Oratory

For as long as I can remember being interested in politics I have yearned for the political duologue of the past, believing that oratory was no longer eloquent or inspiring in contemporary politics. I longed for the speeches of the Kennedy brothers, wishing their speech writers would magically become young again and eager to inspire. I dreamed of what it would have been like to be in the same room as Lincoln or Jefferson as they gave resounding voice to our dreams and hopes as a nation; to be in awe as FDR healed our wounds. Perhaps it is a characteristic of our generation to be jaded and cynical for I believed the modern politics consisted of nothing more than going through the motions.

Last night I turned on the Democratic National Convention in hopes of learning more about a candidate that I admittedly know very little about, a candidate whom I was supporting simply becasue I don't like the other guy. I was wrong. Never in my life have I been so inspired by speeches given by my contemporaries. Never has my heart been so filled with hope and confidence by politics. In an era where attack adds are king and violence plagues the news I heard in the voices of those speaking a glimpse of the past. I heard passion, inspiration, hope , and most of all I heard truth. I believed what was being spoken. I believed those whom I never thought I would believe, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Teddy Kennedy, and Michelle Obama. I wanted to grab a sign and shout at the top of my lungs that this is what our nation has been lacking, this is what politics should be. In an era where politics mostly focuses on the negative, I, for the first time as an eligible voter, felt positive about my choice for president.

Please, if you have a chance, watch the rest of the convention. See if you can feel what I am writing about. If you missed last night's speeches, you can hear them at www.npr.org under "Elections 2008" or go to http://www.demconvention.com for the videos and transcripts.

Thing I Learned About Weddings

Here are a few things, for future reference, I have learned about weddings:

- Have the wedding indoors. This will eliminate 90% of the stress about the weather.

- Do not split up couples. If one is in the wedding party, the other should be as well. Otherwise it's just too awkward.

- Invite the brothers of Alpha Sigma Phi

- Real flowers over fake.

- A photo booth is a must!

- Dance lessons should be required.

- Music plays a bigger role than you would think.

Mr. and Mrs. Rachel and Joey Wood

Well, I did it. I went and I didn't let my unfounded jealousy take over. Maybe only for a few moments here and there but overall I actually enjoyed myself. To be quite honest, it was the most fun wedding I have ever been to. And the ceremony was beautiful too, not only visually but meaningfully as well. Too bad I'm Catholic and have to have a priest officiate because I would have Uncle John preside over my wedding any day. ;) I have never been to a ceremony that was filled with so much love and reverence for the two people about to become husband and wife; and so much respect for the meaning of marriage.

I don't know how to make this next part come out right but I'll give it a whirl. It was wonderful to be a part of a wedding that had next to nothing to do with religion or God. That's not to say that God wasn't there or mentioned because he was. Perhaps more so than if it were all about the religious aspect. This truly was a celebration of two people's love for each other, their commitment to one another. Is that not the purest form of God's love? Why muddle it up with all the heaviness and pressure that comes along with religion? I don't know what else to say other than that was the most beautiful ceremony I have ever been to and the only ceremony I have physically felt the love radiating from everyone present.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Wood.

Who Would Have Thought?

Well there actually is something about Western that I like.

I absolutely love being put on hold when dialing across campus! I mean, have you ever truly listened to the hold music? It's classical; and not only that, it's beautiful! I've never heard such beautiful music while on hold- anywhere. Usually I get cheesy elevator music or obscure contemporary classical. But no, not at Western. I just wish they'd chime in and name the compositions so I could go out and get them for myself.

I <3 Western's hold music.