A Kid of Many Hats

Today we had some fun while doing some shopping at Target. Aidan wanted to try on the hats and I took some silly pictures of him doing it. He got the Spider-Man hat.

I voted today...

We went to the Kingwood Library today to vote. X Barack Obama!

Aidan was so cute. This morning when we were getting dressed I said, "We are going to go vote." He replied, "For Barack Obama?" Man I laughed. Then he asked Norma later if Barack Obama was going to be there because he would like to meet him. Aidan is all about "meeting" people right now. He says, "Nice to meet you" to people all the time. And "Remember me?" to people he has never met.

It was pretty neat voting early today. They stamped my voter card with "DEMOCRATIC." That way I can vote in the Dem caucus on March 4th at 7pm. It was kind of funny how the polling lady told one person, "it's not two votes, you just go to the caucus to have an delegate represent your district." Well, yeah, but it is like voting two times in my book. You need to go to the caucus to be sure your original vote counts as much as it can. Makes me wonder what kind of impact the caucus will have on the delegates. It is possible that someone could win the popular vote and lose the delegate count by a bunch. 30% of the delegates are selected through caucus in Texas.

Voting today made me think of a song by Pearl Jam called "Undone." I have always loved the song and it is about Election Day and voting. But, in Texas we never really have a vote that seems to matter much. This year is a lot different. This year Texas matters. And it was a powerful feeling to go to the voting booth and make my choice. I think those who were voting early today like me felt the same way. Norma and I over heard people saying things like, "I am a Democrat." "I can vote Democrat here today, right?" And, "I am a Republican, but can I vote for a Democrat today." All three comments and questions were made during the 10 minutes we were in there. I am not joking. And we live in one of the Reddest cities and Reddest states in the Union. :)

"Undone"

Last stop on the westcoast line
South of the northern border
One small corner on my mind

Everybody, they know me there
Don't get any second glances
Chances are that they don't care

The world has come undone
Like to change it everyday
Change don't come at once
It's a wave building before it breaks
Can't wait for election day

Witness the occupation
Corporations rule the day
Well you know the pendulum throws
Farther out to the one side, swinging
Has to sweep back the other way

The world has come undone
Another day and who can wait
Change don't come at once
It's a wave building before it breaks
All this hope and nowhere to go
This is how i used to feel, but no more

The world has come undone
Like a game that few can play
Change don't come from one
It's a wave building before it breaks

And hopefully in November I won't be singing these lyrics this year by Nora Jones - "Nothing is as scary as Election Day":

NORAH JONES LYRICS

"My Dear Country"

'Twas Halloween and the ghosts were out,
And everywhere they'd go, they shout,
And though I covered my eyes I knew,
They'd go away.

But fear's the only thing I saw,
And three days later 'twas clear to all,
That nothing is as scary as election day.

But the day after is darker,
And darker and darker it goes,
Who knows, maybe the plans will change,
Who knows, maybe he's not deranged.

The news men know what they know, but they,
Know even less than what they say,
And I don't know who I can trust,
For they come what may.

'cause we believed in our candidate,
But even more it's the one we hate,
I needed someone I could shake,
On election day.

But the day after is darker,
And deeper and deeper we go,
Who knows, maybe it's all a dream,
Who knows if I'll wake up and scream.

I love the things that you've given me,
I cherish you my dear country,
But sometimes I don't understand,
The way we play.

I love the things that you've given me,
And most of all that I am free,
To have a song that I can sing,
On election day.

Aidan's Toy Chart

This is Aidan's "Toy Chart." Norma put it together for him to celebrate picking up his toys each night before bed. Once he gets 5 in a row he is allowed to get a new toy. It has been a real savior for us. We have established a routine of cleaning up. Rewarded him with a toy - and this has actually cut down on our toy buying. Now he knows we don't get a toy EVERY time we go to Target or to the store. He gets one when he picks up all his toys.

He's been really good about it. And I am really proud of him that he is getting older and taking care of his business.

As for the toys he's been getting... it's all about the Power Rangers: Jungle Fury. He loves that show. I just can't wait until they make some more episodes because it is wearing me out!

"Thank You, Houston, I Love You!"

Big night tonight. Obama wins again. Nine in a row (Hawaii will be 10, crossing my fingers). Wisconsin should have been a state in Hillary's pocket. Instead it "Changed" to Obama.

I loved that the victory speech tonight was in my hometown of Houston, Texas. And it was in front of 20,000+ people smashed into the Toyota Center downtown. Amazing. It was the only speech tonight that really felt like there was a wave of people behind the candidate. It was impressive on television, but the speech was very long. 45 minutes. But, Barack did a great job of weaving his "hopeful inspiration" speech with his policy speech. I think he got done what he needed to do tonight. He set the stage for Texas.

Impressively he delivered this message right up front: "The Texas Two-Step" Yep, that's right, 'vote early and vote often.' In Texas Norma and I can vote TOMORROW. And I believe we will. We have early voting here. Then on election day we can return to the caucus site and vote AGAIN for Obama. 25% of the delegates will be elected through caucus at night on election night. I can't wait to be there. It is going to be neat to see how it works. Very historic.

I was worried about Wisconsin all day today. I was even a little bit grumpy about it. Just couldn't wait for everything to end tonight and see Barack give a victory speech instead of a concession speech about Wisconsin. But, now I am heading to bed with a smile on my face. I'm: "Fired up and ready to go (vote)!"

Aidan's Endorsement

Barack Obama from fordee on Vimeo.

Super Kid

Norma and I are so lucky! We have the best boy in the world.

Happy Valentine's Day

Aidan had a great Valentine's Day. He took hearts filled with chocolate for his two friends at Mimi's house. Aidan stays with Mimi during the day while we are at work. His two friends were very excited to get their chocolate.

I asked Aidan who his Valentine sweetheart was... he said, "Addison, Dad." And smiled really big. She's a little young for him now, but she'll catch up soon. :)

Hope everyone had a very wonderful time with their special someone(s). I certainly did with my two favorite people on earth. We got some Mexican food - Norma's favorite. And had a nice relaxing time at home.

Pictures with the girls...

At the movies...


In Jack in the Box...

Obama - 3 for 3 on Saturday!

Pretty exciting day to be an Obama supporter. Big Night for Obama: Democrat Takes Nebraska, Washington, and Louisiana

Today in Houston the Obama headquarters opened as hundreds of people cheered. Things are really shaping up for a very massive primary day on March 4th in Texas and Ohio. But, first we have Maine tomorrow (where I think Hillary has a good shot, whoever wins New Hampshire usually wins Maine) and then the beltway primaries on Tuesday (D.C., Maryland, and Virginia).

Things sure are tight on the Democratic side. The Republicans are having 'buyers remorse' around their presumptive candidate - John McCain. Today McCain struggled in the Republican primaries. Huckabee won HUGE in Kansas. Then neither got enough support in Louisiana to take 50% - so neither got any delegates yet. (this is so confusing... no wonder most people could care less) Huckabee was running ahead in Washington when I went to bed, but there weren't many votes in yet (for some reason??).

This video had Norma and I laughing our butts off today:

"O" What a Super Tuesday!

It has been a lot of fun to watch this campaign develop. Both Hillary and Obama have made me proud to be a Democrat.

To realize how far back Obama was just months ago and to see where he is now - neck-and-neck with the Clinton machine. It is remarkable. Now today we learn that the Clinton campaign announced that Hillary and Bill Clinton injected $5 million of their personal fortune into her campaign a few days ago. On MSNBC tonight, they said Obama had already raised $3 Million just TODAY. Earlier tonight I saw a graphic on the Obama website that said they had raised $4 Million since midnight last night. And tonight at 9:30pm it says they are at $5.5 Million! Holy smokes.

Let's see where it's at now:


This video says it all about why they can raise so much money!

Fired Up, Ready to Go

From the Youtube.com posting site:
"Why Obama?" Three brothers share theirs tory. Joe Bergevin watched Senator Barack Obama tell a story about one person, Edith Childs, who energized others with a "fired up, ready to go," chant at one of his campaign stops. Inspired by Obama's "One voice can change the world" speech, Joe wrote some lyrics and rough chords then called his brother Jon to help him compose and arrange the song. They named it after Edith's chant. After many phone calls, emails, and sleepless nights, they had assembled the team. Ten days later an epic recording was born with the intention of spreading Obama's hopeful message. Contributors include lead singer Reverend Pat Wright and her renowned Total Experience Gospel Choir, drummer Matt Cameron from Pearl Jam, lead singer Jake Bergevin, other top studio musicians, sound engineers, video teams, photographers, caterers, local news teams and a renovated theater with recording studio. From the first word written to the last note performed, this entirely donated and collective effort demonstrates Senator Obama's unifying message and Americans' desire to act on it. We were in awe of how freely people said, "Yes!" to this project. His words "For that is our unyielding faith-that in the face of impossible odds, people who love their country, can change it" demonstrate that great leaders motivate others. Barack is a great leader.

"I would have never imagined participating in an event like this, suddenly having a bunch of people come together on behalf of a political candidate; contributing immediately, so fully and unconditionally," said Stephan Schier, one of the project contributors.

Edith Childs said in the Greenwood Index Journal "I just had no idea that something done spontaneously would go this far -- in a good way," Childs said. "But as far as the song, I think it's cool. And I'm going to go online and see the (music) video when it comes out. But look, I did (the chant) in June, and I had no idea this is where we'd be on January 25."

Yes We Can - Barack Obama Music Video

It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.

Yes we can.

It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom.

Yes we can.

It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.

Yes we can.

It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballots; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.

Yes we can to justice and equality.

Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity.

Yes we can heal this nation.

Yes we can repair this world.

Yes we can.

We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change.

We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics...they will only grow louder and more dissonant ........... We've been asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope.

But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.

Now the hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of LA; we will remember that there is something happening in America; that we are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people; we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter in the American story with three words that will ring from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea --

Yes. We. Can.



Celebrities featured include: Jesse Dylan, Will.i.am, Common, Scarlett Johansson, Tatyana Ali, John Legend, Herbie Hancock, Kate Walsh, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Adam Rodriquez, Kelly Hu, Adam Rodriquez, Amber Valetta, Eric Balfour, Aisha Tyler, Nicole Scherzinger and Nick Cannon

Super Bowl XLII

Official Aidan Prediction:
"Daw Gi-ents."

There you have it. No questions about it. Biggest upset in Super Bowl History. New York Giants will win, because my 3 year-old says so. (disclaimer, he kind of picked the Patriots earlier today, although he didn't really say Patriots. Norma gave him a puzzled look and probably planted a seed that the Patriots are evil cheaters!)

We had "chowder" for lunch. For dinner I am heading out in a minute to pick up Pizza from NEW YORK Pizzeria in Town Center. Then later in the game I'll have some chips and salsa. So we have it all covered:

New England - NE Clam Chowder
New York - NY Style Pizza
Phoenix, Arizona - Chips & Salsa for the great Southwest

I am going to try to keep this fun Super Bowl tradition going each year.

Final Score:
NY Giants 34
NE Patriots 31

Difference - the two headed running monster of Bradshaw and Jacobs. I also think the Giants will be able to put enough pressure on Brady to aggravate his ankle injury. The kind of pressure on the cheaters, errrr Patriots is ENORMOUS. I think that will have an impact on the game and keep it very close. But, the Patriots are not going to go down without a huge fight. This one goes right down to the wire.

Daily Show: S.O.T.U.

This is absolutely hysterical.

Wow.

Fix You

This is a song that I wrote about on my old blog. Every time I hear it I think of Aidan. I just imagine what he will go through in life. Every day will not be perfect. I think of the first time a girl breaks his heart, or the first time he strikes out and loses a baseball game... I hope that I am there to help him... and to fix him.

When you try your best, but you don't succeed
When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse

And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

When high up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try you'll never know
Just what you're worth

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

Tears stream down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down your face
And I...

Tears stream down your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down your face
And I...

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you