By Ben

What did YOU get done in the last 18 months?

On July 4, 2007, my Mom snapped a picture of Barack Obama at Beaverdale Park in Des Moines.  The campaign was just getting ramped up and Barack addressed a small crowd of curious but enthusiastic supporters.  Barack and Michelle took turns speaking and answering polite questions. The morning rally ended with an energetic rendition of 'Happy Birthday' for Sasha Obama.  My Mom called me up that night and said, "I hope someday he can be our President ."

Last night, I watched Obama address a crowd of 125,000 in Grant Park as our President elect.  Thousands wept with joy as Obama delivered a speech that was gracious and sobering and, above all, inspiring. Only time will tell whether Obama will make  progress on the challenges facing our country and the world.  But for me, he's already delivered on one of his campaign promises: he's given me hope that we can make our country better.


I got out of bed this morning with a smile on my face.  Like yesterday, troops are still dying in Iraq, my 401k is still a mess, and millions of American are still without health insurance.  Even so, I found myself with an irrepressible feeling of optimism about the next 4 years. Thanks President Obama.  Congratulations to you and your incredible campaign team on 18 months well spent.

         
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* cool pictures provided by my Mom, and http://www.boston.com/bigpicture

Iowa's (very) Little India

12 miles North of Des Moines is the town of Madrid (pronounced ma - drid, not muh-drid). Despite being home to only ~2,300 residents, 99% of whom are white, Madrid boasts the the largest Hindu temple in the state!  My Mom and Dad took a trip to check it out last weekend and had a great time chatting with Priest Krimanand Upreti, making a small offering to Ganish, and admiring the temple, which rises quite suddenly from the surrounding corn fields.   

My Dad looks extremely pleased strolling the temple grounds :)  I definitely have to make a trip next time I'm home, and I hope Mom and Dad are planning to attend the Diwali festivities coming up in November.
     

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Iowas_Little_India.zip (815 KB)


Not your everyday sign

Amazingly good advice

Fair Fare

Hilights from the Iowa State Fair

  • Shawn Johnson carved from solid butter by butter sculpter Sarah Pratt.  Shawn joins Elvis, Harry Potter, Tiger Woods, Jesus Christ, and John Wayne.  I can't think of a bigger honor.
  • "Freight Train," this year's largest boar weighed in at just over 1,200 pounds. I would taken a picture, but the train was lying in a less than flattering position.  
  • "Tiny" was this year's largest bull weighing in at an impressive 3,012 pounds. Note that the original VW beetle was under 2,000 pounds.  I have trouble explaining just how big this animal was -- seriously, if you haven't seen it, you cannot understand.
  • Fainting goats look pretty much like normal goats, but tip over when startled.  I was assured that the goats don't feel any pain, but they do tip over.  Wikipedia informed me that the characteristic is caused by a hereditary genetic disorder called myotonia congenita. When startled, younger goats will stiffen and fall over. Older goats learn to spread their legs or lean against something when startled, and often they continue to run about in an awkward, stiff-legged shuffle.
  • I ate a huge funnel cake. I was startled to realize that the time between enjoying the funnel cake and feeling awful is only about 15 minutes.  Now that I'm a bit older, I didn't opt for a post-funnel cake ride on the silly silo.