi-Partisan?

Was watching ABC News the other night when President Obama addressed a joint session of the U.S. Congress. After the post-speech analysis, I laughed at George Will's final thought. I felt confident I had witnessed a youtube moment. It's posted here. Tom Coburn is the fine senator from the state of Oklahoma.

It makes me laugh. Gotta love that Donna Brazile offering to give George a hug.

A Few More Random Thoughts

My first job out of college, after working at a department store, was with the Muscular Dystrophy Association. I directed the chapter's activities in providing patient services. It was a great job. But emotionally taxing for a 23-year-old. I was proud to see Jerry Lewis honored during the Oscar show Sunday night.

Generally impressed is how I felt about the Oscars. Five past winners in each of the four acting categories honored this year's nominess and then the actual recipient. It was a nice touch. I think it gave more meaning to the "it was an honor just being nominated" phrase. It was cool.

Was in D.C. this past week. Attended a work conference. There's for sure an energy in the city. A feeling of hopefulness. It was exciting. I hope it doesn't fade as the politics of politics continue to surface.

There's Barack Obama stuff everywhere. You name it. If they can slap an Obama on it they have. And then selling it like hot cakes. I even bought a Obama condom. Seriously. Its label states "The Ultimate Stimulus Package." Makes me laugh just typing that.

It's always fascinating to me how walking is so common in D.C. I love to walk. I should be in better shape, but I'm obviously not walking enough! I walked five blocks each way (10 total) Tuesday night just to get a hamburger at Five Guys. In the cold. I love walking, though! The burger was tasty too.

I've mentioned that Daphne, Sexy Lady, Army Boy and Cash Man are staying in the Virginia area right now. They are there until April. Wednesday night they took the approximate 30-minute ride on the Metro (D.C.'s subway system) to come see me. Minus Daphne. We went to dinner at a great Italian place on I (eye) Street. It was nice catching up. The pic here is of them getting ready to board the Metro to go back home.

The pic below is a window view of D.C. from my Midwest Airlines flight. I always request a right window on my coming-home flight hoping for a northern departure route. I never can get enough of seeing D.C.

The main sites in this pic: Jefferson Memorial, right; Capitol, top right; Washington Monument, center left; a tiny White House, far left. Other not as clear items are the FDR Memorial along the bottom of the pic, the WWII Memorial, the red Smithsonian Castle (and other Smithsonian buildings along The Mall), the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Holocaust Museum, USDA, and many others.

It's going to be a full week of meetings, deadlines and work at the workplace this week. Hope it is a great week for you.

Random Thoughts On Feb. 21, 2009

Thought I was going to lunch with SAK today. Gave her a call this morning and lo' and behold it is next Saturday. My calendar even confirmed it. But I sure thought it was today. It's actually her Henry's fifth birthday party today. She was taking him and several of his closest buddies bowling.

Gas is sitting around $1.69 to $1.72 on the Missouri side.

President's Day was uneventful. Stopped by Rolling Acres to visit Eponine's grave. There was a tiger-looking little monster hanging out there. He followed me all over the place. I even tried to run away from him and he chased me across the memorials. He did finally give up and walked up to the main building. He was sitting next to their door when I left.

The rest of the day was spent doing a little shopping, a little errand running, and a little relaxing.

Did I tell you that I went to the "Bloody Valentine" roller derby contest on Feb. 14? I don't think I did. Seriously. It was a old-fashioned roller derby. The Dorothys remained undefeated in a last-second victory over the Knockouts, while in the second match/contest/derby the Vixens easily beat the Black Eye Susans. It was a good time.

Stamps go up again May 11, 2009. I think I'm going to purchase "forever stamps" now for this December's holiday cards. I just hope I remember where I store them.

I'm getting excited for March Madness. Oklahoma State is not any good, but it will be fun to watch the action and root on someone.

President's Day

I'm off on Monday. President's Day. February 16, 2009. Until now, I've never worked anywhere that has President's Day as an official holiday.

It feels silly. Not sure what I'm going to do with myself all day. A day off when there's no mail, the banks are closed, the Y is closed, and several other places I need to run errands to are closed. Don't get me wrong, I have plenty to do at home. Or there's several movies I want to see. But it still feels strange just having this random day off from work.

Regardless, I still feel I'd rather pick my days off. I'm probably just whining since the old company's benefits included "personal days" that could be selected at will and not these random holidays.

Well ... have a happy President's Day. I'll be watching court shows on television.

Gabby

Whack A Mole

The other day a nice new cap, or crown, was placed on the tooth that received the root canal. It's actually the temporary. Go back in a few weeks to get the permanent one. It will be metal and porcelain.

When I jumped out of the chair I glanced in the mirror at it. I frowned when I realized it looked just as yellow and coffee stained as the rest of my set. "It matches all the others," I said out loud with dismay. The young lady, in a rather proud voice replied, "the permanent one will match even more."

I envy the stars who have all new shiny, white, straight perfect teeth. My Gabby likes her teeth. Maybe I should envy cat teeth instead.

Now that this molar is feeling good, another one feels like it is hurting. Seriously. And another feels a little sensitive. My jaw hurts too. Sometimes my back. Occasionally I think it's my gall bladder. Or my liver. I could just need that body system flush.

To think it all started with just one root canal.

Random Thoughts On Feb. 8, 2009

Gasoline was about $1.87 today. My gut feeling is that it will be on a steady uphill climb the next few months. Yuck.

Is it just my imagination, but did the GRAMMY awards show drag on forever? And it seemed no real award was ever presented. I do like Sugarland's song "Stay."

I am trying to have all Christmas stuff put away before Valentine's Day. A good goal, don't you think?

I'm very excited about the new Sonic in North Kansas City. How folks in areas of the country without a Sonic survive I will never know. I grew up with Sonic as a staple. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the first Sonic was in Shawnee, Oklahoma. A vanilla malt (with double malt) was always my favorite. Makes me EXTREMELY gassy now. fyi.

Peeps on the bus told me about the new Sonic. Glad they're in the know. It's being built on the site of the Denny's that was torn down. The Sonic is moving over about a football field or less.

I've been distracted by facebook. Seriously. It's a horrible thing and kinda like webkins for adults. I haven't asked anyone to be my friend. I have enough friends. :) High school people I haven't talked to in 20 years and former co-workers keep finding me. It's a little worrisome. I originally joined fb more than a year ago just to see JLBR's photos. She was my only friend for almost a year.

I just did my "25 Random Things" list on facebook. If I liked the people on there, I would have revealed really random things like that occasionally I find watching drag queens perform fun entertainment, that I keep up with the lives of cats through their blogs, or that my Eponine started a blog. I'm not friends with any of the friends on there though.

Speaking of impersonating .... Etta James needs to take a chill pill. Imitation is the highest form of flattery. It really is.

Did I tell you that Cash Man, Sexy Lady, Army Boy and Daphne are hanging out in a hotel in the D.C. area? I bet Daph is very popular as she strolls around the hotel. As long as no one pets her. I hope she doesn't bite anyone. They are there on top-secret military assignment.

Oh .... and MegMcB, George, Stanley and the human male that lives with them recently welcomed a baby girl to their home. Seriously. Her name is Mia. Just like my niece in California.