Hancock was FUCKING AMAZING.

There was a twist, I won't spoil it, but I so didn't see it coming at all. I was completely drawn in and nearly forgot I was watching a movie.

I want to see it again.

I want to see it at the drive in.

Now.

DAVE: Never heard of Apartment Mart. Do they rent shoeboxes?

Stuck inside Kohl's, I couldn't really see the rainbow at it's best... but it was super bright, HUGE and a (visible) double rainbow.

When the managers weren't looking I took some pictures with my cell when my line finally died. It's not as bright here as it was when I first saw it a little after 7... but it's the best I can do.



View from inside Kohl's.


Then I snuck into the space between the two sets of doors and took better pictures. You can just barely see the second rainbow on the outside.


I love how clearly you could see the Blue and Purple.. you can't always see those ones!

DAMN KOHL'S for not letting me be able to go outside with my digital camera to take a better shot when I first saw the rainbow! But my cell phone didn't do so bad ::pets:: I love my little Ericsson.

I just got this email from my great uncle that really sat wrong with me. Mostly I just ignore the political emails that my family forwards around. They're all republicans and apparently hate democrats. I find a lot of things wrong with their views, but never really backlash at them. I think I spent a half hour crafting a response to the email. Bashing democrats as a whole, fine, whatever. I hate politics. But this email (which is not Chuck's writing - I'm merely flabbergasted that enough people think to pass this crap on) is beyond party, and I found it insulting.

The original author also included really unflattering photos of Michelle Obama, which I left out because they were uncalled for. Probably used to try and accentuate his/her point... in a really backwards way.

The email:

On Tue, Jun 24, 2008 at 10:48 AM, C. W. Landry wrote: Hi Folks, I'm not a politian, white or black, but her thesis really bothers me. Interesting reading. Take care, Chuck. Subject: Fw: We Paid For Her Scholarship..... Be sure and read the Snopes review to put this all in proper perspective. According to http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/thesis.asp Princeton was requested to put a 'restriction' on distribution of any copies of the thesis of Michelle Obama (a/k/a Michelle laVaughn Robinson) saying it could not be made available until November 5, 2008 but when it was published on a political website they decided they would lift the restriction. Subj: Thesis - Michele Obama aka Michelle LaVaughn Robinson OBAMA'S MILITANT RACISM REVEALED In her senior thesis at Princeton, Michele Obama, the wife of Barack Obama stated that America was a nation founded on "crime and hatred'. Moreover, she stated that whites in America were 'ineradicably racist'. The 1985 thesis, titled 'Princeton-Educated Blacks and the Black Community' was written under her maiden name, Michelle LaVaughn Robinson. Michelle Obama stated in her thesis that to 'Whites at Princeton, it often seems as if, to them, she will always be Black first...' However, it was reported by a fellow black classmate, 'If those 'Whites at Princeton' really saw Michelle as one who always would 'be Black first,' it seems that she gave them that impression'. Most alarming is Michele Obama's use of the terms 'separationist' and 'integrationist' when describing the views of black people. Mrs. Obama clearly identifies herself with a 'separationist' view of race. 'By actually working with the Black lower class or within their communities as a result of their ideologies, a separationist may better understand the desperation of their situation and feel more hopeless about a resolution as opposed to an integrationist who is ignorant to their plight.' Obama writes that the path she chose by attending Princeton would likely lead to her 'further integration and/or assimilation into a white cultural and social structure that will only allow me to remain on the periphery of society; never becoming a full participant.' Michele Obama clearly has a chip on her shoulder. Not only does she see separate black and white societies in America, but she elevates black over white in her world. Here is another passage that is uncomfortable and ominous in meaning: 'There was no doubt in my mind that as a member of the black community, I am obligated to this community and will utilize all of my present and future resources to benefit the black community first and foremost.' What is Michelle Obama planning to do with her future resources if she's first lady that will elevate black over white in America? The following passage appears to be a call to arms for affirmative action policies that could be the hallmark of an Obama administration. 'Predominately white universities like Princeton are socially and academically designed to cater to the needs of the white students comprising the bulk of their enrollments.' The conclusion of her thesis is alarming. Michelle Obama's poll of black alumni concludes that other black students at Princeton do not share her obsession with blackness. But rather than celebrate, she is horrified that black alumni identify with our common American culture more than they value the color of their skin. 'I hoped that these findings would help me conclude that despite the high degree of identification with whites as a result of the educational and occupational path that black Princeton alumni follow, the alumni would still maintain a certain level of identification with the black community. However, these findings do not support this possibility.' Is it no wonder that most black alumni ignored her racist questionnaire? Only 89 students responded out of 400 who were asked for input. Michelle Obama does not look into a crowd of Obama supporters and see Americans. She sees black people and white people eternally conflicted with one another. The thesis proides a trove of Mrs. Obama's thoughts and world view seen through a race-based prism. This is a very divisive view for a potential first lady that would do untold damage to race relations in this country in a Barack Obama administration. Michelle Obama's intellectually refined racism should give all Americans pause for deep concern. Now maybe she's changed, but she sure sounds like someone with an axe to grind with America. Will the press let Michelle get a free pass over her obviously racist comment about American whites? I am sure that it will. PS: We paid for her scholarship.

My response (sent only to those I actually knew on the list):

If you visit the snopes website (http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/thesis.asp), they pulled different quotes. You can get another summary of the thesis (written in 1985) here: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0208/8642.html. I think the original author of this email twisted the thesis in a way to make it look worse than it actually was. Perhaps due to their own racial fears or tendencies.

It's a shame that in 2008 we still can't put the issue of race behind us, no matter what color we are. However I'm sure that in the last 23 years Michelle Obama's views on the world have changed. I didn't read the whole thesis, but I skimmed a few sections. I don't think such a document -- a college thesis -- should define who she is today, or who her husband is for that matter; he's the one who wants to run our country.

Personally, I hate politics. Especially how each party tries to cut the others down by bringing up things from their youth. Everyone went to college. Everyone has a past of some sort. It shaped who they are today, but doesn't necessarily define them in their entirety.

Just my two cents.


THIS is why I didn't go into journalism. Everyone twists shit their own way. Nothing is without bias anymore. It's a shame. I don't know why it riled me so, but it did. Maybe it's a generational thing. Maybe it was the line about her scholarship. Maybe I just really hate politics.

I have a sudden urge to stand atop Mt. Washington and scream: "Can't we all just GET ALONG?"

ETA 12:18pm:
My aunt just replied.

Well said Tina!

I would hope that you will find some time to pay attention to the debate, become educuated on the candidates and VOTE. Politics is not easy and is usuallly hard to figure out.

The RIGHT to vote is something that all should exercise. That is my soap box!

Thankfully in this country, we are all entitled to draw our own conclusions. Racism is so deep seeded in many cultures. Tina, I agree that is hard to believe that in 2008 people still judge others by the color of their skin.

Your history is your history...you cant hide from it. Hopefully we learn from it, but what I have read about Mrs. Obama is a bit troubling.

Quite frankly, I dont care for either McCain nor Obama...

Mickey Mouse is who Dickie told me he always voted for...hmm...that is starting to sound more appealing.

Here's to the process!

I heard a news headline on the radio this morning about a study that says sleep deprivation causes people to snack more. I decided to look into that a little bit...

The Effects of Sleep Deprivation

So if I've been snippy, indecisive, cavalier, moody, unable to focus, unable to emote, emoting too much, depressed, got a sudden onset of ADD, seeming to avoid human contact, wanting to hibernate, over-snacking or zoning out... I apologize. It's just the sleep deprivation talking. And it's not going to get better anytime soon.

I bought this dress at Kohl's (I think after all my discounts it was like $20-25? from $48) and I LOVE IT. It's a size 4(!!) and looks amazing on. I didn't want to take it off. ...but is it too white? I reallllly want to wear it to Ben's (super classy) wedding in August. It's a 5pm outdoor wedding. I have a black shrug (or two) I could wear with it. Or a bright pink pashmina (that I had at Marc & Jenn's wedding) or two different color greens... my mom has a gold one... oh I've also got a maroon one. Or I could go into Ye Olde Port and get another bright color.

(it looks frumpy on the hanger, but I couldn't find it on the Kohl's website... and please ignore the beach towel/bathrobe backdrop. it's better than the white door itself. -- which reminds me that I need to wash and put that robe away...)

Maggie (my resident wedding expert) says it's okay. But I'm looking for a majority opinion.

Back in1997 Baz Luhrmann put an essay written by Mary Schimich to music. Specifically the song "Everybody's Free" that he used in his rendition of Romeo + Juliet (with Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes). I found it on the internet. Apparently it was also redone in 1999 and a music video was made for MTV. I uploaded the 1997 version to sendspace. It's amazing how true this rings over a decade later after I've graduated from high school and college and spent a few years in the real world... seriously. Spooky. I need to revisit it all and try and take more of it to heart, I think.

The MTV video:

( Lyrics )