Countdown to Barack: 5 Days

Work was stressful today, I was literally the only person in the office by the end of the day. I could’ve done cartwheels down the aisles, made calls from the eic’s desk, peed in the boys bathroom — the CosmoGirl office was my oyster and all I could do was stress. Was a busy, busy day, no time to read the news really, except for a tidbit about Palin insinuating that she would like to run for president in 2012 should (when) McCain lose(s) on Tuesday. That is fucked up on so many levels, actually makes me feel a little sorry for Mr. McCain. Didn’t her handlers tell her that is not an acceptable answer? Anyway, I am sure that my desire to never see Palin’s face again will not happen tonight. I could bet some serious cash that she will be this year’s most popular Halloween costume. Ugh. Tonight will be fun though…now that I found my cigarette holder...

Countdown to Barack: 6 Days

Sometimes I do wish I had cable — mainly because the lack of John Stewart in my life is creeping into my neck and shoulders and aging me faster than the bitter cold night air seeping through my windows. I miss his stutter and graying hair and I missed Barack Obama last night. But thanks to the Internet I was still able to take part in the fun, even though it is never quite as much at 11 in the morning rather than 11 at night. And nothing is ever as fun to watch if Sarah and Courtney aren't by my side.

I didn’t watch Barack’s infomercial either, even though I was home and my lack-of-cable would have allowed me at least that. I guess I am going to admit (somewhat) publically that I opted to tune in to America’s Next Top Model instead. It’s just getting to be too much. I am a VERY decided voter, and I am ready to cast my vote on Tuesday, and ready to start the actual first chapter in this great change. The anticipation is killing me. Come on already.

We Love You Catie

Two years ago we lost a wonderfully unique person who's life was cut way too short. Makes me wish we could have one more night dancing in the waves under the moonlight.

My Body is a Wonderland

I didn’t even want to read it, but I did, and I’ll have to admit I got some goose bumps at the end. But I will not glorify John Mayer by putting a picture of him on my blog. And I still think he’s a douche, just a douche that can make a point — when he finally gets to it.

Countdown to Barack: 7 Days

This story made me cry. I'm dramatic, I know.

The End of an Era

The end of print media seems to be barreling at us faster and faster as publications continue to fold and layoffs wipe out news rooms across the country. In this article the New York Times addresses the fact that, yes, I am reading an article about old media’s decline, online. But still, I am one of those people who loves reading an actual paper (I mean can you really do crossword puzzles online?) or flipping through an actual magazine. Despite the fact that I have turned from journal to blog and I am, oh yeah, a web editor — I am an old-fashioned girl in this regard (don’t tell my boss). So the end of print bums me out and makes me long for days when I thought it was cool to have a pager.

Ha!

I just read this on the Huffington Post:

"One of John McCain's advisers recently called his running mate Sarah Palin a "diva" after she went off-script at a rally, and suggested she was looking after her own political future over the current campaign. Now another adviser ups the ante in a conversation with the Politico's Playbook, labeling Palin a "whack job."

Song on Repeat: "Pitseleh"

"Pitseleh" by Elliot Smith


It's just one of those days and it's what my grandpa used to call my grandma.

Countdown to Barack: 8 Days

This is such a good time for journalism — there is so much interesting stuff to read out there and obviously to report on. This Slate article shows an interesting side of the election from a journalists point of view. It almost (I said almost) parallels the SNL cast — as in, of course they are a bunch of New York liberals who want Obama to win, but McCain and Palin are certainly a lot easier to make fun of. Less pressure.

Anyway, it all makes me think about grad school again (it happens about twice a year), with the hope of maybe someday becoming one of those writers. But you know, I just don’t have the 60K it costs to go to Columbia journalism school — and that’s for one year! And who knows if I would even get in. But maybe an Obama win would somehow cut those costs. Although I am sure helping middle class journalists with grad school tuition will go straight to the bottom of a long, long, long list. Obama is going into this presidency (hopefully), with an absolutely huge hole to work his and the country's way out of. Here is another piece of journalism from New York Mag that addresses what is ahead for Obama in a much more eloquent way than saying he’s got a big ole’ hole to dig out of. See, this is why I need to go to Grad School.

Scary

Just horrible.

Countdown to Barack: 9 Days

After you see someone’s face so many times, listen to them talk over and over again, and really hear what that have to say, doesn’t the color of his or her skin become secondary or maybe even non-existent? Apparently not to some people. I know this, but it still makes me sad, especially with eight days left before we all go to the polls. This is an interesting article about Pennsylvania (where I went!) voters who won’t vote for a black man even though they are democrats. Oh it’s scary, I mean think about the people who are willing to say they won’t vote for a black person aloud, and then even scarier, all the covert racists whose true feelings come out when they get in the voting booth. The Bradley Effect is a frightening thing.

And this just takes all that bat shit crazy to a whole new level — apparently if you type in terrorist costume on Amazon a Barack Obama mask comes up. Okay okay, I need to stop. l’m going to try and have positive good energy and believe that in a little over a week will have elected the first African American president.

Oh and I heard a rumor that next Tuesday after you vote, you can head on down to Ben & Jerry’s and get a free ice cream for completing your patriotic duties. See, Obama love ice cream too and he cleans up afer himself.

Sad

Funny how my mood can change so… I just found out that Radar Mag folded. Honestly, I think it was my favorite publication (I literally read it cover to cover every month) and the place that I would most like to work. I actually applied for a job there not too long ago. Maybe it’s me? I applied for a position at Jane (another dream job), then a month later it folded, and then well, CosmoGirl, and now Radar. What is going to happen to my subscription? I love magazines, I hate that they are all dying.

Countdown to Barack: 12 Days

I am hung over today. Last night was the farewell CosmoGirl party and we all got wasted at a joint with a mechanical bull. I did not ride it — my work persona does not do such things — but our editor in chief did. It was fun, sad, and bittersweet. It's the last day today, and the office is full of tears. I am actually going to miss seeing these people everyday. So anyway, I will leave you with a poem that Barack Obama wrote the year that I was born. Funny I came across it today after I posted my cute monkey pic.

P.S. I love this shot. It is right after he found out that he secured the Democratic nomination. That look is priceless.

Underground

Under water grottos, caverns

Filled with apes

That eat figs.

Stepping on the figs

That the apes

Eat, they crunch.

The apes howl, bare

Their fangs, dance,

Tumble in the

Rushing water,

Musty, wet pelts

Glistening in the blue.

Happy

Nothing like a Friday, a shoe delivery, and some monkeys to make me smile.

Countdown to Barack: 13 Days

I will be the first to admit that I am a bit of a shopaholic, but I cannot even fathom how this is possible: in the last two months the McCain campaign has spent $150,000 on Sarah Palin’s wardrobe. If I made that in a year I would be, well according to politicians still middle class, but according to me, rich. And what the fuck? Isn’t Sarah just that down-home gal from Main Street, Wasilla, hockey mom land something or other (I don’t think they shop at Saks) and Barack and Michelle are the elitists? And more importantly, that red pleather jacket thing she was wearing the other day was hideous.

I'm So Excited

God, I really haven’t been this pumped about something in awhile, and it’s just a book! But admittedly I was completely obsessed with the whole JT Leroy/Savannah Knoop hoax a couple years ago, I think I read every article ever written about her/him. I mean rightfully so, Savannah was one of my childhood best friends and the first person I ever smoked pot with (oh the good old days), before she went off to boarding school and later began living her double-life as transgender "writer" and indie fave JT Leroy. We re-connected again in SF for a bit right before I moved to NYC and before the NY Times uncovered the whole deal, but obviously none of this ever came up. Anyway, now she has written a tell-all and I will finally get to know all the details. I should have had it delivered overnight, I just can’t wait.

Black Nails

I had an undeniable desire to paint my nails black last night — so here I am. What could it mean? Maybe I'm in mourning for the last two weeks of Republican domination.

Countdown to Barack: 15 Days

This ACORN nonsense is seriously unbelievable. Well that’s not true, the Republican Party pulls horrible stunts like these all the time (I mean, Sarah Palin?), especially when they feel the election slipping from their grasp. But this is just sad — they are trying to vilify an organization that’s main goal is to stop the suppressing of low income minority voters. But Obama has learned from past elections (Florida!) and was prepared for this. He is trying to put an end to these ridiculous investigations now, instead of after everyone goes to the polls. I mean, just think about how many votes would be lost if McCain succeeds. Anyway, these next two weeks are going to be so intense — the Republicans are not going to stop at anything to totally smear Barack and the evil liberals. God, aren’t you ready for this to just be over? I know am. In the mean time, watch this video: it gives a more clear idea of the whole ACORN situation. Sometimes all this ridiculousness can be a bit confusing.

New Shoes

Sometimes you have to just give in and buy things from Urban Outfitters. It’s really okay because they were on sale and I love them. Uh huh. Plus, my feet deserve a break — I chopped off my toe this weekend. I’m not lying, just ask my dad…

Countdown to Barack: 16 Days

So my dad and I went to NE Philly this weekend and spent 2 days canvassing for Barack. I hope in some way we made a small impact — but if anything I certainly had an experience like none other. I saw a place that I would never have under any other circumstances and met people who I would probably never would have interacted with if I wasn’t knocking on their doors harassing them to vote for Obama. It certainly reminded me of my privilege and that California elitism I will probably never let go off. I’m sorry — I just can’t eat processed cheese.

Made up of row houses with tiny front yards that all looked the same (it reminded me of parts of London), this was the most diverse community I have ever seen. There were elderly white couples living next to twenty-somethings with cigarette strewn yards, next to black families with four kids, next to single Russian women who barely spoke English, next to Asian families with only children, next to husbands and wives who just moved from Pakistan, next to young Latino couples, next to grumpy single middle-aged guys who couldn’t be bothered, next to porch chain-smokers, next to women who didn’t believe in “baby killers,” next to a man with no teeth who just registered to vote for the first time at the age of 75 because of Barack Obama. If anyplace is worthy of the melting pot cliché, it’s Northeast Philadelphia. Pretty fucking amazing.

So my dad and I made quite a team braving the first days of actual winter cold with our little packets and Obama pins. And then, if we weren’t feeling patriotic enough, we went into central Philly and took a tour of where the good old US of A started. I saw that Declaration of Independence and that Liberty Bell and the first place congress ever met. God Bless America, gosh darn it. Then I went to an Irish pub, but whatever.

Countdown to Barack: 19 Days

This headline cracks me up. Palin's Staffers Keep Her Away From The News To Avoid Being "Depressed". I have no words for her anymore. But I did read this NY Mag article about her that was pretty interesting. Did you know that she pretty much turned her hometown into a strip mall? Lovely. Anyway, I am not talking about Palin anymore.

Last night I got a nice break from the seriousness of the debates and everything, but I still got my daily dose of Obama and McCain. My bro and I watched them roast each other at the annual black tie Al Smith Dinner in New York. They were actually both hilarious. It was kind of awesome. I will have to say that McCain has some pretty good comedic timing. He reminds me of my dad a little. Obama laughs at his own (or his writers) jokes — but totally pulled it off. It was a refreshing change of pace and actually eased the tension in my shoulders a bit to see all those guys in a room seriously cracking up and obviously having a good time. Hillary Clinton was in hysterics. Although it does bring up a bit of curiousness for me. I mean, in these people’s non-election year reality they pal around — they are all colleagues and totally respect each others’ intelligence. Maybe they even drink martinis together after work. So I just wonder if they think this whole deal — the debates, the swing states, the convincing average Americans who are obviously of less intelligence of why they should vote for them — is a bit of a joke. Maybe it’s just the cynic in me, but seeing them all together laughing and making fun of each other just makes me question the sincerity of this whole running for President thing. I have no idea if that even made any sense.

Anyway, watch them. They are funny.

Maybe I'll Just Do This All Day

Hilarious

Oh Joe.

New Band I Like

Angus and Julia Stone. I think these folks are great. Plus they are brother and sister and that always gets me. And, they are not so bad to look at...

Countdown to Barack: 20 Days

I am feeling a little bit manic today. I try not to throw that word around lightly, but I have this weird nervous energy (I can’t tell if it’s good or bad) that is making me a little on edge and certainly not want to sit at my desk all day. Maybe it’s because I haven’t had any alcohol in my system all week and have been sitting on my couch doing crossword puzzles every night or because my whole world is caving in around me. Who knows? All I know is that I feel like I am on the cusp of something just standing here ready and waiting for it to happen. Maybe this feeling is directly related to the state of uncertainty our country is in. Probably, coupled with a few other things.

So last night was the third and final debate and McCain told Barack that he is not George Bush, and if he wanted to run against George Bush, he should have ran eight years ago. While Barack stayed pretty cool, smiled a lot, and still insisted that McCain is in fact quite a lot like Bush. That movie W opens tomorrow. I am excited, it looks thoroughly entertaining. Anyway, the debate was interesting enough. Although we have heard most of it before, they did cover some new ground railing each other about their dirty campaigns and getting into Roe V. Wade. I think Obama made a good point when he said that no one is Pro Abortion, we are Pro Choice. True indeed. I also liked that Hillary was there too. I wonder if this hard for her or if she is totally over that whole running for president thing.

Okay, I now have to figure out something to do with myself for the rest of the day. I have deadlines!

Countdown to Barack: 21 Days

Barack Obama will never betray the middle class. That’s the Democratic campaign message, that’s it. Apparently to win an election it is important to stick to one clear message that everyone will remember all across the country. I learned this yesterday in my hour canvassing training session conference call. Okay backtracking — I am going to NE Philadelphia this weekend in an effort to actually be a small part of winning this election. But to tell you the truth, after my intro last night I am actually a little nervous. I will be going door-to-door in a “rough” area in Philly asking people who they are voting for, what the issues are most important to them, and trying to convince them to vote Obama, because yes, he will never betray the middle class. I am not so nervous about the knocking on doors part, I am just a bit worried that I may not be able to answer all the questions about Barack’s policies. But I was told, when I’m in the weeds always go back to, Barack will never betray the middle class.

I do feel a lot more prepared after last night’s Obama crash course and will probably take some notes during tonight’s debate instead of drinking too much wine and making fun of McCain. Actually it was a great thing to hear his plan to fix the economy, what he will actually do outlined and clear. The man explaining it all even said, “People wonder why Barack hasn’t gone into the exact detail of his plans during the debates — well let’s just say I commend all the people that are still on the line after me talking for an hour.”

Speaking of Philly and Barack, we got a nice little photo via S. Diebel of the Roots and their man Mr. President. I don’t think anyone has ever seen them look so happy.

Holy Shit

Maybe I’m late on this one, but I just read that a bunch of absentee ballots went out in upstate New York last week with a pretty insane typo. Look, can you see that it says Barack OSAMA? All parties involved are saying that it was a total accident. How is that possible? I mean, as a journalist misspelling someone’s name is as bad as it gets. And changing the next President of the United States' name to the name of a man who had a plane flown into the World Trade Center is absolutely unbelievable. I mean B is nowhere near S on the keyboard. Maybe if it said Ovama I could believe it was a mistake. Crazy town.

Countdown to Barack: 22 Days

So Miss Diebel told me yesterday that my blog should be filled with more boy drama, and I got a little kick (smile to myself at my desk) that it isn’t. My life has always had its fair share of that nonsense — there are letters never sent, poems and journal entries overflowing from that dreary drawer of mine. For a long time it was the only thing that inspired me to write. I am sure it will eventually creep its way onto this page and my two readers will be so much more entertained (you already know it all), but as for now my focus is on that guy, Barack. If you want a little drama, I can tell you that Cosmopolitan’s 50 Hottest Bachelor’s are all eating lunch in my cafeteria right now. Ha! Okay, I’ll be right back.

I’ll leave you with some headlines I came across today. The good is out there.

“Obama leads in 3 out of 4 key Bush counties”

“McCain Struggled to Fill Seats at Upcoming Fundraiser”

“Obama Widens Lead in National Poll”

“Grateful Dead Survivors Rock for Obama”

Oh yeah, and don't you like the photo up there? It was shot by this guy.

Oh yeah again, am I a bad person for refusing to take a picture with Mr. Hawaii and Mr. Colorado?

Song on Repeat: "Trials"

I can't stop listening to "Trials" by Damien Jurado

Thanks Daniel.

Mom

Dad/Aaron

Countdown to Barack: 23 Days

I have been neglecting my little blog for the last couple of days because CosmoGirl folded on Friday morning. I luckily still have a job (yay the internet!) but I still spent my weekend smoking too many cigarettes, watching the same movie over and over again, and recovering from a day of heavy drinking with my now jobless co-workers instead of updating my latest thoughts on Obama/McCain. It’s a sad sad situation this economy and I will admit that I naively thought it wouldn’t directly affect me — until Friday when the president of the Hearst Corporation walked into our packed conference room with the tear-inducing news. And although it might be hard for some people in my life to grasp, I really did believe in this magazine. But we will see what happens — I will admit that part of me is excited for this change and hopes that it will be a catalyst to an even greater change in the rest of my life.

Anyway, if the news hadn’t of broken Friday morning, the blog I would have posted would have gone something like this: So last night was our Working Class Mag party and although none of the girls showed, I had a great time dressing up, enjoying the weirdly warm October weather, and chatting up some strangers. I tried for a bit to not to talk about the election — I just want it to be done with — but that pesky Palin just slipped in and the flood gates opened. But it was okay, I ended up hearing a little goose bump inducing (much better than tears) story that made my night. So, I was chatting with this guy originally from Dallas about the first time his little old grandma saw Barack Obama. When I think Grandma and Texas, Republican just comes to mind. But maybe I shouldn’t be so judgmental. Anyway, after Barack gave the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic Convention, this guy got a phone call from his grandma and she said to him, “Honey, I just saw the first Black President speak.”

Countdown to Barack: 28 Days

I’m so tired today — I just had to talk to an IT person on the phone for 20 minutes and I think she may have thought that I have a little dash of Downs. I couldn’t find any of the things she was telling me to look for on my computer and I had to have her repeat everything at least twice. Poor lady. I really hope I don’t fall asleep during Yom Kippur services tonight. Such a sin.

Anyway, maybe it’s all this political uncertainty that’s making me sleepy. It couldn’t be anything else, right? So last night was the second presidential debate and it looks like Obama “won” again. But after the pure entertainment value of the Biden/Palin debate, honestly I did find it a bit boring. But I think Barack was at his best and gave more straightforward answers that actually outlined his plans than he has before. I did like the standing up, walking around, town hall style — it gave us such a clear view of McCain’s Frankenstein arms. They freak me out! I mean, look at that pic of him hugging that other guy with them.

Oh and Mary is really becoming the best little chef out there, thanks to a certain little something. Good times — HDTV, home-cooked meal, good wine, nice folks. Don’t you wish every night was debate night?

Countdown to Barack: 29 Days

I am definitely not a religious person by any means — despite the fact that I am falling for The Secret (that’s just spirituality, right?) and I will be attending Yom Kippur services (with my dad) and will be fasting (pure vanity) this week. Well, maybe I am just a religious person who does not believe in organized religion. Anyway, there is a point to this. My mother sent me an article (that’s how we role now) written by a born-again Christian writer a few weeks ago about this whole election deal and that lady that keeps on talking about Joe Six-Pack and Hockey Moms, and I really agree with what she wrote. I mean she is my kind of Christian: reformed, from San Francisco, liberal, activist etc. But still it was nice to read and even a bit inspiring.

Check it out and I will go back to eating my salmon sashimi. By the way, my sushi addiction is definitely getting a bit out of hand. You know you have a problem when you spend the last bit of money in your bank account on an over-priced luxury, for lunch. I must be an elitist.

P.S. I was watching Leonardo Di Caprio on some red carpet interview thing and he was being asked about his recent statements saying he’s ready to be a dad. One of those ET ladies then asked, will you be a dad that goes to soccer games and all that and he said, “Well, I certainly won’t be a hockey mom.” I like when celebs actually talk some shit, made me laugh.

Countdown to Barack: 30 Days

I took a break from reality this weekend with no TV, email, newspapers or anything. It wasn’t necessarily a conscious decision, but it was nice to not see Sarah Palin’s face for a few days. No you know what, this is totally a lie. I watched 20/20 “Portrait of a President” with Diane Sawyer on Friday night over beers and pizza with the other Meg. We are so cool and classy, I almost forgot.

So I learned a few facts about the two dudes, their ladies, and their lives before politics. Pretty interesting stuff, especially with Mr. John McCain and his bikini models, strippers, infidelity, addiction, plane crashes, broken bones. Such intrigue. Actually makes me like the old guy a little more. But no, no, no. The only thing I can say is that he was extremely attractive in his former years, but Barack still would have been my man.

But back to McCain and Cindy’s little drug problem. It is very hard for me to understand how a man would not notice or have any suspicion that his wife is severely addicted to pain killers. I mean Cindy McCain is pretty vacant and all, but there must have been some signs. Perhaps some glossy eyes? A constant state of contentment? Oh Vicodin. I think our President should be a little more aware of his surroundings or a little more a part of his home life. Right?

Contdown to Barack: 33 Days

So the debate is over and Ms. Palin didn’t make a complete fool of herself and now she is on the cover of every paper I have seen this morning with ridiculous headlines like “No Baked Alaska.” What is wrong with our country? I seriously need to just have one day where I don’t see her face. Her smirk and weird mocha lipstick give me nightmares, gosh darn it you bet ya!

So I was thinking as I watched last night that maybe her advisors had her purposely seem like an idiot in the Katie Couric interview, so there was no where to go but up for the debate? I seriously wouldn’t be surprised if it was all a part of their master plan. I mean how can someone really not name a single news publication?

But anyway, last night actually answers that what is wrong with our country question. We like dumb asses. Although Palin has no idea what she is talking about and never actually answers any questions, people somehow get her gobbledygook because she uses phrases like “Joe Six Pack.” Biden is obviously well-informed and intelligent, but people don’t get what he is saying because he uses phrases like “moral turpitude.”

Luckily just because she didn’t choke like everyone thought she was going to, doesn’t mean she came out ahead. Most people are saying that Biden was better, well except for all those trashy dailies. “Pittbull Sarah battles Biden and even takes a few chomps out of him.” Ha. And did you know that the ratings were 33% above the first Obama/McCain debate. I bet that’s never happened before.

On another note, my new record player came today and I am very excited.

Countdown to Barack: 34 Days

Tonight is the night — it’s almost like Mary-Kate and Gael Garcia Bernal are planning to come over to play Scrabble and drink red wine I am so excited. Well, sort of. But, seriously this Palin/Biden showdown is probably the most anticipated VP debate ever. And after seeing the crazy blunders Palin has made, with Katie Couric and all, (did you see the one where she couldn’t say a news publication that she reads? Holy Shit), I am almost looking forward to the debate for pure entertainment value. She should totally just quit this whole VP deal and start playing herself on SNL. It would be a good career move, I mean Tina Fey pretty much just repeats what she says word for word anyway.

Okay. I'm getting nervous just writing about this — especially nervous to see how the Republicans will somehow defend her and try and make Biden look like a sexist bully. I really wonder what Biden's advisers are telling him to do. Oh my, we shall see.

So let me leave you with this little story my bro sent me:

While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75 year old rancher, who's hand was caught in the gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to Palin and her bid. The old rancher said, "Well, ya know, Palin is a Post Turtle'".

Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a "post turtle" was. The old rancher said, "When you're driving down a country road you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that's a "post turtle".

The old rancher saw the puzzled look on the doctor's face so he continued to explain. "You know she didn't get up there by herself, she doesn't belong up there, and she doesn't know what to do while she's up there, and you just wonder what kind of dummy put her up there to begin with."

Just a Little Too Much Info

I just found out that if you want to hire a midget stripper it is $550, compared to $200 for a regular size man. Interesting huh?

Don't ask me where that came from.

Countdown to Barack: 35 Days

Barack Obama may or may not be elected president in 35 days. It is an exciting but oh so scary time and I suddenly feel the need to jump on the bandwagon and start documenting my life. Everything is going to change so soon, and now I can trace my own footsteps through this monumental time, and maybe some other people will too. So here we go...

I finally succumbed and watched Sarah’s mantra movie The Secret, and despite the weakness I feel for turning to self-help, hippie mumbo jumbo, I am believing it. I mean, I am from California. Please, I know what you’re thinking, but keep it to yourselves.

So anyway, my point is that it’s all about putting the good energy out there. Picturing what you want, and then receiving. So I am putting this picture of Barack out there, and believing he is going to come out on top and our world will begin to change for the better. And this is how we will start.