The entire world has a stake in what happens

A woman checked in (late) to the Inn last night. A middle-aged Italian woman who's here alone. It's generally not my habit to ask people about the reason(s) they are in the city - friendly but not familiar - and as she was a late arrival it was only by chance that I saw her at all, but when she asked me about the Metro and where to eat it soon came out why she was in DC this week. She committed a year ago to come here for the sole purpose of helping push the Republicans out of the White House.

That PIG W! I have worked at a bank for 30 years and have never seen anything like it is now. In Italy, we love America; for us, America is the ideal country. The Americans saved us in World War II; they came and pushed out the Germans. When you talk about Americans, the old people still cry. W has destroyed that and filled so many people with distrust and disgust. So that is why I am here, to do everything I can to get Obama elected.*

Listening to this woman talk I was at first so proud and moved and then so angry about the last 8 years but hopeful for what could come. I hope more than anything that this woman's, and so much of the world's dreams are fulfilled on Tuesday... for all our sakes.

*This is not exactly what the woman said but it's a really close summation.

A telephonic assessment of the candidates

An election like no other

Lets be honest, it's really an election like any other.

Every election gives people a chance to say what they want for themselves, their family, neighbors and the entire country. At the same time they are saying what they don't want, which may be more important. Each election is unique because of the shifts in party platforms in response to the constantly changing domestic and international circumstances.

Certainly, this years election will be of particular significance in history because of the candidate choices on either side - non-white or non-male candidate will be part of the wining ticket. No matter which party comes out on top, an equal opportunity milestone will be reached.

This is not the first, nor will it be the last time that an election in America or any other country is call the most significant. I wish people treated each election like it was the last; I wish everyone could feel as empowered as they seem to this season. The process deserves for voters to care enough to be self aware and honestly informed.

7 days to go...

Look for me on Mexican TV!

Apart from an SNL skit video clip, I have yet to really post about politics. I'm a bit surprised by this because I am a political junkie. MSNBC is the first thing I see in the morning and the last thing I see before I go to bed.

Since I moved to DC 2 years ago I have seen Richard Wolf (USA Today) and Jonathan Capehart (Washington Post) just walking by on the street. This meant nothing to them I'm sure (although I think Richard Wolf smiled back at me) but each occurrence had me on cloud 9 for days. I kept a mental list of the other people I wanted to bump into: Chris Matthews, Rachel Maddow, David Gregory, Brian Williams, Keith Olbermann, David Shuster, Tom Brokaw and Tim Russert (I miss you Tim).

Today, I have one-upped this list in a way I never could have anticipated.

After some morning procrastination, I made myself venture out to Adams Morgan to run a couple errands. While walking down 18th Street a middle-aged man in a suit approached me. At first I assumed he needed directions of some sort, then he asked me if I have a few minutes so I'm thinking, he is selling something or taking some sort of survey. He then explains that he is with Mexican TV and would like to interview me about the economy, election, the usual stuff that's on the news these days. I said OK and chatted with him for a few minutes and then went about my errands.

When I got home I posted on Twitter to brag about my new fame:

just did an interview for Mexican TV. I'm a political analyst now, invite me on your show Rachel Maddow!

Within 2 hours I had an email from Rachel Maddow that she was following me on Twitter... I almost wet myself. Rachel has over 7,000 followers but is only following 542 (up 30 people from just 4 hours ago) so I must have won her over, right?

In all likelihood, there is some intern at MSNBC who has the boring job of sifting through postings to see who mentions Rachel (and/or other MSNBC hosts) and following them. Sorry dude, I hope your internship is at least a paid one. But, I don't care... I'm completely on cloud 9!

The bulimics are right, purging is good for you.

I try to have a minimal amount of things; I only buy things I really love and I don't like to have things around that aren't used. Even so, I have a ton of crap in my apartment, so I'm having a yard sale - sidewalk sale since I live in the middle of a city.

Over the past couple of weeks I've been rearranging, rummaging and sorting and now I have a huge pile of stuff for the sale. Most of these things I had forgotten I even had even when they were in plain sight. Clearly they are not adding to my life and I really can't wait to be lightened of their load on me. It's freeing, like a short haircut after years with long locks or leaving a job that you haven't been happy with for too long.

I hope all this stuff actually sells so I'm not still stuck with it.

Not quite, but close

If money were no object

Working with a friend in her garden this week I listened to a radio program that asked listeners to call in and say what they would do if money were no object for them. With the economy of the States in the tank, people are dreaming since it's nearly impossible to do. I am an avid dreamer so I completely support this. After the obligatory 'pay off my debt,' it took me a while to decide what I would do. After some thought I decided that I would start a lobbying group to push legislators to deprivative health care and secondary schooling...I want free medial care for everyone and a zero cost college education for anyone who is wiling to earn it. I would also have a second group to lobby for stringent regulations on food production - no GMOs, no factory farming, no untrapasturizaion, et cetera.

I want to know what you would do if money were not a consideration. Please post a comment and let me know.

Nothing to laugh at

Seriously, this woman could he one heart attack away from the Presidency. And I love the way they poke fun at Biden, too.

To be fair, you should also watch the actual debate. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89FbCPzAsRA

150 to 500 words (maximum)

Please submit a personal statement of 150 to 500 words (maximum) that highlights your leadership achievements or significant service contributions to your community.

Surely this must be a joke. I cannot believe that anyone could expect to gauge a person's character from a self aggrandizing list of service and achievements. Would it attest to my individual worth if I highlighted my years as an executive officer in 4-H and FFA? Could knowing that I coached a youth livestock judging team speak to my strong leadership skills? If I spoke about my college involvement in political activism, would it attest to my ability to take initiative or, perhaps, if I told the story of how in high school I ditched my first period class once a month to have a buffet breakfast at Denny's with my friends? Do any of these narratives add to or subtract from a particular column about what type of person I am or student I can be?

While all of these anecdotes and experiences are part of my curriculum vitae from the past 26 years, the truth is that the bulleted points on my resume have done less to shape the person I am than the smaller events of my daily life. I've learned from my mistakes and from my successes, both large and small. These seemingly insignificant moments of my life have guided and shaped my awareness of a global and local community and my place in them, as well as, how I view and relate to others on an individual level.

I am still not certain of what I want to do in life, but by being open to new experiences and approaching them with curiosity rather than judgement, every day I get one step closer to becoming the kind of person I want to be. For better or for worse, this is what guides the choices I make in life.