Obama's DNC Speach

A great American story. From simple beginnings, attended Harvard and became the first African American president of Harvard Law School. He turned down the high paying jobs to work on community development, was elected to the Senate, and now the first African American to be a democratic nominee.

I watched the DNC all week. Tonight 90,000 supporters filled the stadium and millions watched on TV. Obama's speech is historic and on the anniversary of MLKs "I Had A Dream" speech. Obama gave a wonderful acceptance speech.

I am proud of him because along his path, he touched peoples lives and used these experiences to take action and become a voice of hope. He is not Superman! There is no way any president could solve all the issues in 8 years. But, maybe he can start changing how Washington works and make it more transparent. Maybe he will inspire us all to make change for the positive. Even if that means sacrifices. Whatever he does, he will not live up to anyones expectations....

I am also proud that he ran his campaign in a more positive and grassroots way. It amazes me to see the weekly house parties and voter registrations going on for Obama. He has leveraged the Internet, not just for donations, but to help bring people together and including them in the campaign. Did you know most of his donation are $50 or less.

What is the right experience to become president?
I think it is the only job, without a real list of prerequisites and that amazes me, since it is the most important job in America. JFK and Clinton were both said to not have enough experience. Yet their experience and leadership lead this country to better places. I just hope unlike Clinton and Edwards, Obama really does have the better judgment when it comes to his libido. Specially, if Obama Girl is close by....


Obama's DNC speech mentioned:

• Environment
• Energy solution, not just drilling and we need to act now
• Education - better education, teacher pay, affordable college education for all
• Poverty
  
• Health care - Lower premiums, get coverage as good as Congress, stop discrimination of chronically sick, require employers to provide paid sick days and leave
• Economy
• Income - fair wage for all, equal pay

All of the changes cost money, how does he plan to pay for it?

• Close corporate loops holes
• Eliminate programs in the federal budget that does not work
• Government can lead, but we all have a part how we impact our community, families, and the world. From the light bulbs we use to fathers taking responsibilities for their kids.

Obama said we may not agree on things, but can work together on solutions that will help all.

• Reduce abortions, even if it is legal
• May not agree on same sex marriage, but allow them rights (visit partner in hospital)
  
• Immigration - As we try to figure out the problem, treat them fairly with good judgment
• War - As a last resort. Work with other world leaders in a more willing way. Need better ways to deal with terrorists. Can't Help Georgia due to lack of resources and manpower
• World politics - Restore what we stand for and how we treat other countries
• Character - Wont tear down McCain, it is about politics and we need to all work together as America, not left or right. We should disagree respectfully, but work together.
  
• Politics - Trying to scare people to vote using untrue tactics should stop.

Obama used a quote from MLK:
"Something is stirring. We want change in the political system and it comes when we as Americans rise up and are given hope that we make a difference."

My thoughts?
Like every acceptance speech, it is full of promises and little proof of a plan to pay for it. Obama's was no different. But, unlike others since JKF, Obama seems to connect people and give them hope.

"America our destiny is linked to each other, we can't walk alone, must march ahead".
Is Obama the one who can lead us, inspire us, give us hope and start the change in Washington we need? I hope so. I am voting on it.

I know he is a good speaker and people say he has nothing else to offer. But that is too simplistic. As I watched his speech, I was moved because I am inspired by him and the hopes and dreams he has for the country. Not only for me and my kids but the "least of these" in the US and around the world. What each of us do and how our country responds to other nations not only affect us and generations to come, but others all over the world. I believe Obama gets that.

It is easier to worry about our pile of stuff, we don't want to dare think we have a moral responsibility to worry about others, specially if they are not next store or think the same way we do..... The oppression or struggles others face will eventually affect us and it is happening now with the mortgage crisis, poverty around the world, and government borrowing from China to operate, global warming, and the oil situation. We are encouraged to spend money to make the economy better, while our credit card debt is the highest in the world. There has to be a balance and right now as a whole we tipped the scales and need to be smarter as individuals and a country on who we owe and how we operate. As individuals we can make a difference, but the Government should be an example and inspire us.

I hope for a better world. Helping other countries and dealing with situations in a more diplomatic fashion. Even if you have to say "OK, that did not work, lets regroup and figure this out."

May the next 3 months come quickly. I am addicted to CNN and tired of watching the pundits. Next week is the RNC and I plan to watch it with an open mind as well, but my vote is already going to Obama. So maybe I will watch it with a closed mind :)

Grandpa L

My Grandpa, is 94 and had a stroke. I am not sure how much he knows at this point but Alzheimer is setting in as well. He has always been independent so I think it is hard for him to lose that.


I feel bad because I do not see him much. Mostly around Christmas, once a year if we get down to Florida. I guess I do not make the effort I should..... My Uncle is close by to monitor and take care of him. I can only imagine the stress and patience it takes.

Here is an odd story.

Saturday night I was told my Grandpa, broke into the assisted living centers snack closet to steal candy.

The same Saturday night, my wife and I went to bed around 9pm, the little ones were supposed to be asleep. We woke up around 11pm, to giggles and found our kids rolling a soccer ball to each other and eating 8 bags of gummy bears between the two of them...

So on the same night Grandpa was breaking into the candy closet, my kids broke into the candy jar....

Here is a video from last Christmas,
he was dancing with his great grand kids.

Alexandra Orlando

My parents emailed me about my cousin (2ND cousin) being in the Olympics for Canada. How cool is that. I think she competes next week and am looking forward to watching.

She is one of only four athletes to win six gold medals at a single commonwealth game. She is also on the list for the 50 sexiest athletes of the 2008 Olympics. I am not sure how her parents feel about that one, but all I can say is how the hell did I miss the athletic and good looks genes in this family. Damn, my parents!!!!

You got to give respect to someone that has practiced her whole life for a shot at the Olympics. Her family as well. All the sacrifice for something few achieve. Even if she does not get a medal, she has made it further then most of the population. But, it looks good for her.

Amazing stuff... You go girl!
I searched and found her blog, check it out

Make sure you watch till the end, she throws the ball very high and catches it with her legs. I can't even catch a pass on the basketball court from my son.....


Hoola Hoop to the next level

Soccer Season

Chloe and I went to her second practice yesterday. It was a lot better then the first one.

She stayed a little more focused and even scored two goals. Some kids got frustrated with her because she stole the ball and was going to make a goal. He started hitting her.... The dad was cool and took his son aside. Chloe looked dazed and confused, but continued to dribble the ball for a goal.

Haircut bro....

Tonight my son decided to be nice to his little sister and put in some hair clips she wanted in her hair. They were being so sweet to each other, it was a nice scene until he could not get one out of her hair and found a pair of scissors to cut Chloe's hair......

Soccer Practice

The kids went to soccer practice today. Stephen is on his 3rd season and this is Chloe's first season. Practice is at different schools so Kathi took Stephen and I took Chloe.

Chloe ran around crazy as did all the other kids. The coach is new and has never coached before.
What I am discovering is that no one is stepping up to help. I think we all feel we paid our fees and should have a competent coach. But, it looks like a few of us are gonna try to step up. If it does not get better, Chloe can wait a year or so...

Stephen is strong and fast, but small for his size. Some big kid told him he was to small to play. The kid was bullying other children. We are gonna have to teach Stephen how to deal with bullies and also feel confident, even if he is smaller then the others...

My visit to the mechanic

I arrived at my mechanic's auto shop at 7:30am today.
It is 11:13am and they say I should be on the road by 11:30 or 12.

I had to get a tune up, oil change, tires rotated, and a state inspection. While they were inspecting my car, they noticed my check engine light was on.
This resulted in finding out my camshaft sensor and synchronizer was bad and needed to be replaced....

I thought I was going to pay out no more then $200, but the total now is going to be $700.

Now I am grumpy, hungry, and tired. I think I am gonna go out to lunch, what's another $12 after this service bill......

CQ+PQ>IQ

I am reading "The World is Flat". It is a very interesting look on how technology is changing our world and the need to adapt. There is a concept I found interesting:

CQ+PQ>IQ
Curiosity (to discover) + Passion (to learn) is greater then a high IQ.

The author explains he would hire a person with curiosity and passion over someone with just a high IQ. He explains people with curiosity and passion are self motivators and self educators. As technology changes the world, these types of traits will prove valuable, since they are apt to be willing and ready to change and can inspire others as well.

I can relate to this because when I worked for a dotcom, we had a few people who were very smart and had master degrees from Duke. But, they were not as creative or productive as the employee who had passion and curiosity.

I am not saying high IQ's or advance degrees are not helpful. But, I can see where a persons drive, curiosity, and passion can provide an edge to someone who only offers a high IQ.

My daughter is very smart. We are proud of her and I have tried to explain to her how important other attributes are in life. You do not wear your IQ or test scores on your head. For me that is a good thing! Grades and scores can help get you in the game, but performace is what counts. Performance is a result of CQ+PQ.

My daughter is cute, smart, and unique. I love that about her. She is as pig headed as me too!
I love that she explores different music and reads graphic novels. Those are things I loved as a kid too. She is into literature, even in the summer time... She has some passion and I cant wait to see what she does with it.

It's not a competition!

My son loves to make everything a competition with his little sister. From who can run up the stairs faster, kick more soccer goals, ride a bike better, brush his teeth faster. You name it, he can turn it into a competition.

I can be competitive and for the most part turn it off. We try to explain to our son that everything does not have to be a competition.

Well, the other night he turn the tables on me.....

My son wanted to do sit ups before he went to bed. I think this was triggered because when he was 3, the only thing that calmed him down was bedtime "Yoga". It was really just stretching...

Our nightly routine goes something like this "The kids brush their teeth, we read books, I tuck my baby girl in, and sneak off to my sons room so he can do sit ups. This was the routine most nights for the last 2 weeks. We would take turns and do 3 sets of 10. I was impressed he could do them. Well, one night we completed our sets and he wanted to see how many he could do. He did 54 sit ups (on top of the 3 sets of 10). I was amazed and as father would do, I started doing sit ups to show him how many I could do. Well, after about 30 (on top of 3 sets of 10) I struggled. As he held my legs for me, he said "Daddy it is not a competition you can stop if you want..."

Talk about funny. He not only showed me up in sit ups, but used my own lecture on me.