Even Presidents Should Have Fun Once in a While (4-25-2012)

Every time Obama has a beer, goes to a game, watches sportscenter, eats something or slow jams the news the other side has to criticize him and say things like "maybe he should spend more time finding people jobs or maybe spend more time doing his". Really? Really? The guy's got one of the toughest jobs in the world working crazy hours for an ungrateful group of people who have the attention spans and long term memory of goldfish and because of whose actions and lifestyle decisions the f****n Kardashians just got a 3 year $40 million extension. I swear this nation is full of spoiled hypocrites and haters. If it was their guy having pictures taken eating a burger somewhere they'd talk about how hard a job he has and that it's nice that the President gets to unwind once in a while. The president deserves a burger and a beer every night! Most of us don't work nearly as hard at such an impossible job and we stuff our fat faces every chance we get! Sometimes I think Republicans just like to complain about everything and anything until they are given what they want. Did I mention how I think we are spoiled in this country? In America, when people work long and hard at a tough job they tend to value their downtime. If you had the ability to spend yours on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon or at a baseball/basketball/hockey game, you know you'd do it.



You know I find it amazing that anyone other than an evil prick with a selfish agenda would want to get into politics with all the negativity and cynicism floating around. What does anyone stand to "gain" by getting into politics? Helping people? Maybe helping themselves and their buddies. Does anyone really, honestly think that any of these Republican candidates give a crap about poor and middle class people? About minorities? I just watched a 2 minute clip put forth by the Republicans making fun of Obama for appearing on a talk show while Romney went on talking about how he understands our frustration about the economy and the lack of jobs. Is he just saying what people want to hear? You're damn right he is! These guys aren't bringing in any jobs. They've spent the last 3 years tearing down every attempt Obama's tried to make to bring jobs and then criticizing him for not being able to deliver any. That, my friends is called “nerve”. Their idea of a healthy economy is letting the rich get richer, you know because they are the “job creators”. The rich are currently richer than ever right now… how’s that working out for the rest of us?



Over the next few months leading up to this election ol' Mitt will try to convince just over half of voting Americans that he's a regular guy who understands the common person. He'll try to convince us he truly understands our plight living check to check, job to job and living in debt. He’ll try to connect with the 99% despite being a proud, card carrying member of the 1%. Oh he'll try but anyone with half a brain will see through this. Unfortunately there is a large portion of America working on less than half a brain these days. People, Mitt isn't one of us. The man just put an elevator in his house... for his cars! He's not one of us, never has been and doesn't understand us which translated means, he will NOT be willing or able to fix our problems. Even if he had a tremendous change of heart and decided to be a selfless public servant, he wouldn't know how or where to begin. So he'll tear down Obama all he can and talk about how he has the answers. I have no doubt over the next few months we'll see Romney on any talk show, news show and in/on every public appearance he can find all the while attacking Obama for doing the same. It’s their way.



Has anyone noticed how gray Obama and other modern Presidents' hair has gotten during such a short period of time in office? What does this tell us? It’s a stressful gig. If anyone deserves to cut loose and have fun once in a while, it's the POTUS. So Barack should take in a game, a show or a drink every now and then. I think he’s earned it. He should come out this weekend and join me at the Battle at Buffalo. The battle can be a little lengthy but boy is it fun... and positive, something I’m sure he’d appreciate given the political climate in Washington. Besides it’s on Saturday night which perhaps the public won’t criticize so him so hard for. By the way, for those of you who may have forgotten, he hasn't even come close to vacationing or enjoying downtime as much as his predecessor did. I’m just sayin.

And if you do ever come around this way sir, the Guinness is on me!

2 Halves, 2 Hearts (4-18-2012)

When I’m quiet and stoic I’m like my dad. When I’m rambling, babbling and talking up a storm I’m like my mom. When I’m cold and distant I’m like my father. When I’m warm and when I care too much I’m like my mother. This is the story of two people, very different yet united by marriage and united within me. I have my father’s fiery temper yet it’s not quite as explosive as his was. Very few people see it. I have my mother’s propensity to stress over everything in my life and my friends' lives, except maybe it’s taken down a notch. Very few people see it. I have my father’s steely gaze and my mom’s big mouth and somehow it all fits. Lots of turmoil and anxiety manifests within yet there is also a simplicity and peace. One side takes control every now and then but eventually they balance themselves out. I am my mother, my father and I am Edwin. As improbable a journey as this has been, I never forget to enjoy the ride.   

Serendipity (4-6-2012)

This morning I realized I was far behind on my laundry. I didn't have any slacks to wear to work today. I started looking for sweats and track pants or some alternative and all those were dirty too. So I thought, well I can wear shorts or one of two pairs of these brand new dress pants I have. I really didn't want to wear the dress pants but it's way too chilly today for shorts so I went into the dresser drawer where the pants are and saw something I hadn't even thought about in a long time... several pairs of old jeans. I thought, oh wouldn't it be great if I could fit into those again. Then the thought hit me, why not try on a pair and see. I hadn't tried any of them on since last spring and haven't actually worn any of them in over a year. Last time I tried I could barely pull them up my legs and after I did, my stomach had gotten too big to even come close to closing them! So I grab a pair and start to slide them on one leg at a time. While doing this I began to warm up inside because as the first leg went in I thought it felt a bit loose and then when the second went in I became very optimistic. My legs fit into them with room to spare! I grab either side of the zipper and bring them together. They come together easily, naturally with no pulling, no sucking in my belly, no laying flat on anything. They closed with no effort. I smiled and thought, well maybe I can do laundry tomorrow.