Comparisonly Speaking

Have you ever had moments in life where you aren’t who you are because others compare you to someone else? This week happens to be my moment. I’ve had three people tell me I look and act like someone and they all said the same person. I know who this person is but I found myself doing a Google search to read up on where she ranks in coolness. I’m kidding, sort of, I wanted to see what about her drew the comparison. After looking at her pictures, and reading about her accomplishments, I still couldn’t see it.

This made me think about the resemblance between Sarah Palin and Tina Fey. They don’t act the same, but by popular consensus there is a similarity in looks. But is there? I mean, Tina Fey wore her hair the same way as Sarah Palin, wore similar glasses and acted like her. Did her change in appearance, or acting make us think she looks like Sarah, or does she really resemble Sarah Palin? I did another Google search to see if there is a scientific reason how and why we compare people, but I couldn’t find anything, or maybe I put in the wrong search words.

Is there someone out there resembling you in looks and character, and do you see it? Inquiring minds want to know.

Death Becomes Us

The path that leads to Heaven's Garden

Isn’t for sale anymore.

Praying days, ask for pardon

He watches his soul rise and soar.

With a sold sign hung above its gate

Like Judas in the Joshua Tree,

Accepted wrongs prepared for fate

Peter smiles, says nothing is for free.

A Different View

I decided to take some pictures of what I see when walking to and from the train for work. My commute to work is about 50 minutes door-to-door with the luxury of only walking 1-1/2 blocks to the train and about 4 blocks to work. These pictures aren’t extraordinary, but I’m sure they are different from what others see. What made me do this were the Barack Obama banners hanging around town. Yesterday, I grabbed my camera to take a picture of a banner and wound up taking more. Hope you enjoy them.

Courtyard of my building

Chicago Board of Trade Security
A nice policeman willing to smile for me
I haven’t quite figured out what this sculpture is by the post office
Barack Obama Banner
Southbound on Dearborn
Great German food – The Berghoff
View from an area in our office

Oba-Wan Could Know Me

After many months watching campaigns, campaign ads, conventions and debates, the American citizens have nominated Barack Obama as the next President of the United States. Congratulations, Barack Obama, I’m sure you’ve made your grandmother very proud.

I also want to congratulate John McCain for wanting and fighting for this tough (an understatement) position. Either win, this election made it into the history books.

Barack Obama, you got my vote, and I hope you follow through on your plans and promises. You made history today, but it doesn’t end here. Because you are the first African-American President, I’m sure you know there will be higher expectations of you, especially since we’re in an economic crisis. The United States has lost credibility and respect with other countries, so I hope your words and actions will inspire and build the trust we deserve with world leaders.

I believe you are “The Change We Need,” and I hope you believe we are worth “Fighting For That Change.” Congratulations again, Mr. President.

I had to add this picture of the ‘fist bump’ between Barack and Michelle Obama, because as the saying goes, 'behind every great man is a great woman.’

From the Chicago Sun-Times, scenes of the Barack Obama rally in Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois.