These days, politics is contagious

Political excitement is spreading around our lab these days, rather than the flu.

This past Monday, we spent the day asking each other, "Did you see that Obama won in South Carolina?" And invariably, the person being asked responded with "I tried not to pay attention, because I was too nervous. Now I'm so excited."

Clearly, we are a lab that loves Obama.

But, what is exciting is that for the first time in a long time, we talk about politics with excitement, rather than cynicism. We talk about the possibilities, rather than the inevitabilities.

I hope this continues.

How is this possible....

.... in this day and age?

I was watching HGTV last night - How Much Is My House Worth? - this couple was featured with a home in Malibu valued at $9 million dollars. And that was the median price for that area.

Today, on Yahoo, I just read that in Haiti, the poor eat dirt. Dirt cookies, to be exact. The price of grain and rice has skyrocketed due to high oil prices and the competition to produce biofuels, and the poorest Haitians cannot afford to buy their normal meager food supplies.

This makes me feel sick and helpless.

I sent this to the guys in my lab who hate Tom Brady.

It's a hilarious email from The Sports Guy's (Bill Simmons) mail bag column on ESPN Page 2....

Q: I'm 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, and not even close to being gay, so you know the Pats are good when people don't even look at me funny when I mention my man-crush on Tom Brady. Mostly, they nod in agreement. I think at least 60 percent of North American males must have a man-crush on Tom Brady at this point, whether they admit it or not. Think about it. You're out at a bar one night with more than a few cocktails in you, and there's Tom Brady, you get to talking, go out on the dance floor, and eventually you're back at the booth and he leans in and tilts his head just a little. Who's turning that down?
-- Pete, Toronto


Rob said that if Tom Brady leaned in, he'd better watch out for his knees. (Rob has wanted Tom Brady to get taken out all season.)

This cracks me up, though. I think it's how I feel about Brady Quinn. I have a man-crush on him.... if he leaned in, I wouldn't turn him down. :)

It takes a paradigm shift...

I went to the King Memorial in downtown Atlanta when I was there for the Neuroscience Meeting one year ago. It was in a depressed part of town.... walking from the Metro stop to the memorial, I passed apartment buildings with boarded up windows and run-down cars on the street. Kind of fitting, as it was a reminder that there is still work to be done.

I was surprised, though, at the memorial. Listening to "I Have a Dream", and other speeches made by Dr. King... he was loud and the sounds were often harsh and grating. It was different from the "peaceful image" of Dr. King that I learned about during history class.... Instead, I heard powerful messages of.... "There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges." To be sure, Dr. King advocated nonviolent protests, but they were essentially a revolution against the establishment.

It reminded me of Katherine's theory... which I now believe. In order for change to occur, there needs to be one person who makes a huge difference. One person who will stand up and turn the world on its head. One person to cause a paradigm shift in the way people think. One person like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Like Christ. Like Rosa Parks. Like Lincoln. Like Susan B. Anthony. Like Nelson Mandela.

So, I think the lesson from today's holiday is to take a stand. Don't be content in life to say that "little things can make a difference". Take a radical stance to affect change where you see a need. Don't be quiet. Be proud and loud. Be a paradigm shifter.

Tidbits from today

1. Many people's ideas of necessary living space are slightly skewed.

2. College wrestling is more fun to watch live than on TV.

3. Katherine declared that the butternut squash-white bean soup that I made for dinner tonight is "her favorite soup ever". High praise, considering there is little meat in it - although it does have bacon. :)

4. I love shopping at the Co-op. I feel so healthy. I also prefer to buy organic when we can afford it. I feel like it's better for the chickens (think organic, free-range eggs), and better for us (no weird skin rashes on my hands from pesticides on squashes and other vegetables, which I've had in the past).

5. Spending one day doing absolutely nothing but sitting on the couch, under 3 down blankets, and watching movies and drinking warm beverages is extremely good for one's mental health and getting over a cold to boot.

Staying warm

It's frigid outside. My cure? Drinking my coffee in bed, under my down comforter, next to my hon bun and the giant purring Puck.

Why is it that Puck purrs constantly when she's around us? I think it means that we make her so happy. :) There's nothing like it, though. I can be having a bad day, sit down on the couch, and Puck runs over, jumps on me, and starts kneading and purring away. It always makes me feel at least a little better.

Lighten up us

Kath and I joined Lighten Up Iowa today. It's supposed to motivate us to make healthy changes in our eating and exercise habits. I think it will.

I am worried, however, that it will give Katherine more of a free rein to regulate my chip eating. The thing is, we're a team. And we all know how competitive Katherine is.

I can just see it now. She will be trying to pry the chip bag out of my tightly clenched fingers while I cry, "Please just one. I haven't eaten in days." Her reply, "We need to increase our weight loss percentage. You'll just have to suffer."

No. I'm sure that won't happen. But, if I don't post for a week or so... maybe you should call and check on me. :)