Such a Fan...

Of Silversun Pickups lately.

Check 'em out.

White House Organic Farm?

Daniel Bowman Simon (whoever he is) is driving this "double decker" bus around the country to get people to sign a petition so that he can put an organic farm on the White House lawn.

So, I'm pretty sure it'll never happen, but it's a pretty fun way to draw awareness to the benefits of sustainable agriculture. Apparently if it happens, he already has heirloom seeds lined up to be donated that come from Thomas Jefferson's farm.

Oh, and the best part of that bus? He grows veggies up there!

Interested? Check it out at www.thewhofarm.org

Mostly It's Our Chi

This weekend I went to DC -- again. But this time, I was joined by all 8 of my best friends from high school. Amanda, you were missed greatly. I got your bday card promising a house out with you and a hipped-out boy. Let me know when you get that situated and I'm there. Come home and bring that Cali sun.

The drive back had me thinking - as driving and running always does - and I realized how extremely blessed I am to have such amazing friends. We have all changed so much, and are in such different places, but we can still come back to each other and be real with one another. I know that's rare. So I needed to pause and recognize it.

And thanks to iPod shuffle and a full battery on the drive home, I will dedicate this to them.

"It took me too long to realize that I don't take good pictures. I have the kind of beauty that moves."

PC Politics (This entry is for Abbey Smith.)

I like talking about politics at work. Mainly because you’re not supposed to – it’s not politically correct. But it also makes me feel like some sort of secret operative, where I have to search out the people who either agree with me or can hold an intelligent, calm debate while disagreeing. In fact, the latter is more fun. Sadly, I haven’t found too many people like that.

Today I found a new one who agrees with me. I heard Palin’s voice, vomited, and then followed the sound to see who was listening to her. As I turned the corner I saw a certain co-worker, who shall remain nameless, trying so hard to not laugh out loud that his shoulders were shaking. Bingo.

On another note, I no longer enjoy learning about people’s political views via Facebook. This is a new development, as of Tuesday night, where I seriously considered “de-friending people” because of their asinine, uninformed status updates. I don’t even know how to de-friend someone on Facebook, or in real life, for that matter.

But it’s not everyone… just those whose comments read something like this:

“Buy your guns while you can, cuz we’re screwed.”
“I’ve never been so ashamed to be an American” ß that one made me sad.
“We just voted for a baby-killer. Great America.” ß that one made me laugh at it's ridiculousness.
“I’m clinging to my gun and religion and moving to Canada.”

These kinds of comments make me think three things:

1.) What do they really know about the candidates, or even politics in general?
2.) What pulpit did they get that from?
3.) I just lost all respect and am embarrassed for them.

And just to clarify, I have plenty of Republican friends. My father is a Republican.

The kind I don’t understand are the one issue, let’s rule our country based on my religion (even though it was founded for FREEDOM OF RELIGION) kind. If you can speak rationally and intelligently about your views – more power to you, let’s talk.

Statements like those above are the result of people who were duped by fear-mongering, religion, and the inability to look at a larger picture.

But I do have to say, if the election went the other way, I was considering a move abroad – just to avoid Palin sound bites. (Kidding.)

(Kinda.)

I pick my friends like I pick my fruit.

So today I turned 24, and after a few years of disappointing birthdays, I wanted to take a moment to recap why this has been one of the best since my 4th grade horseback riding party.

1.) Phillies won the World Series last week.

2.) I went on the free cruise to the Bahamas this past weekend, and had a blast with Jill. (See facebook album for Bud Light craziness.)

3.) I voted in what might possibly be the most influential election of my lifetime.

4.) I voted for the right guy.

5.) HE WON. Obama as President was the only thing I wanted.

(Well, that and a bath pillow. But I think I'm getting that, too.)

6.) I started an Obama chant at the gas station this morning, and got my gas pumped for me after doing so.

7.) I got flowers (x2) at work.

8.) Went to lunch with friends, and sushi with roommates.

9.) This weekend I'll be in DC with the A-team for a crazy reunion celebration.

10.) I can't think of one thing to complain about.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes and the people who've made it special!