day 49 – the word on the street

Day 49

“The Word on the Street”
Wednesday, 10/22/08

Shirt: Retro Obama 08 – can be purchased through CafePress.

Where:
1. Work day – so…how about the hockey mom’s $150,000 wardrobe. Really, this wouldn’t be a story or upset me if she weren’t trying to sell herself as the advocate for every average joe. I don’t understand why people buy into that. She’s not average…McCain’s not average…they are not looking out for people like me. On the other hand, check out this video where the Obamas talk about how they do most of their shopping at the Gap. There are a lot of arguments from the right that make me upset, but I think the “elitist” propaganda is near the top. I don’t equate intelligence with being elitist. I do, however, think having 8 or 10 or 11 houses (however many) might make you an elitist. I think being an heir to the fortune your family made in the beer industry might make you an elitist. I think a $17,000 a day wardrobe allowance might make you an elitist. I think being a really smart, well educated community organizer turned politician, who really did start out “just like me” makes you brilliant, driven, and admirable.

Obama for America has a new offer for a free bumper sticker if you don’t have one yet.

day 48 – the word on the street

Day 48

“The Word on the Street”
Tuesday, 10/21/08

Shirt: iVote for Obama – can be purchased through CafePress.

Where:
1. Attachment Parenting Month and catching up - One of our AP friends hosted an open house tonight in celebration of AP month. We had a great time and found lots of AP support for Obama. Not surprising. After the open house we met up with one of our very favorite friends who is in town from Columbus this week. We walked in and his first words “Love it…love all of it…” talking about the shirts and blog. Nice to hear that. He said that his republican leaning parents in Florida will be voting Obama this year. Yay!

Day 42 – the word on the street

Day 42

“The Word on the Street”
Wednesday, 10/15/08

Shirt: Obama 08 – can be purchased through Etsy. Cool design, huh? Maarten, who runs an Etsy shop sent this to me. Check out Maarten’s full shop here.

Where:
1. Work day, final debate – John McCain is angry, isn’t he? Before the debate, L and I were talking about this week’s Frontline, which gave a fresh perspective on both Obama and McCain and how they came to be our candidates. I haven’t finished watching the program, but L says he almost feels sorry for McCain. Apparently Frontline shows that McCain really did used to be a maverick, and even considered changing parties, but ultimately still wanted to be president and caved becoming an advocate for the Bush policies, so he could make another run for president and appeal to the conservative base. It doesn’t seem to be working out so well for him now. The program gave us new info about Obama too – and tells us just exactly what he did as a community organizer. At one point it shows a man from Chicago laughing about the fact that Obama’s 2004 convention speech is the same speech he had been giving to small groups (sometimes as few as 10 people) in Chicago. I think it’s awesome that the speech was truly his own words and experience. I love that Obama is so much more genuine than the average politician, and that he can stay calm even when faced with the anger and rage of John McCain. If you haven’t seen it, you can watch the Frontline program online.

day 14 – the word on the street

Day 14

“The Word on the Street”
Wednesday, 9/17/08

Shirt: Obama Good for You – can be purchased through CafePress. The words are made up of fruits and veggies. I thought it was the perfect Obama shirt for a vegetarian. You can get this design on so many items – even long sleeved shirts and sweatshirts for toddlers. I see now that CafePress has shirts designed specifically for vegetarians too.

Where:
1. Work day – sorry to be so boring today, but I only left the house for a walk through the neighborhood. In the photo, I’m trying out a new recipe for vegan brownies. Our friends just had a baby (Congratulations Susan and Jonathan!), and I know they’ll be in need of chocolate for those long nights. Anyway, I stayed in to catch up on some cooking and cleaning. One of things I didn’t consider when I committed to wearing Obama shirts for 60 days, is that that I’d need to go somewhere each day to keep things interesting. I promise that Thursday will be more exciting to read about!

Wanted to add quickly that it must be a joke that a story about Gov. Palin’s eyeglasses is a headline on cnn.com’s home page, right? I have to admit that I’m worried about this election. This country is in economic crisis and our news media is writing about fashion? Really? We’re so far off right now and the focus seems to be lost in the celebrity. A friend shared this op ed piece with me today, and I recommend you all read it. McCain and Palin are dangerous.

day 13 – the word on the street

Day 13

“The Word on the Street”
Tuesday, 9/16/08

Shirt: Obama Mama 08 – can be purchased through CafePress. You might notice that I ordered this one in a different style. This is the fitted jersey and I am excited to have a few shirts (you’ll see more of them soon) that are fitted enough that I can dress them up a bit if needed. Just fyi on sizing, I wear a medium in non-fitted styles and a large in fitted. So size up if you are ordering any of the fitted styles.

Where:
1. Playing in the parks – we had to go to two different parks because the first (where photo was taken) was hit badly by the wind storm a few night ago. Lots of damage to trees, so it wasn’t really safe for playing. This is the park were L and I were married, and now we take G there for the playground. At any rate, we left and went to a different playground that is not in a wooded area. We stayed, played, and talked with the other parents. No mention of politics from them, but L and I talked about this Jill Greenberg photo shoot. L says there has been a lot of discussion about it on some photojournalism lists he’s subscribed to. I think it’s safe to say she crossed a line here, but maybe I’m overly sensitive since seeing the photos of crying children she used for her anti-Bush exhibit.

day 12 – the word on the street

Day 12

“The Word on the Street”
Monday, 9/15/08

Shirt: “There has never been anything false about hope” – can be purchased through CafePress. I so love this shirt. If you need a little extra inspiration, check out the speech that inspired this shirt. Just be prepared for that tingle in your spine. Or take another look at that great “Yes We Can” video that you may not have watched in a while.

Where:
1. Post Office – lots of new shirts on the way, so I’m checking the post office daily. Today I received 11 new shirts! Yippee! I cannot thank the people sending these enough. And they are all so cool. I can’t wait to wear each of them and show them to you.

2. Groceries – this shirt seemed to get some attention. I think because people wondered what it said, so they were looking and reading. I suppose the quote may be lost on some people who aren’t following the campaign. If you are following though, you have to admit this is one of the best shirts. Oh, and Gov. Palin was in town today. Of course the event was “closed to both the public and the media.”

day 11 – the word on the street

Day 11

“The Word on the Street”
Sunday, 9/14/08

Shirt: Barack’s How I roll – can be purchased through Cafe Press.

Where:
1. Starbucks and Bagel Shop – saw a car on the way that had several bumper stickers including Obama, Hillary and Go Veg. We don’t see this often in our neighborhood. I was thinking recently about how many fewer bumper stickers I’ve seen for this election than in 2004. We were living in Columbus in 2004, so maybe that has something to do with it. Anyway, so here was this car with the bumper stickers in small town, OH and I figured we’d never see it again, but then we turned on to our street and the car was parked in a driveway a few houses away. They also had an Obama sign on their front door. Crazy! So, as if this isn’t shocking enough, we go to the Hillary rally and see the same car there. I need to make a point of meeting this person. We have been thinking about hosting one of those MoveOn parties this weekend. Maybe we should, and then we’d find some other local Obama supporters.

2. Hillary Rally – we arrived early and there was a really long line. Kind of a party atmosphere in the line with people selling t-shirts and buttons. I was definitely not the only person wearing an Obama shirt, but G may have been the youngest

Day 10 – the word on the street

Day 10

“The Word on the Street”
Saturday, 9/13/08

Shirt: Berkeley for Obama – available at CafePress. Why Berkeley? Favorite friends of ours recently moved there, and were so nice to send me this shirt. So fun wearing it all day even through the Ohio rain.

Don’t forget to order your free Obama Button from MoveOn.

Where:
1. Indian Restaurant – we don’t usually eat here two days straight, but some friends were going for lunch and invited us. Our favorite server said, “Oh, Obama again” and smiled. Our friends liked my shirt too. We had brief conversation about Gov. Palin and our continued shock and growing fear of her.

2. Pet Supply Store – this store always has conservative talk radio playing. I’ve thought about boycotting them for that, but the fact is they’re the only store in town that stocks our preferred dog food, and they’ve helped me with some advocacy work for the local dog pound, so that’s enough balance for me. If they started selling puppies or kittens, that would be a deal breaker. I wondered what sort of reaction I would get to my shirt, but no problems. I think the cashier was primarily concerned with helping me carry all of the dog food out in the rain.

3. Movie – we saw the new Coen brothers movie. Funny and sad all at once. No shirt reaction.

4. Local Sports Bar – we’d never been to this place before, and I knew I’d stick out as the only person not wearing OSU gear. Plenty of looks, but no comments.

day 9 – the word on the street

Day 9

“The Word on the Street”
Friday, 9/12/08

Shirt: Peace with Obama – available at CafePress. I’ll have a new shirt tomorrow – promise! Meanwhile, please order yourself a free Obama Button from MoveOn.

Where:
1. Indian Restaurant – you’ll notice that we eat here a lot. Definitely our favorite restaurant that is moderately close. Because we live in a small town, nearly everywhere we go requires the highway. We’re adjusting to that, but miss living in a a more urban area and walking places. Anyway, no other obvious Obama fans today. One girl did smile very big at me, but not sure if it was shirt related or if she was just a kind and happy person.

2. Panera – we ran into my parents’ neighbors here. I had one of those, “oh no” moments, thinking they’re more than likely republican. Not sure what it is about people that makes me think this. They drive fancy cars and attend church every week, but so do plenty of Obama supporters, right? So, the woman comes up to me and says “yay! go Obama!” She then went on to tell me how her friend’s daughter is volunteering with the campaign in Columbus and actually met Barack Obama and they all just love him. How’s that for hope! Honestly, this is small town Ohio. We literally have Amish people in the next little town, and the largest tourist attraction around is a very large flea market and Amish home-style restaurant. Yet, I’m finding Obama supporters right here. And why wouldn’t I? People are tuned in and paying attention. My optimism is growing.

So, did anyone catch John McCain on The View today? As I watched it, I kept thinking “wow” and “how sad is it that the women on The View are tougher than the CNN journalists?” I wanted to think that it’s b/c they’re allowed to show some bias, but Barbara Walters is neutral, and she was equally tenacious. I should give credit to Campbell Brown for the strong questions she asked soon after Gov. Palin was announced, but that caused the republicans to attack the media, and I haven’t seen much tough questioning since then. I feel like the tide is turning though, and the media is finally starting to challenge Palin again, and rightfully so since she refuses a real interview. I mean when are we going to see her on Meet the Press? Of 46 vice presidents in history, nine of them have taken over the seat of president without being elected. We have good reason to fear Palin.

day 8 – the word on the street

Day 8

“The Word on the Street”
Thursday, 9/11/08

Shirt: Greenthumb Peace – can be purchased at CafePress.

Where:
1. Downtown at Dusk at the Art Museum – live music, art for kids, drinks, fun. Good attendance. L wore an Obama shirt tonight too. Under ordinary circumstances, we’d likely make a point of not both wearing Obama shirts at the same time, but since I’m wearing one every day, doesn’t seem fair that he never gets to wear one. Anyway, it was a good crowd and one woman jokingly asked me where G’s Obama shirt was. I laughed, but didn’t bother to explain that it was dirty from him wearing it yesterday. I saw a woman wearing a shirt with “liberal” large on the front and the definition below. I so wanted a photo of her shirt, but wasn’t carrying the camera when I saw her.

2. Vegiterranean – another fave restaurant. Vegan, trendy and really yummy. Generally a mix of tree huggers, hipsters, and tree hugging hipsters. While waiting for our table, we saw not one, but TWO people wearing Obama shirts. Two women on their way out were smiling and talking about the other two Obama shirts when they noticed we were also showing our Obama pride. We told them about the blog and they kept saying to us “God bless you.” They were awesome. For the second time, sad to have missed a photo op. I’d already taken tonight’s photo so didn’t have the camera with me. Even with the missed photos, it was great to feel the Obama love in NE Ohio tonight.