Sleep Weather

Its so dreary outside. I don't mind rainy days, so long as there is an interval of sunlight. Today's weather is just cloudy, windy and wet. The grey outside my window was so depressing that I responded by painting my nails red.

As usual, I am prolonging studying. I can't believe the quarter is over. My first final is next Thursday!

I know I've been lazy with my blog posts, i.e. inserting videos and commentary by others instead of my own words but I can't help sharing things that are particularly thought-provoking. Hence, the following post written by a classmate on the election.

*edit: my sis tells me that the following excerpt has been circulating the net. so i gave my classmate a bit too much credit haha...glad he posted it on his fb.

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What if things were reversed?

What if the Obamas had paraded five children across the stage, including a three month old infant and an unwed, pregnant teenage daughter?

What if, instead of being president of the Harvard Law Review, Barack Obama finished fifth from the bottom of his graduating class?

What if McCain had only married once, and Obama was a divorcee?

What if Obama was the candidate who left his first wife after a severe disfiguring car accident, when she no longer measured up to his standards?

What if Obama had met his second wife in a bar and had a long affair while he was still married?

What if Michelle Obama was the wife who not only became addicted to pain killers but also acquired them illegally through her charitable organization?

What if Obama had been a member of the Keating Five?
(The Keating Five were five United States Senators accused of corruption in 1989, igniting a major political scandal as part of the larger Savings and Loan crisis of the late 1980s and early 1990s.)

What if Obama couldn't read from a teleprompter?

What if Obama was the one who had military experience that included discipline problems and a record of crashing seven planes? And was never given a command position.

What if Obama was the one who was known to display publicly, on many occasions, a serious anger management problem?

What if Michelle Obama's family had made their money from beer distribution?

What if the Obamas had adopted a white child?
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Its something to think about. The election and the stories that have spawned from it grow increasingly bizarre (evidenced by this ridiculous hoax) and distracting. I hope that come election day, people will vote early and in great numbers. Its amazing enough to be living and breathing during this unique moment in our country's history. I can't wait 'til Nov. 4.

NO WONDER!

I knew that Bob Fosse inspired dance wasn't unintentional!

Apparently, Beyonce got the concept from this video. The original song is called Mexican Breakfast, and the main dancer is Gwen Verdon.

Naturally, being the dork that I am led me to discover this reworked video by a YouTube user far more entertaining than the original's 60's elevator-Brady Bunch harmony.

Yenjoy!

B'Day Part Deux

Beyonce is a motivational singer. I don't care how vapid the lyrics are, the music compels you to DANCE.

She's dropping her album in November. This is one of the upcoming singles. Think "Get Me Bodied" but less flashier. She's busting out some moves that are bordering Bob Fosse and jazz hands.

Nevertheless, she is so fly~~~

Tony the Tiger where art thou?

Why must I only be surrounded by exclusively organic, overpriced, vegan-elite grocery stores?

Grocery shopping is hard when it's done on foot. I wouldn't mind hauling bags back if the products purchased were worth the trek. Whole Foods constantly tests my patience. Every time I take a chance on an item that is affordable, I wind up disappointed. Said item this time was a can of [vegetarian] chili. I opened it up this afternoon and it smelled like Ragu. It tasted like vomit. Waste of a $1.50. Also, apples should not cost $2.99 a pound! I don't care how free of pesticides it is.

Trader Joes is considerably better, but also farther. Still, it's frustrating to walk up and down aisles hoping in vain for some good old processed food. Or at least food with some kind of brand association. I'm tired of "Puffins" and "Fiber Bran." Ugh. Kashi is getting more and more appealing. Can't a girl get some Frosted Flakes? Cheerios?

I shouldn't be complaining. Millions of people in the world starve everyday. There are people in my neighborhood who are desperately homeless.

Come to think of it, there are some really delicious items at both WF and TJs that are worth the value.

Whole Foods:
-The Black Bean Adobe Soup is hearty and filling. You get about 5 servings in a container for $6.
-Roasted Pumpkin Seeds (aka Pepitas). I love pumpkins so its no surprise that this nutty snack makes the list. I think a 4oz pack is around $5

Trader Joes:
-Morningstar Buffalo Chik'n Nuggets - Tastes just like chicken, but is actually soy based. Normally I find fake meats very unsavory. But if you bake these nuggets on a cookie sheet they come out really crispy and tender with a little bit of spice/tang. A 10.5 oz box (about 18 nuggets) is $3.99
-Wide variety of breads that are very reasonably priced ($2.99 or less), including artisan breads
-Wide variety of hummus (prices range but the last one I bought was about $2.00 and lasted for a week)
-The fruits are cheaper than WF AND organic. An apple tote bag (about 10 apples) was $3
-Pad Thai in a carton is $1.99 and great for lunch
-Lettuce and veggie trays are all moderately priced

So I guess it's not so bad, except there are some basic staples that have been omitted because they're ridiculously expensive.

Oh wells. Enough of my food rant. Off to bed.

October Surprise?

I'm not sure how to feel right now. The world economy is collapsing and yet somehow I believe I must be unaffected because neither my family nor I are invested in the market.

An extremely naive conclusion, I know. We are all connected in this stupid money network through student loans, credit cards, mortgages etc. Modifying one's spending is really difficult - especially when it comes to buying necessities. But this credit crunch is making me think twice before pulling out my Mastercard. One would have hoped a similar kind of caution would have coursed through the veins of executives at AIG.

Are we headed towards Great Depression II? God only knows. But I do believe that fear and panic make the whole situation worse, and the news media doesn't really help either. Their passive-aggressive behavior ("The economy is dead!" "No, it's all in everyone's heads. Stay optimistic!") is aggravating.

Barack Obama is coming to Philly tomorrow for a series of rallies. I'm hoping I can get into one. Otherwise, I'll have to turn to FDR's fireside chats for some encouragement.