“There is not a liberal America, or a conservative America. There is the United States of America.”

These are interesting times. I’m not sure how many of you are following what’s been going on in the political arena these days, but the Democratic Party will be nominating either a woman or an African-Amercan as their candidate for President of the United States in the next election. Read that again. We are on the verge of something truly historic, and I for one have been tuned in and on the edge of my seat for months watching the Democratic Primaries drama play out. I’m telling you, this is better than any soap opera. This is a moment pregnant with potential, the signal of a radical shift in the trajectory of this nation. A trajectory that, in my opinion, desperately needs to be changed.

This seems to be the season of endorsements (earlier this week, several members of the Kennedy clan came out with a major endorsement), so I figured it was time for me to weigh in on the blog in support of my candidate. On February 5th, aka Super Tuesday, I will be casting my vote for Senator Barack Obama.

On June 12, 2007, I attended a fundraiser for Senator Obama in San Francisco and had the opportunity to hear him speak for the first time. To quote the cheesiest of all cheesy lines, the Senator, literally, had me from hello. His energy, in person, is like nothing I’ve ever experienced from a political leader. His idealism is so refreshing. His passion and enthusiasm, infectious. He exudes sincerity and integrity. He has the power to inspire hope in the most jaded of people (myself included), and he makes you believe in the possibility of a better future, a better world.

I left Ruby Skye that night with a very strong feeling that there was something very “special” about this man. I immediately got my hands on Barack’s memoir, Dreams from My Father, and was totally won over by his candor, courage, and willingness to really “put himself out there” by giving people a glimpse into his life and struggles with identity. I felt an instant kinship with him in his journey to find his place in the world, as the stories he told mirrored so many of my own narratives. I suspect many people–black, white, or other– could find something in his life story that they could relate to.

What inspires me most about Senator Obama is that he is a visionary. He’s not afraid to dream, and he believes that dreams can become reality. As he’s fond of saying, he’s living proof that you can go a long way on dreams and hope. And he believes in the possibility of people coming together to enact CHANGE. He is so evocative of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. or JFK in that way. He believes the people can take back this country, that the government should be held accountable, and he’s ready to lead the way. Barack Obama, more than any other candidate, stands for truth, and the American public deserves to be told the truth by the people we trust to lead us.

The biggest concern people have about Barack’s viability as a candidate is his lack of “experience.” But I would like to point out that every President relies heavily on his Cabinet and advisors to, well, advise him. So as long as we trust that Senator Obama is smart enough to surround himself with the right people, what we really need to examine is the integrity and intelligence he brings to the decision-making process. Barack is pro-communication. He gathers information so he can make thoughtful, informed decisions. He listens to people. He seeks to find the common ground, because he understands that, deep down, we all want the same thing. Having lived abroad, he gets that the United States is not the Center of the Universe. I believe what he brings to table as a diplomatic leader makes him uniquely qualified to deal with some of the challenges we face in terms of foreign relations. He really wants to heal our world. That’s gotta be better than a leader who tries to get peace by bombing the shit out of everyone.

Folks criticize Barack for being “naive”, or spin his youthful idealism as a negative characteristic, but I am living proof of Obama’s supernatural ability to inspire hope and enact change. After the 2004 election, I was ready to pack up and move to Canada, so fed up with American politics, the Bush administration, and the scary, scary path our leaders had put us on. I was resigned to the fact that we were just doomed, and I didn’t believe for a second that the jaded, apathetic masses could be mobilized to do anything to battle the forces of greed and corruption. But Barack Obama changed all that. For the first time, I feel hope that things can change for the better. That our nation can rise above the superficial differences that divide us (like color or gender), and get on the same page to work towards a common goal. Like taking care of our planet and addressing global warming. Or world peace. Cause as human beings, we are about to have bigger problems than these petty squabbles and pointless wars. We need to wake up already, before it’s too late.

I respect everyone’s right to support the candidate of their choice, and many people I love will be casting votes very differently from me come election day (that’s okay–I still love ya 🙂 But I feel very passionately about my candidate, and wanted to make sure I did my part to add energy to the Obama movement, the movement for Change. But don’t just take my word for it. Educate yourself. Read Barack’s candid and moving autobiography, or his other book, The Audacity of Hope. Visit his official website and read about his stance on the issues. Read about him on Wikipedia. Check him out on myspace. Listen to his victory speeches in Iowa or South Carolina on youtube. If you have the opportunity to hear him speak in your hometown or a nearby city, GO. And if he manages to win you over, as he did with me, do your part and spread the word…

Generation Obama in the House!!! WE WANT CHANGE!!!

Today I learned the news of the tragic and untimely death of one of my generation’s most talented actors, Heath Ledger. I didn’t know him personally, of course, but for some reason, I am reacting to the news as if he was a friend of mine. I am deeply saddened, outraged, and in an odd state of mourning over this man I never knew. I swear, I haven’t felt this way about a celebrity’s passing since Aaliyah died in August of 2001…

Heath Ledger first won my heart in the critically acclaimed and stunningly beautiful “Brokeback Mountain.” Heath took a character most actors wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole (straight men and their freakin’ homophobia), and turned out a touching, complex, Oscar-worthy performance. Heath had me in awe throughout the entire movie, and you could just tell there would be great things to come from this young man. With an on-screen aura and individuality that reminded me of Leo DiCaprio or Johnny Depp, there was nothing cookie cutter or pretty boy about him. He was my kind of celebrity–complicated, a bit reclusive, and totally down-to-earth. He wasn’t trying to be all “Hollywood”, he just wanted to make good movies, and I really respected that about him. Almost as much as I respected and admired the way he loved his daughter and cherished being a father to her.

In my distress, I feel compelled to do some venting about something that has been bothering me for some time. I don’t give a fudge about the supposed ‘freedom of press’ — something needs to be done about the media and the goddamn paparazzi. Seriously. Individuals have a right to privacy, and I don’t think the media should be able to violate those rights just to get a scoop or a story. What these vultures have been doing to cover the Ledgers story all day in the name of “news” is inhumane, disgusting and quite frankly, making me sick to my stomach.

The news of Heath Ledger’s death broke around 2pm PT today, roughly three hours after his body was found. Immediately the media was camped outside of his apartment, trying to get the “story”, reporting uncorroborated facts, starting hurtful rumors, speculating on the cause of death, and trying to get photos and video of his body being removed from the premises. Disgusting, absolutely disgusting. These people have no respect for the dead, OR his poor family, who found out about their son’s death on television before they could even be properly notified by the police. Can you imagine?!?! And as if the shock and trauma of his death wasn’t enough, they had to contend with false media reports implying that it might have been suicide or drug-related? This is the most irresponsible journalism I’ve ever seen. Are any of those idiots medical examiners or police detectives? Then shut the fuck up already and leave the investigation to the professionals!

It’s the same thing with the treatment of Britney Spears. The way the paparazzi swarm around her, so quick to publicize her every slip up and unflattering moment, its almost as if they want to drive her to an early grave because it will sell more papers. As a matter of fact, the Associated Press has already written Britney’s obituary, which I find to be totally disturbing. The girl needs help, not to be stalked by people who can’t wait to profit off her death. Seriously, what is wrong with people?

I realize part of this is the fault of the consumer. We live in such a media-saturated, celebrity-obsessed world that people have gotten used to these voyeuristic glimpses into stars’ lives, and paparazzos wouldn’t have jobs if people didn’t devour tabloids like potato salad at a picnic. But I’m becoming increasingly troubled by the degree to which people think they are entitled to know things about other people’s lives that are just none of their business. Celebrities are people, just like you and I, and they are entitled to a degree of privacy. Am I curious as to what killed Heath Ledger? Of course I am. But I can wait until an autopsy is performed and information released, IF the family chooses to release such information. I don’t need the minute-by-minute, play-by-play of each development, or wild, sensationalist speculation tarnishing his good name. What if his daughter was old enough to understand what was going on? How would it affect and traumatize her to read the false reports that her father committed suicide? How does that help her in her time of intense grief? The pop culture machine is out of control and I’m tired of this crude and insensitive coverage that does nothing to respect the dead, or the living for that matter. It makes me wanna charter a Hummer, find a field of paparazzi, and mow every last one of them down. Sick bastards.

The worst part about all this is Heath’s well-documented disdain for the paparazzi and the way he guarded his privacy in life. He would probably be most disturbed, if not downright furious, by the media circus that has erupted around his death. This irresponsible coverage does not honor him at all, and I wish they would just let him rest in peace already…

My prayers go out to his family, friends, and all who loved him… His light and energy will be missed.

R.I.P. Heath Ledger
April 4, 1979 – January 22, 2008

Well I’m a little late on wishing everyone a “Happy New Year” (or Merry Christmakkuh for that matter), but you know what they say, time flies when you’re having fun. 🙂 Actually, toward the end of 2007, I found myself suffering from a bout of blog fatigue… For reasons I haven’t quite figured out, I just lost interest in blogging. Not that I didn’t have anything to say, or adventures to report, but I guess my focus was elsewhere… I was also ridiculously busy, barely in one place for more than six days at a time (long-distance love has its challenges, lol). But its a New Year, and the great thing about a New Year is it gives you an opportunity to readjust your focus. I definitely have my sights set high for 2008, and there are big plans in the making. But before we get to that, a little bit of reflection…

Before I started this blog entry, I dug into the archives and pulled up the post I wrote on January 1, 2007. It was very interesting to see how close I came to meeting all the goals I set for myself, how prophetic I was in some areas. It reminded me of how much I love this blog, how nice it is to be able to look back on my life, to truly appreciate how far I’ve come in this journey of mine…

2007 was an incredible year. I was able to continue my quest for nonstop travel, and had some amazing journeys to Hawaii, New York, Big Bear, and of course, VEGAS . I found my next (and possibly last) great love, and we built a solid and functional partnership that enriches my life in so many ways. I watched my crystal children blossom and grow (Pono & Ola, Isabel, and Devin), welcomed more babies (Vincent, Sofia, and Jaelah), and began to prepare myself mentally and physically for my own turn at motherhood. Many reunions with long lost loved ones, and the deepening of existing bonds. I also finished my second book (more on that later), and launched a lifestyle makeover that has me exercising and eating healthier.

If I had to select a phrase or slogan describe the theme of the past year, I think it would be “Creating the Life I Want”. In 2007, I experienced a spiritual re-awakening triggered by The Secret that turned me on to the idea of people being able to manifest their dreams and desires through focused visualization (more on that later as well). I played with this concept relentlessly in 2007, and have manifested some pretty amazing things (like my dream truck!). I’ve been perfecting my technique and I have a feeling 2008 is going to be an even more magical year than the last… Stay tuned!

My apologies to everyone that’s been waiting (oh-so-patiently 🙂 for me to upload my wedding pictures… Faby and Mark’s wedding day came and went without a hitch, and I have to say, it was one of the most beautiful weddings I’ve ever been to. I’ve never been a big fan of “weddings”, but when the two people are so obviously in love, and so obviously made for each other, its hard not to get swept up in all the joy and giddiness. It was a truly beautiful event, with the most stunningly beautiful bride, and I can’t even tell you how honored I am to have been a part of the forging of this blessed union.

Special shouts go out to my fellow bridesmaids for making everything so FUN and to my awesome boyfriend for picking up all the slack when I was just shy of losing my mind 😉 You guys are the BEST!

And to Faby and Mark, my deepest and most sincere wishes for a long life filled with more love and happiness than you can handle. You both deserve it, and I’m so glad you found/have each other!

Here are a few of my favorite pics, and of course the full set can be viewed over at Flickr 🙂

In one week, one of my bestest and dearest friends, my beloved Fabiola, will be marrying the man of her dreams. It’s so exciting! A couple of weeks ago, me and my fellow bridesmaids threw Faby a Bachelorette Party. We started out with cocktails and games in our suite, before hitting the town VIP style. Wicked hangovers all around the next day, but it was worth it. As we get older, life phases naturally shift. “Girl’s Nights Out” become rarer and rarer as everyone settles down, has kids, etc. But the flipside of these changes is that when we all DO have an occasion to get together and hit the town, it’s a party like no other. I’m telling you, I could make my own documentary on “married girls gone wild” LOL.

Me and the Bride-to-Be

Bridesmaids!

The Awesome Trio Reunited — Go Slugs!

The full set of Bachelorette pics (minus the shots from the after-party 😉 are available on Flickr!

If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten.
-Anonymous

Those that know me, know that for years I’ve fantasized about owning a Toyota Tacoma. I guess that’s just the cowgirl in me. 😉 Two cars ago, I wanted to get my truck, but talked myself out of it, thinking – “But I plan on having a baby soon, and I can’t transport a baby in a truck!” That was seven years ago and I still haven’t gotten around to having that baby, lol.

Two years ago when my Geo Prizm broke down in the desert, once again I wanted to buy a truck… But unfortunately at that juncture, circumstances didn’t provide me with the time to really shop around, so I went the practical route and got a Corolla. Not that I regret buying the Corolla–that car got me across the country and back, the perfect road trip vehicle. But it wasn’t my dream car.

Baby time is once again approaching, but I find that my desire to be a truck owner has not waned in the slightest. Last Friday, I went to the mall to pick up a few items for Faby’s Bachelorette party, and they were having this huge car sale in the mall parking lot. I ended up strolling through the lot, not intending to buy a car, but curious about how much I could get for mine as a trade-in. Then, halfway down the aisle, I see her. My dream Tacoma. Nice, clean, extended cab, A/C, power windows, power locks, CD, and most importantly, a CASSETTE deck (LOL). And after a couple of hours of deliberations, I said, screw it, I want my dream truck. I deserve my dream truck. So I went ahead and bought my dream truck.

I LOVE my truck! It makes me so happy, every time I walk out the front door and see her sitting there. Yes, some will accuse me of being rather impulsive, but I’m promoting this new life attitude — Don’t Postpone Joy. Too often, we defer our dreams because we ”don’t have time” or “can’t afford it”. But the fact of the matter is, if you want something bad enough, you find a way. There is always a way. I’m tired of waiting for things to be “just right” to start living my dream life. I’m going to CREATE my dream life as I go along. I encourage each and every one of you to do the same. Life is short, people, Don’t Postpone Joy!!!