Black Friday

I can't keep this inside. Many of you may have seen on the news that a worker at Walmart was trampled to death by shoppers who couldn't wait ten seconds for him or her to get out of the way. Are we that greedy? Are we that materialistic? Are 5 o'clock bargains really worth all that? Why did no one stop to help the worker up? So what if someone snaps up the last fondue pot before you get to it--there are other stores you can go to. I am just in shock that something like that could happen, and vow never to take part in Black Friday. I'm just not that greedy or desperate.

oh, technology

I am currently sitting at a public hearing for the purple line in DC, updating via my iPhone. (yes, I sold out). I'm all for light rail. Let's connect Bethesda to Silver Spring.

Ignore the review in the New York Times

Everyone needs to read The Wasted Vigil. I was blown away from the very first image. The novel is about the adventures of a Russian woman, a British expatriate, a Muslim fundamentalist and a former CIA operative in post-9/11 Aghanistan. The opening image is that of Lara, a Russian woman in search of her lost brother, laying a mirror flat on the floor to look up at the books that were nailed onto the ceiling of the house at which she was staying. How amazing is that? I had to read a book for literary theory by 5:30 today and that book for Wednesday--and yet, I read The Wasted Vigil first. Everyone should read it.

The Reluctant Fundamentalist is also phenomenal. Go forth, I command thee.

For Sale!

When I first started going to grad school at AU, I loved it when the shuttle stopped at Van Ness Street. There was a cute little house at that intersection, and a nun lived there! She was old, and cute, and almost always outside in warm weather. Recently, I have not seen her, and then yesterday I noticed that her house is for sale! I wonder if she just moved or if something more morbid has happened to my favorite nun. For some reason seeing her slowly walk on her porch or weed her garden brought a smile to my face. Alas that I will no longer see her out on that porch.

An Historic Night

We did it. President elect Barack Obama.

Unfortunately I don't remember much of last night--it turns out my fatigue and fuzziness of mind is coming from the pneumonia that I caught somehow...but I do remember immense cheering when Ohio was called for Obama.

I am excited to see the Democrats in power. I'd actually like there to be a bit more balance in congress, because America got in the situation it's in now largely because of a political swing too far in one direction. I'd hate to see that happen again. Still, I think that the Democrats show much promise.

I'm also interested to watch the evolution of the Republican party. I think Americans' reactions to President Bush have forced the party to re-conceptualize itself. It has already undergone much change. I mean, back in the day New England was a Republican stronghold, but now it is the Evangelical South. Some of my friends were speculating last night that maybe the Libertarians will replace the Republicans in primacy. I don't know about that, but only the future will tell.

I'm anxious to see what Obama can do! :-)