say it isn't so ...

... it's happening$&!!#$!! i thought i could resist, but i believe i'm falling victim to the power of the crack - the "crackberry" that is. it's SO addictive - from reading the paper on the bus in the morning to having a pavlovian response to the sound of the "you have a message" buzzing, i'm hooked! and it's only been four days!

pride cometh before ...

i'm a little worried about obama. seems like he's taking the whole "presumptive nominee" to a new level. i understand that a lot of this is perspective and the spin that's spun by the 4th estate, but really i'm worried that many people may not see past the opinions of the pundits and begin to wonder if this guy isn't just too full of himself. i'm worried about what will happen if the conversations in the local diners and supermarkets switch from what is best for the future of the people of this country to "who the hell does this guy think he is? maybe he's not one of us or he doesn't and won't represent my interests." i worry that those in the inner-circle are riding the wave of celebrity and not having the "hey wait!" conversations.

so obama, in the absence of jeremiah wright, i remind you - "a person's pride will humiliate him or her, but a humble spirit gains honor."

my blogging funk ...

... no, not that kind of funk and certainly not the funk that grows between your toes. i'm talking about a full-on, i'm-on-the-computer-all-day, i-just-don't-feel-like-thinking-or-typing-when-i-get-home kind of funk.

i'm hoping that i'll soon come across a topic that inspires, but until then ...

(maybe tomorrow when i get my blackberry - the 21st century version of the deputy badge!)

the center of concern

while i toil in the apex of bureaucracy, my partner is raising awareness of domestic and international economic development issues at the center of concern. coc is truly an amazing organization and i'll let you explore their site and figure that out for yourself.

the focus of this post is three new public awareness videos that they've released recently. produced PRO BONO by a top-notch pr/marketing firm (yes, there are some in the private sector with their efforts in the right place), the spots are quite compelling. take a look and let me know what you think - better yet, pass them on to your friends so we all can begin to think about how we can affect change in the world in which we live ...

will you answer the door?



next time you take a bite out of one of these ...



light bulb

surf bagel

another example of all that is right with the world.

more city living ...

... i've previously shared some insights into city living, but failed to mention that there will be trash - and lots of it. wrappers, chicken bones, empty cans and bottles, and bags end up on the streets. most of it belongs in the garbage can, but some pieces are better used as landscaping accents. case in point, discarded bottles make a perfect garden border. i bring you our version of recycling ...

hello kettle, it's the pot calling ... part deux

could it be that I'M a hypocrite? you decide ...

the 4th of july in our neighborhood is a little out of control. the fireworks displays rival those on the mall. the one problem is that some of the pyrotechnicians are just learning their craft and are not all that accurate with their placement. simple translation - make sure your home owners insurance is up-to-date when children under 10 are armed with lighters and projectile explosives. this is no joke! we actually came home early from a party last night just to make sure we would be able to give the police a full description of the delinquent that burned down our house. but, alas it never came to pass.

in fact, it was just the opposite! we were treated to a dazzling display safely staged one block away. so, instead of calling the police to report the illegal activity, we took pictures! take a look ...

riding the bus

i love riding the metro bus. it's cheaper than the train ($1.25 per trip with a smartrip), it's convenient (one bus takes me from my house - two doors down - to the side of my office building), you don't have to deal with tourists, and some of my fellow riders are a trip.

case in point, darlene and her mother. darlene (maybe in her 50s) and her mother (pushing 80) are always dressed for church (complete with ornate specimens of millinery atop their domes), always in crisis and always sitting at least 5 rows apart while discussing their latest calamity. i first met darlene and her mother when they were attempting to determine whose feet were more rank (darlene took the prize. in fact, the mother makes darlene wash her feet before entering the house.)

in today's episode: darlene and her mother can't find their keys. the keys were supposedly in the purse. darlene had the purse, but her mother was directing the search from 5 rows behind. darlene announces that she "hears" the keys, but can't see them so she begins to remove the items that are blocking her view. they include: a wallet, kleenex, lipstick, a jumbo pack of double-stuffed oreos, and the culprit - an enormous pair of hot pink underware.

the benefits of using the common spelling

i have not always been the flipflop fed. on my way to the acme of bureaucracy, i've served stints as the flipflop doorman, the flipflop video store clerk (back in the day of the betamax no less!), the flipflop tutor, the flipflop receptionist, and the flipflop middle school teacher. it was during that adventure that i learned that names need not adhere to any commonly accepted spelling. for example, nicole (or nichole) is much more exotic when spelled

K N E K O L.

so of course i read this story with great interest. the lesson? unique spelling is okay, but stop short of the drag queen spelling if you want to keep your secret.