Wednesday, May 6, 2009
I'm the worst blogger ever
https://twitter.com/twanzilla
Maybe one day I'll come back to this when I feel like writing more.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Welcome to my world of ambivalence
First, I have tried steadily to come to terms with the fact that nine months from now I may not be living in Charlottesville. Charlottesville is where my heart is these days, but I know that I have to do what is best for me. And that might mean leaving. That being said, there is another prospect at work that could keep me around long term, but I will not get my hopes up about it at this point. The strange thing is that I know I do not want to leave. But I will not force myself to stay if I am unhappy with my career. It sucks to think that I will have to leave a place I longed to return to for years. Perhaps things will work out and I can stay and they certainly could. Predictions have never been my strong suit, so I will make none at this point. Emotionally I am definitely torn between staying in a place that I love and returning to a lifestyle that I did not enjoy all that much. In one, I am hours away from a group of people that I would really like to see more infrequently. In another, I will be near those people, but in a place that I grew tired of quite rapidly. Northern VA just does not have the sort of lifestyle that I want at this time. Regardless, this is not a decision I will take lightly or make in haste. I will weigh all of the options and figure out which will make more sense to me in a few key areas.
On to another semi-related subject, I have had a fickle relationship with truth and honesty over the years. Being truthful and completely honest is something that I continue to strive for and I expect that from the people in my life. But I guess that continues to be a double-edged sword. Now this is not unique to me in any sense. As they say, the truth hurts. I think it hurts even more sometimes when you expect it. For instance, it stings to hear something like, "We think you are a great candidate, but you just do not have the experience we are looking for at this time." Totally honest and forthcoming and yet disappointing to see put into words. This was not something that I can necessarily say I anticipated in regards to that situation, but I have to learn from it and grow. A little more difficult is hearing someone say, "I really wish that I had met you earlier in my life." This was something that I figured was understood, but I did not expect to be vocalized despite how true it may be. I will be honest and say that I will not be going into much further detail on that one at the moment. But it is another source of my ambivalent feelings at this point. Nothing new for me, I suppose. Needless to say, I am reading up on the idea of cognitive dissonance (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_dissonance) because I think I am dealing with a serious bout of it this week. Ha. Maybe writing this tonight is a part of my rationalization process. Who knows.
I do feel as if I am smack dab in the middle of a spectacularly interesting record right now and maybe that is what I get for being so emotionally attached to certain music! My deck has become Otis Redding's dock. Guess I need to start putting down all the thoughts onto paper somewhere. Who is going to play drums for me?
Enough rambling for the night. I might be kidding myself by thinking that anyone is actually reading this nonsense anyway.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Past and present
When George W. Bush somehow still managed to be reelected in 2004, I was in a state of disbelief. In all honesty, I could not understand how anyone at the time thought that it was a good idea to give him another four years as the leader of our country. Were the first four years not enough to prove that he was moving us down a path that was less than favorable? Did people really think that John Kerry was such a weak leader that they would rather give four more years to someone who proved to be mediocre rather than give someone else a shot? I was confounded at the time. Looking back at the situation now, I am glad that John Kerry did not win the election because I do not think that I would be here tonight writing about this day, but I can only imagine how the last four years would have been under different leadership. Regardless, on that November evening in 2004 I began thinking about what I would like to see in 2008.
There were a few people that I spoke to about Barack Obama and I think that any of them will tell you how excited about him I was at the time. However, I must admit that I did not think he would be the presidential nominee come 2008. My dream Democratic ticket at the time was Mark Warner as the President and Obama as the Vice-President. Despite the fact that he delivered probably the best speech I had seen in real time at that point, I did not think the country would be ready for him to jump directly from a no-name Illinois Senator to the highest office in our land. Mark Warner, on the other hand, was known as a former VA governor. A young, charismatic Southern Democrat who had the power to deliver not only his own state, but also manage to turn some other Southern states blue. Now Obama fit in to that equation that he was clearly an intelligent, eloquent young politician who represented a look into the future of America's political landscape. An African-American with a Muslim name. In my mind, the two of them would manage to carry all of the important demographics and deliver the White House to the Democrats. I was more than excited because I figured that with Mark Warner being based in VA, there would be many opportunities for jobs within his campaign and it would offer me a change of pace from what I was doing at that time.
Much to my dismay, Mark Warner removed himself from running in terms of the 2008 Presidential election. At that point, I was not exactly sure who I would support moving forward. As far as I was concerned, Obama was not going to run so I had to pick someone else. To be totally honest, I was not a huge fan of Hillary Clinton but I believe she is probably who I would have put my faith in given the circumstances. As it worked out, Obama declared his intent to run for the Presidency and I knew exactly who I would be supporting. Few people believed that he would actually be able to beat Hillary in the primaries and even fewer believed that America was truly ready to elect a relatively unknown African-American Senator. Now, I do not have to talk about the rest of the process from there because I think that I have discussed that enough.
Here we are today, with Obama officially as our President and I honestly cannot believe it has finally happened. My history with supporting political candidates has been mixed at best. To be so totally behind someone since the beginning and actually have them win is absolutely mind-blowing for me. The fact that this day has come is actually a relief as I feel that I have been justified in my support and I know that there are many people who think just like me and feel just as proud as I do on this day.
This country has some tough times ahead and I hope that do not have to use this space moving forward as a soapbox. If I do not agree with how things are going, however, you can expect to hear about it. But I persuade you to give this administration a chance. Even if you do not like the man now or if you are finally coming around to realize that he is a smart person who is going to think through his decisions as difficult as they may be, please give him a shot before you begin criticizing. I know there will be many out there who will look at the primaries and the election season and complain that he is not fulfilling promises. I cannot say that you are wrong, but I will say that we are in the hands of someone who reevaluates situations and adjusts his positions should a better option come along. That is more than you can say about the last eight years. It may turn out that I was wrong this whole time and this presidency will not be as great as I think it can be. But if this past year has taught me anything, it is to never underestimate the power of a change in attitude. At the very least, I think this country owes it to ourselves to try our best and attempt to make this a better place for the future. There is no doubt in my mind that we can all accomplish great things if we put forth the effort and take responsibility for our own collective destiny.
Good night.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Let's see...
A few things on the job front...for those of you that do not know, I have been seriously thinking about moving back to Northern VA if things do not progress as I would like them with my job in Charlottesville. I love the town and I love the people that I work with, but if I am not moving down the path to a career that I want with a pace that I enjoy, then there is not a whole lot tying me down here. That being said, there are some new opportunities within my company here that I will explore in the coming weeks/months. Depending on how that goes, I will reevaluate my situation here and make a decision on whether to renew my lease come September. I would much rather not leave and move back up there, but I cannot rule anything out at this point. I really figured I would stay here long term and it seems a little odd to be considering it at this point, but I have to do what makes sense to me.
I am still trying to figure out what I want to do with my vacation time this year. I have pretty much come to terms with the fact that I cannot afford one of my normal ridiculous vacations, so I think that I am just going with smaller ones again. Thus far, I do not have any weddings that I need to travel to in 2009, so expect a few more camping trips and maybe another trip or three to Vegas. Or maybe I will just do like I did this week and give myself a five day weekend. Sometimes you just need to sit around and enjoy the town. Nothing like waking up on a Friday and knowing that you have nothing to do. Well, unless you count doing the same on a Monday and Tuesday following that Friday. Also, this sort of "vacation" will aid me in my goal to be a little more fiscally responsible in 2009. You know, after I buy a new computer and plan my first Vegas trip of the year. This will probably put a damper on my record buying and my random online purchases, but I suppose I need to grow up at some point!
Anyway, best of luck to anyone who is going to brave the cold tomorrow and see this historic event. I will absolutely be there in spirit and will probably be on the couch in tears at one point or another. Lame as that may be, it is the truth. Ah well. Here's to new beginnings and hopefully better days ahead. I think that is something we can all agree on at this point.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Crawling into 2009...
My motivation is completely lacking as of the last month. Coming back from Vegas at the end of November seems to have started this bout of inaction. I do not feel like writing. I barely feel like reading. Regardless, I need to do something to snap out of it. The biggest challenge I have to face is what will happen if I do not get this new position at work.
I have come to terms with the fact that I will probably not get it at this point, but I have not completely lost hope. Either way, I love Charlottesville and I will put my head down and plow through. That being said, I will snap out of whatever this is in short order. It is a new year and there will be new opportunities. If all else fails, I wait until my lease runs out in September of this year and move somewhere else.
As for plans concerning the more short term, I really want to go skiing again. Hopefully we find a way to make that happen. Vegas is tentatively scheduled for April, so at least that is something else to look forward to in the sort of near future. I believe I have officially decided to sit out of the inauguration as I can only imagine how much of a mess DC will be when its population increases nine-fold overnight...but I could probably be persuaded to go. So I suppose the decision is not that official. Oh well.
Anyway, here's to a new year and whatever it may bring. For my sake, I hope it brings something new and exciting at work or else I am going to need to buy stock in Woodford Reserve!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
One through five
4. A Ghost to Most - Drive-By Truckers
3. Crying - TV on the Radio
2. Strangers - The Dutchess and the Duke
1. You Don't Have To (If You Don't Want To) - Gentleman Jesse
OneThroughFive
So honestly, writing about the top five in a more objective manner was much more difficult than writing about the six through ten tracks. Maybe it just so happens that I love these fives songs for reasons that are much more difficult to articulate. Or maybe I just do not want to explain myself for loving certain things. But regardless, I hope that at least one of you listens to one of these ten songs and finds something that interests you. More so than not, the music that I enjoy is really a window into how my life is going and these ten songs are no exception. Enjoy.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Ten through six
And to download the five track above, click on this and follow the instructions:
TenThroughSix
One through five will be up either tomorrow night or Friday night if I'm feeling particularly lazy tomorrow. Enjoy and give me your thoughts, good or bad.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Coming soon...
Saturday, November 8, 2008
And this is why I supported the guy
Obama Positions Himself to Quickly Reverse Bush Actions on Environmental, Social Issues
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/08/AR2008110801856.html?hpid=topnewsFor those of you who don't want to register to read this article, it is included at the end of this post.
Science, energy and climate change. Three of the biggest reasons that I supported Barack Obama this election. And three of the issues that I think George W. Bush got all sorts of wrong. For anyone who says, "How can he possibly come up with a list of these things to address within four days of being elected?" I will have to tell you that he has had a team working on this very subject for weeks if not months. Now, I'm sure that some will believe that this sort of thing displays a level of arrogance at assuming victory. But I will vehemently counter that argument with the argument that this is someone who displays preparation. Sorry if that term has been absent from the mind of our leading executive in the last eight years, but some people are capable of it.
Washington Post Staff Writers
Sunday, November 9, 2008; Page
Transition advisers to President-elect Barack Obama have compiled a list of about 200 Bush administration actions and executive orders that could be swiftly undone to reverse the president on climate change, stem cell research, reproductive rights and other issues, according to congressional Democrats, campaign aides and experts working with the transition team.
A team of four dozen advisers, working for months in virtual solitude, set out to identify regulatory and policy changes Obama could implement soon after his inauguration. The team is now consulting with liberal advocacy groups, Capitol Hill staffers and potential agency chiefs to prioritize those they regard as the most onerous or ideologically offensive, said a top transition official who was not permitted to speak on the record about the inner workings of the transition.
In some instances, Obama would be quickly delivering on promises he made during his two-year campaign, while in others he would be embracing Clinton-era policies upended by President Bush during his eight years in office.
"The kind of regulations they are looking at" are those imposed by Bush for "overtly political" reasons, in pursuit of what Democrats say was a partisan Republican agenda, said Dan Mendelson, a former associate administrator for health in the Clinton administration's Office of Management and Budget. The list of executive orders targeted by Obama's team could well get longer in the coming days, as Bush's appointees are rushing to enact a number of last-minute policies in an effort to extend his legacy.
A spokeswoman said yesterday that no plans for regulatory changes had been finalized. "Before he makes any decisions on potential executive or legislative actions, he will be conferring with congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle, as well as interested groups," Obama transition spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter said. "Any decisions would need to be discussed with his Cabinet nominees, none of whom have been selected yet."
Still, the preelection transition team, comprising mainly lawyers, has positioned the incoming president to move fast on high-priority items without waiting for Congress.
Obama himself has signaled, for example, that he intends to reverse Bush's controversial limit on federal funding of embryonic stem cell research, a decision that scientists say has restrained research into some of the most promising avenues for defeating a wide array of diseases such as Parkinson's. Bush's August 2001 decision pleased religious conservatives who have moral objections to the use of cells from days-old human embryos, which are destroyed in the process.
But Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) said that during Obama's final swing through her state in October, she reminded him that because the restrictions were never included in legislation, Obama "can simply reverse them by executive order." Obama, she said, "was very receptive to that." Opponents of the restrictions have already drafted an executive order he could sign.
The new president is also expected to lift a so-called global gag rule barring international family planning groups that receive U.S. aid from counseling women about the availability of abortion, even in countries where the procedure is legal, said Cecile Richards, spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood Federation of America. When Bill Clinton took office in 1993, he rescinded the Reagan-era regulation, known as the Mexico City Policy, but Bush reimposed it.
"We have been communicating with his transition staff" almost daily, Richards said. "We expect to see a real change."
While Obama said at a news conference last week that his top priority would be to stimulate the economy and create jobs, his advisers say that focus will not delay key shifts in social and regulatory policies, including some -- such as the embrace of new environmental safeguards -- that Obama has said will have long-term, beneficial impacts on the economy.
The president-elect has said, for example, that he intends to quickly reverse the Bush administration's decision last December to deny California the authority to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles. "Effectively tackling global warming demands bold and innovative solutions, and given the failure of this administration to act, California should be allowed to pioneer," Obama said last January.
California had sought permission from the Environmental Protection Agency to require that greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles be cut by 30 percent between 2009 and 2016, effectively mandating that cars achieve a fuel economy standard of at least 36 miles per gallon within eight years. Seventeen other states had promised to adopt California's rules, representing in total 45 percent of the nation's automobile market. Environmentalists cheered the California initiative because it would stoke innovation that would potentially benefit the entire country.
"An early move by the Obama administration to sign the California waiver would signal the seriousness of intent to reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil and build a future for the domestic auto market," said Kevin Knobloch, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Before the election, Obama told others that he favors declaring that carbon dioxide emissions are endangering human welfare, following an EPA task force recommendation last December that Bush and his aides shunned in order to protect the utility and auto industries.
Robert Sussman, who was the EPA's deputy administrator during the Clinton administration and is now overseeing EPA transition planning for Obama, wrote a paper last spring strongly recommending such a finding. Others in the campaign have depicted it as an issue on which Obama is keen to show that politics must not interfere with scientific advice.
Some related reforms embraced by Obama's transition advisers would alter procedures for decision-making on climate issues. A book titled "Change for America," being published next week by the Center for American Progress, an influential liberal think tank, will recommend, for example, that Obama rapidly create a National Energy Council to coordinate all policymaking related to global climate change.
The center's influence with Obama is substantial: It was created by former Clinton White House official John D. Podesta, a co-chairman of the transition effort, and much of its staff has been swept into planning for Obama's first 100 days in office.
The National Energy Council would be a counterpart to the White House National Economic Council that Clinton created in a 1993 executive order. "It would make sure all the oars are rowing in the right direction" and ensure that climate change policy "gets lots of attention inside the White House," said Daniel J. Weiss, a former Sierra Club official and senior fellow with the Center for American Progress Action Fund.
The center's new book will also urge Obama to sign an executive order requiring that greenhouse gas emissions be considered whenever the federal government examines the environmental impact of its actions under the existing National Environmental Policy Act. Several key members of Obama's transition team have already embraced the idea.
Other early Obama initiatives may address the need for improved food and drug regulation and chart a new course for immigration enforcement, some Obama advisers say. But they add that only a portion of his early efforts will be aimed at undoing Bush initiatives.
Despite enormous pent-up Democratic frustration, Obama and his team realize they must strike a balance between undoing Bush actions and setting their own course, said Winnie Stachelberg, the center's senior vice president for external affairs.
"It took eight years to get into this mess, and it will take a long time to get out of it," she said. "The next administration needs to look ahead. This transition team and the incoming administration gets that in a big way."
Staff writers Juliet Eilperin, Spencer S. Hsu and Carol D. Leonnig and staff researcher Madonna Lebling contributed to this report.