Out With the OLD in with the CHANGE

**Disclaimer: This blog is slightly political

Who am I kidding? That was the understatement of the year....this blog is blatantly politically charged. And I am completely un-apologetic. Yes I am a liberal (some might call me a raging liberal), YES I am completely thrilled about OBAMA, and YES I am very open about above statements. (so I guess that wasn't really a disclaimer after all...) none the less....here it goes**
-------- And if you don't agree I hope you love me anyway.



Today is a wonderful day in history, regardless of political parties.
We as Americans have made a huge leap in transcending race.
This is a important example we have set for the world.
The international community is smiling on us, which hasn't happened very often in the last 8 years.
More people voted in this election than in previous years, especially my generation.
Our country has preached for generations that we are the melting pot, where anybody can be anything. Where people overcome poverty, abuse, and disability. Where difference in lifestyle, race, class, culture and religion are welcomed. America has always looked at itself as a powerful country, that keeps the world community in mind, that governs with intelligence, diplomacy, and morality.
How have our actions reflected our words?
With Prop 8?
With Riots?
With neglect to foreign crisis (AKA Darfur) ?
With War?
With No Child Left Behind?
With scandal in Washington?
With the patriot act?
Racial Profiling?
I feel like today our words and actions are beginning to be on the same page.

Many people may fear change...
Its new
Often uncomfortable
Sometimes it isn't right the first time
It takes some getting used to
But in time of turmoil...
When what has been happening for years is obviously not working
It is necessary

"It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory."
-W. Edwards Deming

I am full of patriotism for the first in a long time
I am proud to be an American
I can now tell any and all children that they can be anything, even president
I am excited to watch our country start something new
I can't wait to see what we can do.

God Bless America

Whats In A Name?

**Disclaimer: This is all out of jest(mostly) if you are someone or know someone who this directly applies to Please Please don't take it personally. If you tend to take things personally or get easily offended you may want to stop reading now.**

If you are still reading, I like you.
If you aren't, I still probably like you...but you may want to loosen up

Today, while at work I started talking to one of my favorite co-workers (Sombryn)...about names.

The discussion starts with baby names and we both express our distaste for overly unique names. I am all for naming your kid something different and out of the ordinary. That does not, however, mean I am a fan of Apple, Zuma, Diamond, Precious, Trendie, or Styles...the same goes for odd ridiculous spellings such as Kaelee, Aleeshah, or Jaimi.
------Why don't you just spell the name 'Bob' but pronounce it 'Todd'...then when the kid enters school the teacher will call roll and say "Bob" and the kindergartener can have the pleasure of responding with "actually we pronounce it Todd".

Our conversation then turns to the topic of nicknames...and how you need to think about how you shorten a name when picking it. Sombryn gave me a great example. She has a friend who's little girl is named Aspen...cute name right? Well she calls her Asp, which sounds eerily similar to ass. Hmmmm.....something to think about. The moral of this story is: in some cases it is not a good idea to make a nickname by simply shortening the name.

Thanks Som for a lovely day at work and inspiring this blog.

-Side note: A cute nickname story (to redeem this post from being a COMPLETE rant): Jill (another one of my fab co-workers) has a little boy who was quite a chunky little baby, earning him the nick-name "chubby". He has since thinned out, but still only answers to Chubby. His big brother even introduces him as "This is my brother and my best friend Chubby."
This story pulls my heartstrings so much I kind of hope he never learns his name :)

Awww...