2009 Faves

With another year coming to a close, it's time to whip out my list of favorites and not-so-favorites of 2009. And in no particular order...

Favorite Moments
Lolli's 1st year luau
Baja Cruise
Ry's graduation from UVU and being accepted into Westminster's MBA program
The birth of new nieces and nephews
Lake Powell and the creation of the LPK
Weekend trips to the farmer's market
Beach hopping in San Diego
Signing up for a marathon

Not-So-Hot Moments
Almost getting shot up at the Olive Garden
Lolli's RSV hospitalization
Getting kicked out of the 9th East house and being temporarily
homeless
Summer trip back to Sacramento
Family drama
Swine flu
Breaking up with Joaquin

Disappointments
Buying the BMW
Senate health care bill
Chicago Olympics fail
Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol
Being slighted by Goldman Sachs
New Moon and Where the Wild Things Are
Losing the King of Pop

Greatest Songs - According to the Billboard charts
Use Somebody - Kings of Leon
Thinking of You -Katy Perry
Please Don't Leave Me - Pink (Though, the music video was disturbingly psychotic and creeptastic. No me gusta!)
Fireflies - Owl City
Bad Romance - Lady Gaga (This music video was just as psychotic as Pink's but some how, Gaga's level of crazy is more sophisticated and palletable. I loved it! But really, who wouldn't love Gaga in Alexander McQueen?!? Epic!)

Most Awesome Movies - There's actually quite a few movies that came out recently that I haven't seen yet; but if I had, they'd probably have made the list. As for the movies I have seen, these are the few that I actually enjoyed. Also, some movies listed were released prior to this year, however, I didn't actually see the movies until 2009. So, I figured I'd include those, as well.
The Blindside
Goodfellas
Zombieland
The Hangover
The Soloist
The Boondock Saints

Best Reads
Got Fight - Forrest Griffin
Mafia Dynasty: The Rise and Fall of the Gambino Crime Family - John H. Davis
Moloka'i - Alan Brennert
Skinny Bitch - Rory Freedman
Homeless Bird - Gloria Whelan

Now 2009, I bid you eff'ing adieu!!!!!

Viewer Discretion is Advised

From the beginning, I was never an Obama supporter. I hate him. But I don't really know much about politics, and I don't care to really get involved. What I do know is that I'm tired of the stupid Democratic vs. Republican game that seems to take precedence over actually supporting our country and protecting our freedoms as Americans.

Listening to KSL this past week, I became frustrated by the idiot conservatives and their ignorance and self-righteousness.

President Obama gave a motivational speech to school children, encouraging them to further their education. Therefore, some local schools thought it appropriate to broadcast the speech in the classroom for their students to watch.

Well, according to reports on KSL, some parents and teachers didn't take too kindly to that idea.

"...strong protests before the speech led some school districts in Utah...to decline showing it to school kids. Other districts required permission slips from parents."

So, does that mean from here on out, your children will need to get a permission slip signed every time they want to enjoy a freedom passed in congress by President Obama? I don't get it.

As an American citizen, it should be a no brainer to respect the Office of the President of the United States. You don't necessarily have to support the man who happens to take up office, but at least respect the fact that you live in the US and you will support your American president.

Get over yourselves, Republicans. Quit whining. George W. Bush was no golden boy.

And Democrats? Stop being so elitest. Try some humble pie. He's a public servant, not a celebrity.

Changing of the Guard

I'm only gonna say this once:
This post is sure to piss some people off. But, I don't really care. I don't really even know what I'm talking about anyways.



Today documents the 44th changing of the guard. That's right. There's a black man finally in the White House. Yay for African Americans everywhere...well, Halfricans really. So with a new face in the Oval Office, I'm expecting to see some of these promises come to life. Get ready for some CHANGE, America.

1) Stimulus Package
The Obamanator has proposed a new stimulus package of $188 billion over two years. I'm hoping that it's gonna go down like a Publisher's Clearing House sweepstakes. I expect a knock on the door with cameras and balloons and an over-sized check made out to Cash for $188 billion. That should cover rent for the next couple years, I think.

2) Flood protection
So maybe I won't get a check for the whole $188 billion. It's rumored that part of the stimulus package will go toward infrastructure improvements. So what does this mean? Obama's gonna build a 500 foot wall around New Orleans?

3) ObamaCare
I can't wait for this one-size-fits-all health care program. It'll be like Red Box. I'll drive up to McDonald's, swipe my credit card, and out will pop a baby! And for this convenience, it's only gonna cost about $1.2 trillion over 10 years.

4) Redistribution of Wealth
While Obama promises to cut taxes for the middle class, he's essentially promising to raise taxes paid by higher earners. He claims that he's just trying to spread the wealth around. Here's a brief outline of his plan:

• Increase the top individual income tax rate by 13% and the second individual income tax rate by 10%.
• Increase the capital gains tax rate by 33%.
• Increase the tax rate on dividends by 33%.
• Raise the top payroll tax rate by between 16%-32%.
• Implement protectionist trade policies and higher tariff taxes.

Sound familiar? In 1931, the corporate tax rate jumped nearly 15%, estate taxes were nearly doubled, and individual income taxes were increased. Thank you Hurbie. The Depression was great.

5) Return of the troops
The Congressional Budget Office estimates a savings of $90 billion if the soldiers were pulled out of Iraq. When referring to the these savings, Obama promises new roads, more teachers, more scholarships, and new schools. Pretty much, whatever group of people he's addressing, Obama promises them that money. I wonder what else that $90 billion can buy; rebuilding the military ($7 billion/yr); education initiative ($18 billion/yr); and energy initiative ($15 billion/yr). Of course, that's on top of the $188 billion stimulus package and the $1.2 trillion he needs for healthcare. So again, the savings from bringing the troops back with cover all that, right?

I hope most of you are excited about Barak being in office as I am. Break out your American flag tee's and Qu'rans. In Obama we trust.