Yes we can...

It's been an amazing night, one of those defining moments in history that will be referenced for years to come. I feel very proud to be a part of that history, and not just because I voted, but because I was blessed with parents who allowed me, and encouraged me to have an open mind.

My grandmother passed away two years ago at the age of 93. We would often talk about all the historical moments she witnessed in her life and I could never imagine how exciting it must have been to see television for the first time, to ride in a car, to talk on the phone and so many other firsts she experienced. I had always been envious of people who got to see John F Kennedy and Martin Luther King speak. I could only imagine how motivational and awe inspiring it would have been to be there first hand...until tonight. Tonight I listened to our new president speak and I felt inspired and hopeful the way others must have felt to hear those great leaders speak.

I admire Barack Obama. Like others, I will watch and see what kind of leader he will be, but no matter what, I will continue to admire him. He has taken a huge bite of change that was long overdue, and I don't mean politics. It was a very brave and bold thing to do. I'm so proud of this country for being ready, and being open minded enough to not let the petty things decide such an important decision. Maybe there's hope yet.

The way I see it, this was a great election, and both McCain and Obama made gracious, heartfelt speeches. They were both moving to me for different reasons. But let's talk about some other aspects of tonight...

First of all, what was with Michelle's dress? That entire red/black thing was not working for me. It was distracting and made her butt look kind of big. Was there no money left in the campaign budget for a stylist? Secondly, could no one take a moment and hand Jesse Jackson a tissue? I thought he was going to blow a snot bubble and that would have been just wrong. Third, someone should tell Cindy McCain that she looked like an orange Popsicle in that outfit so she doesn't make the same mistake in the future. I'd hate for her to end up in an issue of Cosmo as a fashion "don't" with her eyes blacked out to protect her identity. Lastly, I expected Oprah to jump on stage at any moment and start hugging everybody. I couldn't believe she was just there in the crowd, rather than in some Pope-like glass encased chair contraption.

I'm so glad this election is OVER! I'm thrilled Bush's term is almost complete! I'm ecstatic we have elected an intelligent, well spoken president who will not likely embarrass us when he opens his mouth. I have high hopes for the future, and that feels invigorating.

God bless America!

(Pretend I'm wearing red, white and blue and holding a flag...)

A little bit of reality...

I will admit I am addicted to certain reality TV shows. It's true I have not quite recovered from missing the entire first season of "So You Think You Can Dance". I've even tried to find episodes on U-tube with no great success. Now marathons of old seasons are played but still, no season one! I'm certainly not the first one to notice how certain shows and people are shoved down our collective throats relentlessly on a daily basis.

The way I see it, there should be a new version of celebrity survivor. We should put Lindsey Lohan, Brittney Spears, Angelina Jolie, her tribe and baby daddy Brad, Hannah Montanna, the entire cast of High School Musical, Madonna & Guy Ritchie, Posh & Beck, Tom Cruise and Paris Hilton on an island for about six months and give us all a damn break from their faces and lives. Is that so much to ask? Imagine the back stabbing, the alliances, the tribal council meetings! The ratings would be amazing.

In other reality news, tomorrow we will be spoon fed election details until we are sick to our stomach. Hopefully, we will not be sick because of who wins, but rather because every channel will be yakking about up to the minute results when the only result that matters is when the fat lady sings at the end. I liken this kind of news coverage to watching a horse race in super slow motion. I don't like horse races to begin with, and I really get annoyed when every channel is preempted by all the oh, so necessary updates. One year, the election coverage preempted an important figure skating event. I felt homicidal. Don't get me wrong, it's not the I don't care about the results. I'm registered. I vote. I voted. I am a voter...but for the love of all that's holy, figure skating events and the first season of So You Think You Can Dance are not replayed in reruns!

The way I see it, they should take three channels that no one really gives a crap about, and those are the exclusive election day coverage channels. I vote for, QVC, one of the Spanish channels, and that obnoxious channel that plays "Smile of a Child" 24/7. What the hell is that anyway? Better yet, make it a pay per view event so they can make some money (maybe they send it to the "Smile of a Child" people) and then only the people who want to watch the horse race is slow motion can do so. Think of the opportunity for market analyzation! You could tell what demographics watched, where they live, what kind of dog food they buy, who they likely voted for in the first place. I'm a freakin' genius! (OK, maybe not, but I have my moments.)

This is just another useless observation, but think about it...

I am a blogger...

Welcome to my first post. I wrote that first sentence and immediately felt the pressure to quickly write something fantastic to hold your attention so you will continue reading. I'd hate to think I finally found the courage to begin this public journey, only to be rejected after the first five words!

Where should I begin? The way I see it, I have decided I want to be a writer. The easy way to do this is to write. There is a story inside me, struggling to get out on a daily basis. Until I am able to properly regurgitate it, I will blog.

Here are a few details about me...Nancy B...the blogger:

I am divorced, widowed and married. No, not at the same time, but in that order. I did not plan to be married three times, but I can't help it the second time ended prematurely.

I don't have children. Well, that's not exactly true. I have two 4-legged children and one step-daughter who is only seven years younger. (Number 2 was 12 years older than I.) It was not for lack of trying that I don't have children. I tried for seven years with number 1 and was in the process of adopting when number 2 fell ill and passed. At a certain point you have to admit the cosmos is telling you parenting a child is not your destiny. After a long time of being appropriately bitter and traumatized, I picked up the shatter pieces of my life and made other plans.

I've lived in several places...Killeen, TX, Tulsa, OK, Gambach, Germany, San Francisco, CA, Bixby, OK, Pittsburg, PA, Minneapolis, MN, Columbus, OH. It's been an interesting journey. I have a feeling I will not stay in Columbus indefinitely, so it's interesting to think about where else I might end up in the future. Now that I have GPS, bring it on, I have no fear of relocation.

My passions are music, art, literature, my computer and TV. I shop too much, swear too often, keep too much clutter, provide unsolicited advice and don't always finish projects. I could literally lose 100 pounds and still exist. My hair is naturally red and I'm legally blind. I wear too much black and have failed miserably at becoming the financial genius my mother was and hoped I would be someday.

It's likely I am one of the most liberal people you will ever meet. I'm spiritual, but not religious, think smoking should be illegal and have a semi-serious case of OCD. My goal for this life is to leave things a little bit better than I found them, or rather, to make a difference in someone's life, to have mattered, contributed.

Without a doubt, I talk to friends about my two cute babies way too much, but they are so precious to me, I can't help myself, and honestly, I don't even want to. Also, without a doubt, I am a first rate smart ass whenever possible and I love to laugh.

I know this entry hasn't been very funny, but hopefully you'll visit again and we can both laugh a little.

That's the way I see it...