Insomniac

I'm not an insomniac but I do have insomniatic tendencies. Sometimes I stay up for no reason at all. Right now I'm feeling it as I stand in line for flight 1 of 2 today.

Add to that I'm flying to the west coast and as you can imagine I'll be barely awake later.

I don't really do naps but I'll likely be snoring on this first flight. Sorry in advance to the person who sits next to me.
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The Parallels: "The First Lady" = "Ms. Independent"

Whenever I see President Obama and the First Lady together I always think of Mrs. Obama as "the woman beside the man." The woman who stands comfortably beside her man.

I seriously resent the expression, "woman behind the man", not because for generations so many exemplary women haven't indeed propelled their men forward, but they've in many cases stood beside them fighting the same battles. I can't help but think of Coretta Scott King, Myrlie Evers-Williams, and Betty Shabazz. These women were themselves "working women", and civil rights leaders in their own right.

I think too of my grandparents who were married 32 years and together 46 (I should say they were married longer just to other people lol and couldn't get married until they could afford divorces). I think back to my grandparents as partners and having role sharing responsibilities. They each had their domain, and though their marriage was not without their challenges they raised 13 children together.

Reflecting on their relationship, reminds me of the need for young people especially my generation to have healthy relationships modelled for them. In my mind when we got a new First Couple, we got the ultimate role models. Successful in attaining high levels of education, successful in establishing their own successful careers, and successful in raising a beautiful family.

I think for a lot of men my age who aspire to have success with regards to numerous measures: education, career, financial independence, regard in the community, they'll understand that having "the woman beside the man" helps one to achieve all of that.

I think for many young men my age in a sense Michelle Obama serves as "the prototype". Beautiful, intelligent, gracious, compassionate, loyal, geniune, and giving, a devoted wife and mother whose accomplished in her own right. Every man needs a multitasker a woman who can do for him, do for her, and do for theirs.

Michelle Obama is the definite upgrade, she is "Ms. Independent", "She Got Her Own" and she might just be the original "Scholarship Chick".

Got all the goods to make a man aspire, shoot perspire, to make him work to reach his highest level.

Untapped potential does one no good.

So this may be my signal to look for my own Michelle, look for the "prototype".

The Implications

As I sat watching coverage of the inauguration of President Barack Obama I switched between NBC and CNN and BET (shots out to those involved with their coverage including the lovely and talented journalist Rene Syler) and TV One (shots out to those involved with their coverage including the equally lovely and talented journalist April Ryan), it was through watching history unfold early this afternoon that it hit me the full magnitude and weight of this moment.

To on this day be living history, and be bearing witness to such a momentous ocassion whether near or far had to feel remarkable and quite different.

I've always been enthralled with the political process, and always loved watching the pageantry, the pomp and circumstance involving things in Washington such as an inauguration.

Do you know C-SPAN is one of my favorite stations?

Today, January 20, 2009, I however sense that in finally seeing this day arrive we moved beyond symbolism. We moved beyond simply acknowledging that a person of color could achieve the highest office in the land. We moved beyond telling people that hard work, dedication, strength of character, and pays off.

But still the hard work begins tomorrow, after the celebrations and after the celebrations and reflections and energy subsides. The implications of two wars, an economic crisis, and other challenges we'd have to confront will undoubtedly demand not just an active President and administration, but also active and engaged citizenry during whatever they can to help.

So it'll be interesting to watch in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

Checking In

Up early I don't quite know why. I don't have to go to work today. I do however work tomorrow and then I'm off for eight days, four of which will be spent in San Diego on my first trip to Cali.

Last week was an interesting week at work. The job at the T.V. station apparently has some sort of plans for me after my apprenticeship ends in mid-February. I'll apparently be a freelancer writer which means filling in when others can't, and it also means no benefits.

Anyway despite the fact that there are no full-time positions to offer me they do apparently trust me. I've been helping out with our inaugural coverage planning. I also took a company car to D.C. yesterday to pick up our credentials. Mind you a) I don't do the Beltway in my own town b) I've never driven to D.C. c) I don't drive around in D.C. and d) they had to give me one of the bigger SUVs to drive lawd. Good news I made it there in back.

Now today I'm debating going downtown to see the President-elect speak. It's literally going to be freezing today and I don't do the cold.

I've also seen him speak in person three times (one of which the First Lady in waiting was with him). I don't know by 12:30 I may change my mind and head down into the area. At this point I'm just opposed to taking public transit down there. So we'll see.

Then tonight I have to pack for a trip to D.C. to atleast get a peek at the inauguration. My congressman and Senator didn't give me a ticket. It'll just be good to be in D.C. and to mark the moment in history with friends.

Then I work tomorrow and then it's off to the D.C. burbs and a little bit later into the city.

I'm not sure if I'm taking the comp. If I do I'll update, if not an update will come on Wednesday or Thursday.

I Should Probably Be Asleep

It's almost 9:30 p.m. and I should probably be asleep as I have to be at work at 4:00 a.m. tomorrow.

The meteorologists are thinking we may have some severe weather namely ice and freezing rain.

They called me in to do school closings.

You really know when you're at the bottom of the totem pole.

"Hey you, not so new kid, but still new kid, come in here bright and early to handle this. O.K.?"

No, I've done it once before and it wasn't bad at all.

Wish me a good night's sleep and lots of luck.

Goodnite!

This Kid's A Fantastic Reporter