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.

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

I Never Thought I Would Live to See the Day

As a kid I use hear kids like me say, "I wanna be President when I grow up." You always responded with "of course", but in your heart, you really didn't believe it. Last night, the world got to witness history in the making. Now when little kids say, "I wanna be President." I can really say (and believe), "Yes! You can!"

I marveled at the elation of the people in this country. I mean who would have ever imagined people dancing in the streets in front of The White House? What really has left me speechless is the celebration of people from around the world.

I am proud! I am excited! I have lived to see America renew the hopes of its promise.

I Can Tell the Next Generation...

That I did my part in the historic 2008 Election! There was no line. I was in and out in less than 10 minutes. But I had to take stock of all the parents that had their children with them. They all wanted to be the example that their children would one day emulate (we can all hope). It was really wonderful to see.

No matter which side you are on, I hope that you went out and let your voices be heard.

Here's What I Think....

This is the conclusion I have drawn in the last few days about the campaign. November 5, 2008 can't get here soon enough.