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The 44th President - Barack Obama

Yesterday was a rather historic day.  Yesterday, Barack Obama became the 44th president.  I have several comments pertaining to this.

1)  He is referred to as being the first black or African American president.  I have to point out that he is half black and half white.  This means he is as black as he is white and as white as he is black.

2) I think most Americans–most good Americans anyway–want Obama to succeed.  Maybe you voted for him or maybe you didn’t.  Maybe you like his politics or maybe you don’t.  Regardless of these, he is now our president.  If you’re a good American, you want him to make the country–and world–better.

3) I felt a distinct sense of pride yesterday knowing that our president is no longer the laughing stock of much of the world.

4) I thought about my nephew, Alex.  He is 6.  When he grows up, he will never know a time when a black person hadn’t been president.  It will be totally normal for him.  That really strikes me.  The same way he will never remember a time before cell phones, DVRs for TV, HD TVs, or the internet.  It makes me feel good.

5) I watched the swearing in and the inauguration on TV.  My teacher friend, Lindsey, told me she wanted her kids at school to watch it on TV.  She thought it would be one of those things that you will look back when you’re older and think back where you were when it happened.  I figured I better watch it.  Like Kennedy’s assasination or Sept 11th.  I remember exactly where I was on Sept 11, 2001.  I have a feeling when I get older, I will tell my kids or grandkids about watching it on TV.

So, Barack Obama.  A lot of people have put a lot of hopes and expectations on your shoulders.  The country is is facing challenges on several fronts.  Will you fix it?  Can you fix it? Only time will tell.  But I know there are billions (yes, billions) or people hoping that you do.

It is 2009

I have been struggling to get myself to post lately, but better late than never.

It is now 2009.  All in all, the year is looking pretty good so far.  But first, I have a few reflections.

I have realized now more than ever I really need day commitments. With Christmas and New Years, I had a 5 day weekend and then a 4 day weekend.  Having days off without some actual event to do just messes me up.  I lose track of what day is what and what I’m doing.  Needless to say, I am glad to be back at work.

I also think I’m getting older.  New Year’s Eve, I didn’t go out.  I could have.  There were 2 parties I didn’t go to, I didn’t go to my parents’, and I didn’t go to Wild Country.  With those things at my fingers, I chose to stay in and watch movies.  I watched a Back to the Future marathon.  All 3 movies back to back.  It was great.  I really enjoyed it.

Now it is 2009, and it feels pretty much the same as 2008.