Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Woweee


At noon today, I was where most of us were- parked in front of a television to watch the 44th president get sworn into office. It's been said over and over how historic this event is and how eager we all are to get onto the next chapter in our countries history. So it was with a little anxiety that I listened to the words of the President as he accepted his new position. I thought that I would surely be disappointed by whatever he was going to say. After all, how could he possibly live up to the expectations that I and so many others have placed upon him? Yea, well, he did. The speech rocked hardcore. He inspired, but at the same time let us all know that we need to accept responsibility and sacrifice. He also bashed everything Bush "accomplished" in his 2 terms with such elegance that I don't think Bush even noticed!

Some of my favorite excerpts:

"This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions — that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America."

Love this part:

"Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions — who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage."

Love that he talked about Muslims and non-believers like they were normal people, imagine that:

"We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."

Insert goosebumps here:

"This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed — why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath."

Gotta say it.. historic...

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Don't Get It



The company I work for recently made a deal with this guy to sponsor his second "evolution of dance". Apparently, the first one he did is the number one most viewed video on You Tube EVER. Which I found strange, seeing as I am on the computer all the time and never heard of it before. I get that they are trying to keep up with the way things are marketed nowadays and viral videos are all the rage, but I just do not get this video. I can watch about 20 seconds of it before I get an impulse to close the window.

Nonetheless, it is interesting to see how the cross marketing works. For instance, we have one of those applications where you can upload your photo and dance along with him. Then you can embed the video on your facebook page or myspace page. You can also enter a competition to win $5000 from us by submitting your own dancing video.

As smart as it all may seem, I still don't get it. But I did get to design some of the banners that are shown when you view the video on You Tube- so that's cool :)

Thursday, January 8, 2009

It's a Love/Hate Relationship

Look at this cute little number I found online. It says "hate" on it, but when you look in the mirror you see the word "love". What a simple, but incredibly creative idea!

Anthrax Bacilli Finger Puppets Anyone?


Only on Etsy could you find finger puppets based on the French Chemist Louis Pasteur. The set includes Pasteur accompanied by a rabies-free cat and pasteurized milk as well as a happy little culture of anthrax bacilli (demonstrating his work on creating a rabies vaccine, developing the method of pasteurization, and fore fathering germ theory/bacteriology respectively). Now you can enjoy Pasteur's amazingly awesome achievements embodied in finger puppet form!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

2 More Weeks!



It's been such a long time that I ALMOST forgot what the show was about. And although the writers strike put a bit of a haze over the last season, I am still super duper excited about the upcoming season. We started watching LOST during season 2. We borrowed the first season from Kittyama on DVD and couldn't stop watching them. We would watch one episode and had to keep going until we couldn't physically stay awake anymore.

I admit they started losing me once they left the island, but from what I hear they are on their way back. And really, who am I kidding? I could never stop watching. I mean I have to find out about that giant foot. Remember that giant foot? What the hell was that?