Green Jello

First Day of New Job

What do you do on your first day as President? Sharpen the pencils, clean out the desk drawers, and place the rock your daughter painted on your desk? Is it a blur; people running in and briefing you, eating off plates you didn't pick out, trying to find the bathroom, learning how to put someone on hold? What if your first day really sucks and you want to quit?

I tried to write a letter to President Obama, but it sounded boring and predictable, blah, blah, blah...economy and good luck. The New York Times has some letters written by children for our new President, that will be published in the book "Thanks and Have Fun Running the Country: A Collection of Kids’ Letters to President Obama.” I like the letter by Chandler Brown that lists what he should do; "sit down in chair, put hand-sanitizer on."

This is the beginning of a good week.

Yes we did

I remember when I cast my vote for Barack Obama in our Senate race and I didn't think he would win. When he decided to run in the primary, I thought it was impossible. When he won the primary, I thought he would never be elected President. So today I am shocked, excited, and nervous. I try to keep politics out of this space, but this election has moved me and it doesn't feel right not to say something. I know the feeling of disappointment when the candidate you support does not win (this is the first person I voted for who won), so I respect those of you who are not excited today.

I hope the next four years unites our country so we can move forward. I hope the positive mood of today can move people to pay attention and participate in our government. I hope some of the promises made on the campaign trail will be kept. I hope this is the beginning of something good.

...and I hope Joe the Plumber's CD is out before Christmas (sorry, I had to make one joke).

The Economy, Politics, and Sarah Palin's Shoes

There are days when I think about what I am going to write here, but this is not one of them. Did you watch the debate? I'm not watching the next one. I've heard it all, and viewing them sit and stand and wander around the stage was weird and distracting. Is the end near? From the news reports you would think it was, but then I found out that Sarah Palin was wearing Naughty Monkey shoes when she accepted the nomination; now I can sleep at night. The stock market falling, companies who received bailout funds going on spa trips, collapsing credit market, foreclosures, and a President standing at the door with his bags packed; good times. I think all we can do at this point is hope the ones in charge can stabilize this mess and not panic. So, here are some random nice things to keep you free from panic;

 
 a calming photo.

Finslippy's DonorsChoose Blogger's Challenge; a great cause and she will reenact Pat Benatar's "Love is a Battlefield" video if she wins.

Blue Yonder's Bean Counter Post made me feel that all is right in the world.

Brit collecting funds for Lee's heart; a touching story.

Solyndra developing new solar panels before the politicians decide it's time to do something about energy.

A new book, Picture Yourself Cooking with Your Kids.

Find the truth at Fact Check.

Any nice distractions you would like to add to the list?

Bail, Baby, Bail

My friends, it is time to be patriotic and reach into your pockets and help the poor Wall Street tycoons and Investment Banks. How can you ignore them shuffling their feet in $1,000 shoes, with dirty, sad faces? Oh sure they went a little "crazy" and sent our economy into the toilet, but now is not the time for finger pointing. How much do they need? 1 Trillion. How many zeros is that? Not sure.

I know, you lived within your means; bought a home you could afford, made things rather than buy them, bought an inexpensive car, and were careful with your money. Yes, the ones with their hands out lived like rock stars, spent money like drunken pirates, while you scraped by. But, imagine how awful it must be for them not to be able to buy a third vacation home or fly first class rather than on a private plane. The poor little guys.

I will not pretend to understand what has happened to our economy, since I only had one economics class in college (which is probably more than some of the candidates). But if I had to guess, it seems we created the world's biggest pyramid scheme, and someone just dropped out and it's now crumbling. So, I will wait for those in charge, who looked the other way while this was brewing, to write my bill. Thanks.

What would happen if 1 trillion was used for education or to end poverty?

Do you think the banks will give us free checking accounts now?