Yeah !!!!!Spring has arrived

After what has been the longest and coldest winter on record in Buenos Aires, I am happy to report that today really feels like winter has departed until at least next year. It is fresh with a breeze but the sun is doing its job. Big plans today to take the kids to the patio at school and take a nap in the sun with a book.

Who are Bill and Rush in the big scheme of things???

I enjoy the sport of calling out right wing hypocrites as much as the next liberal, and God knows there has been a ton of material provided in the last few days by television psuedo pundits and journalists. However, it does take our eyes off the ball. The ball being the 101 more important things going on in the world that we should be more outraged about.

Harry Shearer, in a Huffington Post post today, talks about this misplaced energy and effort. Why is there a lack of concern, understanding, and awareness of the peaceful demonstrations in Mryamar that have taken a violent turn? This is a monumental moment in the history of a country that has been oppressed by a ruthless military regime for decades. Isnt this the kind of stuff we as a country suppose to care about? But we are distracted by idiots like Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh, who say stupid indefensible things. No surprise there.

I think what is going on with Bill and Rush being targeted (other than being mean-spirited buffoons) is a bit of tit-for-tat by the left for the right wing attacks on the Moveon.org ad and the subsequent condemnation of the ad by the House in a roll call vote. Which by the way is a mystery, arent these guys suppose to be legislators???? There is something to be said of not lowering yourself to the LCD and even more to be said about being committed to fixing what will have a real impact on people's lives. I wish the Democrats would be less petty and vindictive and that right wing loons would stop being morons.

Some good news

Well there hasn't been much good news these days with soldiers and civilians continuing to get slaughtered in the Middle East, the democrats being total wusses and Bush acting like a child , albeit with lethal weapons. I did read today that a federal judge in Oregon shot down two provisions of the US Patriot Act. Siting their unconstitutionality as they “permit the executive branch of government to conduct surveillance and searches of American citizens without satisfying the probable cause requirements of the Fourth Amendment.” This is second time in as many weeks that the courts have flexed their muscles..Yeah:) Until I can figure out how to upload videos use your imagination and imagine GM and Owen wrestling and flexing their muscles. Nice transition.

Why I shouldnt be depressed...

My Baby is going to be 5 years old tomorrow!! Hard to believe.

Happy Birthday, Georgi you incredibly high maintenance force of nature. Our family hasn't quite recovered from your arrival 5 years ago. You are kind of like the dog, it is hard to remember our simpler life that preceded you. Thats not to say our life hasn't become richer, louder and pinker since your arrival. You have taught me that sweaters can be worn on your legs and that my jewelry is really yours. You have taught your three brothers that strong women are to be feared and catered to. And you have taught your dad that too much teasing has a price to pay. I hope you get everything that you want for your birthday (I know you wont) and that you get everything you want out of this life. (I am betting you will)

Why I am depressed about the state of the world

1. After 6 years we are still in Iraq and Afghanistan
   
2. After 9 months of a new Congress we don't seem to be leaving Iraq and Afghanistan
3. Its looking more and more like we are going into Iran
4. Bush can inexplicably say "the Mandela is dead" in the middle of a press conference and no seems to think its odd, a concern, or maybe fucking insane!!!
5. Everyday there is more and more news and studies showing that Al Gore is right about the environment and our policy as a country and citizen of the world is to do NOTHING
6. HSM2 was even worse that HSM1, and you know I will be seeing it over and over again with my 4 year old tone deaf daughter accompanying all the musical and dance numbers
7. Jena6 is less newsworthy than Britney Spears
8. It looking more and more like we are going into Iran..oh yea I said that before but you know what its really getting me down...it would be a disaster. Someone has to stop him.............
   

I am going to try this again

It has been awhile. I guess I was too ambitious when I originally started this. It wasn't really a blog but more a series of essays about expat life in Argentina. The burden of making them perfect made me stay away. Also, I think at some point, everyone stops being a self conscious expat and just starts living without looking at each encounter, event and cultural awakening as something worth commenting on. At some point you just start living and inculcate the differences.

That is not to say I dont have moments when it is so painfully obvious that my expectations and the reality of how things do work (especially in business) exist in different worlds. But I have learned to take the good with the bad. While it is maddening sometimes to do business here, the trade off is that my non-professional life here is full of genuine kind people who get it that family and friends are more important than making a buck (and apparently any transparency when doing it).

So what will be blog be like now??? I think more of a rambling stream of consciousness, a journal of thoughts that will allow me to practice my writing. My idea is to make this more political and current. Lets see how this works...