last I wrote was the day before the election. I am thrilled that Obama got in. I don’t know what it is but there is something special about that guy and I put a lot of hope that he can really make a good difference.
I watched the rise of Obama in Illinois politics in almost a magical way, almost like fate paved the way for him to get to this point.
When Barack was running for Illinois senate, the Democratic front runner (Blair Hull) got tangled up in an ex-wife scandal, something like she accused him of beating her. He resigned which put Barack in the front runner seat.
It didn’t matter because the Republican senate candidate was favored to win the whole thing anyway. Then an ex-wife scandal took him down too! The thing is I don’t think his scandal (ex-wife actress Geri Ryan said he took her to kinky clubs against her will when they were married) would of derailed his victory to the senate. Judy Barr-Topinka, the state Rep leader, did that on her own when she strong armed him to resign. He gave up a good fight but eventually resigned. Then in another bonehead move by Judy, she pulled the ultra conservative radical Allen Keys over from Baltimore to run for Illinois senate. What a freaking nut job he is.
Obviously it didn’t work because Obama won the seat which opened up the opportunity for him to give that fateful keynote address at the Democratic convention that turned him into a rock star and the rest is history. The dude is president!
While we watched the election returns that night, a weird thing happened. We turned the channel to CBS to see what they were doing. Obama was on his way to winning but was still short delegates when the channel automatically changed to NBC. Me and RAW just looked at each other wondering why the channel changed when I said look at the TV! They were showing the graphic that said “Barack Obama – President Elect”. He won! What just happened? California and their 55 delegates just got counted which took him over the edge. It was just bizarre that the TV turned its channel right at the pivotal moment.
Now the real work begins. What a scary world we live in. I have confidence that if anyone can turn this ship around it would be Obama.
The other morning while waking up with news radio, they kept throwing the “depression” word around. It put me under a dark cloud all morning as I pictured everyone in bread lines and trying to sell apples on the street for pennies—gloom and doom.
Today I got my 401K statement. I won’t open it, I don’t want to know, it will be too painful. I made the decision to keep things the way they are as opposed to others pull their out to put them in safer places. I eventually has to go back up doesn’t it? I am just going to sit tight and be glad I don’t plan on retiring for awhile.
Other then that we haven’t been directly affected. Just as long as the job holds out we should be good. Scary though with all the horrible economic news that some of that could trickle down to me. Abbott is doing pretty good and their stocks has been staying pretty steady through the roller coaster of Wall Street. Interesting tidbit, Abbott first went public on the stock exchange in 1929,
Now on to the frivolous part of my blather…
It is that time of year for profit sharing checks and the fun of figuring out what to spend it on. First and foremost I need a new computer monitor. This one is at least 7 years old and it is waving around. I think I finally decided on an Apple Cinema screen. I will hit the Apple store next week and see if I should stick with a 20″ or get a 23″. We are talking $200 difference for 3″.
Now next I want new TVs. Here I am feeling frivolous. There isn’t anything wrong with our two TVs right now. The living room TV is 10 years old and could go south any time but it is still good. Because of the economy and the fact I have some $$$, this is the best time to buy something new. In the computer room, the TV there is only a few years old but it is obvious how bulky it is and in my quest of remaking this room (I paint a wall tomorrow LOL) I would love something slimmer and lighter to help lighten the room up. But really can I justify replacing two perfectly good TVs? Oddly enough, I am the only one in my family that doesn’t have a flat screen TV. Pam and Cindy have big ones, frugal Paula has 2 small ones and even dad has 2 new ones (their main TV is still old style)
Ok, I still have some money left even after a flat screen monitor and 2 flat screen TVs. I am Jonesen for a new camera. Canon came out with their 50D. My 20D is 4 years old but like the TVs, is working just fine. Why do I need a new camera really. Actually this would be a no brainer if I shot like I use to and if the 50D shined in reviews. Because it is a 15 megapixel beast on a crop sensor I am afraid it is noisier at higher ISOs and low light then the 40D. That is a big turn off for me. I could go for a 40D instead since they are going cheap now but they are only 10 megapixels, only 2 more then my 20D. If I can get me a 12 that would be ideal. I could go for a 5D which is a full frame sensor but the new ones are about to come out which will be way over my budget and the old ones are just plain old (but they are 12 megapixels) and still more then I want to spend. I don’t know. I am wasting too much time researching flat screens and camera.
What I should do is put the money under my mattress for the coming depression.