I'm ecstatic, exhausted, relieved, happy, excited, energized, euphoric... At last, I can say that America, you finally got it right this time.
Yes you did!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Obama at the Al Smith Dinner
I've heard so many of Obama's speeches. But this one, is so funny, so perfectly crafted, so hilarious, and most of all, so to the point, I just thought you all needed to see it.
This is when Obama gets to have some fun, and gets back at McCain for all those phony, stupid attacks.
A class act!
Click here to watch the speech on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cen37qxA7E
This is when Obama gets to have some fun, and gets back at McCain for all those phony, stupid attacks.
A class act!
Click here to watch the speech on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cen37qxA7E
To My American Friends
About 10 months ago, I got curious about the US presidential election and decided to watch the Youtube Democratic Debate on, where else, Youtube. I was mostly curious about this Barack Obama guy who seemed to think he had a chance of getting elected President. Go figure.
That's when I got hooked. Literally, I became more and more interested in the issues, the messages, but most of all, I got hooked on his speeches. For about a week after that first debate, I tried to search as many of his speeches, and thought, wow, what an amazing orator, and what a shame he wont make it.
Well, ever since, like so many other people on the planet, I've been following the elections on a daily basis. Maybe it's the PR in me, but I love listening to the "pundits" and the media, and the coverage of coverage of the media, and the flip flops, and the key talking points, and well, everything I can get my eyes on on Youtube (still don't have a TV yet). And more and more, I realised this guy had a real shot. And that was even before the hockey mom came on the scene.
I am disgusted by some of the comments made by media, the bias and the lack of professionalism, and I am in disbelief about the level of ignorance of some Americans. But I do think that, if anything, this has brought out the best and the worst of America, and all of it will be on record. And that, is a good thing.
The primaries with talks of the winds of Iowa, caucusses, delegates and superdelegates seems like such a thing of the past, and when people said Hillary and Obama were going negative, who would have thought it was really a walk in the park? Every day, I admit, I check the latest media coverage of the campaign, and I just cannot believe the kind of trashy, low-class and dishonorable campaign the McCain-Palin ticket are running.
I also managed to make it through the 7 seasons of West Wing, which has really been helpful in understanding the ins and outs of US politics. It's funny, but a lot of times, I have a feeling this election is a carbon copy of the West Wing drama. Don't you think? I mean especially with the Republicans trailing behind, the minority Democratic candidate, the old vs. young.
Anyway, despite the fact that the Republicans have not a leg to stand on, I still cannot say that I am completely sure that they won't win. Which is what has prompt me to write this post:
Please vote for Barack Obama!
I think this is probably the time that people all over the world wished they were Americans. And I don't think that's happened in a long, long time. Imagine that: If only the rest of the world could vote. I actually don't think it's such a crazy notion, after all, we will all be affected one way or another by what happens on November 4th. So, for all of you Americans out there, please, please think about it and vote. Coulda, shoulda, woulda is just not acceptable.
Now get off and vote! Obama 08!
That's when I got hooked. Literally, I became more and more interested in the issues, the messages, but most of all, I got hooked on his speeches. For about a week after that first debate, I tried to search as many of his speeches, and thought, wow, what an amazing orator, and what a shame he wont make it.
Well, ever since, like so many other people on the planet, I've been following the elections on a daily basis. Maybe it's the PR in me, but I love listening to the "pundits" and the media, and the coverage of coverage of the media, and the flip flops, and the key talking points, and well, everything I can get my eyes on on Youtube (still don't have a TV yet). And more and more, I realised this guy had a real shot. And that was even before the hockey mom came on the scene.
I am disgusted by some of the comments made by media, the bias and the lack of professionalism, and I am in disbelief about the level of ignorance of some Americans. But I do think that, if anything, this has brought out the best and the worst of America, and all of it will be on record. And that, is a good thing.
The primaries with talks of the winds of Iowa, caucusses, delegates and superdelegates seems like such a thing of the past, and when people said Hillary and Obama were going negative, who would have thought it was really a walk in the park? Every day, I admit, I check the latest media coverage of the campaign, and I just cannot believe the kind of trashy, low-class and dishonorable campaign the McCain-Palin ticket are running.
I also managed to make it through the 7 seasons of West Wing, which has really been helpful in understanding the ins and outs of US politics. It's funny, but a lot of times, I have a feeling this election is a carbon copy of the West Wing drama. Don't you think? I mean especially with the Republicans trailing behind, the minority Democratic candidate, the old vs. young.
Anyway, despite the fact that the Republicans have not a leg to stand on, I still cannot say that I am completely sure that they won't win. Which is what has prompt me to write this post:
Please vote for Barack Obama!
I think this is probably the time that people all over the world wished they were Americans. And I don't think that's happened in a long, long time. Imagine that: If only the rest of the world could vote. I actually don't think it's such a crazy notion, after all, we will all be affected one way or another by what happens on November 4th. So, for all of you Americans out there, please, please think about it and vote. Coulda, shoulda, woulda is just not acceptable.
Now get off and vote! Obama 08!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Great Ocean Road Highlights
So, as you've probably noticed, I couldn't upload the slideshow... And it's taken me two months to get back to this draft. A lot has happened since, but Ithink I better complete this story, before starting another unfinished opus. Anyway, I figured that, instead of giving you a detailed minute by minute account of my trip down the GOR, it be best to skip the tedious parts and focus on the "best" parts, so here goes:
1. Sunset at Castle Cove: Ok, so I'm from Europe, where there is hardly a beach that is untouched. And yet, here we found ourselves in a completely secluded beach, sourrounded by huge cliffs, with an amazing sunset, and ALL to OURSELVES! There was a lonely surfer at the other end, but he was so far away, he looked like an ant with a matchstick. The angry waves bashed against the rocks and the sandwith such intensity and force, you could almost hear them say: "You dare control me? Come on! Let me see you try!" Well, you can imagine, I stayed clear of that fight!
2. Wild life: Along the way between Lorne an, we saw two kangaroos hoping alongside the road, and then on a trail walk up to see Merriner's Falls, we saw a wallaby! I thought Urs was pulling my leg at first, but there it was, hoping along the trail too. The whales on Logan's Beach were a bit of a disappointment, just because it was really cold and they were really far. But, the penguins hanging out at Apollo Bay marina made up for all of that.
And did you know there were llamas in Australia? Well, yes, and they are soooooo cute.
3. Cape Otway Lighthouse: We didn't get to see the Koalas, but this stop is a must on the GOR. It was like stepping back in time. For me though, it was just staring out into the Ocean, and to think that I was, literaly on the edge of the world.
4. La Bimba: This is probably one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. Urs ordered the most amazing deconstructed pork belly a la Top Chef. Seriously, if you ever stop in Apollo Bay, you have to try it.
5. Twelve Apostles: So apart, from the breathtaking scenary, what made this road stop even more incredibly special, was that it had been pouring with rain all morning. Then, when we pulled into the car park, the clouds parted and the sun started to shine, which allowed to observe the coastline in a myriad of shades and lights. Plus, there weren't that many tourists when we arrived, and when we started pulling out of the car park, 3 bus-loads of Chinese, Koreans and Italians were coming in. We just missed the avalanche! Perfect!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Great Ocean Roadtrip
Tis late at night, and I have discovered yet another cool application, Picasa. It's all coming together now. I'm attempting to link to my Picasa photo gallery and Great Ocean Road slideshow. If you can see it here somewhere, it means I was successful. If you can't, it means I couldn't give a damn and went to bed.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Don't ask, don't get...
For as long as I can remember, and to use the words made famous by our good friend Forrest Gump, "My momma always used to say: 'Don't ask, don't get'". Not sure if Forrest's mother ever gave him that particular piece of advice, but my momma sure did give it to me. It took a while before I figured out what it really meant, but I think I have a pretty good idea now.
On my way to Spain last April, I found myself staying an extra night in Kuala Lumpur... non-courtesy of KLM airlines. My booking suffered a mysterious malfunction, and I was denied boarding at the airport and given substandard customer service. I'll spare you the details, but you can imagine how quickly your spirits change when you realize the plane you were supposed to be on is no longer blinking on the departure board. We'll never know exactly why my booking was cancelled, or why I wasn't notified about it, but as it so happens, there is always a time and a place to try out the "Don't ask, don't get" theory.
I tried it at the airport first, but it didn't work. I asked to be put on the waiting list, I asked to be put on another flight, I asked to be put up at a hotel... It didn't really work, but I didn't loose faith in my momma's words.
Having a pretty good idea of what setbacks traveling may involve, I wrote a letter to KLM after I returned from Spain (after my initial anger had abatted and could actually talk about the incident without a demented tone in my voice), demanded an explanation, and asked for a full refund for my ticket. Truth be told, apart from the incident at the airport, the staff at KLM headquarters in KL as well as the KLM customer service staff were quick in attending to my requests and investigating the nature of the incident. And as a result, I have been reimbursed the full airfare (return ticket) from KL to Amsterdam. Yey!
Not bad, huh? Remember, "Don't ask, don't get". You may not always "get", but you should always "ask"... just in case!
Oh, and my piece of trivia for the day: What's the capital of The Netherlands? Well, according to the constitution it's Amsterdam, but the government sits in The Hague. This causes a lot of confusion, but Amsterdam is usually preferred by trivia quizzes (or so I've heard).
On my way to Spain last April, I found myself staying an extra night in Kuala Lumpur... non-courtesy of KLM airlines. My booking suffered a mysterious malfunction, and I was denied boarding at the airport and given substandard customer service. I'll spare you the details, but you can imagine how quickly your spirits change when you realize the plane you were supposed to be on is no longer blinking on the departure board. We'll never know exactly why my booking was cancelled, or why I wasn't notified about it, but as it so happens, there is always a time and a place to try out the "Don't ask, don't get" theory.
I tried it at the airport first, but it didn't work. I asked to be put on the waiting list, I asked to be put on another flight, I asked to be put up at a hotel... It didn't really work, but I didn't loose faith in my momma's words.
Having a pretty good idea of what setbacks traveling may involve, I wrote a letter to KLM after I returned from Spain (after my initial anger had abatted and could actually talk about the incident without a demented tone in my voice), demanded an explanation, and asked for a full refund for my ticket. Truth be told, apart from the incident at the airport, the staff at KLM headquarters in KL as well as the KLM customer service staff were quick in attending to my requests and investigating the nature of the incident. And as a result, I have been reimbursed the full airfare (return ticket) from KL to Amsterdam. Yey!
Not bad, huh? Remember, "Don't ask, don't get". You may not always "get", but you should always "ask"... just in case!
Oh, and my piece of trivia for the day: What's the capital of The Netherlands? Well, according to the constitution it's Amsterdam, but the government sits in The Hague. This causes a lot of confusion, but Amsterdam is usually preferred by trivia quizzes (or so I've heard).
Friday, July 11, 2008
A windy day
The one thing I still cannot for the life of me understand is where does this wind come from? I mean, one moment it's calm, and next thing you know, your skirt's in the air...Now, if you live in Melbourne, it's 10 times worse than that. Like today, for example, I thought for a moment I'd beat the ferry to Tasmania.
And don't even get me started on the rain... I've had clothes up on the clothes line for 4 days, but I've never happen to be around during the brief, yet bountiful rain showers that totally soak through my garments... What is a girl to do, I ask?
And don't even get me started on the rain... I've had clothes up on the clothes line for 4 days, but I've never happen to be around during the brief, yet bountiful rain showers that totally soak through my garments... What is a girl to do, I ask?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
