President's Daily Brief, Gonzo Gal style

Here's the situation at Gonzo Gal. Mom is off to the National Archives to do a bunch of geneology research (did I tell you she's building our application for Daughter's of the American Revolution? Just be glad its not Daughters of the Glorious South or something equally ridiculous) and I am at work. I have a pretty cool day where I get to watch a couple of partners "moot" for a big oral argument coming up. Basically, they are practicing their arguments and practicing fielding questions from the judge, but I get to watch and learn and am pretty excited about it.

The real question that today has posed is: is it okay to eat a Chocolate Chip Clif bar for breakfast? On days I am running late I usually grab the Oatmeal Raisin one in the morning. I decided this morning to fling caution to the wind and ate Chocolate Chip one. Its kind of like eating a Hersey bar for breakfast. Goes good with my coffee.

Nat'l Museum of American History Reopens

As if a bacon alarm clock isn't enough, the National Museum of American History reopens tomorrow! Besides seeing Kermit, ruby slippers, and historic Walworth counters, Mama Gonzo Gal and I are going to go this weekend to see one of five known drafts of the Gettysburg Address. Its cool because when my mom and I road tripped in September 2007, we stopped at the battlesite in Gettysburg so Mom could verify the names of some ancestors who had fought there.

And the coolest part--this draft normally resides in the Lincoln Bedroom. Unless you were a big Clinton supporter, you probably haven't gotten a chance to see it. From NMAH's website:

Lincoln's short address at Gettysburg, Pa., Nov. 19, 1863, became one of the most famous and eloquent speeches in American history. The manuscript that will be on view in the Museum’s new Albert H. Small Documents Gallery is one of five drafts, the last known to have been written in Lincoln’s hand. Penned in March 1864 for an anthology to raise funds for the Union, it was kept by one of the book’s publishers, Alexander Bliss, and was auctioned in 1949. Oscar Cintas, a former Cuban ambassador, purchased it and, on his death in 1957, he asked that it be placed in the White House collection. There it is usually displayed on a corner desk in the upstairs Lincoln bedroom, which is not on public tours. With the generous support of Mrs. Laura Bush, the White House is loaning this copy of the Gettysburg Address for a very limited public viewing.

Excellent--large crowds, patriotism, Americana, and
ruby slippers . . .there's no place like home . . .

Bacon Redux

Dude, as if the bacon gods sensed my weakness, some folks over at geeologie.com have brought us the bacon alarm clock. mmmmm . . . bacon. You can hit snooze and cook more bacon!!

Sad Day

Its a sad day for Gonzo Gal and for the Northwestern family. I just learned that Andy Kuhn has passed away. I didn't personally know Andy (NU '00) but his wife, Jessica Pratte Kuhn, was a sorority sister and fellow Kellogg classmate of mine. My heart goes out to the Kuhn and Pratte families and to Andy and Jess's three month old daughter, Sophie. Please keep them in your thoughts today too, dear reader.

Public Service Announcement

Dear Reader, Please do not eat bacon at work. Eating bacon at work tortures two groups of people: (1) vegetarians and (2) those of us eating Kashi Raisin and Spice Oatmeal in an effort not to be fat but we would really rather have bacon. So reader, if you are throwing caution to the wind and indulging in delicious pork goodness, please consume where the aroma of crunchy, tasty bacon doesn't tempt others.

No. 1 Economic Influence: Political Stability

Johan Spanner for The New York Times


As I am sitting in my office waiting on a paralegal to finish some exhibits, so I can approve this motion and file it, my mind wanders to an interesting NY Times article I read this weekend. While the article focused on the concentration of wealth in tin mining brought on by political instability and militia shenanigans, I was reminded of a paper I wrote in college.

I was intrigued by a 1980s theory of African development called the Resource Curse. The theory projected that post-colonial African countries had suffered from a resource curse, brought on by heavy investment and reliance on a single commodity (i.e., Zambia's reliance on copper) despite the promise of vast economic growth in the 1960/70s. Interestingly, my very, very elementary regression analysis revealed that the number one indicator of economic growth in Africa wasn't investment, commodity reliance, which colonial power had been in charge, but was political stability. And not just democratic political stability (i.e., Ghana under Rawlings). Interesting food for thought as we face increased instability and explotitation of the worker in the Congo.

Monday's Dulcet Melodies

Totally digging Department of Eagles' No One Does It Like You from their In Ear Park album. Invokes a bit of the feel of the Beatles' White Album.

Department Of Eagles - No One Does It Like You

First Tweet?

NY Times has a great article on Prez Elect Obama being forced to give up his Blackberry. What will that mean for a president from our generation? Will he/she have to give up Twitter?

Space--the Final Frontier

Here are the first pictures of planets circling stars other than our own. In the past, we have inferred the existence of planets from the movement of stars. Now we have the first pictures taken ever. One discoverer from Cal says "He nearly had a heart attack" upon confirmation of his discovery. What a cool month--our first black president, Google tracking flu trends, and, now, our first pictures of extrasolar planets.

Today's a Fail

I feel a little like this Fail Dog today--slipping on the edge of the bathtub of knowledge. Is it time to go back to selling bibles?

Ps. totally was good at selling bibles at my job in high school at the largest Christian book store in Houston.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Many of my Kellogg friends know that I heart Cyndi Lauper. She's So Unusual might be one of my top five favorite albums and I love that she plays the zither (at least for her cover of the Beatles' Strawberry Fields Forever). In fact the Rocket Pockets, a Kellogg band, played a cover of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun for my 28th birthday.

Keeping with that, I bring you a cool Cyndi Lauper cover. Be sure to check out Greg Laswell's verision. He's playing at Schuba's in Chicago on Nov. 19th.

Also, Cyndi's video of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, VH1 pop up video style!!

Cyndi Lauper |MTV Music

Strawberry Fields Forever

New Music

Generally, I try to stay up on new music. DC provides some great venues for new artists to perform, making staying up pretty easy. Plus, it helps to have music aficinados as friends and co-workers.


When work keeps me busy, I like to check out NPR's Second Stage. They post a song from an unsigned artist daily. Click through to listen to these recent notables:

Shared by Absentee. The male vocal is a dead-on for Leonard Cohen, but I can't help but hear an exaggerated male-female version of Stars. I am curious to hear the rest of the album.

Everyone by Small Sur. Happy organic harmonies. Yes, I am still jonesing for the Fleet Foxes.

Play by Chop Chop.

How I Met Your Mother

*Caution--slight spoilers for this week's episode.

As I have said many times to anyone who will listen, if you aren't watching How I Met Your Mother, you should be. This week's episode focused whether to have a baby or not. Barney (Neil Patrick) shares his thoughts on the official website, Not a Father's Day Dot Com. My favorite is the negative sign for a preggers test.

Hangin' at the White House

Today, President Elect Obama met President Bush at the White House. Thanks to the Ricker for uncovering that top secret transition conversation.

Judging a Book by its Cover

In recent facebook status updates, I have been unfairly self-righteous about the presence of prostitutes working the street near my house (and in front of an elementary school). Turns out at least one of those working girls was actually an undercover cop. According to WaPo, she was solicited by Secret Service officer in his official government vehicle and in uniform for a $20 oral pleasure (hey--he's making government salary!).

Whoops! You think Secret Service officers would have better radar for suspicious types. I think he might get reassigned to protect First Dog Barney . . .

DC: Gold at the End of the Rainbow

Great note from the Economist about DC. This year, DC, despite long lines, rain, and no mayoral election, had record turnout. Before you think, so what, so did the rest of the country, DC had record turn out despite the fact that DC's three electoral votes have NEVER gone to a Republican candidate. EVER. In fact, this year, 93% of DC voters selected the Obama-Biden ticket, despite Nader being on the ballot. It was hard, I know--Nader is such a genius.

How can I not care?

I recently posted on Facebook urging Californians to vote no to Proposition 8. A college acquaintance asked me why I cared. How can I not care?

The Protect Marriage website claims that "traditional marriage needs protecting." What exactly does traditional marriage need protecting from, Britney Spears? Warning America, Homeland Security has elevated the security threat to a Code Rainbow today. Watch out for Queer Eye for the Straight Marriage!

Another cited concern (the only other one I can figure out) is that Proposition 8 supporters are worried that schools will teach about same sex marriage in the classroom. Umm, I am pretty sure that any kid with a TV knows about homosexual marriage and, gasp!, homosexual sex.

This is a ridiculous scare tactic of conservative Americans to impose their religious views on other Americans. I can appreciate those folks who honestly believe that their religion dictates that a marriage is between a man and a woman. I, however, fail to understand how someone else's religion gets to dictate everyone else's choices and rights in modern America. Last time I checked Jesus pretty clearly told people (I am paraphrasing) to mind their own damn business.

And, yes, I just quoted a Bible verse. Matthew 7:1-6 (KJV).

Dancing in the Streets!

DC was en fuego last night, complete with dancing in the streets at the very site of 1968 riots. I think that Somer Mathis at DCist.com summed up my feelings about the celebration in the District last night. I too was dancing in the streets at 14th and U.

I'm still processing what happened last night. One minute, I was gathered in a living room with friends, watching election returns come in. The next minute, Barack Obama had been declared the winner, his moving acceptance speech was over, and I was in the middle of the intersection at 14th and U Streets NW with thousands of other D.C. residents, yelling, singing, high-fiving and hugging total strangers.

Car horns honked throughout the city. People climbed on top of street lamps, newspaper boxes and bus shelters. As we moved from U Street, which eventually filled with people and cars all the way from 10th to 15th Street, and headed south to the White House, the celebration didn't slow down. Down 14th street to Thomas Circle, everyone hooted and hollered. They stood up through their sunroofs to cheer on passersby on the sidewalk. They danced. They played drums. They honked and honked and honked.

Washington, D.C.'s majority Democrat, majority black population flooded the streets with noise. Inside the crowd, a highly diverse makeup was evident. I saw Asians, South Asians, Latinos, Native Americans, whites and blacks coming together in the crowd to cheer the election of this country's first African-American president.

This wasn't the kind of aggressive crowd a big city can sometimes get in the aftermath of a major sports championship. Washington was joyous. In those early morning hours, there was nothing but love between neighbors. At the very site of the worst of the 1968 riots, there was dancing instead.

Vote!

Not sure where to go on Tuesday? Google Maps is doing you a favor with its 2008 US Voter Info. Just enter your address and Google will provide you with your polling station. At least for the District, the info appears to be right, but be sure to double check.

For those of you still on the fence, see the Economist's latest.

ps. If you are thinking of not voting b/c DC is pretty much a solid blue "state", think of all the free stuff you can get. Like a cup of Starbucks coffee, a California Tortilla taco, or a warm fuzzy from doing your patriotic duty. C'mon, humming Yankee Doodle Dandy while waiting in line to vote is pretty fun.

How can you be lonely with 500 facebook friends?

There has been a lot of talk lately about how online social networking sites help strengthen weak ties. According to a recent NY Times article, anthropologists believe that we can only maintain a limited number of relationships at a given time. Everybody else outside these relationships are merely acquaintances. Social networking sites help us maintain these weak ties by synthesizing in one place all the promotions, marriages, breakups, car buying, vacations and child birthing one can handle.

After reading these articles and blogs, I thought yes! right on! With Facebook and Twitter, I too can now be a power friend, keeping up with 500 people and the minutiae of their life, emailing appropriately on someone's birthday that I haven't seen since 1998.

I can't help but wonder though if Facebook will make me a power friend with no real friends. Am I using Facebook as a crutch? Am I really just too tired to pick up the phone? Is my life really that fast paced that I can't take the time for dinner or a drink with an old friend? The answer, of course, is no. While technology can make our lives easier, faster and more efficient, it can't do all the work for us.

Good news though. This is one crutch I don't mind ditching. I will take a long conversation with an old friend over 500 Facebook friends any day. Nothing electronic can replace an old friend's hug, the sound of laughter at a shared joke, or the way a friend knows just what not to say.