Artist Shepard Fairey is the one whose poster of Barack Obama has become so famous. I know I just love the poster of President Obama and now we can make our own posters thanks to Obamiconme.
Here’s my result and I’d love to see yours when you make one.
By the way, I chose HOPE because Cookie is still doing well. Yippee!
Like so many Americans and people around the world, I was moved deeply by all of President Barack Obama’s and Joe Biden’s inauguration. I did manage to watch the inauguration ceremonies before I left for work and would run into the lounge periodically to see what was happening on TV once I reached work. It was a very busy day for me and Elizabeth Alexander’s poem really increased my awareness of being mindful about all of us going about our routines. The only thing that happened that I personally found thoughtless was the Rev. Rick Warren’s inviting all of us to say together The Lord’s Prayer. What about everybody who is not a Christian? The Rev. Billy Graham had always been so cool about being inclusive when he spoke or prayed at public events. I did take the time last night to write bullet point memories in my journal of the day.
Anyway, I wanted to take the time to reprint Elizabeth Alexander’s poem, “Praise Song for the Day,” in this transcript from today’s New York Times.
Each day we go about our business, walking past each other, catching each others' eyes or not, about to speak or speaking. All about us is noise. All about us is noise and bramble, thorn and din, each one of our ancestors on our tongues. Someone is stitching up a hem, darning a hole in a uniform, patching a tire, repairing the things in need of repair.
Someone is trying to make music somewhere with a
pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum with cello, boom box, harmonica, voice.
A woman and her son wait for the bus.
A farmer considers the changing sky; A teacher
says, "Take out your pencils. Begin."
We encounter each other in words, words spiny or
smooth, whispered or declaimed; words to consider, reconsider.
We cross dirt roads and highways that mark the will
of someone and then others who said, "I need to see what's on the other
side; I know there's something better down the road."
We need to find a place where we are safe; We walk
into that which we cannot yet see.
Say it plain, that many have died for this day.
Sing the names of the dead who brought us here, who laid the train tracks,
raised the bridges, picked the cotton and the lettuce, built brick by brick the
glittering edifices they would then keep clean and work inside of.
Praise song for struggle; praise song for the day.
Praise song for every hand-lettered sign; The figuring it out at kitchen
tables.
Some live by "Love thy neighbor as thy
self."
Others by first do no harm, or take no more than
you need.
What if the mightiest word is love, love beyond
marital, filial, national. Love that casts a widening pool of light. Love with
no need to preempt grievance.
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.
Today I've downloaded more SoulCollage cards into my photo album on the lower, right side bar. When I ran across this card I had made a few years ago, it seemed to fit perfectly on the eve of the inauguration of Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
The Presidential Inauguration is only a few days away right now and for the first time in my life, I wish I could be there. I'm not much for crowds or cold, so I'll watch it on TV. A friend of mine has recently moved to Washington, D.C. and she sent this link to the Washingtonian that shows all the events and hoopla scheduled. Another friend from Connecticut is spending the night with her and going to the inauguration.
All I know is that for the first time in my life, I made what for me was a significant contribution to the campaign and I’ve gotten two things which are routine to everyone who donated. But, I’m framing them both. Double click on the images to enlarge them.
During the campaign I got this photo “signed” by Joe Biden.
And a few weeks ago I got this invitation, although everybody is invited to the public inauguration. It’s no big deal, but deep inside it feels a tiny bit like a personal invitation. But, I like to think of myself all bundled up watching the new president being sworn in and hearing his speech. The other inauguration that has always been clear in my memory was John F. Kennedy’s. And though I haven't worn a full-on evening gown for years, I have several and I'd be in pink sequins at one of the balls.
I don’t envy Barack Obama’s inheritance into the Presidency, but I feel so hopeful for the first time in a long time that visionaries who are action-oriented will somehow help our country to rise out of its problems and fears. Our stature in the international community will also be returned.
I pray for the safety of our leaders and their families. Even in the worst of times, I’ve been proud to be an American but I’m looking forward to more openness in the years ahead.
When you work in a K-12 school like I do, and have for 17 years, you see 5-year-olds entering kindergarten and you see them graduate from high school 13 years later. Then the reunions come and they are college graduates--and you go to weddings, baptisms. The years speed by. At my age, you don't personally think about the future the way you did when you were young but you do see the future mirrored in the children.
Work upgraded my camera this fall as well as my computer. I have a new Nikon D60 and a new iMac with a 3.06 Intel Core 2 Duo, version OSX 10.5.5 and a 24" screen. Unfortunately, I've been busy enough this fall that I've been using both by the seat of my pants. It rained lightly during the night and the campus was gorgeous when I got to work--and the air was crystal clear. I didn't want to take the time to tackle the new Adobe Creative Suite, but I did begin reading about the camera and then took myself on a mini-photo shoot. I'm nervous as a cat as I await the election results, but manipulating these photos gives me respite from the jitters. Click on them to enlarge for detail.
Well, I guess I can go flip on the TV now, heat up my left-over Panda Express and find out the election results. I, for one, am so glad it is over. This morning, drenched with rain, was a pink envelope in my complex's courtyard that said READ AND PASS on. When I got to work I opened it and was utterly shocked. It was hate political literature with lots of notations handwritten and drawn, skull and cross bones, lots of death threats and all against Obama, blacks, illegal aliens, gays, all Muslims and Latinos. It was attributed to America's Political Action Committee. Shame on you!
How many of you remember the Hands Across America benefit event and publicity campaign staged 22 years ago, on Sunday May 25, 1986? Were you part of it? I was along with many of my friends. Our CFM group (Christian Family Movement Singles) were located on the beach in Redondo only a few blocks from where I live now. It was one of those kinds of giddy days where you KNOW you are connected not only to the planet, but to all the people who inhabit it. I would like to feel like this again a lot!
If you don’t remember this, approximately seven million people held hands in a human chain for fifteen minutes along a path across the continental United States. Participants paid $10 to reserve their place in line; the proceeds were donated to local charities to fight hunger and homelessness and help those in poverty. It was an incredible experience. Maybe it's time to do it again. Watch the video below and think of all those kids who are grown-ups now. Think about how your own life has changed from 22 years ago.
Tomorrow we elect a new president and vice president of the United States and sometimes it seemed like the campaigns would never end. Most of us have had strong opinions about our politicians and some of us needed to be convinced, but for all intent and purpose, the election is nearly over. What I propose is a new version of Hands Across America so we can heal the wounds caused by the various campaigns. Politicians say they aren’t afraid to cross the aisle, even after bitter disputes, and all of us need to cross the aisle of our differences and bond again so we can rebuild our great nation together. If I'm pontificating, I'm sorry.
I cannot even imagine how stressful it must to run for major office. May everyone involved in campaigning these last months finally get a good night’s sleep and regain their perspectives. God bless America and God bless all those who we elect tomorrow.
Two political entries two nights in a row; that's unusual for me, but this entry is not critical of either campaign or candidate. It's non-partisan--one woman admiring another. In fact, I'm in awe. I watched Michelle Obama on Larry King Live tonight and I was so impressed that I hope everyone across the board will watch it to see what a gracious, powerful woman she is. I did not hear one negative comment from her. She seems unflappable. You can watch the show here:
Generally I leave the political blogging to those of you who do it far better than I do. My favorite blog to read during this political season has been Rain at Rainy Day Thoughts, however. She researches well and says things I am afraid to say because I've got this doggoned "Sadie the Nice Lady" syndrome. I've self-taught myself to be tolerant and open-minded and I rarely say negative things about candidates until they really begin to make me sick to my stomach--like George Bush has for the last six years of his eight years as President. I see his face and hear his voice and I instantly lose whatever peace of mind I've worked hard to maintain each day. But--I am reacting, which I try so hard not to do.
This graphic is from, yes, the liberal press--The Daily Koz, courtesy of Andrew Sullivan. I was utterly shocked when Senator McCain pointed so condescendingly to Senator Obama in the town hall debate tonight and called him "that one." Everything is not fair in love, war and politics. I can take the sparring, the mud-slinging by both parties and candidates, but tonight I saw with incredible clarity a very mean-spirited McCain. He simply couldn't contain his rage and that scares me a lot. You know something? I'm beginning to get the same gut reaction to him and his running partner as I do to George Bush--and I'm not proud of that because I do work hard at tolerance. McCain has served us well for a long time. I want to remember him like he was not like he has become.
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