A dedication to the democratic convention

In honor of all the democractiv Who-ha taking place in Denver, here are a few of my favorite democratic moments from my favorite democrat

Governor Robert Ritchie: My view of this is simple: we don't need a Federal Department of Education telling us our children have to learn Esperanto, they have to learn Eskimo poetry. Let the states decide, let the communities decide on health care, on education, on lower taxes, not higher taxes. Now, he's going to throw a big word at you - "unfunded mandate." He's going to say if Washington lets the states do it, it's an unfunded mandate. But what he doesn't like is the federal government losing power. But I call it the ingenuity of the American people.

Moderator: President Bartlet, you have 60 seconds for a question and an answer.

Bartlet: Well, first of all, let's clear up a couple of things. "Unfunded mandate" is two words, not one big word. There are times when we're fifty states and there are times when we're one country, and have national needs. And the way I know this is that Florida didn't fight Germany in World War II or establish civil rights. You think states should do the governing wall-to-wall. That's a perfectly valid opinion. But your state of Florida got $12.6 billion in federal money last year - from Nebraskans, and Virginians, and New Yorkers, and Alaskans, with their Eskimo poetry. 12.6 out of a state budget of $50 billion. I'm supposed to be using this time for a question, so here it is: Can we have it back, please?

Moderator: Governor Ritchie, many economists have stated that the tax cut, which is the centrepiece of your economic agenda, could actually harm the economy. Is now really the time to cut taxes?

Ritchie: You bet it is. We need to cut taxes for one reason - the American people know how to spend their money better than the federal government does.

Moderator: Mr. President, your rebuttal.

Bartlet: There it is. That's the ten word answer my staff's been looking for for two weeks. There it is. Ten-word answers can kill you in political campaigns. They're the tip of the sword. Here's my question: What are the next ten words of your answer? Your taxes are too high? So are mine. Give me the next ten words. How are we going to do it? Give me ten after that, I'll drop out of the race right now. Every once in a while... every once in a while, there's a day with an absolute right and an absolute wrong, but those days almost always include body counts. Other than that, there aren't very many unnuanced moments in leading a country that's way too big for ten words. I'm the President of the United States, not the President of the people who agree with me. And by the way, if the left has a problem with that, they should vote for somebody else.
-West Wing "Game On"

An interesting way to watch the Olympics

Being that the games are in a far away land this time with a 12 hour time difference, the games are a bit harder to watch then say if they were in ...oh, Chicago (hint to the IOC). Last night dive was on, which I think is my favorite sport (though not far behind are gymnastics, swimming, and the occasional rowing-though I watch it all). As a child I was diving at a young age, and then early one morning I was watching the games live from Souel and there was Greg Louganis doing a reverse dive and knocking himself against the board. Ever since then, I've been a bit leery of trying those complicated dives. Anyway, flash forward to jr. high and High school and I dove a bit (until the simple dives were not enough to win and I began coaching). I love coaching and seeing some one accomplish a new dive they never thought they could do. One of my girls was a gymnast and we converted her and 2 years later she qualified for state as a freshman! It was awesome. All this to say, I'm willing to stay up late to watch 5 rounds of this great sport. Because of the time difference I was able to watch the first 2 rounds (which were separated by hours in China). During the 4th round they cut over to the excitement of beach volley ball and I was forced to stay up late to watch the result of round 5. (volley ball was great, don't get me wrong). So now we're sitting in 5th place, and I have to wait another 10 hours to watch the finals, that took place 4 hours ago. Confused yet?? Yes, I looked up the results, and saw scores I use to see! Wow, some good rounds, some not so good rounds, but all in all, it should be a predictable night..no I'm not saying who wins.

Oh and another nice way to watch the games...a glass off good white wine and a tub o mallow pop (*sugary goodness marshmallow popcorn-good thing I spent lots of sweaty time at the gym:)

Why mooose?

I know my fiance thinks it's a weird little obsession of mine (not a big one like, say the Olympics, which is anything but weird, and huge), but I do love moose. They to me out God's sense of humor. Big bodies, like that of a heavy-weight lifter, with tall skinny marathon runner legs. (I don't think moose run though, so what's with the legs). I think the obsession started by watching a moose walk down the road of Cicily, Alaska on a little show called "Northern Exposure." Ever since then, I just love our little awkward friends and display funny pictures every once in a while:)

In the Water again...and other trials

When I was teeny, my parents baptized me at church with my God parents present (my God Father was the one who baptized me). Many Churches have different views on baptism, but I always thought it was special. I decided to renew my baptism vows, not to "right a wrong" or join a church, but to experience baptism the way Christ did, in the open water, with my new church family, my new family to be and to recognize a new chapter in my life that God has brought me too.
(and there was movement of the Spirit-Jellyfish free)
In other news, I spent a lot of time at the bridal shop with my girls. We thought we had the dresses they wanted but they were either discontinued, or would be made sometime between now and Christmas. After 3 hours we were happy with plan C dresses and left with smiles on our faces and dresses ordered.

So we're back to Blogging

When followed my brother as a blogger about 3 years ago we were on Xanga. Then he go...er...got a myspace, so I got a myspace. Time went by and we moved to facebook. Facebook is great for media and finding people, but as a writer it's really hard to blog. Now he's on to blogspot and in order to respond, I must again follow in suit.
The truth is, I have missed blogging, I just find little time to do so, or the company blocks the site. I'll see how long this stays up. Mostly I just enjoy reading Seth, Willis, my friend Deanna, and various other blogs like David Durante from the Olympics...I'm an Olympic freak.
So what to blog about:
Well, I'm getting married in 2 months. Wow, time has flown by since Marc and I met 3 years ago. We met Christmas 2005, Started Dating thanksgiving 2006, got engaged around Sept. 2007, and are getting married in October. Is there where I though my long drive 4 years ago would bring me when I felt God moving me here? I could have only hoped. It was a rough start living in a house with a compulsive gambler, not knowing what else she would get mad at me about and working 2 jobs that just barely paid the bills, to now having a job that pays the bills and soon moving into the most stability I've ever known. I have however had a great 2 years with my current room mate and our sweet apartment. I will miss that (though I half expect to see my room mate moved in to Marc and I's house after we return from the honeymoon....her in curlers and a robe curled up the couch with Webster the cat:)
I have no idea what the future will bring. What married life will be like, when we'll have kids, if there are more Olympics in my future. God knows and I'm alright with that. I do know my fiance Loves me like God wants me to be loved and is one of the most loyal people I know. He makes me laugh and for the most part gets my crazy sense of humor. I look forward to a life together and future growth. I'm getting married!!!!