The best of the best is right here

And what a weekend it was, filled with snow, cold weather, but best of all, making new friends and seeing some of my old ones.  Now this was a typical retreat in the way that many people came together, enjoyed themselves and each other, and maybe learned a little something or two about themselves or their culture.

But it was atypical in that I took away something completely different.  In the end, I temporarily didn’t care anymore for politics, the news, and to a lesser degree, sports.  That feeling still partially remains even though I’m typing on a computer back in Philly.  But the effect of that feeling will remain for quite some time.

Yes, as some cliche hunters might snuff out, I stepped away from my day-to-day life and realized how absolutely inconsequential things like the presidential election are or whatever else may grab my attention. 

It’s one thing to know that something is taking over your life.  It’s another thing to be removed from those distracting forces and feel a lot better off without them.

The natural question in your mind might be, ‘Hmm…will Shardule cut himself off from civilization?’  Obviously not.  When I had free time once I got back to Philly, I browsed through my usual political and sports websites…and after paying an incredible amount of attention in the past few months…not having paid attention for two days seemed like a shell shock.

With each passing website I browsed through this afternoon, I felt as if I the clock began to run down on the momentary happiness that ‘removing myself from reality’ entailed.  But I still felt it.

So I guess the best way to be on top of your game is just to play your game…(not a one-on-one game…that’s isolation…I’m talking about being in the game with your close family and friends)…and not worry about anyone else’s.  You know, as in stopping the scoreboard checking.

p.s.  I didn’t suck at skiing as much as I thought I would.  I even accomplished my goal of hitting an advanced trail.  (I went down one black diamond even though the only thing challenging about the course was the 70-degree-ish drop at the very end.)

Well, there has been a recent upswing in news coverage of the demographic split between Clinton and Obama.

Latte liberal.  Dunkin’ Donuts Democrat.

Please.  Those are the lamest and most canned terms I’ve heard since Bush’s “Compassionate Conservatism.”

Here’s the truth. 

There is very little policy difference between Obama and Clinton.  So it makes no sense why the under $50,000 crowd should be supporting Clinton while the over $100,000 supports Obama. 

Their healthcare plans are 95% similar.  [Obama's is slightly less government-centered and does not include a mandate for adults.]  Hillary is slightly more hawkish in regards to foreign policy.  Obama and Clinton have similar economic stimulus packages.  Those are the three biggest issues to Democrats today (the economy, foreign policy, and healthcare), and if you add up the score, it’s basically a draw in regard to whose policy stances are more ‘left’ or ‘right’.

So the truth is that it’s not fair to notate one Democrat as having policies that favor more of the upper-class and the other having policies more attributable to benefitting the middle class.  It’s not fair because their policies are basically the same.

So what gives?  Why the labels?

Simple.  It’s about the marketing of these policies that has people (mainly columinsts and their avid readers) up in arms about Obama’s so-called Fluffernutter rhetoric (Latte liberal) and Hillary’s wonky policy-heavy down-to-earth speeches (DD Dem).

Obama

Obama has left himself open to policy changes.  He is taking a risk by doing that (by seeming unprepared) but his reward is that his policies do not come off as ‘liberal’ or ‘left’, but the fact of the matter is that they are. 

No doubt.  But his rhetoric has been interpreted as one of a candidate who is above partisan politics.  Now, here-in lies Obama’s strength.  He actually may be able to deliver on his campaign promises simply because (a) he has left the details of his policies rather vague therefore leaving him with wiggle room should he win the election and on a related note (b) he may be able to convince a strong majority of Congress (including Republicans) to work with him and to get legislation passed based on some of his ideas.

Clinton

Hillary’s very policy-heavy speeches make her out to be more of a ‘partisan’ candidate.  The fact that she’s laid out heavy government involvement in rejuvenating the economy and getting all Americans healthcare has made her out to be a ‘partisan’ politician.  The traditional big-government liberal.  The more specifics she deals out, the smarter and more ‘ready’ she appears, but it comes at the risk of alienating independents and disillusioned Republicans. 

—

Bottom line:  If you’re a Democrat or an independent or Republican voting for a Democrat this election cycle, this is a primary based on who you like.  Not about will, or to a lesser degree, can be done.  Labels be gone.

I need depressing music.  Really.

Take this afternoon, for example.  I just finished a virology exam which went well. 

Of course when I finish the exam, I have a hankering for Imogen’s “Hide and Seek.”  There are either two reactions, let’s make that three, to this song. 

One being, ‘Have you seen the OC/SNL spoof with this as the featured song?’  Another being, ‘Do you know how crappy of a song this really is?’  The last being, ‘Do you like the synthesizer chord progressions?’ [Okay, I just made that last reaction up because it was my own.] 

Anyhow, the answers to those questions are yes, yes, and yes.

Back to the point.  There are comfort foods, such as Oreos, chips, who knows what.  Those comfort you when you are not even hungry but need something to fill a void.  You make yourself think that void is in your stomach.  You know that void is elsewhere…in your head or heart.  [And I don't mean in the literal Tedy Bruschi sense, because, well, there is literally a hole in his heart.]

But these comfort ’songs’ come to me in times of good.  Like now!  I am extremely happy because I spent my Friday night on a computer doing nothing. 

[Actually that's not true.  I called 19 people in Nebraska on behalf of the Barack Obama campaign.  [They have this tool on their website where you can sign up and access a list of numbers that need to be called.]  I just called them to remind them of the presidential caucuses they have tomorrow.  I shit myself several times, mainly because of the 15 answering machines and 3 hang-ups.  But what made it worth is was just hearing one person say, ‘No, Mary is not home, but I think she would be happy to consider Senator Obama.  Leave me your name and number.’  I don’t give a crap whether Mary calls me back or not.  Or even if she caucuses for Obama.  I’m just happy that someone listened.  Anyhow, friends, take note, please never be mean to a telemarketer again.  Politely say, ‘I’m sorry, thank you for your time, but I’m not interested,’ and hang up.  No need to pull childish stunts or anything of the sort.  There are actual human beings on the other side of the phone call.]

Back to the comfort songs.  I am having trouble thinking of more examples of them, but if it’s something you’ve personally heard me playing for day at a time, it’s probably a comfort song!  Hmm…Penn Masala’s ‘Woh Lamhe’ comes to mind.  It’s pretty mellow. 

Comfort songs come at the time when you have gone through a period of difficulty, and you catch your first few breaths back afterwards.  You think, ‘Shit, I’m done.  Thank goodness.  Now I can breathe and relax.’  Then you go and start playing those comfort songs while relaxing.  Hmm…I think I have it figured out. 

They work not to necessarily balance out your sense of excitement that you’ve just gone through something stressful, but rather work to slow you down.  For when you are mellow, you want your music to be mellow.

It’s like emo for people who are happy and relaxed.

Super Tuesday!

Bold states are where I think Obama wins.

Red highlights are Obama numbers, regardless.

Underline = >10% Clinton victories

California: Clinton 52, Obama 44
New York: Clinton 55, Obama 37
Tennessee: Clinton 55, Obama 40
Arizona: Clinton 50, Obama 46
New Jersey: Clinton 48, Obama 43
Colorado: Obama 47, Clinton 43
Minnesota: Obama 47, Clinton 44
Oklahoma: Clinton 55, Obama 36
Utah: Clinton 46, Obama 42
Arkansas: Clinton 54, Obama 41
Alaska: Clinton 52, Obama 37
North Dakota: Obama 46, Clinton 41
Georgia: Obama 53, Clinton 43
Alabama: Obama 49, Clinton 45
Connecticut: Clinton 51, Obama 45
Delaware: Clinton 49, Obama 46
Illinois: Obama 57, Clinton 37
Massachusetts: Clinton 53, Obama 42
Missouri: Clinton 47, Obama 46
Kansas:  Clinton 46, Obama 44

American Samoa: Obama 51, Clinton 43

p.s. I would be a little bit more optimistic were it not for the unknown of absentee ballots, which will largely favor Clinton.