Twilight - crack for teenage girls (ok, and grown women)

I wasn't gonna do it. I avoided all the hype about the Twilight series, convinced that books written to the teenage girl audience wouldn't live up to my idea of good reading. But, thanks to a group of BZ friends I read with, I gave it a try.
So, ok, I was mostly wrong. I just finished the last book Breaking Dawn, and I totally loved it! Out of the four books in the series, there was only one I didn't love (New Moon), but I realize now that it was necessary. I guess there's not really a point to this post, just looking for a way to stretch the subject out a little further, now that I'm done! Sigh.
Check out my "Recently Read" list for some other suggested reading...

Idolatry

Today marks a remarkable occasion - the inauguration of our first African-American president. I wholeheartedly hope that President Obama can live up to his promises, to what everyone in this country now holds their breath for him to do. Truly. For the sake of my future and that of my children, I do not want to watch him fail. So don't mistake what I am about to say as a lack of support for our new president, pessimism, or even bitterness or resentment for him winning the election. Those emotions are not there.

But I'll tell 'ya, the first thing that came to mind when I saw this picture was Exodus 20: 4-5 "You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them..."

I look at the footage of his ceremony, of the crowd of nearly 2 million people who are watching, chanting his name. The people who came from far and wide to witness this historic event, to share in the feeling of hope and show their support. Little dots as far as the eye can see. I am awe-struck. What does that feel like, I wonder, walking down that red-lined aisle to face them all? I can't imagine. I also can't imagine what he has done to deserve that. Has he earned that adoration? I mean, really? I don't think so, or that McCain would, or Hillary Clinton, or Sarah Palin, or even Dave Matthews (and you all know how I feel about him!), or anyone else at the beginning of their new job. He is only human. Obama has yet to do anything but play a good game and win the world's biggest popularity contest. He is a politician, after all, and the proof is in the pudding. 8 years from now, if this country is in a time of peace and our economy has recovered, I will be happy to stand in a croud of 2 million and give my appreciation. I hope I can. When he has earned it.

Resolutions

New Years resolutions are famous for being forgotten about by February, and my own resolutions in years past are no exception. I can't even remember what I resolved to do in 2008. As chiche' as it is, this year I really want to lose some weight - about 15 pounds to be specific. I know now that my days of the baby weight just falling off (as it did with the girls) are over, as are the "eat whatever I want" days. I had to work to lose the baby weight after Jacob was born, and even then I never lost that last little bit. (And, unfortunately, since then I've gained a little of it back). My goal going in to '09 is to lose 15 pounds by my wedding anniversary - May 12th. I'm hoping that by committing it to writing, I will be more likely to follow through. Wish me luck!