How Do You Obama?

I think I'd be a rich woman right now if I had something with Obama on it to sell. The election is over, and there's still a buying a frenzy over all things Obama. That's all you see on the magazine covers, the newspapers, and in the talk around the water cooler (or microwave). I spoke to one woman at the newstand. She had 12 newspapers in her hand. I thought, perhaps, she might be a collector, but she tells me instead that she scrapbooks. "It's something for the grandkids," she said. That's a novel idea.

I succumbed (sp) to the frenzy myself and bought a NYT and a New Yorker. But what a waste it would be to just let those papers sit around. So, of course, I'll read them. I do wonder what other collectors do with their papers and books. Do they wrap them in plastic and store them away in a box, waiting on end until other copies are destroyed and tarnished? Is it even profitable at this point to collect Obama gear? The market is so saturated.

Miss Black Maryland 2009

Pageants and the people who win them are always interesting. Winners have been ridiculed often for participating in pageants because part of the qualification for winning is beauty. But winners also must show their knowledge of world events, community service, and education among other things. There is also a talent and evening wear competition. The talent portion seems important because it sends a message to other women that it's important to develop interests outside of oneself to become well-rounded. The evening wear portion is also important because it highlights our need to continually place an emphasis on the way we present ourselves before others. It's a crucial part of developing self esteem. The pageant also provides scholarship funds to the contestants, and who wouldn't be in favor of an organization that provides an honest way for women to pay for college.

Here's a great news segment about Elsie Owolo, Miss Black Maryland 2009. This link takes you to WJZ Channel 13. Miss Black Maryland 2009 is on segment 2.

I've also heard word about a new television series about pageant winners competing for the Miss America title. It will air on TLC at 10pm on Fridays all next month. Here is a link to the show.


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Better News than BJ Hill

(Image Credit: Walk America 2008)

Tonight, as I was watching the news (ABC, I think, with Charlie Gibson), they aired a story about a man named BJ Hill who quit his job teaching to walk across America collecting letters people to the President (Obama, that is). As I watched that news story, several things struck me. First, I wonder why it is that we're celebrating a man who quit his job teaching when our country is experiencing a shortage of highly qualified teachers. Wouldn't he be doing our country a better service if he were to stay in the classroom (assuming that he is a good teacher) and teach our children to read or do algebra? Second, why didn't he just organize a e-mailing campaign? With the technology we have today, it's really unnecessary to go about on foot collecting responses in a notepad. Third, with all the clean-up Bush has left for Obama, what would make Mr. Hill believe that the President (Obama) would have either the time or inclination to read the fruits of his voyage?

I can only suppose it must be a slow news day, but there are stories to report about Toyota experiencing its first financial loss in several decades, stories about Zimbabwe and Mugabe's refusal to step down from power in the midst of country's bitter turmoil, stories about Russia and the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe). Even if the news show were searching for a feel-good ending to the newscast, I find it very difficult to believe that in this "season of giving" that a reporter could not find a better story of how men and women give up their time to reach out and help those in need. Mr. Hill isn't even reaching out. He isn't even walking for a worthy cause. He is raising money on website for what? New shoes for himself so he can continue to walk across the country collecting stories when a simple e-mail to the White House would do.

Critical thinking. That's something we all need to work on and I hope that this challenge, by opening my eyes to all that's out there, can also help me see even when others do not.