About Politics.

It'd be easy to write a rant about the current state of the election. How I'm both dreading and exhilarated for the entire messy, drawn-out, and twisted made for TV drama to come to the seemingly accepted resolution of an Obama victory.

It'd also be easy to write a commentary about the terrible decisions made by McCain, or, rather, his campaign. The frightening nature of his divisive rhetoric, subtle undermining in the confidence of our democratic system, as well as the complete lack of judgment in nominating Palin, a woman who lacks experience in the national sphere as well as a complete lack of intellectual curiosity about the reality of the world that surrounds her.

But I digress. This post is not about the politics of the election, but an ode to the fact that people care about politics in this country for once in my lifetime. And no, I don't mean you other college students. As much as the media loves to hound young people for not caring, some of us do. Especially the people I know.

What I mean to say is that normal people care about politics.

I know when my mom, a permanent resident of this country who lacks the ability to vote, asks me whether I watched the last debate, then tells me what she thought about it (as well as accompanying disdain for John McCain), there is something positive happening in terms of civic engagement in a country that has long become too cynical about the political process and considered themselves unaffected by it.

Of course, the sword is two-sided. With more attachment to the political process comes the possibility of disappointment or even extremism. I'd really like to think that normal people caring about politics can only be positive.


PS: Also, only vote yes on Proposition 1A and some of the other bonds if you're feeling lucky. State elections are important too!

Only in..

http://www.avclub.com/content/blog/taste_test_sonic_s_mac_n_cheese

Did I mention I miss the United States?

Weird situation in Paris

So while in Paris, this guy yells at me in French while in his car.

"Hi. Sorry, I don't speak French." (Me)
"oh... Do you know where the Louvre is from here?" (guy)
"Oh. I have no idea. This is my first time in Paris. I'm kind of..."
"Wait, what else you speak?"
"Um. I speak Spanish" (Said in Spanish, conversation continues in said language)
"Ah! Espanol! De donde eres? No eres Espanol verdad?"
"No, I'm not I'm from California."
"Ah, California. Are you Mexican?"
"Yeah, yeah I am actually. How'd you know?"
"Well, you speak Spanish and you live in California right?"

Anyway, the conversation continued for a while with me being suspicious of this guy's behavior and niceness (I'm in a touristy city and this guy had a mustache and sunglasses, so my suspicion was not unwarranted) until at some point, he shared with me that he worked for Armani, and, because I'm from California and he's such a nice guy, he wanted to give me a free promotional suit so I can "get the ladies at the cabaret" (or something to that effect).

Guy let me feel the cloth of the suit and put it in my hands, to which I was thankful, but kind of afraid. Should I accept this guy's offer? It was then that he asked me to do a slight favor for him. Showing me his empty gas tank, he asked if I could spare him maybe fifty euros to fill it up.

I wasn't sure what to do, so, rather than extend the possibility of some kind of harm or theft, I handed back the suit and thanked him but said I couldn't go through with this kind of deal.

What the fuck? Any ideas what this guy's deal was? I can't have been paranoid in my suspicions, but I wonder what the goal of his ploy could have been. Any guesses would be appreciated.

Besides that, going to Valencia this weekend. I know very little about the place other than that they have a dialect that isn't Spanish, it is the third largest city, and apparently they have delicious Paella, which is a very creative dish, what with the rice and the meat and stuff.

PS: Holy crap. Stephen Colbert might actually win this election.

Dream act cont.

Also, to be fair. Some democrats also voted against the bill. Assholes.

But as to why I especially blame the Repubs- they are especially bad for trying to frame the bill as some sort of Democratic ploy to prevent the functions of government. Yeah, because a bill that would help at least a hundred thousand of the hardest working young people residing in this country better themselves through the opportunity to get an education is completely symbolic and political. As opposed to, you know, a flag burning amendment. Or building an enormous wall along the US-Mexican border.

Dream Act

Schwarzenegger vetoed the California one while the other was knocked down because you need a super-majority to get anything done in the Senate.

Why is this bill even controversial?

I would usually say shame on you, Republican leaders. But I think an enormous "Fuck you" isn't out of order with this one.

Overheard in a Paris hostel

Scene: Blonde girl and French Guy in Paris hostel communicating for God knows what reason

Frenchie: Zo, Kelly. What kind of muzeek zoo you like?
Kelly: Um. Well, like, what do you mean?
Frenchie: Well, yoo know. Rock? Jezz? What exactlee?
Kelly: Um. Well. Rock. I guess.
Frenchie: Oh... Like what banz?
Kelly. Er... Have you heard of the Dave Matthews Band?
Frenchie: No I aven't. Is ee good?
Kelly: Yeah, they're okay. It's a whole band of people.
Frenchie: I zee.

*pause*

Frenchie: Can I lizen?
Kelly: Oh. Yeah, sure. Let me give you the Ipod. *hands it over*
Frenchie: *listens* He zounds sad. Are all his songs this this sed?
Kelly: Heh. Um. I don't think so. Depends.

I then got the hell out of there.

Spain is funny

One thing that is fun about Spain is making fun of it.

For example, Spaniards kind of smell like my dad which is not really a good thing (he is a manual laborer). Also, they use words like "parking" and "ticket" in their everyday language even though there are perfectly reasonable non-anglocized versions of those words in Latin American Spanish.

I though Latin Americans were the ones who were supposedly ruining the language.

Anyway, headed to Paris this weekend. Cause, you know, that's not really a big deal. I'll post about that at some point.