W. T. F. ?!

Ok, now I understand that there are some pretty vast differences between Americans around the country.  But there are a few things that, despite my best efforts, I just can't understand or even justify with any kind of rational reasoning.  This morning, while I was doing some research for grad school, I heard John McCain speaking in rural Pennsylvania.  His speech included the usual attacks on Obama's tax policy and how Joe the plumber will suffer after he buys a business (HA!).  None of this bothers me to the point of anger, it's an economic strategy that he seems to truly believe in, even though I was under the impression that trickle down economics has been proven not to work over and over.  None of what I heard in his stump speech frightened me or threw me for a loop, it was all pretty standard Republican doctrine that I certainly don't agree with, but hey, America has made it through decades of this doctrine and still managed to survive (managed to survive sometimes in spite of our own policies, but hey we're still here right?).  What really got me was something I saw just behind Senator McCain, in the crowd.

There was someone in the crowd, just behind the podium, holding up a large sign that read "PA Residents for Guns & Religion."  I think I've made it clear that I do not agree with what has become of organized religion.  Spirituality, to me, is a very personal part of my life that does not require validation from an outside authority.  I do, however, feel that I have a pretty good understanding of religion (at least Catholicism), I attended CCD, I have completed the holy sacraments up to Confirmation, let's just say I have put in my time as a practicing Catholic.  No where in my Christian education was I taught that next to my rosary, I should have an H&K MP-5 .  In fact, if I'm not mistaken, they have nothing to do with each other (except that guns are used to kill people in the name of religion as long as there have been guns).  

All I can say in response to that sign is that it is a perfect example of the major problems I have with politics in America.  Where elections are not won through offering solutions to real, pressing issues, rather they get over run with things like gun control, abortion, and what creed the candidate subscribes to.  Which don't really matter when the economy, in today's case, the world economy, is going down the pipe.  I don't care how important abortion law might seem to you, if you don't have a job and can't buy food, all of a sudden it's going to take a back seat to the economy.

I'd like to post a comment made by Bill Maher on Larry King Live.  Perhaps it will stir some conversation.  I'm not sure of the validity of the statement, but I certainly get the feeling that he's on to something when I think about the past presidential elections I've witnessed and some that I have only read about.

"Look, I think what's sad is that apparently in this country, the only way we can ever elect a Democrat is if there's an absolute and utter calamity that happens.  And then people kind of get it through their heads, oh, you know what, maybe this time we don't elect a guy we want to have a beer with.  Maybe we have to get serious.  We might have to even, oh, heaven forbid, vote for the black guy."

Chicago Marathon

I wanted to mention the Chicago Marathon on my blog because I always find it to be an experience that showcases the best things about our city and its people.

I woke up early Sunday morning, well earlier than I would have liked, after a night which was best summed up by my first beverage of the evening entitled "The Behemoth."  Needless to say, I was... tired.  I, slowly, made my way out of my apartment and down to Taylor street where the faster runners were just passing by.  As I made my way down the block toward our neighborhood Starbucks for a nice, warm latte the flow of runners began to increase in density.  I walked passed the water stop where high school cross country runners, their coaches and parents, and some committed members of the running community were busy bracing for the swarm of thirsty bodies that were bearing down on the Taylor Street oasis.  I made it to Starbucks and, still not quite awake, stumbled awkwardly over my order, "medium, uhh grande? is it?, latte... ohh and uhhh no foam...please."  I think that sentence took a good 45 seconds to choke out, at which time the, very patient, woman taking my order replied, "Grande latte, no foam?"  I was able to get my act together enough to shut my mouth and start nodding my head.  Due to the forty nine or so people working at Starbucks that day, I had my order in less time than it took me to place it.

Feeling slightly more awake after a few sips from my delicious latte, I stepped outside to see the four hour pacers running by.  The sea of runners thickened a great deal since I entered the coffee shop and so had the crowds on the streets.  I picked a spot just behind the bike lane line and next to a stroller, knowing that it would be something not likely to be moved and that I could see over.  What I heard for the next hour or so was what makes me enjoy watching the marathon so much.

Nothing but smiles lined Taylor Street to greet the runners as they passed by the crowded side walks.  Several people run the marathon with their names written on their clothes, and people along the way shout out their name and yell for them to keep going and that they are doing well.  These are people who have never seen each other before and are unconditionally in support of each other on this one day of the year.

When Christmas time comes along we talk about "good will toward men," but the time of the year when this phrase is truly upheld is out in the streets during the marathon.  So inspiring was the feeling among the runners and the crowds egging them on that every time I stand by them, I feel like joining them, sometimes I even think that it might be a good idea to train and run next year, even though I really have no interest in running a marathon.  

When I was out there I heard my mother's voice in my head when I began to think "there is such a positive feeling in the air right now."  I had to laugh at myself because the voice in my head that was speaking the thoughts I, myself, was having, was more of a version of my brother's impression of my mom's voice than her voice itself.  After I had my own personal chuckle that I think I was able to hide behind the vail of my sunglasses and the smile I already had plastered on my face, I got back to watching the runners as they shuffled by along the street.

Besides the feeling of positive energy exuding from the crowd, my other favorite part of the marathon is watching all the beautiful bodies as they do what they have been training to do for the last several months, run (well sometimes shuffle, walk, stumble, and I know I saw a woman doing something that best resembled trying to walk with flippers on).  But seriously, it's not often that one stumbles to Starbucks in the morning and is greeted by tens of thousands of happy and, for the most part, good looking people parading down the street, not to mention a hearty dose of good vibs!

This week is turning out to be one best described by the old saying "it's time to put your money where your mouth is."  It seems like it happened all at once.  Mom called and informed me that, in the mail I received my acceptance letter from NIU to enroll as a Student at Large (which by the way is nothing to celebrate because it just means that I can now begin paying them money to take classes toward a degree I will have to apply and be accepted to later), my book of 501 Spanish verbs, and my GRE test prep book, and my own copy of The Unbearable Lightness of Being, which I have still not finished.  On top of this I have finally received phone calls back from two schools that I have been trying to get in touch with for recruiting purposes for over a week now.  It seems the magic number of phone calls, with messages, to get a response is twelve, plus one unannounced visit in person.  More importantly, however, the most promising of them is UIC College Prep, a Noble Street Charter school affiliated with, you guessed it, UIC and focused on health sciences.  So what this all means is that I have some real work to do in the next few weeks if I am going to hold to my goals I stated in an earlier post.  

As a post script, I ordered all those books from thriftbooks.com and paid just under fifteen bucks with shipping.  They are used, but it's a pretty sweet deal as I found a ton of books for, literally, one penny.  Check it out.