Monthly Archives: August 2008

Politics Unusual

Posted on by
4

2807029763_acb4dd8dd8 

I am a Democrat, always have been. And I have been dismayed at my party so often in the past few years, it’s ridiculous. THEY’RE so often ridiculous.

The abuse of power, the affairs, the squandering of an election that was IN THE BAG, the unwillingness to stand up and not be ashamed of our party’s core values, the inability to GET ORGANIZED. Oy! The list goes on.

 

But NOW! Now things have changed! I am excited once again about the party.

 

I’m excited to see the muscle, the creative outreach, the use of 21st century technology, the powerful image-making machinery working for my side for a change.

 

Because I believe in everything Obama spoke about Thursday night. I believe we have a responsibility to help people in this country, I believe that THAT is the job of our government. I do!

 

Of course I get that that means it’s really OUR job. That it means that whether we pay more taxes or do the volunteer work ourselves — it’s OUR JOB. 

 

I also believe that we could spend less on the horrible war in Iraq and spend more of it here in the US, and that maybe that might not even mean an increase in taxes at all!

 

So you have to know how thrilled I was to hear Barack Obama speak to me that night — to speak to my hopes and dreams for this country — to say them out loud — in front of the world — a Black Man holding the attention of the whole world — it was (and I mean this in its true sense) AWESOME.

 

I am in awe of this man, and this society, that finally has the courage to let him stand in front of us, and to say the words I have longed to hear. Ever since 4 years ago, when I heard his speech and told all my friends I had just heard the future President speak — ever since then I have been thrilled, excited, awed, and called to action.

 

I’ve wanted to express this is a personal way, in a public way, since my fellow LA Moms Blogger, Jessica Gottlieb, expressed herself and her politics to me. I had to ask her to weigh-in on Sarah Palin, since she’s the only Republican — and certainly the only thinking one — I know. Maybe that’s crazy and narrow-minded on my part. To only surround myself with like-minded people, was it on purpose or did it happen organically? I can’t say, but I can tell you my world has expanded since I started blogging, and that can only be good.

 

Photo credit the DNC website. Photo used with fingers crossed…
An original post by Sarah Auerswald.

Harmonic Convergence — Though Never The Twain Shall Meet

Posted on by
Reply

Last week in our country, 2 gatherings were held. Major events, each with their own set of rituals and customs, distinctly their own. The fact that they were held in the same week, though, is one of the weirdest things I’ve ever seen.


Of course I’m speaking about The Democratic National Convention and Burning Man. 
Convention
2809410731_1a3d06e626_m
Let’s compare and contrast, shall we?

Stated Goals — DNC: “When the 45th Democratic National Convention is called to order on Monday, August 25, 2008 in Denver, Colorado, it will be the culmination of more than 24 months of formal planning by the Democratic Party to structure a nominating cycle and nominating Convention that represents the Party’s principles of openness, fairness and diversity.”

Stated Goals – Burning Man: “This year’s art theme is about nationality, identity and the nature of patriotism… In 2008, leave narrow and exclusive ideologies at home; forget the blue states and the red; let parties, factions and divisive issues fall away, and carefully consider your immediate experience. What has America achieved that you admire? What has it done or failed to do that fills you with dismay? What is laudable? What is ludicrous? Put blame aside, let humor thrive, and dare to contemplate a larger question: What can America, this stumbling, roused, half-conscious giant, still contribute to the world?”

Official Uniforms — Burning Man:
2798828396_3967c20de6_m2801382720_55037354c9_m2810267934_f52398cd82_m

Official Uniforms — DNC:
2808940868_5ffba9001b_s2797158845_024f0700a2_s2802514448_dca6f15857_s

Culminating Event — Burning Man:
2810281030_8f42b3d864_m

Culminating Event — DNC:
2807102927_57675a3b982807029763_acb4dd8dd8

I’m just grateful they only burn a man at ONE of the two events.


Photo credits: DNC photos from DNC site, used with fingers crossed. Photos of Burning Man used under the creative commons license from the very cool site of TheBlight.net, or the flickr page of mr. nightshade
(Interestingly, I couldn’t find photos of the DNC that were so easily licensed.)
An original post by Sarah Auerswald.

Big Changes, Big Challenges

Posted on by
4

I found out today that the Principal of our school is leaving for a new job closer to his home. Just to be perfectly clear, school starts next Wednesday, and his last day is this Friday. Have you done the math?

 

Well, I have. We’re starting the school year a man down.

 

The Principal lives really far away from our school and has always had a super long commute, so I don’t begrudge him a job he can get to in 20 minutes. He’s a good man and has been a great Principal. I’ve come to respect him and call him a friend. So I celebrate this move for him and his family.

 

And at the same time, I am sad for us here at the school. And I’m worried about what all my PTA members are going to think and do. I have friends here who’ve said before that they don’t know if they’d stay at Grand View without the Principal we’ve had. Who knows what they’ll do now?

 

And what about our PTA? Much of what we’ve been able to do has been facilitated by this man. He often let little regulations slide in the interest of achieving the greater good. And there were countless times he helped us work out ideas for organizing our community and moving it forward.

 

He will be missed.
An original post by Sarah Auerswald.

Just Why DID It Have To Be A Snake?

Posted on by
1
Snake in cage

I’ve received comments about my recent post about our new pet snake. And most people are confused. What the…? You have WHAT for a pet?

 

Well, let me tell you something about snakes, my friends. They are part of a family of pets I like to call: LMP, or Low Maintenance Pets. And given how High Maintenance everything else in my life feels, an LM anything is welcome!

 

Here are 5 reasons I’m loving our new pet snake, Commander Cody:

 

5. His name cracks me up every time I utter it.

 

4. No fur, no feathers, no allergic reactions.

 

3. He gets fed only once every 2 weeks.

 

2. No walking.

 

1. Did I mention the no walking?
An original post by Sarah Auerswald.

Our Beverly Hills Experience

Posted on by
1

My kids’ pediatrician’s office is in Beverly Hills. Hey, she’s on our insurance plan! What are ya gonna do? Yes, it’s a bit of a drive, but she’s a great doctor, we almost always have a sighting, and it’s right around the corner from Sprinkles cupcakes!

 

This visit was no exception. A lovely drive into a lovely city, free parking, a sighting — of Richard Benjamin 
Benjamin
(Anyone else remember him? My kids had no idea of course), and of course, cupcakes! 
Sprinkles
LOVE the Sprinkles!

 

(Photo of Richard Benjamin borrowed from the internet with fingers crossed.)
An original post by Sarah Auerswald.

Block Party Fun!

Posted on by
3

It’s been a week of colds and chilling out and not blogging (obviously). But I’m back in action and I want to start with a re-cap of our FANTASTIC 4th annual block party.

 

There was the giant food tent:
Block party tent
The giant bouncy (WITH slide):
Side angle bouncyBouncy w:slide
And of course, the DUNK TANK:
Dunk tank
What I don’t have pictures of, but were also awesome additions to the block party, were the baking contest, the raffle, the snow cone machine, the margarita machine, the kegs of beer from Angel City (thanks, neighbor Michael!), and the 2 (two? yes, two!) pinatas.

 

Oh and also the fact that we had a WONDERFUL time hanging out with our neighbors and friends. It’s always such a blast. We love our street and we are blessed to know so many of our neighbors. Yay Mar Vista!
An original post by Sarah Auerswald.