4/29/2008: Hickory, NC

The Obama has landed. Report, The Obama has landed.

























It was a brisk NC afternoon. 50 degrees with a steady wind sweeping into the Piedmont. Ron Paul revolution signs waving from across the road. We arrived about a thousand people deep of the soon to be 3400 strong. Merchants peddled their campaign swag. The gymnasium was a welcome sight after a sunny hour and a half.

After much a do, the Senator took the stage. He spoke on issues. He cracked some jokes. He took time to recall his campaign trail experiences. He reacted to the audience. He addressed his competition. He showed us that he is an American and not what you read in emails. He is an American that salutes the flag. He is an American that wears flag lapel pins. He is an American that says (and has lead) the Pledge of Allegiance. He is an American!

He is not an Al-Qaeda conspirator. He is not an Islamic fundamentalist. He is not funding the genocide in Africa. He is not evil. He is an American!

He wrapped up his time with Q&A: The deficit, NAFTA, immigration, and "No Child Left Behind."

I have not been to a major presidential rally since George Dubya back in 2k. I always leave these rallies with a sense of euphoria. It is too bad the other democratic candidate was in Charlotte at the same time as this candidate. As far as the republican candidate... is there a republican candidate? Oh yeah, I did see some Ron Paul signs.

The Obama nation!

Wait... that's not right, but you know what? Count me in!



Luckily, Lyss and I have "golden tickets" to tomorrow's town hall meeting, in Hickory, NC. We are both very excited. I "HOPE" to have great things to report afterward.

p.s. Wii Mario Kart is the bomb-dizzle!

Comfort and Mercy

These will probably be the last of the "spy images" I will be able to post. I am running out of photo-ops.

Today, however, we had the distinct privilege of touring the USNS Mercy. We were up on the deck checking out the helo-pad. We were on the bridge. It was awesome! It is amazing how many ships our American Navy has for war, yet we only have a couple of ships for humanitarian missions i.e. the USNS Mercy (a.k.a. "the office") and the USNS Comfort.

These ships (or are they boats?) are truly deserving of their names.

The work they do is truly blessed. They will roll up on impoverished, often times, extremely treacherous areas of the world to lend medical assistance: free surgeries, plastic and dental reconstruction, crisis assistance, anything! Take it from me, without getting too specific, They are as equipped if not better equipped than any of the major hospital networks in the country.

Anywho, it has been a pleasure to be a part of this whole thing and to help out with their mission of healing and love.





These two (final) shots were taken on our way to the Mercy. This is actually the dock that runs between the Mercy (white with the red cross) and the Bob Hope (grey). These ships absolutely dwarf any person striding next to them.

Dude?

My job involves a lot of travel. Sometimes fun, but always lonely (Miss you Butters!). Anywho, Bud Light's newest "dude" commercial highlights the worst case scenario for any "road warrior."

The "moral" of the story: "No matter how bad your day is, you can always end it on a good note with an ice cold Bud Light." I never knew!

"Taking pictures, on the base, could get you shot."

Quote... Un-quote!

Bah! I'm not taking pictures. I'm on the "phone."

Enjoy (Hopefully, more to come!)! By the way, THESE SHIPS ARE HUGE! When we board the USNS Mercy, we have to walk between it and the USNS Bob Hope. Its like walking down an alley between two HUGE city blocks (just as tall and just as long!)!



Boat with missiles.



Boat with guns.



Two boats with guns and four cars without guns.



USNS Bob Hope... old boat.



Boat with BIG guns.



USNS Mercy... a.k.a. "the office."



USNS Bob Hope... the encore.

WWE Raw Politics!

WHO YOU GONNA VOTE FOR, BRRRRRROTHER?

Saint James, California

WEST COAST!!!!!!!!!!

I dipped my toes in the Pacific Ocean, today.



It was a first. I am working, this week, in San Diego, CA. It truly is a beautiful city. Much smaller than I pictured. All I know about San Diego, I learned from the Real World: San Diego.



I will try to take more pictures and make more observations as the week goes on. For now, I will leave you with these two nuggets:

-- The desent into San Diego is hair raising! The airport is set in downtown which means we practically buzzed the skyline. Additionally, the Thrifty car rental location is directly under the landing planes (I am hoping to snap a pic tomorrow!)

-- San Diego is the SAFEST CITY IN AMERICA because of the constant military presence. Seriously! The Naval ships patrol the coast, due to the Naval base. Additionally, fighter jets patrol the skies. On top of that, there is a very large Coast Guard presence.

Here is a shot of the USS Mercy. This is the ship I will be working on.

Here is a shot of few more ships docked in the harbor.

Watch out for that battleship!

Dude! This bridge is HUGE!

We were unable to get into the Naval base today, because of a security issue. However, I am hearing that tomorrow we are a go at 7:30AM PST.

P.S. Miss you Butters! "You know you love me. XOXO. Gossip Girl."