New year... new beginnings

I realize it has been a long time since I checked in here. Not that I haven’t wanted to… just have been mighty distracted. But so much for excuses… here are a few random thoughts rattling around in my mind:

Obama’s debut – Like the rest of the liberal-media-elite world, I was captivated by the quiet drama of Inauguration Day—the pomp, the speeches, the benedictions, the hats… President Obama hit the right tone in his address and demeanor. Mrs. O stood by her man, looked great (until about midnight, when she started to wilt), and set a new standard of class and cool for Washington and the nation. The children were cute. The crowds we awe inspiring. And yes, it was good to see George W ride off into the sunset.

Caroline, uh-oh – I’m glad Caroline Kennedy withdrew from the N.Y. Senate contest. She was getting chewed up in the media. It became clear she isn’t fit—or doesn’t have the right team behind her—to get into the rough-and-tumble of politics. Besides, I stick with my earlier thoughts on her: she’s much better suited to play the part of a guardian angel, swooping in to shine a spotlight on and perhaps disperse some money to worthy causes. The world remains her stage—as long as she doesn’t retreat from the edge of public exposure she has just gained.

The economy, stupid – All I can say is, god help us. Every day it’s another gut-grabbing bit of grim news. I know in my heart that it will subside and turn around someday. But man, it’s tough sledding on the way down the hill.

Spygate 2009 – The news that the NSA was listening in on all of us Americans all the time is no surprise… and that’s an absolutely horrible thing to think on many many levels. Meanwhile, I wonder if I said or wrote anything that got me on a list somewhere…

Cold shoulder – I am officially sick and tired of the weather here in Boston. Sure, it’s worse further north. But I have the good sense not to live in the arctic (which apparently now starts around Minneapolis). I am looking forward to February break in the Bahamas. And I’m having a harder and harder time convincing myself that telecommuting from the tropics—or opening a beach-bum business somewhere south of here—is not an idea whose time has come.