My New Favorite Thing

What is the verdict? Excellent, excellent film. Go see it and if you can swing it, see it at an Independent Movie House.

Barack-sploitation

They say that the wheels of commercialism will turn no matter what. In this economy I would've been hard pressed to find anyone making any money. Then Barack Obama was sworn in as America's 44th President. I braved the meticulously cold weather on Tuesday and went to DC, so that I could say that I was a part of history. I was awestruck by two things: 1) how very nice and well behaved everyone was. DC police reported that not one of the 2 million people that was reported to be in DC that day was arrested. 2) I was dumb founded by the amount of Obama gear that people were selling. Let's see...I saw:

1. Obama Coins
2. Obama hats, tshirts, socks, shirts, shorts, and underwear (yeah...figure that out)
3. Obama blankets and throws
4. Obama lanyards and key chains
5. Obama mugs, glasses, shot glasses
6. Obama bobble head dolls
7. Obama Chiahead
8. Obama stationary, pens, pencils
9. Obama bumper stickers
10. Obama clocks, wall hangings, paintings
11. Obama 44 Sneakers (oh, by the way...they lit up)
12. Obama sunglasses
13. Obama dog collars

14. Obama buttons

15. Obama golf balls

16. Obama paperweights

But by far the worst offending Obama items are the Sasha & Malia dolls put out by Ty. Of course Ty came out with a statement that said that the dolls had nothing to do with the two sisters and that the release of the dolls on Inauguration night was pure coincidence. Each doll is $9.99.

I guess someone has to make money.

National Day of Service

Colin Powell has made his post Secretary of State gig a mission to turn Martin Luther King, Jr. Day not only a day of reflection, but a day of service. I love the idea. Martin Luther King served the country, albeit in a non-traditional fashion, and did so with no expectation of getting anything in return. My personal observation is that too much of what service has turned into today is not 'how can I help?', but 'how can I help and get the most people to see me doing it?'

As America gets ready for the inauguration of a new president, I hope that my fellow citizens takes the realization of Dr. King's dreams as an opportunity to serve someone. I'm heading out to rake my elderly neighbor's yard.

Now as promised, the next 6 locals in the 1000 Places to See Before You Die series...

Jan. 12 - The Red Sea, Egypt and Israel
Jan. 13 - The Strip, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Jan. 14 - Punta Del Este, Uruguay
Jan. 15 - Bali, Indonesia
Jan. 16 - Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada
Jan. 17 & 18 - English Harbour, Antigua

This list tells me I better get going. I've walked, run, and driven up and down Vegas' most famous Boulevard. I've done so more times than I would like to admit and I have plans to return this upcoming spring.

Their Coming to Baltimore

Runners have this saying that you can be anything you want to be when you are out there hitting the pavement. Back on my Feet takes this notion and puts it into action...literally.

Back on my Feet is coming to Baltimore on March 16th and I cant wait to be a part of it. The organization's focus is homeless people. The homeless get a chance to realize hope and opportunity, which includes a stable job and a place to live. They just have to be able to work towards their goal one (sometimes difficult) step at a time. How is that not like running?

Members of Back on my Feet understand what runners understand and that is no one is going to take the steps for you. They understand (like other runners do) that the community is there to cheer and to motiviate. From that you will get what you need to take that next step, to go that next mile, to make that next turn. Members of Back on my Feet get empowerment. They understand the simple notion that to get anywhere in life, including out of homelessness, you have to take it one step at a time.

You can find out more here: http://backonmyfeet.org/main/index.html

7 Pounds

I'm not a fast paced, shoot 'em up, fight aliens, & save the earth kinda gal. With that being said I've always waited for Nexflix to bring Will Smith to my door.

I decided to go to the theater to see 7 Pounds because I couldn't figure out what is was about from watching the trailers. It also didn't help that whenever I asked people about the film I got a strong reaction on both ends of the spectrum.

I will only say this. GO SEE IT! If you want unusual. If you want tear jerker. If you want to feel good about having second chances.

The film also stars Woody Harrelson and Rosario Dawson.

BTW: Under the umbrella of full disclosure, I want to say that I cried in the final scene with Dawson and Harrelson. I also want to say that Michael and I went together. He likes shoot 'em up, alien movies. The more explosions the better. He let me know that the next film like this that comes out, he'd be happy to sponsor a Girls Night at the Movies.

A Week that Was...

1. Israel has gone into Gaza to get Hamas. Of course in the middle of all of it are the innocent Palestinian citizens.
2. Obama has arrived in DC and the Obama girls started there new school with a ride in a hella motorcade and numerous TV cameras catching the whole thing.
3. Patrick Swayze admitted that he hasn't stopped smoking even though he is in the fight of his life with pancreatic cancer.
4. Sheila Dixon (the Mayor of Baltimore) and my fellow church member was indicted on federal corruption & theft charges.
5. The Governor of Illinois, Blagojevich , was Impeached. He says he isn't going anywhere.
6. A transit police officer shot and killed an unarmed black man in Oakland, CA and riots followed.
7. Alcoa announced that it was cutting 14,000 jobs.
8. John Travolta buried his 16 year old son. He died in the Bahamas of seizure disorder.
9. Oprah admitted that she fell off the wagon and is currently 200+ pounds.
10. My brother was admitted to the hospital with Congestive Heart Failure.

I think I will stop at 10.

Because this week was a bit more stressful than I anticipated, I added in an extra run. It was truly a godsend. It gave me a chance to think about the 6 locals I got to visit in the 1000 Places to See Before You Die series.

Jan. 5 - Topkapi Palace, Instanbul, Turkey
Jan. 6 - Verbier, Valais, Switzerland
Jan. 7 - Any Church in Lalibela, Ethiopia
Jan. 8 - Tasmania Freycinet National Park, Australia
Jan. 9 - Plaza de Armas, Cuzco, Peru
Jan. 10 - Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA

3 Places to See Before You Die

Everyone who knows me and has been paying attention knows that I LOVE to travel. God's earth is so big and so beautiful. I think I was put here to see as much of it as I can.

It is a shame that I haven't quite figured out how to see the planet and eat at the same time, so I do the best that I can. The best I can do for 2009 is to enjoy the Christmas present I bought for myself. I bought a 1000 Places to See Before You Die Desk Calendar. I get to see a wonderful and different local each day. How cool is that?

As of the writing of this blog, I've got to see the following places:

January 1 - The Cliffs, Negril, Jamaica
January 2 - Mesa Verde, Colorado, USA
January 3 - The Louvre, Paris, France

I can scratch January, 1 & 3 off of my list. One more thing that I can report is that the pictures on the calendar don't do each place any justice, at all. Don't get me wrong, the pictures are awesome, but trust me, you have to see each place for yourself...sometime in your lifetime.

This is a picture from my last visit to Cliff's Bar & Grill in Negril. I was last there in 2007.