happy veteran's day!

A special thanks to my grandpa, uncles, cousins and friends who have or are currently serving!

something all americans can agree on, right?

bartlet for america

I'm hooked on West Wing reruns these days. Aaron Sorkin, you are amazing. I don't own the DVD's, but weekdays from 8-10a on Bravo, my DVR has been busy filling up on these smart & witty episodes, ready for a rainy day. Which, after many weeks of dry weather, happens to be today. Plus, the Mariners are getting killed so...

Whoduthunk a conservative like me would be endorsing a liberal like Josiah "Jed" Bartlet for POTUS. This show isn't all that old (1999-2006), yet I can't help but notice the radical shift in political ideals that has occurred in merely a decade.

Case in point: season 3, episode 18 "Enemies Foreign and Domestic." In particular, the following portion from the transcript (apologies to the reading impaired; a video was nowhere to be found). I'll cut to the scene where we find out that a prominent American company ("Antares") employing 98 thousand workers, of which 75 thousand are in the US, is about to go under due to the production of a faulty product (computer chips). This has incited a recall of 80 million chips. Chief of Staff, Leo McGarry, noting in particular the hit that Wall Street would incur as a result, calls on President Bartlet to help this company out...

BARTLET
[sighs] Aaaah, was wilst du von mein Leben? What do you want from my life? The government can't be in the business of cosigning loans.
LEO
We wouldn't be handing them a bag of unmarked bills, just backing the loans to cover the cost of the recall.
BARTLET
[stands up] It's a subsidy.
LEO
It's a small one!
BARTLET
I'm an economist!
LEO
Sir! This was not a failure of business, it was... I don't know, it was a mistake, it was human error, and Jake's been completely forth...
BARTLET
The marketplace will take care of Antares.
LEO
The marketplace will kill Antares.
BARTLET
That's what's supposed to happen.
LEO
It's not like it's unprecedented, sir. We helped out steel.
BARTLET
That was an industry that was hurt by unfair trade practices. Antares was hurt by their own carelessness.
LEO
A loan guarantee doesn't cost the taxpayers a nickel.
BARTLET
Unless they go under and either way they've just said 'We're open for business.

I don't wish to make this a partisan debate, as I have never agreed with ANY bailouts by ANY politician. Instead, I simply wish for my imagination to carry me away into this administration. That way I can momentarily avoid dealing with the reality of knowing I'm a "stockholder" in Government Motors at a time when I have few reasons to buy American vehicles (apparently so do a majority of White House staffers) and try to forget that my tax dollars are helping OTHER people buy NEW cars via, wait for it... a counterproductive government program. Shocker. So, I watch West Wing and not so secretly wish myself into TV land for this imaginary president's response to the CEO:

BARTLET
No. Leo wanted to see if we could guarantee a loan.
JAKE (CEO of Antares)
I didn't know that. I can't ask you for that.
BARTLET
I appreciate that, and I can't give it to you, but I think I can do Leo one better.
LEO
What?
BARTLET
We'll stay his biggest customer. When you announce your recall, you can announce you're keeping your government contracts. Leo will work it out with Congress.
JAKE
[overwhelmed] That's very generous, Mr. President. I appreciate your confidence.
BARTLET
Talk to me about the 75 thousand workers.
JAKE
I won't be taking any salary for two years and my managers will cut their salaries by 50 percent before we even consider laying anyone off.
BARTLET
All right. Jakie, this is the White House, if we only screw up twice before breakfast, it was a very good morning.
JAKE
Yes, sir.
BARTLET
One more thing: you can't make any more campaign contributions to me, or any Democrat.You can vote, but that's it.
JAKE
Yes, sir.

Whodathunk, indeed.

there's something to be said about laughter in the clubhouse

No one believed the M's were going to amount to anything this year. Except maybe for a smattering of die-hards, like myself. Granted, I start out every season with high hopes that are not to be dashed until well into September; when the bloom has literally fallen off the rose. But, once Mike Sweeney & the Kid signed, I knew this year was going to be a little different from the past few (or so) years. For reals (see February & April posts).

What I said back then can be summarized with terms like camaraderie, cohesiveness, leadership, morale, humor... all before talent. Griffey & Sweeney have certainly gone above and beyond what I was hoping for; changing the mood in the clubhouse so drastically that I can't remember a time when Ichiro has smiled so much. And what else? These boys are winning! Yes, they've had their low moments, but what team doesn't. And we are in a building mode, after all (at least that's what I keep hearing). There were no expectations that this year's team would be playing over .500 ball.

We still have a few more games to go and anything can still happen (i.e. Refuse to Lose)... at least there is still hope of the anything.

life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness

Being Dutch means I’m cheap. Not in a “water down the orange juice or replace coffee filters with t.p.” sort of way; but in a frugal “coupon/ebay/promo code/clearance sale-loving” sort of way. Paying full price is reserved for a very short list, regardless of this economy.

Here in Seattle, the first Thursday of each month finds free admission to a plethora of museums. Most recently I visited the Seattle Art Museum, or SAM, to view the Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness exhibit; 275 pieces of American art from the Yale University Art Gallery.

Abstract art? No thanks. I headed straight up to the third floor to take in my exhibit of choice. It was divided into two sections: “Building a Nation: Historical Highlights” and “Material and Cultural Aspirations: Artistic Highlights.” Section one displayed highlights from 250 years of American political history. Drifting from room to room, my friend and I took our time perusing chronological pieces that traced the beginnings of America. There were sketches of Scottish, German, Dutch (my peeps!), Swiss and French making their way to the New World, portraits of Native Americans intermingling with portraits of our founding fathers, and America’s pastime was remembered via a bronzed statuette of an old time baseball player.

One room housed particularly fascinating pieces for the history lover (me). Artist of the Revolution John Trumbull’s “General George Washington at Trenton” masterpiece is the first image seen upon entering; it’s a large, majestic image taking up an entire wall. Turns out, Trumbull, once an aide to Washington, completely adored him. To the left and right of it, a smattering of Trumbull’s original series of eight Revolutionary War scenes, including his famous rendition of the signing of “The Declaration of Independence” (the scene that can also be found on the back of the $2 bill). Amazing what one can do with oil on canvas; digital cameras make us so lazy.

These transitioned into what became my favorite piece of the day: Paul Revere’s engraving of the Boston Massacre. (Not exactly sure when, why or how, but Paul Revere always seemed like a cool dude to me.) Staring at this intricate and complex image immediately transported me back in time. However, the pieces that followed (cartoon sketches of the Boston Tea Party) brought me right back to the present day. Apparently timeless works of art do exist.

Section two was only allotted a quick walk-thru. With a growling stomach and slightly over my self-imposed two hour museum time limit (I can only ingest so much imagery at a time), I needed out. But, this visually appealing display of American history did not disappoint. Reminded of where we were and where we've come from, I left with a renewed sense of patriotism and hope for this great country of ours. And in Seattle, no less!

go greased lightnin'

"A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop A-wop-bam-boom!"

Buh-bye, bad mood. Last night's visit to Rydell High (aka Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre) was a treat! I toe-tapped and hummed along to all my favorites from "Grease." In Seattle until May 30th, I highly recommend.

p.s. All Taylor Hicks fans will love that he stars, along with his harmonica, as "Teen Angel."

america’s 60th observance of armed forces day

May 16th marked America’s 60th observance of Armed Forces Day. A sincere thanks and congrats to all who are serving or who have served America in uniform; and to all their families for the sacrifices that they too have made.

Growing up, most Sunday’s after church were spent with my family, aunts, uncles and cousins at my grandparent’s house for lunch. I recall one particular afternoon after lunch where I found myself planted in grandpa’s chair, staring at a picture of the destroyer he was stationed on during WWII. I was about 11 or 12 years old and starting to take a real interest in Civil War, WWI and WWII history. As I know is true of many veterans, my grandpa rarely talked about his time in the Navy during the war. But, this afternoon, like several to follow, was different.

My grandpa, as I knew him, was always the comedian; Red Skelton his hero. But, his demeanor changed this particular Sunday. His eyes distant as he shared first hand accounts of Kamikaze missions he had witnessed, of both successful and unsuccessful attempts to rescue fellow sailors from the perilous waters and of the letters he sent to my grandma during his time in the Pacific aboard the U.S.S. Patterson. Grandma herself was busily working her way up the ranks in a bullet factory, waiting for her sailor to return. When he did, he found himself aboard the “Mighty Mo” (U.S.S. Missouri) on September 2 of 1945 for the formal surrender of Japan.

These stories, and many more, came in spurts and stages over the course of many a Sunday afternoon, dependent upon his willingness to share. I devoured each tidbit, learning later from my mom and aunts that they had never heard most of these stories.

On days like Armed Forces Day, I recall these stories and those of countless other service men and women I have spoken with, and am continually amazed by their willingness to serve our country. Let us never forget that freedom is not free.

teacher appreciation week

In honor of my grandma, mom, sister, cousins, friends and all teachers ...

THANK YOU!

“A true disciple shows his appreciation by reaching further than his teacher.”
Aristotle

“Education is the best provision for the journey to old age.”
Aristotle

“Bitter are the roots of study, but how sweet their fruit.”
Cato

“Teach the children so that it will not be necessary to teach the adults.”
Abraham Lincoln

“Upon the subject of education, not presuming to dictate any plan or system respecting it, I can only say that I view it as the most important subject which we as a people may be engaged in. That everyone may receive at least a moderate education appears to be an objective of vital importance.”
Abraham Lincoln

“Genius without education is like silver in the mine.”
Benjamin Franklin

“The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future life.”
Plato

“I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well”
Alexander the Great

“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”
Henry Adams

“He who opens a school door, closes a prison.”
Victor Hugo

“Human history becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe.”
H.G. Wells

“One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.”
Carl Jung

“I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework.”
Lilly Tomlin

“The highest result of education is tolerance.”
Helen Keller