I think I've been pretty even keeled. The country ain't blowing up like a lot of people believe. I want the best for the country and will grant Obama six months or so before I get critical (with the possible exception of his cabinet - Rahm getting picked to be his right hand man is a bad sign). The thing about Obama that people who didn't vote for him need to understand is that he's a decent man. You might not agree with him but you can trust beyond doubt that he's pragmatic and a good man. I am willing to put some confidence in Obama and give him a shot, and in my opinion so should everyone else.

Americans don't and shouldn't care about world opinion when selecting their candidates - we are a sovereign nation. However, nobody should short change or denigrate the opinions of the world. We've lived through eight years where GWB was granted the good will of planet earth, particularly after 9/11, and shortly squandered it. Look, the world *wants* to have confidence in and follow the United States. On the other hand, they don't want to feel marginalized and shut out. We have plenty of admirable and not so admirable qualities, but in the end we are the lone superpower for the time being and we have to be proper stewards. I think all the world is asking of us is to be a decent, fair and just nation. The rhetorical flourishes in Europe regarding Barack Obama have been fascinating. They seem to see it as no less than a rebirth, a recreation, a correction of one of our original sins. I sat and stopped after he tipped 270, and all I wanted to do was listen to what he had to say. Really, for a second I felt like the world stopped... it was time to soak it in a bit and realize that once again in America we've flipped the script. It was a historic and momentous occasion - I only regret that I didn't have the foresight to run out and get a paper, like we did when 9/11 happened.

However, I've been entertained with some (presumably) good-natured ribbing on my MySpace page. I'm not sure if he's being a dick or not, honestly. One of my brother's former co-workers is in Lazlo Hollyfeld, and after the election he drunkenly posted some pictures on my page, which I have to admit entertained me. Not to be outdone though, I bombarded him with the following -







He posted the shittiest little Obama logo - I'd have kept it on my page if it wasn't so small. Afterwords he posted a picture of GWB kissing Cindy McCain at a podium, while John watched. Now, I could go the famous Al Gore/Tipper route on this one - that was the single most uncomfortable embrace by a politician and his wife in American history. He doesn't want to bring a knife to a gun fight - I've got some shocking GWB pictures that are the de facto coup de grace.

All partisanship aside, it is an absolutely amazing achievement. We're witnessing the popular election of the first African-American as the President of the United States and it is something I was hopeful we'd see in our lifetimes but was never sure about. This is America at its grandest.

The last time I wore a Halloween outfit, I went as a boxer with a black eye. I can be a festive person at times but Halloween isn't my thing. I'll be at the parties on the schedule (Paul's and my friend Kevin) without a costume, most likely. That is... unless... I figure something out. I've got all kinds of ideas. The best thing about Halloween, of course, is the free license for women to dress like strippers.



The 70's detective. Ma'am, I'm afraid we're going to have to do a more, how do you say, "private" interrogation...



The bricklayer. Lady - can you find me a place where I can bury my spade?



Julius Caesar. The Emperor always gets what he wants. That is, until he's murdered.



The southern gentleman. Miss, I do declare, your bosom is making this man hunger...

And a few I'd never consider yet think are hilarious.



The Keystone Cop. I see this and I think of Scott Joplin's The Entertainer and bungled police work.

And what might just be the coup de grace....



Lt. Dangle from Reno 911. I won't go here, but I would love anybody that did.

So basically, I'd be interested in anything will allow me to derive a sexual innuendo.

I'm trying to weasel my way back here -









The pacific northwest came back around... and there is a lot to do. I definitely am going to talk my boss into letting me go.

I'm establishing a moratorium on disturbing condiment products such as baconnaise and mayostard. Some things just aren't meant to exist, and the combination of bacon and mayo is one of them. Why is stoner cuisine gaining legitimacy? Look - I understand the novelty, and perhaps the product is good. Nothing, however, will replace the crunch of salty, smoky bacon on a sandwich. I can understand the pull with vegetarians/vegans, but even those people can get the faux bacon. I need crunch with the bacon flavor and can't understand those who might slather an unholy product such as that on a sandwich! Deep down you know it's wrong.

If you are curious about what the pinnacle of mustard production is, please check out this link - - Maille of Paris. This boutique was featured in Andrew Zimmern's Bizarre Foods, on the Travel Channel. Here they pull mustard out of a tap like a pint of stout, except the pint glass is substituted with small earthenware. Any wacky flavor you can imagine has been produced here. They've been at it for over 250 years so you'd think they might have exhausted their flavor options. Personally I'd like to know what mustard tasted like 250 years ago, rather than try a lavender or thai spice mustard. Are you are jerk at this store if you buy "original flavor?"