State Fair Part 1 and Protesting the RNC

I took a political sabbatical from politics after the Feb. 5 primaries because I couldn't stand to watch two leaders I admire, respect, and would vote for running against each other. It was like a train wreck I just couldn't watch. But now, I'm back in the game. I've been following the candidates and listening to their speeches all along the campaign trail.

And now, my sister and I have decided to participate in the protests organized during the Republican Convention. I know, I know. You must be thinking about the crazy stigma most protesters carry with them. But I think taking part in a 10,000+ people protest is a fantastic life experience. I can't wait! But first we need to decide what our protest signs are going to say. I've done some extensive googling and here are some of my favorites. Unfortunately we can only use four of them so you need to tell me which ones you like the best:

1. How many lives per gallon?

2. Regime change begins at home

3. How did our oil get under their sand?

4. Iraq: Get Out, Iran: Stay Out, McCain: Keep Out

5. Whose God do you kill for?

6. Making war for peace is like making love for virginity

7. Liberty and Justice are so pre-9/11

8. How can you oppose universal health care and be pro-life?

9. Public Ignorance is Corporate Bliss

10. There is more to religion that Pro-War, Anti-Choice, and Homophobia

Or maybe I should put something like JOHN STEWART FOR PRESIDENT in the hopes that I'll get on tv and John will realize we were meant to be together. Or maybe that's a bad idea because the other protesters will think I'm not serious and beat me up. No good.

Anyway, the fam and I went to the Minnesota State Fair twice this past week. Did you know that it is the largest state fair in the United States? It pretty much rocks. Anyway, I took a bunch of pictures and will put the ones from the Miracle of Birth Center (cute baby animals!!!) up today and the rest up tomorrow.

Soundbites!

Okay, I had all these ideas floating around in my head about what I wanted to blog about tonight, but it's really really late and I have to get up early tomorrow and take a test. So this is going to be just a short blog. Sorry :(

But I wanted to share with you two quick, FANTASTIC quotes given in the last 48 hours from two of my very favorite political people.

John Stewart talking about the media's coverage of Michelle Obama's speech at the Democratic Convention:

"She's a democrat. She must PROVE she loves America. As opposed to Republicans who everyone KNOWS loves America. They just hate half the people living in it."

And on a slightly more serious note, this next quote comes from Bill Clinton's speech at the convention. If you didn't get the chance to watch his speech, it is WELL worth the 20 minutes... click here. I thought it was so eloquent, so very inspiring, and extremely touching.

"People the world over have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power."

Hanging Out With The Animals

I've been meaning to post these pictures for a few weeks now, but as per usual, I've been neglecting my blog. But here they are. St. Paul has a lovely FREE zoo and conservatory that we like to hit up once in a while. The conservatory is always my favorite though. Isn't it pretty?

Then we headed over to the zoo. Here's the clan watching those precocious monkeys:

And the precocious monkeys putting on a show:

After the monkey house, we headed over to the butterfly exhibit, always one of my favorites:

And of course, we couldn't leave without posing with the fake animals.

Olympic Thoughts

It's late, I'm still kind of sick, and I have to get up mega early tomorrow, er... today, but I just wanted to share a few quick thoughts about the olympics so far.

First of all, holy crap! Did you see the 400 meter relay race that Michael Phelps was in? If you haven't seen it yet, I'm sure there are already clips of it everywhere. It's definately the most exciting race I've ever seen and probably ever will see. I almost peed my pants while I was watching. PS - Michael Phelps' abdominal muscles also leave me shocked and awed.

Second, after watching some of the gymnastics coverage, I've decided that Nastia Liuken is the most amazingly beautiful athlete I've ever seen. Not in the way she looks, but in the way she performs. She's so graceful when she's out there in the spotlight. It's as if she's the Michelle Kwan of gymnastics.

And lastly, how amazing was the opening ceremonies?! Each segment was just as jaw-dropping as the previous. It boggles my mind how they managed to choreograph so many people in so many different performances. Wow! Those Chinese sure know how to put on a show!

Okay, off to bed now.

Cough Cough Sniffle Sniffle

Yes, it's that time of year again, when I seem to come down with a cold that tries to turn into Bronchitis. Last year it succeeded in derailing my training schedule for a few months because I tried to keep exercising at first. That was pretty stupid. This year, of course it came on the week when I HAD to be in school for tests and other unmissable things :( I decided to stay home today though. The cold has started to move into my chest and I just don't want to make things any worse. So it's lots of rest for me today. Fun fun stuff...