Not sure if I'm all that surprised the more I think about it.

Obama Wins the Nobel Peace Prize

Speaking as a black man, the reaction to Obama getting the Nobel Peace Prize isn't that surprising - we've faced this our whole lives. None of us has ever deserved a promotion, been accepted into a college, or been qualified for any type of accolades that we've received - there's always a more deserving person who should have gotten it.

Awesomesauce!!!

"You are being shagged by a rare parrot"!!

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And we're off!

All packed, now to get some sleep before leaving Wednesday for India. A quick flight from National to JFK, then a 14 hour flight to Delhi. Yikes!

India

The Mrs. and I are leaving for India in a few days. Hopefully, we'll have plenty of 'net access so I can share our journey with anyone who's interested. Until Wednesday, Namaste!

This Makes Me Feel A Little Better

I've been concerned about the Obama administration's stance on Gay Rights, in particular their brief on the DOMA case. In reading James McPherson's "Battle Cry of Freedom" - a great book on the Civil War, I came across the following about Lincoln.

"Nor did he go as far as many other Republicans who called for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia and repeal of the fugitive slave law."

The real firebrand at the time in the Republican party was Seward. But it's because he was such a firebrand that he wasn't able to get elected to the Presidency.

Not to different from what we're saying about Obama today. But we don't remember Lincoln as the President who was reluctant to take action on slavery. Instead, we remember him as "The Great Emancipator".

Let's give the brother some time to get things done.

Disappointed

Haven't posted anything in awhile. Just wanted to say how disappointed I am in the administration's brief on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Hopefully, they know what they're doing. They've proven that they're playing the long game, not the short one, but on this one, I don't know.

Summer Jersey for Good Craic

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Teabaggin'?

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Ouch!

My right shoulder has been killing me for about 2 weeks now. It started when my dog, Kaleb, decided it would be fun to chase a squirrel while I was walking him. He ran off and nearly pulled my arm off. I didn't think much of it at first - I even played a game in goal the following Sunday.

This past Friday while at work - the pain suddenly became unbearable. I suffered through it and even went out for my friend Dan's birthday. Nothing like beer to fix your pain, right? Wrong. By Saturday, I couldn't lift my arm above my head and I finally saw the doctor today. Prognosis? It's my rotator cuff. It's not torn, but it is damaged. I'm looking at a month's worth of rehab now.

Good times.

Found a Blackberry

In a crowd as large as yesterday's, it was inevitable that a ton of cell phones, digital cameras, etc. would be lost. We found one yesterday in Crystal City. If anyone out there reads this and knows who's phone has the following number, leave me a message and I'll do the best I can to get it back to them.

781-718-1062

What A Day!

Today Is The Day We Have Been Waiting For

It's like Christmas, New Years and a birthday all wrapped up together. My thoughts are a jumble right now, don't really know what to say or how to say it.

We're leaving around 7:00 tomorrow morning to catch the bus downtown - we were lucky enough to get tickets for the swearing-in. We've got plenty of under armour, hand warmers, etc. It's gonna be cold, but well worth it. Plenty of pictures and video to follow.

Headed Home

We've been in Las Vegas for the past 5 days, celebrating my 40th. We've had a great time, despite Amber's new found addiction to Roulette! See you on the East Coast.

39

Ambition: Go to Uva or Brown, major in political science, and make America safe for Liberalism, or become a Navy pilot and own a Porsche 911 convertible.

That's what I wrote for my senior yearbook in high school, way back in 1986. Tomorrow I turn 40, and I've been feeling a bit melancholy and down, but reading that makes me feel a lot better. I actually did what I set out to do. I didn't become a Navy pilot, obviously (too tall), but I did go to Uva, majored in International Relations/Religion, and I think this past November I've achieved my dream. Not too shabby!

A lot has happened to me since 1986. Some major ups, some major downs, but I think I'm actually at peace with myself and where I am in life. A major reason for that is the incredible support I've had from my parents, who've been by my side through everything, and the love and support of my wife Amber for the past 7 years.

When I met Amber, I was coming off of on of the most dismal periods of my life. I was a life threatening accident the summer of 1999, got divorced in 2000 and lost my job in early 2001. The summer of '01, everything started to change – I was hired by NEA, and I met a woman who believed in me and has helped reach my true potential. I don't have the words to show how much she's meant to me, but anyone's who's met her knows what I'm talking about. She really is my rock.

So, here I am, my last day as a 30-something. I've got great friends, a wonderful family, and the best wife anyone could hope for. Here's to 40 more!