You can, like a carrot, go into the water hard and rigid, only to have the water (those difficult circumstances) make you soft and squishy. (Personally, I don’t relate to the before or the after.)

Or you can, like the egg with its hard, exterior shell, come out of the the water (those difficult circumstances) hard on the inside as well as the outside. (I might, just a little bit, relate to the hard exterior shell.)

Or you can be the coffee. Instead of letting the boiling water (or difficult circumstances) change you, you can be the coffee, changing the water instead. I don’t know about you.

But I am the coffee.

I’ve had a chance to digest the events, think about them, and study my reactions. These are my thoughts on yesterday’s inauguration:

I think it’s pretty amazing that there were 1.8 million people in and around the National Mall, and there were no problems. Seriously. Not a single arrest according to USA Today. Now that is a truly a feat. Could we, as a nation, possibly be coming together afterall?

How cool is it that Obama was sworn in with the same bible that Abraham Lincoln was sworn in with? That fills me with a sense of wonder. I alternate between thinking they were crazy to let the book out of the archives in that weather, and thinking that the person who thought of it should win some kind of an award.

Of course I loved Michelle’s inaugural ensemble. I found it very regal and fitting. I’m thrilled she decided against something red, white, and/or blue, which is so obvious and cliché.

I’m a total hypocrite, but while I still agree in the separation of church and state and was annoyed by all of the praying yesterday ((It’s an inauguration, not a church social.)), I have to admit that the quote from Scriptures couldn’t have been more fitting.

“…the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come…to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea…that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.”

Oh yeah, I thought the rest of the inauguration speech kicked ass too.

I absolutely loved Malia and Sasha. What a pair of spunky, beautiful girls. The secret service is going to have their hand full with those two!

Could Beyonce have sounded any better at the Neighborhood Ball? ((Bitch!)) I think, however, this is the first time she’s been on stage, and was upstaged.

With such a long and event-filled day, there was bound to be some crap:

While I’m the antithesis of a Bush supporter, the booing when he was announced was tacky and in poor taste. The man was the leader of the free world for eight years, and as such does deserve a little respect.

She may have been the Queen of Soul at one point, ((20 years ago!)) but she certainly did not sound regal (or even good) yesterday. I was a little embarrassed for her. And what was with that horrible hat?

Since this was the first inauguration I’ve ever paid attention to, I was surprised by all of the religion (especially with all of the fuss regarding the separation of church and state). As I mentioned previously, I thought the Scriptures quote was á propos, the rest, however, was a little too much for me.

I have to say the low point for me was Sting. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love Sting. Always have. Not only is he so talented he can leave a band like The Police and do even better solo, he’s just H-O-T! I liked his Dune phase. ((Sting in black leather–what’s not to love.)) I was okay with the long hair, mid-life crisis phase. I adore the super-short, yoga thing. I do not, however, approve of the I’m-a-lumberjack-and-I’m-okay phase.

Enough said.

Now it’s your turn. What did you love or hate about Barack Obama’s inauguration? Let me know what should be on my love/hate list, and why.

Like most of America today, I have the inauguration events playing in the background. Being lucky enough to work from home, I don’t have to stream it from the internet. 🙂 While listening, I was thinking of President-elect Obama ((At this time, he’s not quite president yet.)) and trying to formulate what it is about him that has energized our country in this difficult time. Here are 10 reasons I, personally, love Barack Obama:

1. Whether it be limo or armored car, he still opens the door for his wife himself.
2. He still holds his wife’s hand, and actually looks like he enjoys it.
3. He is articulate beyond words. ((Some of you will get that, some of you wont. 🙂 ))
4. He gives (most) Americans hope.
5. There hasn’t been a First Family as attractive as this since the Kennedys.
6. His ideas for change actually make sense. The Issues
7. He shows respect, compassion, and understanding for people from all walks of life.
8. He has the potential to be one of the most influential presidents in American history—and I can say I was a part of it. ((Everyone who voted for him is a part of it.))
9. For the first time in a long time, I can say “I’m very proud to be an American.“
10. He is bringing intelligence and dignity back to the White House.

Wordless Wednesday is on a break today, to allow for Blog Action Day. This year’s theme is poverty.

During this time of financial crisis in our country, it is understandable that people are tightening their wallets and worrying about themselves and their own. Times are tough for (almost) everyone. If you are reading this blog, however, I’m guessing that you have eaten a decent meal recently. I’d also be willing to bet there is a beverage sitting precariously close to your keyboard: coffee, soda, water (in my case, all of the above).

Those of you reading this in FLA still have your central air on (though your bill keeps going up), and those of you reading this in Denver have probably just started turning your heat on at night. You’re sitting now at your own computer, with some lights on somewhere, your cellphone charging, your iPod plugged in, and only a quarter tank of gas in your car. Or you’re at work.

Those of you reading this blog (and I know who you are because you are my friends and my family 🙂 ) are definitely not rich. But you are not poor, either. Things are tough, but there is still money for a decent meal, cold water, energy, a computer, the internet, a cellphone, gas, etc., etc., etc.

On this, Blog Action Day for Poverty, I’m asking you to consider your surroundings. Be thankful for all that you are blessed with. Take the time to appreciate all you have. Many are not so fortunate.

This is what poverty looks like in America:

And this is what poverty looks like in Africa:

Another view I hold strongly was best represented by Craig Ferguson in his Sept. 10 monologue on “The Late, Late Show.”

If you don’t vote, you’re a moron!

Here’s the monologue. It’s a little long, but well worth it.

As a newly-naturalized citizen of the United States, he does a great job of expressing his outrage and confusion regarding the voting process (or lack thereof) in America. I’ve never been a huge fan of his, until this show.

After his monologue, he kept on going. 🙂 Here’s part 2. Again, well worth the watch.

I’m interested to hear what the rest of you think…