There has been a lot going on in my life recently, but here's the one thing that will prompt me to write another blog post: the reaction to Obama's election. Jesse Jackson was in tears. So were people at the election party I attended. Aunt Mary seems awe struck that she was born before the civil rights era, and lived to see this day.

What affected me more though was the reaction here in DC. This is an overwhelmingly liberal city, and majority black city, and a politically engaged city. DC has gone more than eighty-five percent Democratic in each of the previous four elections, and went ninety-four percent for Obama. I drove down 18th St to U St. last. In both of these nightlife districts, people had poured out onto the streets in celebration. Police ended up having to close off the streets to vehicles not too long after. There were fireworks. We were honking. People were yelling and clapping and dancing. As we drove slowly through the crowds, passersby were reaching into the car to high five us.

I have never seen this city jubilant before. Let me tell you, I liked what I saw. It was Christmas and New Years', and graduation, and birthdays. People were literally overcome with joy. Of course, some of it had to be relief as well. George Bush's approval rating is low enough nationally that I don't want to imagine what it is here in DC. Inauguration day is going to be exhilarating for the people who live here.

There is no way that Obama can live up to his own hype. But for right now, I'm going to bask in the glow of a happy city.

It seems like wherever my life takes me, I end up in the same place. Empty, worthless, and wanting to disappear for a while. I know this has to be relatively normal, but it seems like something is wrong. Something's missing. Or maybe I just have some growing up to do. Who knows.

Not that anyone reads this anymore, but since my projected vacations for the year have all been canceled, I need new plans. They must be low stress, and more focused on me than the needs of others. I don't want to drive to Canada for the weekend. I don't want to follow some one else's friends to a drink fest. I need a vacation to recharge. Ideas welcomed.

Yes, I'm a bad blogger, life goes on. A few topics to address soon though:

• It's spring in January
• The elections
• The Simpsons Movie
• I've become bad at life

Stay tuned

The Thanksgiving roadtrip to Montreal was lovely, but the twenty-degree snowy weather in November reminded me why I should not live any farther north than DC. I brought back Coffee Crisp and the French Harry Potter book 7 as souvenirs for relevant friends. However, due to my wimpiness where cold is concerned the only photo I took the whole weekend was at the duty-free on our drive home. Enjoy:

This is my latest entry into the "monkey of the moment"category. It's an emperor tamarin, apparently named after its resemblance to German Emperor Wilhelm II. This guy is rather fittingly at the Berlin zoo.

I'm pretty easy to please when it comes to talking up the incredible ethnic mix that exists in LA. I just like to see a little love from others as well. Though, props to Chicago, the expected home to the second largest concentration of Mexicans in the U.S.

Just to recap the past couple of months: I'm getting old. I've never been a night owl, but now have reached the point where I'd rather be home by eleven and asleep by midnight. Boy's probably right when he attributes this to being overly tired from a second job. However, I also just think that maybe I've gotten over the urge to drink myself silly. And that's not such a bad thing. Or maybe I'm just boring. That one's also pretty likely as well.

Regardless of the change in my nightlife habits, life's going pretty well overall. The job continues to be a good use of my time, as does boy. We're going to Montreal for Thanksgiving. I may report back on how that turns out. Otherwise, I guess the most interesting thing in my life right now is the Project Runway premier. Ouch.

Ok, enough procrastinating. Time to get ready for work.

I don't really know what to say to this. It's from a Japanese trade show, but designed by a Dutch woman...