Washing on all Cylinders

Greetings Barty Watchers!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIXdqR-60Ws (for reference)

This week saw a landmark event that has never before happened in my or possibly any of our lifetimes. Barack Obama's inauguration? Well that was a landmark event and certainly a very important one with globabl consequences, but its not that the one I'm thinking of. Did someone invent a deoderant that not only failed to prevent perspiration but failed to cover up the smell? Yes, that did occur, but it was more disapointing than a landmark historical event.

I found a peanut M&M with two nuts inside the one shell, they were covered in chocolatey goodness. Can I get a heleluja? Well perhaps it wasn't a divine miracle, but it was still pretty good. It reminds me of the time my friend Tom found an absurdly long french fry at his birthday party in about Grade 4. I finally have a food oddity to call my own.

Today was indeed Barack Obama's first day on the job and as expected his inaguration speech was excellent. For those of you who are regular readers (if indeed there are any) you will know that I prefer not to get to personal, as generally speaking I prefer to be a private person. However on the Obama situation I will say this, whilst it is certainly a landmark occassion for the United States to elect an African-American President, it is my hope that people will celebrate the success of his presidency just as much if not more so than the success of his Presidential campain. To put it in a football analogy, he has taken a speccy 30m out and the crowd is celebrating, I hope that he kicks the goal. Also I have seen a lot of people who are not American citizens post pro Obama messages on their social networking page of choice. Thankfully we live in countries where that is your right as a citizen. However I think it is important to remember that he is the President of the United States and not the President of Planet Earth and while I think it is marvellous that people have taken in interest in politics and perhaps have been inspired by Barack, it is important to remember that his message is only effective if we take the time to make our local communities better places. To paraphrase a wise man, 'The smallest deed is better than the best intention'. I also hope it inspires people to become more active in Australian politics. All that said, I like the man and I hope that under his guidence one of Australia's most important allies enjoys prosperity.

I also saw a guy wearing a 'McCain/Palin' t-shirt today. No matter your politics you have to admit it was a bold move. A bold move.

As a side note, I am aware that some of my university collegues do not like it when others use sporting or entertainment analogies. To those people, my blog, my analogies, if you do not like it, read another blog.

It is starting to warm up here in Tucson and it is hard to believe that it is the middle of winter. Some students have even started calling for the A/C to be turned on.

Training has been difficult this week. I have not been well, and some ill-advised decisions on my part to stay up late have hindered my performance. This week also proved to be a valuable reminder that for me, very few things come quickly and that patience and good work ethic will be required. That said I am very fortunate and the reward is always worth the toil, so I generally don't mind sticking it out.

This week I also perfected the art of 'duel wielding' my laundry. For those who play video games, you will know that duel wielding is when you are carrying two weapons. Basically I succeded in putting my colours in one machine and my whites in the other, pulling up a chair and watching the magic unfold. Its amazing how fast time goes with the help of a bit of self satisfaction.

So, how are you doing? Let me know.

ctb