HOWEVER

today’s post is really only for people who live in austin because THERE’S AN ELECTION GOING ON!

so if you don’t live in austin, feel free to scroll down to the link section which continues to be v. welcoming to pants of all colors and shapes.

but, if you live in austin, i have a message for you: GO VOTE YR PANTS OFF.

i’m worried, cos i think a lot of people haven’t realized that we’re, like, voting for our next mayor right now. y’all that’s a big deal!!!!! it pains me to think about all of the people who voted for president that will fail to show up at the city polls. and yeah, our mayor can’t decide when to end a war or how to create universal health care, but that doesn’t mean that our future as a city isn’t dependent on who we elect to this position.

and there’s city council seats up as well!

btw i also always vote for sequins whenever possible.

plus, if you go now, you get to do early voting, which reminds me of using a fast pass at disneyworld cos NO LINES. plus the volunteers will be really excited to see you, so it will feel like yr vote is Super Important. which, obvs, it is. when i went to the poll station yesterday, i asked one of the volunteers, “how are you?” and she replied, “i’ve been waiting for you!” dude, that is some VIP treatment right there.

if you want more info on the candidates, check out the league of women voters, the chronicle, the statesmen… basically, look at the internet. i know pants world has mad skillz in this arena.

so, yeah, PRETTY PLEASE VOTE.

and then tell me that you did, and as a thank you for supporting democracy, i will send you a squee-inducing photo via email. which is like way better than an “i voted!” sticker (although those are pretty great too).

LINKS

erik alerted me to yet ANOTHER reason why obama is an awesome president: there’s a white house flickr photostream!!!!! this is AWESOME you guys. in fact, it should’ve been its own blog post but whatevs. anyway, it kinda looks like anyone else’s photostream, just people hanging out, having fun, being friends… except IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

trish linked to a fantastic site that combines my loves of food and celebrities into food’lebrities!!

squee of the day: baby white lion!! fuzzy head!!!!!!!

what an incredible day!

what a magical and inspiring and long, long, long-awaited day!

my eyes are full of tears, and my heart is full of hope.

because this man is now our 44th president.

“We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.”

today was the best day to be an american, ever. at least, so far! and isn’t it amazing to be able to add that “so far”?!!!

WHAT A FREAKING PARTY!!!!!!

matt wrote: “this feels a little bit like a wedding.” to which i responded, “like a wedding on CHRISTMAS!!!”

also, a v. cold wedding. but who cares about freezing temperatures when our nation is achieving such a magnificent milestone?!

i was actually impressed with how fantastic everyone looked in spite of the cold. and, i apologize in advance for this pun but COOLEST INAUGURATION CROWD EVER?!!

even though jay-z’s hat looks like the warmest thing ever, i have to say aretha wins for Most Overboard Hat. and also with the singing.

and the girls looked so colorful and beautiful!!!!! even the american girl dolls don’t get coats this nice:

and, of course, michelle looked AMAZING and so so so First Lady.

ok but obvs it wasn’t the FASHION that made me tear up constantly for thirty minutes.

* * *

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends – hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism – these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility – a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

This is the source of our confidence – the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.

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.

* * *

yes yes YES!

and i cried not because obama can actually speak in an articulate and dignified manner… nor was it the fact that he’s got good speechwriters. i cried because the people packed into the mall, the people glued to their television and computer screens… they BELIEVE in him. moreover, they believe in *themselves* to make these changes, to roll up their sleeves and get to WORK, because there is much to be done.

i cried because a miracle has happened; we believe in our country again.

and ok, there may have been a tear or two of sheer relief, as in I CANNOT BELIEVE WE SURIVIVED.

which is maaaaybe why this is my favorite picture from today:

KTHNXBAI!!!!!!!

no worries, mr. w. you’ve left the country in good, extremely capable, intelligent hands. now just try to lay low in texas and please for the love of all that is holy do not come near austin.

because there’s a new man in the white house. and he’s AWESOME!!!

plus he goes really well with babies.*

* poshdeluxe requirement

“In today’s sharp sparkle, this winter air, anything can be made, any sentence begun.

On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp — praise song for walking forward in that light.”

SAY AMEN!

p.s. now that i’ve gotten all of that squee out of my system, tell me what today means to you, pants world.

i really hope you read it for yrself, but basically, it’s about girls in kandahar, afghanistan who are going to school in spite of taliban threats and even violent acid attacks.

the girl in this picture, shamsia, was doused with acid by a stranger just because she was walking to school. and i can tell that i’m a spoiled american, because even with a photo, i have a hard time imagining that this could happen in today’s world. but of course it does.

her face is disfigured and her eyesight damaged, because she wanted to go to school.

if someone burned yr face, would you go back to school? would you risk more violence? what if it happened to a friend– would you stay home out of fear that the same horror would befall you?

i am such a weenie. but these girls, these girls are strong. they’re warriors. they’re AMAZING.

“My parents told me to keep coming to school even if I am killed,” said Shamsia, 17, in a moment after class. Shamsia’s mother, like nearly all of the adult women in the area, is unable to read or write. “The people who did this to me don’t want women to be educated. They want us to be stupid things.”

it’s obvious that these girls are already winning, because they’re not stupid, they’re not docile. they understand their value as human beings. what’s also obvious is that this understanding is a source of light for a community in desperate need of hope. i mean, just look at these faces:

i wish i could *do* something to provide help and support, or maybe even books. if there is a way, i’m going to try to find it.

but, at the v. least, i can hope for them.

i hope these girls know that they are heroes. i hope they know they’re doing something incredibly important. i hope they remain safe and resilient.

i hope they know that the world is watching, the world is urging them on… the world knows just how much they matter.

LINKS

this is totally my new favorite website, not only because it allows me to pretend like ryan gosling is my boyfriend, but also cos, “hey girl, eff it. let’s get a taco.”

daniel craig’s hotness just got cuter– he totally has a crush on jon stewart. celebrities, they’re just like you and me!!

what’s up, jurassic park! check out this list of ten exinct animals that could be brought to life. i’m gonna say ix-nay on that huge armadillo. GROSS.

did you know that monet painted a picture of his wife on her deathbed? it’s a pretty moving story, actually.

i am such a sucker for barbie fashion slideshows.

squee of the day: butterball attempts to navigate the stairs (thanks trish for finding this adorableness!).

my fellow americans,

with the election of a new president, we all know that change is in the air. now is the time for all of us to search deep within ourselves for the passion and drive necessary to make our country a better place. as individuals, we must all do our part, which is why today i implore you to join me in my campaign to implement Afternoon Tea into the schedule of every american.

now, i realize that some of you may be resistant to this idea. you may scoff and say, “but afternoon tea is a british tradition! and therefore unpatriotic, because our forefathers fought against british imperialism so that we wouldn’t have to pay taxes without representation! and also so we could have good dentistry! therefore, afternoon tea is, like, terrorism!”

fear not, my fellow patriots! i am simply proposing that we do what america has always done: steal an idea and make it our own! this will not be british tea, oh no, but American Afternoon Tea!

to illustrate, allow me to describe the recent afternoon tea my mother and i enjoyed at the driskell hotel in honor of her birthday.

if you’re not familiar with austin, the driskill hotel is SUPER POSH (in fact, it’s where bill pullman stayed!) and totally decked out for the holidays.

hello, IN A MOVIE.

which brings me to…

Reason #1: Afternoon Tea makes you feel RICH

in the midst of this severe recession, we all need a morale booster. afternoon tea allows us to enjoy a brief respite from the workday and emerge with the feeling that we are totally $$$. voila, an increase in consumer spending, which leads to a better economy!

after all, when the meal begins with champers, you know you’re MADE. a toast to mom, the posh birthday lady!

Reason #2: Afternoon Tea gives you manners!

afternoon tea involves a lot of tiny plates and utensils, not to mention sharing. it is, in fact, impossible to HAVE tea without asking (politely):

“could you please pass the sugar?”

“could you please pass the cream?”

etc. etc.

and, if you expect to smother those delicious scones in (your choice of) lemon curd, devonshire cream or rasberry jam, you must learn to graciously maneuver tiny spoons!

can you imagine a loud, oafish person handling that dish? OF COURSE NOT!

raucous and rude behavior has no place at afternoon tea, which is why i am also recommending that schools implement a tea hour in order to reduce juvenile delinquency.

Reason #3: Afternoon Tea is tasty business!!!

the refreshments at afternoon tea are so delectable, so divine, that they MUST be served on a three-tiered silver tray.

as you can see, Afternoon Tea includes all of the major food groups: Fruit (chocolate covered strawberries), Dessert, Bread, Meat and Vegetables (duh, lettuce in the sandwiches!). don’t think of it as spoiling yr dinner, think of it as your Patriotic Duty!

Reason #4: The tiny portions promote healthy lifestyles!

everything at Afternoon Tea must be served in miniature form, which prevents people from stuffing their faces and ending up with a stomach ache (not to mention heart disease, obesity, and all of the other lame reasons why we can’t bring cupcakes to public schools anymore).

tiny portions also promote elegant and dainty eating!

in conclusion, i firmly believe that implementing Afternoon Tea into our nation’s daily schedule will boost the economy, end childhood obesity and produce extremely polite and happy citizens!

plus, it will make my mom happy. i mean, just look at her!

come on, america. do it for my mom! and yrselves! and yr tummies!

and, above all, for our country.

(and for those of you tired of election talk, don’t worry, this hasn’t turned into an obama blog. i will return to my regularly scheduled pantsing tomorrow)

i’ve had a lot of conversations with friends about how things are going to be better, how things are going to be different, how our nation will be healed and moved forward. and, cos we are ironic “young people,” we’ve also been cracking jokes about how everything is now instantly better because obama is magic. to quote liz feldman:

“I am typing this blog with my feet! I can do that now that anything is possible. And not my toes, mind you, but both of my feet! It’s a miracle and it’s not the only one that I’ve experienced since ten minutes ago when Obama won. I learned Chinese. I can make scarves now. I’m a tiny gymnast. I was in “Dan in Real Life!” I burped up a rainbow! I like peas. I shart unicorns. I’m made of grapes. And much much more.”

btw, burping rainbows would be amaaaaazing! ANYWAY

while i do believe that obama’s presidency means good things for our country, it’s caused me to reflect a great deal on my responsibilities as a citizen. we’ve all been told how much our vote matters, but just because the ballot’s been cast doesn’t mean our work is done. in fact, i see obama’s victory as a call to all of us to roll up our sleeves and get to work in our own backyards.

not to sound like a high school counselor or anything, but folks, we gotta start volunteerin’!

we need to tutor! we need to collect and give away food! we need to distribute blankets! we need to clean up! we need to freaking CARE.

see, when i voted for obama, i felt like i was making a deal with him. like, “hey man, if you agree to be a great president, i agree to be a great citizen.” and now i need to uphold my end of the bargain.

not to get to preachy, but i feel like a lot of folks our age (20s-30s) aren’t making the time to significantly help out others in need. i don’t have any facts or surveys about this, just a general feeling gained from talking to my peers. all i can say is, what is UP with that? we can’t just pin all of our hopes on one person, even if he *is* the president. we MUST be willing to take on our share of a better future by working it into our present reality.

i know some of us serve the community through our jobs, such as teaching. and that’s wonderful! and i know some of you guys choose to donate money to various charities, and obviously that’s fantastic as well. but if you don’t do either of the above, do you take the time to volunteer somewhere? and if so, please share it in the comments!

i’m also interested in hearing about the types of volunteering (or, to be more general, efforts) that you believe are most effective at generating real change.

personally, i believe wholeheartedly in the power of mentoring. as most of you know, i’ve been volunteering with big brothers big sisters for the past three years, and it’s been an incredible, extremely challenging experience. if any of you are considering this program, please PLEASE feel free to ask me any questions. i honestly believe that BBBS makes a huge impact, not only in the life of a child (or in my case, teenager) but also in the life of the volunteer.

the point is, please do something. and do it consistently. this isn’t high school, where you do a trash pick-up to beef up yr resume. this is our community, this is our nation, and this is our time to make it right.

LINKS

finally, you can purchase yr own serenity by jan candles. make sure you check out all of her amazing scents– my personal favorite is merlot morning.

YOU GUYS! the super posh hello kitty store opened in times square! look at all of these adorable luxury goods!! and just in time for CHRISTMAS.

i just realized that it has been a *terrible* mistake to ignore the paris hilton BFF tv show. because this clip alone is probably the finest moment in reality television.

is anyone else, like, actually really excited about the new killlers album? i’ve been dancing like an 80s montage to this song for the past week.

best recycling message ever!!! thanks erin d!!!

i woke up this morning and realized that last night was NOT a dream, in spite of the fact that it pretty much felt like the most miraculous and amazing thing that has ever happened.

HOLY FREAKING PANTS YOU GUYS.

when i got back to my apartment, all of my neighbors were running around and whooping like a bunch of moonshine-crazed hillbillies.

in our lifetime, has our country ever been this excited?!!!

i walked to work this morning, and i swear, every little particle around me felt AMAZING. renewed. invigorated. even the fallen leaves seemed to be drunk on joy, swirling around until they made themselves dizzy.

john texted me that line about star wars last night, and so far, it seems to be the most accurate description of how our country feels on this bright and beautiful morning, on the edge of an open horizon, full of hope.

[image thanks to erin!]

p.s. jezebel has some inspiring (i.e. made me teary) images here and here.

i spent the day in a partial coma on my couch, and it’s strange to feel so insulated from all of the ballot casting and political basket casing going on in america today. but don’t worry! i early voted!

did anyone actually cast their ballot today? were the polls totally crazytown?

even though i’m DYING to see what happens, i’m also loving how festive elections can feel. i mean, is anyone else craving blue and red jello? or some of that blueberry strawberry cake? it’s like fourth of july, but with MEANING!

i mean, obvs, i understand that fourth of july has a v. important place in our nation’s history, but this election decides not only our TODAY, but our TOMORROW.

i’ve got so much excitement and adrenaline (and, ok, sudafed) running through my veins, i feel like aliens are about to invade and we’re gathering together to FIGHT and DEFEND OUR COUNTRY AGAINST EVIL! bill pullman! where are you?!

ok, that’s probably mostly the sudafed talking.

anyway, how are you guys feeling? regardless of whether you read this while you’re anxiously watching the returns or rejoicing over the results, leave yr election two cents in the comments!

p.s. does anyone have any sparklers? TONIGHT IS A SPARKLER NIGHT!

p.p.s. and no, i should not be operating anything involving fire while under medication. i realize that.

i keep feeling like i *should* be worried, but i’m not. well, not really. not yet.

maybe cos i’m younger and don’t have a lot of savings to lose? or a mortgage? or loans?

or maybe it’s cos i’m one of those annoying young americans who likes to watch the debates and the daily show but doesn’t *really* understand economics. i mean, i’m sorry, but my instructor for college econ was a german grad student who learned to speak english in scotland. there’s only so much you can do when the illustration for supply and demand is an unintelligible sound that you later find out was supposed to be “pizza and beer.” i mean, seriously.

anyway, i feel a little more informed after reading this article in the NYT, which aims “to teach a little lesson on the economics of a credit crisis — how A can lead to B, B to C and C to Depression.”

i recommend reading the whole thing (it’s only a page), but here’s the basic idea via some snippets, starting with the great depression:

* * *

In late 1930, however, a rolling series of bank panics began. Investments made by the banks were going bad — or, in some cases, were rumored to be going bad — and nervous customers besieged bank branches to demand their money back. Hundreds of banks eventually closed.

Once a bank in a given town shut its doors, all the knowledge accumulated by the bank officers there effectively disappeared. Other banks weren’t nearly as willing to lend money to local businesses and residents because the loan officers at those banks didn’t know which borrowers were less reliable than they looked. Credit dried up.

“If a guy has a good investment opportunity and he can’t get the funding, he won’t do it,” Mr. Mishkin, who’s now an economics professor at Columbia, notes. “And that’s when the economy collapses.” Or, as Adam Posen, another economist, puts it, “That’s when the Depression became the Great Depression.” By 1932, consumption and investment had both collapsed, and stocks had fallen more than 80 percent from their peak.

*

The crucial point is that a modern economy can’t function when people can’t easily get credit. It takes a while for this to become obvious, since most companies and households don’t take out big new loans every day. But it will eventually become obvious, and painfully so. Already, a lack of car loans has caused vehicle sales to fall further.

* * *

so, this makes sense to me, even though it’s just a first step, and i still don’t really understand the specifics of bailout plans being debated and discussed in congress (i.e. i haven’t taken the time to read up on them).

however, i know at least several of you have v. strong opinions about the bailout (ahem, john and david), so i hope you’ll take a minute and share them in the comments.

and even if you don’t have an opinion on the bailout, i’m curious about how pants world feels, if you’re really freaked out or could care less or haven’t really taken the time to investigate cos, you know, it’s not like tina fey is impersonating this issue on SNL or something.

LINKS

i thought about just writing an entry in reaction to this post on jezebel about how dating michael cera’s characters in real life would really suck, and just how many fully developed, realistic male characters are really dateable? i guess mr. darcy doesn’t count…

erin posted one of my all time sesame street favorites: the orange crayon factory video!! watching it makes me so so so happy… and now i just wanna tear open a big pack of crayons and take a big whiff!!

the issue = sarah palin. and really, not about her, personally, but about the media blitz surrounding her and  the questions people are asking.

this morning, i got an email from randy about it:

* * *

I just finished watching an interview from CBS’ early show where a panel of women included a lady who questioned Palin’s ability to lead, considering the fact that she has five children, one of which has Down’s Syndrome.  The lady said, “There has to be a tipping point and I think she’s reached it.  She has a son with Down’s Syndrome and a 17-year old daughter who is pregnant.  She needs to rethink her priorities.”

I remember your post about working moms a few months ago and I believe that we shouldn’t even be questioning this.  Why aren’t we questioning Obama’s ability to lead with two young girls at home, too?  It reeks of sexism to me.

What are your thoughts?

* * *

first of all, randy, thanks for sending me the email, cos you gave me something to write about today!

regarding yr question, yes, i think it’s extremely sexist for people to say that palin can’t help run the country cos she has five kids. that’s a ridiculous argument, and i actually haven’t heard it much (of course, it’s all about where i get my news, i’m sure).

the flip side to that argument, which i’ve actually heard a lot, is that palin is totally fit to serve as VP *because* she is a mother.  i saw a clip from “the view” where sherri shepard (sp?) says, “you tell me what mother cannot run the country after having five kids” and then refers to the PTA as the proper experience for serving as VP. wait, i’m sorry, WHAT? obviously, raising five kids is an extremely tough job (i couldn’t do it), but remind me how potty training prepares you for negotiating with leaders in the middle east? apparently, i’m not the only one who is annoyed.

if you’re going to support sarah palin, fine, but come up with a better argument, ok? do we ever say, “he’s a good father, he’s fit to run the country?” does this exhibit some other level of sexism, where we focus on motherhood above all other qualities instead of examining her policy background, political record, etc.? and when i say “we” i guess i mean, well, the general American media.  which leads me to another issue…

ok, sarah palin is a woman, and obviously her candidacy is a big deal for america. it’s going to make waves, get people talking. but i guess i didn’t expect it to be tabloid-worthy! check out two of the four major tabloid magazines this week:

i’m not sure where to draw the line, to be honest. some of the “personal” aspects of sarah palin, like her motherhood, actually do connect with her political opinions and therefore should be subject to voter scrutiny. do i feel sorry for bristol palin? yes. do i want the paps to follow her around like the next jaime lynn spears? heck no. do i think that the issue of teen pregnancy should be addressed through sex education and goverment programs, and that this issue should be talked about by voters? absolutely.

bristol palin’s situation shouldn’t just bring the issue of teen pregnancy to the spotlight– it should raise questions about education and family services. consequently, i think it’s important for voters to examine where candidates stand on these issues. jezebel posted a great write-up on palin’s history of slashing funding that affects teenage girls (along with some startling statistics) and brought up the fact that both parties are attempting to capitalize on bristol’s pregnancy.

ok i’m sort of rambling but i guess my point is:

let’s not make this a personal issue. let’s not base our political opinions on someone’s motherhood or someone’s teenage pregnancy. let’s use the issues raised by these situations to spark questions about government policy. in other words, let’s put down the “ok” magazine and pick up a real newspaper.

and don’t ask me what a real newspaper is.

LINKS

i always knew roald dahl was cool, but THIS?!!! HOLY CRAP. it’s like, james bond meets willy wonka level of cool. i think my mind just exploded.

did you guys see this daily show report on the republican convention? send help!!! FEMA, where are you?!!

moody and trish both sent me this INCREDIBLE pictoral comparison of two of my favorite people: christian bale and kermit! ok, well, kermit’s not a person, but he’s totally my favorite frog.

if you’re like me and need a “step up”-related fix every day, go here and get the inside scoop on channing tatum, who is SO FREAKING ADORABLE GAH (thanks to my fellow junkie, meredith, for the link).

today’s gonna be one of those days when i ask you guys to give me yr opinions, not only cos i’m curious but because, as usual, i’m not sure of my own opinion.

earlier, jezebel linked to an article in the new york observer entitled “american cutie.” now, just yesterday, i was writing about cuteness, so i was immediately intrigued. but it was the subheading that really got me:

“The Rising Age of Obama May Look Twee, Naïve and Idealistic, But Like Gwyneth Paltrow, the Hobbits, Arcade Fire and Iron Man, It Shows a Scrappy New Generation That Has Learned to Fight”

wow. that’s a lot of things. a lot of things i LOVE!

so i read the article, which you can find here.

and you know, i’m not entirely sure what it’s about. i suspect that it’s actually not v. well-written, and it seems more like a rambling blog post (not that i would know what those look like) than some kind of editorial. but i can’t help but find it interesting, since tom mcgeveran, the author, throws out all kinds of things that attract me: mcsweeney’s, belle & sebastian, christina ricci, lord of the rings… and well, maybe that’s his point.

ok, i actually really don’t get his point. but here’s my attempt at presenting a passage that might capture it:

(note: the person speaking is win butler, from arcade fire)

***

“It’s finally our turn to have a great president,” he said, and at this point the crowd was going wild. “I’m sick of fine presidents and good presidents and mediocre presidents. I’m sick of Rutherford B. Hayes and James Buchanan and Franklin Pierce and Millard Fillmore. We got Barack Obama! Barack Obama, for crying out loud!”

In other words, Win Butler was going for the naïve moron vote. The crowd that was somehow equating Hillary Clinton and Millard Fillmore was not the Oxford Union debating society. But still, elevating Barack Obama beyond the stage of the Children’s Crusade was turning him into the Tough Twee candidate. Why Tough Twee? The crowd had the affect and information base of children, the idealism of the truly protected and insular—the province of child-voters since the beginning of the republic.

***

yeah, that probably didn’t explain much, did it? if i had to take a stab, i would say his point is that our generation has been twee-obsessed, twee meaning cuteness, innocence, the sweetness and playfulness of childhood. and yet now we’re become “tough twee,” for some reason that i don’t think he quite explains but maybe assumes that we’re old enough to feel like we should be political, like we can change things in this country. like we want to be taken seriously.

and mr. mcgeveran doesn’t want to take us seriously.

***

The Lord of the Rings trilogy hit the Twee nail on the head. A great battle is taking place, and by a series of unfortunate circumstances, the little Hobbits have gotten involved.

J.R.R. Tolkien described the race of tiny creatures he invented thusly: They are “unobtrusive.” They “love peace and quiet and good tilled earth: a well-farmed countryside was their favorite haunt. They do not and did not understand or like machines more complicated than a forge-bellows, a water-mill or a hand-loom, though they were skillful with tools.” They are “shy of the Big Folk.” Hobbits were Twee Pioneers. But at least they took on Sauron frontally and beat the crap out of him.

***

i will admit, i do feel a certain affinity with the hobbits. first of all, eating meals every hour of the day is pretty much the best idea i’ve ever heard (SECOND BREAKFAST, ANYONE?!). plus, i hate conflict. and their houses look so cozy! yay hobbits!

and it’s not like the hobbits were simple-minded, necessarily. they just had simple lifestyles.

even though i think we’re attracted to ideas of simplicity (farmer’s markets, etc.), i don’t think our generation has a simple lifestyle. it’s more materialistic, yes, but it’s also more complex. we are INUNDATED. we inundate ourselves. i gorge all day long on bands and celebrity gossip and books and the lives of my friends and yes, even world events, and none of that (ok, maybe the whole perez hilton thing) is empty. my preferences shape me, the world shapes my preferences, so then i shape the world? maybe?

then again, i do feel naive sometimes. but i’m young (ish?!!). that’s when you’re supposed to be naive, right?

and the only way to learn about things is to experience them… and i think people getting involved in the presidential race, feeling *excited* about it, can only be a good thing.

perhaps mr. mcgeveran doesn’t trust our input into the political process. i get the feeling that he believes we’re too educated about indie rock or irony or hipster fashion to have room for anything else, esp. things like foreign policy and our trade deficit.

that leads me to the main question that’s been on my brain (in spite of all of this rambling): what does our generation actually care about? what ARE our values? and how do they translate into politics, into the future of our country?

i know, i know, we aren’t all the same cos we were born in the late 70s-early 80s. i’m not trying to label anyone here. i’m just curious about the FORCE of “us.” where will our values take us in the future? what will the country look like when we’re no longer naive, twee little hobbits?

what will happen when we’re in charge?

LINKS

meet my new hero, the nancy drew of mac laptops!

you guys. check out my new favorite reality show. WOW.

if i ever have kids, i should probably move out of america first. why does our country hate maternity so much?

jonah hill is apparently gonna make a movie of “21 jumpstreet.” i will miss you, johnny depp, but this is an AWESOME idea.

fun food art! yay! i esp. loooove the broccoli poodle.

have you guys heard of “the night of a thousand stevies”? uh, awesome?!! guess where i’ll be a year from now?! with a lace shawl and sequined beret?!