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I thought I was proud to be an American back in November.

I didn't think I could have been prouder.

I was wrong. I am much prouder today.

I am so happy to have a leader who is well-spoken, charismatic and determined. I am inspired. I am energized.

Let's do this.

Why the President Elect is Cool

Far from being a political post, I just had to take the cue from Mark Bruno's polit-blog, Left of Center, for a wholly fun and non-partisan look at some interesting bits of Obama trivia. The Telegraph in London just published a list of 50 facts you might not know about Barack Obama.

The points that I found interesting (and relatable):

• He collects Spider-Man and Conan the Barbarian comics
  [geek in the White House - sweet!]
  
• He has read every Harry Potter book
  [see above]
  
• He worked in a Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop as a teenager
  [so did I!]
• He can speak Spanish
  [Se Habla Español - un poquito]
  
• His favourite drink is black forest berry iced tea
  [an iced tea man - like me!]
  
• He can bench press an impressive 200lbs
  [an actually strong president!]
  
• His favourite book is Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
  [well-read in classic American lit]
  
• His desk in his Senate office once belonged to Robert Kennedy
  [nice legacy]
  
• His favourite films are Casablanca and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
  [good taste in film]
• He applied to appear in a black pin-up calendar while at Harvard but was rejected by the all-female committee
  [who's laughing now, bitches?]
  
• His favourite music includes Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Bach and The Fugees
  [eclectic = good]
  
• He enjoys playing Scrabble and poker
  [so do I!]
  
• As a teenager he took drugs including marijuana and cocaine
  [as do a lot of teens - better to acknowledge past mistakes and learn from them than to deny]
  
• He hates the youth trend for trousers which sag beneath the backside
  [so do I!]
  
• He drives a Ford Escape Hybrid, having ditched his gas-guzzling Chrysler 300
  [as SUVs go, not a bad example to set]
  
• He has his hair cut once a week by his Chicago barber, Zariff, who charges $21
  [about what a lot of regular guys pay for a haircut]
• His favourite fictional television programs are MASH and The Wire
  [again, good taste]
  
• He plans to install a basketball court in the White House grounds
  [right ON!]
  
• His favourite artist is Pablo Picasso
  [aesthetically open-minded]
  

I think this kind of stuff is pretty cool. I like being able to identify with the dude representing me. Okay, back to the regular post-election non-political blog...

Dan Savage on Colbert

Know what I love more than Stephen Colbert? Our own Dan Savage on Stephen Colbert (mmm - hot Dan-on-Stephen action!). In this case, Dan talks about California's recent civil rights travesty, Prop 8, and actually makes the normally unflappable Colbert break character.

With the unpacking and organizing here at home, I've been behind in my Daily Show/Colbert Report viewing, so I must thank the lovely and talented Stephen Rader for putting this up.



And here's an old sketch from the oft-forgotten Dana Carvey Show, with Colbert and Steve Carell, just because it's one of the most brilliant premises ever written for variety television...

Open Letter

Before I paste his text in this forum, I feel I must preface with a word or two about my stepfather, Bob.

Bob was a Reagan Republican. For as long as I've known him, he's been the lone voice of old-school fiscal conservatism in my large family of New Deal lefties. And this year, he contributed to, supported and voted for Obama. It was an event which sent a collective double-take through my family, but one that quickly made us all beam with pride. Because, far from drinking the liberal kool-aid, Bob had actually listened to his heart and his conscience, and supported the candidate he felt best suited to put us right with the world, and with our own people. The candidate best suited to unite us all with an even head and an even hand. Someone who would not just spend a term putting out fires, but who could re-engage us in the world community and challenge us to achieve great things again.

And that's the gist of the open letter he sent me, with a request to publish on this blog.

* * *

An Open Letter to the Next President,

I’m an ordinary person, capable of extraordinary things. I work with my hands, my brain, the strength of my back and the flat of my feet. I am strong in times of weakness and weep openly and unashamed in moments of great triumph. I am weary to my bones but I carry on with a strength that resides deep in my soul. I persevere in the face of despair. I exult in my neighbor’s blessings and help them carry their heaviest burdens.

I am vain, petty, cowardly, envious and pessimistic. And yet still, mostly hopeful. I am all these things and more: Resilient, moldable, ambitious, willing. I am a citizen of the United States of America. I am you, and you are me, joined as we.

Together as we, let us do great things. Find us the tools then get out of the way. We are the people that forged a tiny, fragile country by defeating the most powerful military force on the planet. We did it on the strength of an idea. We are the country that invented the light bulb and found a thousand uses for the humble peanut through the vision and persistence of brilliant individuals. We are the country that saved a world at war for democracy twice in a single century through the shared sacrifice of a nation. We went to the moon using nothing more sophisticated than a slide rule and vacuum tubes, and watched it on the TV we invented. We defeated Communism and we showed the world what the future of human relations looks like. It looks like you. It looks like me. It looks like us.

We have an uncanny ability to elevate great leaders at pivotal moments in our history and we believe we have done so once again. Make no mistake the challenges are great, as they always are. Save the planet, alleviate poverty, educate the illiterate, seek peace and justice and defend the defenseless. We are ready, as we have always been; to sacrifice tirelessly for our children’s and our grandchildren’s futures, to scrimp pennies and tackle intolerance. Watch the world be amazed and inspired by how we succeed. Please, give us impossible tasks.

Robert Pace
On behalf of the citizens of the U.S.A.

A Proud American

I don't know when I've felt this kind of pride (if ever) in my country. Not everybody likes it, and really, not everybody has to. History was made, and a lot of people's faith in the process was redeemed. This is a 232-year-old promise fulfilled.

As I sat watching the acceptance speech with misty eyes, Raechelle turned to me, equally misty, and said to me, "I'm so excited for Tyler and Kayleigh, to grow up having hope and pride in their country." As one who has traveled abroad in the last eight years, I had to agree.

I don't know if the enormity of the situation has really sunk in. It may be days yet. But I'm breathing a big sigh of relief that the election cycle is over, and it was enough of an electoral landslide that Obama's victory is not in doubt in any way.

Yes, things are still tough, and yes, the country has a long, hard slog out of a deep hole. I don't think anyone is delusional enough to believe that electing Obama will be a panacea. But it's one hell of a positive step. The people have spoken - let's do this.

A New Hope

I'm stealing the subtitle from the original Star Wars movie to illustrate my current state of mind. And it's not just the election - everybody knows how this Jeffersonian liberal in a blue state casts his ballot. It's much, much more.

November 1st was my New Year, and it already feels like it. There's been a sort of pallet-cleansing of the soul recently, and although I'm not going into too much depth here, suffice to say it's really good, forward progress.

Some of it has to do with the dream I had last night, wherein my dad gave me a guided tour of my entire life, a la A Christmas Carol or It's a Wonderful Life. Some of it has to do with the fact that Gavin has helped hold Tyler's feet to the fire with his school work and attendance, and it appears to be working. He cheerfully and promptly left with us for school this morning. Some of it is the improvement in Tyler's and my relationship recently. Some of it is grownup relationship-related (and again, not going into detail - only that it's forward momentum).

Overall, there is a sense of optimism and hope for the future. My future. Our collective future. In every arena. And that is a feeling I wish everyone could have, at least once. That's all I have to say about that.

Tonight we'll be going to Dan & Trish's place for Election Day coverage, dinner and wine. We're bringing a bottle of champagne just in case, and Rae is staying here tonight. And on the topic of Election Day, why is this not a national holiday?? If we're going to pride ourselves on our democratic process, why not give people the day off to exercise their rights and do their civic duty? Let's revel in the process we helped invent, and reinvest in our national pride.

That's all I got.

I Can See Russia...

This is too good not to share...

Variations on a Theme

My brilliant compadre and wordsmith, Chi-Town's own Mark Bruno, has posted a variant of the trains as political metaphor pic that was recently making the rounds. This time it's an hilarious Star Wars theme.

I don't usually wax political on my blog, mostly because I reside in a very blue state, in a major Asian port city, with a major university and a few of the wealthiest corporations in America, near our largest foreign neighbor. Everyone knows my socially-liberal/fiscally-conservative politics, so I don't feel the need to advertise most of the time. I just think it's funny that Sarah Palin has become her own punchline.

I mean, what a train wre--oh... right.

By The Way...

Did I mention I'm running for President?

Grab Bag!

Feeling bunches better today. The headaches are still a pain in the cranium, but they're manageable now.

I'm bouncing around in my office chair to my '80s playlist while working on the Bullshot Crummond poster for Twelfth Night Productions. Let's just say I make good use of the Union Jack. I worked on the show in high school, and can't wait to see what Rick Springer does with it at Youngstown. I think having a graphics project and deadline in front of me helps to re-focus the creative side of my brain - which in turn will benefit the OA pilot screenplay. We have a production meeting tonight that will focus on the pitch. Looking forward to hammering out the strategy.

I'm feeling re-energized, creatively. This is a good thing.

Last night I was Facebooking and took a peek at my friend Mark Mezadourian's friend list to see if we had any mutual friends beyond Palo Alto High School alumni, and lo and behold, I stumbled upon an old friend from my days at LACT (now apparently called The Bus Barn Theater... ugh), April Stewart. We were in Once Upon a Mattress together, and she was the lead in The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon-Marigolds, which was directed by my roommate at the time, Bill Quinlan. Turns out she's the voice talent behind several of the female characters on South Park. So I've been enjoying her work for years without knowing it. Anyway, it was good to get back in touch. Hi, April! Congratulations on your recent maternity!

Finally, a shout out to TBGE, who sent me the pic below this morning. I usually don't go hyper-political on this forum, but I gotta say, I find it very, very funny.

Okay, off to find some lunch, then back to work...

TRAINS AS A POLITICAL METAPHOR