Chopin, Ballade No 1. in G Minor. Ivan Moravec. Haunting song that might make you cry if you allow yourself to think deep enough while listening to it. Ten minutes long. Gifted pianist. My words won’t do it justice, you might just have to listen yourself. There are times when we don’t know what to say. There are times, that even as a writer, I can’t find the words to describe how I feel. This is why music was invented, so you can let the notes, so delicately strung together, speak for you.
Today I stepped out at lunch to go to Urban Outfitters because I had been eyeing a shirt of theirs. It was a “now or never” kind of shirt:
Yea. So I made my way over there, not realizing it was the wrong day to walk because I was wearing high heels. This is my punishment for waiting so long to get this shirt. I walked in, went straight to the “SALE” section, found it and went straight to the cashier. It was a good thing I waited in retrospect, because on their website the shirt is $14.99 but I ended up getting it for $9.99, even though the original price was $28.
I was pretty excited about my purchase and I was making my way back to the office, I saw a little booth set up on 3rd street promenade with a guy selling Obama/Biden merchandise. There were buttons with Obama’s face transposed on Superman’s body, window posters, mini buttons with just his face and bumper stickers. Because of my political fueled drive home last night, I decided I wanted something. Button, sticker, whatever. I wanted it. I hopped into Famima to buy some bottled water, got some cash back and darted over to the booth, $10 in hand.
Enough people were coming up to buy objects of their political stances that it became a small crowd. As I picked a button up, a curly-haired boy, maybe about 7-years-old came up to the booth. He was wearing a rusty red shirt with jeans and he picked up one of the stickers and examined it.
“Is this our president?” he asked.
His mom, who had walked back to retrieve him, smiled and said “Well, we hope!”
She looked up, smiled at me, and both the seller and I laughed.
It was the most precious thing I think I have ever seen. It really gave me chills. I picked up the same sticker the little boy had, and bought it with my button.
I have been silently watching the Republican National Convention all week and following the Sarah Palin controversies blow up in the news. I don’t know if I’ve ever been more angry in my life. I remember when John Kerry was running against George W.Bush in 2004. I remember thinking, things will change, finally things will change! But they did not. I was pretty sure the good people of this country would realize what an idiot Bush was and not elect him for another term.
I was wrong.
I don’t want to really get into specifics, mostly because I don’t have the energy on a Thursday night at 10:30 p.m. to discuss the shortcomings of Sarah Palin, how utterly wrong John McCain is and how much I hate FOX news. I just want to point out a few things
For one, it is so upsetting to see the crowds at the RNC, cheering for the utter bullshit that is McCain and Palin. Look across the people there, all you see is a sea of white. A sea of white with cowboy hats on cheering on ideals that are so misconstrued it’s ridiculous. Bring on the guns, take away a woman’s right to choose what she wants to do with her own body, tell everyone that the Democrats want to raise taxes and take your money away from you. This is their message.
There are two demographics who round out the general Republican population: Rich white people and poor white people.
Rich white people are voting for McCain because the Republican party has convinced them that the Democrats plan to screw them out of their hard earned money. Poor white people are voting for McCain because the Republican party has convinced them that some kind of terrorist attack is so imminent, that the only person who can protect them from it is a 72-year-old man who doesn’t know the difference between Sunni and Shiite.
There is a montage right now playing at the RNC showing the September 11th attacks, the Oklahoma City Bombing and other horrific events. This is how Republicans work. They convince people to vote for them by instilling fear. Fear of attacks, fear of people taking away their rights and their land. Fear of everything outside of the boundaries of the U.S.
I feel so sorry for all those people who actually believe in the ideals that McCain, Palin and others are perpetuating. I feel angry, but mostly I feel sorry, because there is no way to reason with a Republican. If they happen to think that Apples are purple, no one on God’s green earth can convince them otherwise.
Senator Graham of South Carolina is at the convention right now, spewing the biggest load of bullshit I’ve ever heard. “Victory in Iraq,” “Barack Obama doesn’t get it,” “we cannot afford to lose,” “We’re going to win this war.”
I feel nauseous. I feel so nauseous that people like him have convinced crowds that Iraq is about winning or losing. Tell me, have any one of those people ever met anyone living in the Middle East? Do they know where Iraq is? Do they understand that the people of that country are living like second class citizens.
This election is not only important to the people of this country, but to the people of the entire world. Everyone is looking and observing, trying to see what move we’ll make next. Dooce said it best:
I get the feeling that people around the world are looking at this election as a gauge to see if America is finally ready to wake up and realize that we are not the only country on this planet. They are waiting to see if we are going to put yet another fundamentalist loon in charge of public and foreign policy, someone who doesn’t think that global warming is in any way caused by humans, so screw the rest of you who live here on this planet, we need that cup of oil with breakfast in the morning.
To my readers who do not live in America, who are not American, please know that there are so many of us here who are disgusted with what we have let happen in the last eight years and are doing everything we can to ensure that it stops. We are just as scared as you are of those around us who have their fingers in their ears and are going LA LA LA LA LA in an attempt to convince themselves that their behavior and their policies are not in direct violation of the teachings of the God they thinkput them in power.
Perhaps when I’ve calmed down, I might be able to come back and explain my positions and feelings as eloquently as she has, but for now, I feel angry. At the same time, I feel hope. I feel hope that the majority of this country will come to their senses and realize how desperately we need Barack Obama. I wish Tim Russert were alive to see all this.
Nothing would give me greater joy right now in this world, then to see Barack Obama elected President come November. Watching the Democratic National Convention all week long, on television when I could, on the internet when I missed it, makes me feel like there is a light at the end of an 8 year long tunnel of lies and deception and ignorance and arrogance. George W. Bush and every one around him have not only tarnished this country’s image, economy, values and overall state, they have robbed me and the millions of other young people of 8 years. Eight years of our youth spent listening to the likes of Bush.
I don’t know how any of that happened. It’s like a big blur. A big blur that I don’t want to remember, but can’t forget.
Watching Obama and John Kerry and Al Gore and Hillary Clinton, as well as Michelle Obama speak has not only filled me with hope, it has renewed my faith in people - people that want change, that want to fight to make the lives of others better, who want to give every single person in this country a life worth living
It is that American spirit, that American promise, that pushes us forward even when the path is uncertain; that binds us together in spite of our differences; that makes us fix our eye not on what is seen, but what is unseen, that better place around the bend.
That promise is our greatest inheritance. It’s a promise I make to my daughters when I tuck them in at night and a promise that you make to yours, a promise that has led immigrants to cross oceans and pioneers to travel west, a promise that led workers to picket lines and women to reach for the ballot.
And it is that promise that, 45 years ago today, brought Americans from every corner of this land to stand together on a Mall in Washington, before Lincoln’s Memorial, and hear a young preacher from Georgia speak of his dream.
The men and women who gathered there could’ve heard many things. They could’ve heard words of anger and discord. They could’ve been told to succumb to the fear and frustrations of so many dreams deferred.
But what the people heard instead — people of every creed and color, from every walk of life — is that, in America, our destiny is inextricably linked, that together our dreams can be one.
“We cannot walk alone,” the preacher cried. “And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.”
America, we cannot turn back..
… not with so much work to be done; not with so many children to educate, and so many veterans to care for; not with an economy to fix, and cities to rebuild, and farms to save; not with so many families to protect and so many lives to mend.
America, we cannot turn back. We cannot walk alone.
At this moment, in this election, we must pledge once more to march into the future. Let us keep that promise, that American promise, and in the words of scripture hold firmly, without wavering, to the hope that we confess. - Barack Obama
I’m crossing my fingers that the people in this country who are on the fence, the people who aren’t sure, even the people who support the opposition, finally come to their senses and understand that change is imminent. Change is necessary, now more than ever. And just like John Kerry said in his amazing speech, which still gives me goosebumps even though I’m just reading a transcription of it, “Years ago when we protested a war, people would weigh in against us saying, ‘My country right or wrong.’ Our answer? Absolutely, my country right or wrong. When right, keep it right. When wrong, make it right. Sometimes loving your country demands you must tell the truth to power.”
I have a theory that all good things come from Sweden. Ikea, H&M, Pippi Longstocking, health care, peaceful relations, crisp bread, etc. Turns out I’m right because ABBA is one of the best things that’s ever happened to music and now, film! Nat had been telling me how amazing this film was. It was so amazing, she decided to see it with me again today - and let me tell you, you will not only fall in love with this movie, you will fall in love with ABBA all over again and will begin feverishly downloading their music as soon as you get home from the theatre.
ABBA has every song to encompass the journey that is life, mark my words and isn’t it ironic, that they were discovered at the Eurovision Song Contest of 1974 and went on to sell millions of records? They sang “Waterloo” and went on to win. I think that’s a testament to their awesomeness right there. My favorite ABBA songs off the top of my head are “The Winner Takes It All,” “Fernando,” “I Have a Dream” and “Lay All Your Love On Me.” All but “Fernando” was included in Mama Mia!
I can’t remember when it was that I discovered ABBA, but I’m sure “Dancing Queen” was always ingrained in my subconscious from an early age. Before Mama Mia! decided to take on the songs of this Swedish quartet, there was Muriel’s Wedding, one of my favorite movies of all time. I was perpetually intrigued by the idea of Muriel Heslop a girl on the outskirts of the social circle who sat in her room, listened to ABBA and dreamt of her glorious wedding.
Amanda Seyfried, who plays Sophie really has a great voice and Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan live up to their potential. You might not want to see it because musicals aren’t your thing, but trust me, the hardest part is getting to the theatre. By the time you leave, you’ll leave wanting more.
My spinach and tomato plants from almost a month ago have blossomed and grown more than I ever expected them to. I hope to plant more, as this was just a test run to make sure I’m not a plant-killer. I absolutely love the idea of being able to grow my own fruits and vegetables to eat. I’d churn my own butter if I could and sew my own clothes and spin yarn out of alpaca fur. Maybe I was Amish in another life, I’m not sure. I could watch For Richer or Poorer any day of the week.
Somehow, someway, I got involved in co-hosting an internet radio organic gardening show, eHow’s Edible Gardens, a couple months ago at work. It happened quite simply. The regular host was out sick, and so when they asked around the editorial team, I was the only one who not only said yes, but enthusiastically said yes. I have always been interested in gardening. To me, it’s just another form of creation and creativity. I remember my grandmother’s backyard so vividly. It was full of strawberry plants, a lemon tree, orange tree, herbs, tomatoes and rich colored roses. That garden was her pride and joy. I have tried to somehow replicate her success over the years, but for one reason or another, I’ve failed. The thing is, just like a pet or a baby, you have to devote considerable time and energy to foster growth and that’s something I never had. I was too busy running around in high school pursuing my dream of that out of reach, illustrious journalism career.
But now that I am co-hosting this show, it gives me such a great opportunity to talk about and learn about something I love. Gardening expert Willi Galloway is who I co-host, and believe you me, Willi knows more about gardening than anyone you’ll meet. She loves it, so it kinda comes naturally I believe. In addition to being Queen of the garden, Willi also is West Coast Editor of Organic Gardening magazine and she also has this really awesome site called DigginFood, where she gives advice about gardening, posts personal gardening stories and also shares recipes! It’s a great read and I suggest you check it out.
I’ve enjoyed doing the show a lot so far. I’ve learned so much about strawberries, container gardening, growing your own hops, different varieties of tomatoes as well as unusual herbs. I got so inspired this last week especially, that I planted some seeds today. I don’t know if I’m doing things right to be honest, but it’s more or less a first try, so we’ll see how it goes. It’s definitely a learning process.
Here are some photos from my garden…
This is perhaps my favorite thing in the back yard. A pomegranate tree. The fruit up above is the first one it’s given this year.
This is a photo of last year’s fruit. There is nothing better than home grown fruits and vegetables. It was delicious. Pomegranate is very significant to me because of my background. It’s the central fruit in Armenian culture and usually represents fertility and abundance.
A blossom from the lemon tree (also below). This was initially a small tree, taken from my grandmother’s backyard after she passed away last year. With some extra care, it has managed to not only bloom, but bear fruit!
The pots above have tomato and spinach planted in them. I hope they give some seedlings. I hope I remember to water them.
This is also a remnant from my grandmother’s yard. I believe it’s an orange tree, and is relatively small. It has not given any fruit as of yet.
Today, my sister graduates from one institution of learning to another institution of higher learning. I can’t believe it was 6 years ago that I graduated high school as well. I can’t believe all that time has gone by. Four years from now, she’ll be graduating college, and God only knows where I’ll be. When you leave school, your life becomes sort of a big gray blur. School keeps your grounded. You know where you’ll be tomorrow (in class), a month from now (taking finals), or a year from now (one step closer to graduating.) But when all that goes away, and you’re left with no one to tell you what time to wake up, or what to read or study, or do, life gets complicated.
Although she rarely reads my blog, I want to address this part to her anyway. Alina, the advice I can give you to guide through life (at least for the next 4 years) is simple: Be yourself. I know you’ve heard that a dozen times and seen it on inspirational posters in some teacher’s room, but it’s true. There is nothing better, than to be yourself. Because when you try to be other people, it just doesn’t work. You owe it to yourself, to be yourself. Stand up for yourself. I’m sure that won’t be a problem with you, because you’ve done it all your life, and I’m so proud of you for that. This will come in handy for the rest of your life. No matter how self-conscious you feel, no matter how embarrassed you feel, stand up for yourself. You’ll see that this pays off in the end. Take risks. Take as many risks as you can. Risks are what make life interesting and they’ll not only get to know other people, most importantly, risks allow you to fully understand yourself. Have passion. Passion is what life is all about. Feel passionate about something. Have a fire in you about something, whether it be a class you’re taking, a relationship you have or life in general. Remember Jack Kerouac’s quote:
The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes Awww!
That’s all, I think. What I’ve written will only sound like words now, but one day down the line, you’ll think back and realize that they are so much more.
Enough people were coming up to buy objects of their political stances that it became a small crowd. As I picked a button up, a curly-haired boy, maybe about 7-years-old came up to the booth. He was wearing a rusty red shirt with jeans and he picked up one of the stickers and examined it.
I have been silently watching the Republican National Convention all week and following the Sarah Palin controversies blow up in the news. I don’t know if I’ve ever been more angry in my life. I remember when John Kerry was running against George W.Bush in 2004. I remember thinking, things will change, finally things will change! But they did not. I was pretty sure the good people of this country would realize what an idiot Bush was and not elect him for another term.
