Mele Kalikimama!

I gots:
A noritake teapot from my gramma's house (from parentals), but it broke in transit.
A woodblock print (from parentals)
4 champignon chocolates from Cocoa Bella (from D)
3 mini moleskin journals (from D)
Tea (from parentals)
Okoshi (from aunty Viv)
Caramel Popcorn and Kaki mochi (from Aunty B)
Very old, VERY COOL harmonica from gramma's house (from parentals)
Charles Chocolates (from D)
Cool ultraman privacy screen for cellphone (from Bro)
Measuring Tape (from D)
Kitty Magnet (from D)
Zojirushi rick cooker (from Syd and Barr)
EDIT: Homemade Panda Bear (from TN)

I gaves:
Cookies to everyone.
Osho Zen Tarot Cards + Book to D
Weleda birch oil stuff to D

My Senator's response to my letter re: Liebermann

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Dear [MIni-boss]:



Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns regarding Senator Joseph Lieberman's (ID-CT) retention of the chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.



The election of Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) to be President has started a new chapter in our history, and the President-elect has said that he wants to heal the divisions in this nation. He also made it clear that he does not want Senate Democrats to isolate Senator Lieberman for his actions during the campaign.



The Senate Democrats voted on November 19, 2008 to bring about reconciliation, not only within our caucus, but between Democrats and Republicans. We are trying to develop a more civil dialogue that will hopefully allow us to get more done on behalf of the American people. I believe we are on the right path to moving away from divisive partisan politics and towards a cooperative legislative body.



The resolution presented in the caucus passed by a vote of 42-13. Although the resolution condemned statements Senator Lieberman made while campaigning for Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and removed him from the Environment and Public Works Committee, he will continue to Chair the Homeland Security Committee and will remain a member of the Democratic caucus.



Once again, thank you for contacting me. Please feel free to contact my Washington, D.C. staff should you have any additional concerns at (202) 224-3841.


Sincerely yours,
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator
Further information about my position on issues of concern to California and the Nation are available at my website http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/. You can also receive electronic e-mail updates by subscribing to my e-mail list at http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ENewsletterSignup.Signup.


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Reconciliation? Whatevs. Secondly, as President-elect, Obama should be the first to realize that his job is now in the executive branch, and while he's entitled to giving his opinion (and advice) to the congressional branch, Congress DOES NOT exist to execute orders from the White House. Have we learned *nothing* from the last 8 years? I realize that it's overly optimistic of me to think that Democrats would vote, at least on this issue, in the best interest of the country (which I firmly believe Liebermann no longer understands) - can anyone really explain how retaining Liebermann as both a) in the Democratic Caucus, and b) as chairman of that committee is anything but a blatant, "Thank you, sir, may I have another?"

I Only Wanna Be With You

A few weeks ago, I stumbled on an old TV segment of Dusty Springfield - awesome, awesome, awesome.



Isn't she hot?

A friend of mine is visiting me for the weekend, and we've been spending time playing music. After I showed him the Dusty Springfield clip, he directed me here:



We sign off now to learn how to play this song, in alternating English and Spanish. We are fashioning a shoulder shrug dance routine to go with it, ala Luis Miguel. To make this SUPER hilarious, my friend says that the Spanish version's title translation is "Now You Can Go Away". BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

New Muzak

Thanks to H&M for the gift certificate to Amoeba Records. I went there and picked up the 2007 Okkervil River album that I've been meaning to get since I saw them last time they were here. The first half of the album is pop-y - the second half, is a little too slow for me right now. In six months, I fully expect to amend my statement and proclaim how brilliant the slower songs are.

I also picked up the new Lucksmiths album, but haven't listened to it yet. I picked up one other album, but that will remain nameless, because it is a guilty pleasure.

When I was at the record store, I forgot that I'd also really wanted to get Bandwagonesque by Teenage Fanclub - but thanks to not having Evernote *readily* available on my phone, that's what happened. Plus, Amoeba is like a memory stealing device. You get in there, and completely forget what time it is, why you're there, and sometimes, who you are!!!! (I often find myself wandering in the hip hop section!!!!!)

Thanks to H&M for the great tunes!!!!

Norad & Santa

Gizmodo put a post regarding the history of NORAD and Santa Tracking. It leads to www.norad.org, which details exactly how a misprint in a Sears Roebuck ad led to, essentially, a batphone for the commanding officer of NORAD.

Even funnier, the CO talks about getting the first phone call (and subsequent ones) here. Norad continued the tradition by staffing the phones with volunteers during Christmas since then.

Milk - See it

I went to see Milk at the Castro Theater on Monday (for date night). I regret, now, that I didn't participate in the filming, as an extra, particularly in the night vigil sequence.

I was struck by the similarities of Prop 6 (the Briggs Initiative, that would have fired all gay teachers, and all employees of schools that supported gay rights, or gay individuals) and Prop 8. Notably, the absence of the word "gay" from any and all literature from the No side (pro-gay rights).

I found the action that Milk supported also worthy of introspection. Milk called upon gay people to come out to the people around them, and I find the call no less important today. I realize that this is an intensely personal decision for most gay people, and can come with recriminations, the shame surrounding being gay will continue to exist until enough people come out. I also realize that I'm being more than mildly hypocritical, since I don't lead a particularly OUT lifestyle when I'm around my family, but it is important, to make the attempt.

Anyway, go see the movie. It broke ALL box office records at the Castro theater last weekend. Oh, and DON'T go see it at Cinemark, on account of their CEO donating $9999 to the Yes on 8 campaign. That means no Century Theaters, CineArts, or TinselTown.

Here's the preview, if you haven't already seen it.