It's really bright. No, seriously, it's really really bright. Like a white shade of bright. On the low setting it still almost hurts my eyes.
Is this really going to work?
I'll keep you posted.
Monday, November 17, 2008
My Happy Lite
I got my Happy Lite in the mail on Friday.
It's really bright. No, seriously, it's really really bright. Like a white shade of bright. On the low setting it still almost hurts my eyes.
Is this really going to work?
I'll keep you posted.
It's really bright. No, seriously, it's really really bright. Like a white shade of bright. On the low setting it still almost hurts my eyes.
Is this really going to work?
I'll keep you posted.
Alex Lodico Ensemble
I can't get enough of these guys who play in Penn Station on some Friday evenings. I even bought their CDs! Alex himself seems like an interesting guy-- check out his interview with NPR.
http://alexlodico.com/
http://alexlodico.com/
Like that's so hard
Bravo TV, arguably my favorite channel thanks to obsessions with Top Chef and Project Runway, is hosting a new show: "First Class All the Way".
In Bravo's newest series, First Class All the Way, Sara Duffy, founder of SRD International, a Los Angeles based multi-million dollar travel concierge business, takes viewers inside the world of high-end luxury travel while revealing the drama of keeping demanding clients content and making extravagant dream vacations come to life.
From my own personal experience as a travel planner and sometimes concierge working with a very wide spectrum of people: this is absolutely ridiculous. Why? Pleasing people who have lots of money isn't really that hard. If a client is willing to pay whatever it takes to have the experience they want, the travel planner is on easy street, as long as they really understand what the client wants and they are creative enough to deliver.
Want a hard challenge? Try to make people happy who don't have an unlimited budget to spend. Especially in a city like NYC. Like a client who wants to come during the busiest weekend of the year who wants to spend less than $200 per night AND be withing walking distance to Rockefeller Center AND in a hotel that isn't disgusting. Now THAT is a challenge.
Bravo TV should make a reality show about that. Seriously.
PS: The people this lady has hired to represent her are absolutely terrible and stab each other in the back time and again. She should fire them all, or give them more work to do so they don't have time to be so petty.
In Bravo's newest series, First Class All the Way, Sara Duffy, founder of SRD International, a Los Angeles based multi-million dollar travel concierge business, takes viewers inside the world of high-end luxury travel while revealing the drama of keeping demanding clients content and making extravagant dream vacations come to life.
From my own personal experience as a travel planner and sometimes concierge working with a very wide spectrum of people: this is absolutely ridiculous. Why? Pleasing people who have lots of money isn't really that hard. If a client is willing to pay whatever it takes to have the experience they want, the travel planner is on easy street, as long as they really understand what the client wants and they are creative enough to deliver.
Want a hard challenge? Try to make people happy who don't have an unlimited budget to spend. Especially in a city like NYC. Like a client who wants to come during the busiest weekend of the year who wants to spend less than $200 per night AND be withing walking distance to Rockefeller Center AND in a hotel that isn't disgusting. Now THAT is a challenge.
Bravo TV should make a reality show about that. Seriously.
PS: The people this lady has hired to represent her are absolutely terrible and stab each other in the back time and again. She should fire them all, or give them more work to do so they don't have time to be so petty.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
The Morning After
Good Morning America,indeed! I woke up this morning feeling as though it was some holiday and I could turn off the alarm and go back to sleep... but No! It is not a holiday, but it is a new day. And I am grateful for it. I became teary after reading the editorial pages of the New York Times, especially this piece, "The Next President".
My facebook homepage is filled with excited comments and pictures of celebration, save one friend's page. She was a good friend back in high school and now is very conservative. Her status reads:
[Name Omitted] is heartbroken that so many of her beautiful, compassionate friends made such a grievous mistake... and thankful that God is bigger than all of this.
A grievous mistake... I am tempted to write back in opposition, but know it would do little good. She is as steadfast in her opinions as I am in mine. But I am thankful that this God she speaks of granted us one powerful force: the force of free will. The people had a choice and their choice, not their mistake, is Barack Obama. I am sad for her that she cannot see the greater accomplishment in equal rights, democracy and opportunity-- things I am sure her religion supports.
Shake it off... back to good news...
In other news, my mother served as campaign manager for Billy Keyserling in the Beaufort, SC mayoral race. It looks like he won by a slim margin! Whoopee!
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Election Day: 11:00pm
It's Over!
OBAMA WINS!
Glory Glory Hallelujah. And even better, there is virtually no way to contest this win. A clear, solid victory.
I am watching the coverage eager to hear Obama speak, it is sure to be a landmark speech. My God. I really can't believe it. What a long journey this election has been. He has many huge challenges ahead of him; I just hope he can live up to the great expectations we have placed on his shoulders.
We got you the job, President-Elect Obama, now go and do something great.
OBAMA WINS!
Glory Glory Hallelujah. And even better, there is virtually no way to contest this win. A clear, solid victory.
I am watching the coverage eager to hear Obama speak, it is sure to be a landmark speech. My God. I really can't believe it. What a long journey this election has been. He has many huge challenges ahead of him; I just hope he can live up to the great expectations we have placed on his shoulders.
We got you the job, President-Elect Obama, now go and do something great.
Election Day: 10:09 pm
Now watching the Daily Show's live coverage with Stephen Colbert and John Stewart. My favorite quote of the night, this regarding Obama's 72% grab of New York:
"The 'city that never sleeps' will never support a man who goes to bed at 7:30."
-- Stephen Colbert
Did I mention yet that I have tickets for January 19th Daily Show taping? Yes, that would be the night before Inauguration Day. I am sure we will be in for a good treat.
"The 'city that never sleeps' will never support a man who goes to bed at 7:30."
-- Stephen Colbert
Did I mention yet that I have tickets for January 19th Daily Show taping? Yes, that would be the night before Inauguration Day. I am sure we will be in for a good treat.
Election Day: 9:37 pm
Obama has won Ohio and Pennsylvania, and for the first time I am feeling good about this. Very good. God, I hope I didn't jinx myself by saying this.
Here are a few pictures of my voting experience:
Above, my polling place. Below going in to vote. Had to cover up my Obama T-shirt-- that's a no-no in NY polling stations.
Here are a few pictures of my voting experience:
Above, my polling place. Below going in to vote. Had to cover up my Obama T-shirt-- that's a no-no in NY polling stations.
Election Day: 12:12pm
Upon arrival to the office this morning, my GOP boss and I had about a 30 minute discussion about the election, electoral history, and the state of general awareness on issues among the voting population (and lack thereof). Though we differ in our views, our discussions are generally friendly and informative. I was surprised to learn that he spent the greater part of his life as a democrat. Huh. Don't know what turned him, probably Regan.
My colleague just sent me this article: Rove Predicts Obama Landslide
Nice.
Almost all of my officemates have voted, 3 for Obama, 1 for Nader and 1 for McCain. 2 others have not voted, and word on the street is that they won't be voting at all. It takes all I have not to walk into that office and say, "Yo, what's up with that?"
My colleague just sent me this article: Rove Predicts Obama Landslide
Nice.
Almost all of my officemates have voted, 3 for Obama, 1 for Nader and 1 for McCain. 2 others have not voted, and word on the street is that they won't be voting at all. It takes all I have not to walk into that office and say, "Yo, what's up with that?"
Election Day: 8:02 am
I decided to wait until after work to vote as I am worried there will be lines that will make me late. Tough decision though-- I wanted to be first in line.
I am wearing my faithful Obama T-shirt and jeans on my commute into the city and will change into a suit at the office. In the 3 or 4 months I have been sporting my Obama T-shirt I have received only friendly and encouraging comments.... Until this morning. My choice of shirt was ridiculed by an old lady in the coffee shop, "You're wearing THAT to work??"
I just looked her square in the eye and said, "Yes mamn."
I am wearing my faithful Obama T-shirt and jeans on my commute into the city and will change into a suit at the office. In the 3 or 4 months I have been sporting my Obama T-shirt I have received only friendly and encouraging comments.... Until this morning. My choice of shirt was ridiculed by an old lady in the coffee shop, "You're wearing THAT to work??"
I just looked her square in the eye and said, "Yes mamn."
Monday, November 03, 2008
Reaching
We didn't get too many political ads here in the state of NY; we can't be categorized as being even close to swing. However, tonight I have seen the same McCain ad play over and over showing Reverend Wright footage (during the SNL "Presidential Bash"). This is how McCain is choosing to showcase himself in these final hours. I guess I shouldn't be surprise at this last desperate attempt.
Till Tuesday
I am anxiously counting down the hours until tomorrow.
During a drive to Astoria on Saturday to pick up some things, Damir and I we were taking about the election. All of a sudden I got emotional thinking that someday we will talk to our grandchildren about the events about to happen this week; hopefully we will speak of these events with pride and gratitude rather than fear, sadness or anger. Hopefully.
I remember voting for the first time, in the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall by the University of Pittsburgh campus in 1992. I was a very green freshman and felt very grown up as I cast my first presidential ballot for Clinton.
In 1996 I voted Clinton again, as well in the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall. I was about to leave on Semester at Sea, and was excited about all the opportunity that was on my doorstep.
By 2000, Gore vs. Bush, I lived in Amsterdam. I remember filling out the absentee ballot, but don't remember if I mailed it or not. I had a distinct feeling that my ballot didn't count unless there was a tie. So I didn't think too much of it at the time. Silly me. That election night I found myself in Brugge with 2 Republicans: my friend Guy from college, and his friend Johnny. We stayed up nearly all night watching the results. The next morning, as I rode the train back to Amsterdam, sleepy and desperate for news, I couldn't believe my eyes when Ashbloem texted me that there was no decision didn't look like there would be one for a long time.
In 2004 I cast a heavy ballot for Kerry. Anything was better than Bush. I would have preferred his wife to have been the candidate, she was far more interesting. I sat at the EF Bar, Lingo, until late watching the miserable results, unbelieving that I could call myself a countryman(woman) of so many people who thought so differently than me.
And now, here we are in 2008. It seems Bush's reign has been a bleak eternity. I will be devastated if McCain wins, but still glad to see Bush go no matter what. I will be voting at the little firehouse about a half a block from my house. Sadly Damir can't vote, being a green card holder rather than a citizen, but he will be coming with me for the experience and photo op.
Breaking news: just saw on CNN that Obama's grandmother died today. Heartbreaking.
During a drive to Astoria on Saturday to pick up some things, Damir and I we were taking about the election. All of a sudden I got emotional thinking that someday we will talk to our grandchildren about the events about to happen this week; hopefully we will speak of these events with pride and gratitude rather than fear, sadness or anger. Hopefully.
I remember voting for the first time, in the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall by the University of Pittsburgh campus in 1992. I was a very green freshman and felt very grown up as I cast my first presidential ballot for Clinton.
In 1996 I voted Clinton again, as well in the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall. I was about to leave on Semester at Sea, and was excited about all the opportunity that was on my doorstep.
By 2000, Gore vs. Bush, I lived in Amsterdam. I remember filling out the absentee ballot, but don't remember if I mailed it or not. I had a distinct feeling that my ballot didn't count unless there was a tie. So I didn't think too much of it at the time. Silly me. That election night I found myself in Brugge with 2 Republicans: my friend Guy from college, and his friend Johnny. We stayed up nearly all night watching the results. The next morning, as I rode the train back to Amsterdam, sleepy and desperate for news, I couldn't believe my eyes when Ashbloem texted me that there was no decision didn't look like there would be one for a long time.
In 2004 I cast a heavy ballot for Kerry. Anything was better than Bush. I would have preferred his wife to have been the candidate, she was far more interesting. I sat at the EF Bar, Lingo, until late watching the miserable results, unbelieving that I could call myself a countryman(woman) of so many people who thought so differently than me.
And now, here we are in 2008. It seems Bush's reign has been a bleak eternity. I will be devastated if McCain wins, but still glad to see Bush go no matter what. I will be voting at the little firehouse about a half a block from my house. Sadly Damir can't vote, being a green card holder rather than a citizen, but he will be coming with me for the experience and photo op.
Breaking news: just saw on CNN that Obama's grandmother died today. Heartbreaking.
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