President of the United states of America

Well, it's official. It has been for a week now. I don't have anything fresh or new to comment on regarding this but have some deep emotions that I want to share. Well, maybe they aren't deep, but I truly feel them.

1. I have been feeling very patriotic lately. Well, I know I am a patriot, but not in the same way as somebody who would have a "I'm a patriot" bumper sticker. It's truly amazing to me that we elected a man (yes, he's black, but more than that too) that I trust. I have never felt like I trusted a president before (even when I voted for men who have won). I suppose this is setting me up to be disappointed, but I genuinely think he will do what is best and just. Not always, but most of the time.

2. We woke Montana up to see the Obama Speach at Grant Park. She was excited about Mr. Barack Obama. I hope she remembers the night. I regret not going to Chicago.

I don't have much else to say. We are contemplating a party on Jan. 20 to usher in the 44th President of the United States. Want to come?

Magnolia Jayne

That's right! I'm crying!

Pandora

Have you guys checked out Pandora Radio? It's great. I think it may be illegal soon though.
http://www.pandora.com/

You can select a number of artists and it will create a radio station for you. you don't need to download anything. I don't think you need to even join. (But we did because it saves all your selections).

Right now I'm listening to a station mixed with the Dead, Phish and other bands like them. Check it out.

Once you open the box though, there's no going back. What's done is done.

Happy

So I got this new job and things are good. I am very pleased to be doing this work and have now met some of the young men that I'll have the privilege of working with. I can't explain how much my mind is at ease compared with how I used to view my job.

This picture is of me and my girls on Father's Day. Mo turns 3 on Tuesday. Gretta is communicating more with her words these days. Baby #3 will be here in less than a month. I need to get reading my baby book now.

Burma

I got a new job on Friday. I'll be working with refugees from Burma. It's a residential home for 17 year old boys, but will have the feel of a college dorm. I don't know a lot about what i'll be doing, but we'll be helping the young men transition from life in Burma to life in the U.S. I'm very excited about it. I can feel the darkness lift as I think about doing a job I care about and believe in again. i once felt this way about Wedgie, but now have become jaded and indifferent.

New beginnings have always been wonderful for me. So much so that I have often wondered about being able to commit to things long term. but I have been married now for 8 years and had this job for 5. We've been in the Episcopal Church for over 2 years now and I'm starting to really feel settled. I just hope I don't feel too settled to move to Austin in a couple years for seminary. In the meantime, I'll enjoy starting over at a new job. God- make me an agent of grace wherever I am.

Bob Weir and The Allman Brothers

Jodi and I had the opportunity to see one of the main volcalists from the Grateful Dead yesterday. We went with our friends Jay and Amy and had a great time. Bobby was great and played some of the songs that the Dead has been known for, for decades. He eneded the set with Ripple which has always been one of my favorites.

Before the show and after we made grilled cheese sandwiches and sold them. We made $70. I had a great time and enjoyed my 8th anniversary with a woman I fell in love with 9 years ago.

The Allman Brothers were good too, but we spent a lot of the time walking around and talking because Jodi wasn't feeling very well. She had had quite a bit of acid and... just kidding. She wasn't feeling well because she is 8 months prego. Mo's first concert was Neil Young, Wilco, DMB, Arlo Guthrie, Widespread Panic and a few others. Gretchen' s first show was Umphree's Magee. Baron #3 will be told about this show for a long long time.

King of Kong- Fistful of Quarters

Did anybody else see this documentary? I watched it last week and have thought about it often. I really identify with the "good" character (the teacher) because I used to cry a lot. Now I'm jaded and too cynical to cry or really care much about anything.

Here is a short list of the best video games of all time.

1. Double Dribble

2. Tecmo Bowl (Original Nintendo)

3. Bond - Golden Eye (AKA Prximity Mines)

4. Mario Kart

5. Contra

6. Star Wars Battlefront II

7. Super Mario Brothers

8. Pitfall

9. 1913

10. RBI Baseball

Any that I missed? The movie was great. Kind of emotional and silly and depressinhg all at the same time.