Obamalution

Over the last 7 years (well, more like 6.5 -- since September 11, 2001) I have been wondering why we Americans are not out in the streets demanding change. Well, this past weekend and tonight give me hope that real change is coming. Not just change in what we are doing but change in how we accomplish making different policies. It struck me several weeks ago that the difference in the type of change Obama puts forth and that of Clinton is that Obama wants to change the system.

WE NEED SYSTEMIC CHANGE!

I had the privilege of standing outside today in the freezing weather to campaign for Obama. There were one or two poorly informed people who believe Obama is a Muslim. He is, in fact, a Christian (a member of the United Church of Christ, I believe). But there were Republicans who glowed as they told me they were voting for a democrat for the first time and a black man who almost skipped into the polling site he was so happy (and all this in a quite conservative county of Virginia).

I hope Patrick grows up in a world where every little girl and boy, regardless of the color of their skin, the sexuality, their religion, etc., knows that they can be President. That will be worth the fact that my toes still haven't thawed out today.

First Sentence

I was hoping that Patrick would have a cute first sentence. Something nice having to do with how much he loves his mommy, daddy, or puppy (or even his piggy), but no. According to his teachers, there were two moments last week when people came into his classroom and he turned around and clearly said, "Get out!" Can you say ATTITUDE?

We are home and the car trip to Texas really wasn't bad. Patrick is a good baby. I also think Jakers, Sesame Street Old School, and Charlotte's Web DVDs had something to do with it. We made each way in just under two days. Impressive with a toddler.

In other news, Jesse starts his new job on March 3rd. He will be working on the housing crisis, among other things, at OFHEO (Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight -- man, way too many words!).