Bill Clinton for Secretary of State!

"Barack Obama will not allow the world's problems to obscure its opportunities. Everywhere, in rich and poor countries alike, hardworking people need good jobs; secure, affordable healthcare, food, and energy; quality education for their children; and economically beneficial ways to fight global warming. These challenges cry out for American ideas and American innovation. When Barack Obama unleashes them, America will save lives, win new allies, open new markets, and create new jobs for our people.

Most important, Barack Obama knows that America cannot be strong abroad unless we are strong at home. People the world over have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power."

The power of our example.

Get out there and vote! There is still time to register. Check out your state's deadlines here.

Barack Obama is our next President.

I truly believe that.

Remember his words back at the 2004 DNC?

In the end, that’s what this election is about. Do we participate in a politics of cynicism or do we participate in a politics of hope?

John Kerry calls on us to hope. John Edwards calls on us to hope.

I’m not talking about blind optimism here -- the almost willful ignorance that thinks unemployment will go away if we just don’t think about it, or the health care crisis will solve itself if we just ignore it. That’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about something more substantial. It’s the hope of slaves sitting around a fire singing freedom songs; the hope of immigrants setting out for distant shores; the hope of a young naval lieutenant bravely patrolling the Mekong Delta; the hope of a millworker’s son who dares to defy the odds; the hope of a skinny kid with a funny name who believes that America has a place for him, too.

Hope -- Hope in the face of difficulty. Hope in the face of uncertainty. The audacity of hope!

In the end, that is God’s greatest gift to us, the bedrock of this nation. A belief in things not seen. A belief that there are better days ahead.

I believe that we can give our middle class relief and provide working families with a road to opportunity.

I believe we can provide jobs to the jobless, homes to the homeless, and reclaim young people in cities across America from violence and despair.

I believe that we have a righteous wind at our backs and that as we stand on the crossroads of history, we can make the right choices, and meet the challenges that face us.

America! Tonight, if you feel the same energy that I do, if you feel the same urgency that I do, if you feel the same passion that I do, if you feel the same hopefulness that I do -- if we do what we must do, then I have no doubt that all across the country, from Florida to Oregon, from Washington to Maine, the people will rise up in November, and John Kerry will be sworn in as President, and John Edwards will be sworn in as Vice President, and this country will reclaim its promise, and out of this long political darkness a brighter day will come.

The audacity of hope. I fucking love that. How dare we see a better future for ourselves? What boldness to question our current state of inertia. How brave to embrace change.

This is dissent. A notion Americans don't nearly practice as much as we should. Barack Obama is a modern rebel. He's the Billy Idol of politics! He's making you believe, isn't he?

I feel those massive steel wheels scraping and grinding on the track, sparking and revving, steam billowing. Even enveloped in smoke I can see it coming.

Choo choo, baby.

Let's catch up.

I told you I was going to take care of you, and I am a woman of my word so here I am. I think you deserve a massive update.

Last night I was in the suburbs taking care of these two little monsters.



It really made me realize how fortunate I am to have such a wonderful family. Sure half the time we're dysfunctional and insane, but whose family isn't? I've shared a fantastic childhood, rich with family history and tradition. I have unbelievable Aunts and Uncles who spoiled us rotten when we were growing up. Thanks to them I know my heritage and recognize where I come from. Thanks to them my niece and nephew will never have to know anything but an outpouring of unconditional love and a genuine desire to be a part of their lives. To know who they are now and a wish to see who they become.

As I've mentioned before, I don't know if a family of my own is in the cards for me, but with the one I've already got, I'll never long for more.

I know you can't choose your family, and I'm okay with that because I am lucky enough to have gotten stuck with mine.



I think about that a lot. Life would be a lot easier if you could choose who you love. Think about it. Instead of that sneaking, slow growing, smack you upside your head moment, it would be something you could control. Something that was accessible and convenient for you. What if we could pick out who we love from a line-up, like they do to perps in jail. Instead of holding up criminal numbers, they would hold up something like, "Is nice to his mom", or "Cries a lot" or "Will only break your heart". Imagine the possibilities.

I was just talking the other day with my friend Jackie about the roles different people play in our lives.

Laura is like a warm cup of tea on a cold afternoon, she just makes me feel at ease and comfortable. Laura knows the best and the worst of me and still loves me. She is my mama bear, always going to bat for me without even having to ask for her help.

Katie is a fiercely loyal friend. She's the one you call when you're all dressed up on a Friday night and your date never shows up. Even if she has been sleeping for hours, she will without hesitation, show up at your door when you need her.

Eleanor lets me be myself more than anyone, a true gift. She knows the words in my heart even when I don't speak them. She is endlessly generous and has shown me moments of kindness that inspire me to be a better person.

Ryan is my magic wand. He makes everyone else disappear. He's the hand that holds my own. He brought commitment to me, shoved it's rearing, ugly face into mine and said, "Don't run."

Dianka is a laugh just when I need it the most and brings excitement into my life. She is authentic and genuine and has taught me never to judge a book by its cover.

Dave is a kindred spirit, he understands things unsaid. He inspires me to have faith in other people and to never give up on true love.

Mel is my wise seer, someone who radiates strength into all she is around. Out of everyone, her words calm me the most. She is the most compassionate person I have ever met without a doubt. When she says "My heart aches for you, Meg" she truly means it.

Shannon is stability and honesty and always gives a genuine and warm hug.

Jess is my home away from home, even at 4,000 miles away. She gets it. She always has.

Donnelly makes me a better friend, effortlessly. Her friendship is as delightful as it is easy, a rare find. With her, there is no judgement, just unconditional love. And more importantly, unconditional fun.

Jill, Caroline and Jackie are my surrogate sisters, always hard at work, helping sort through the drama of my life and keeping me sane day to day. They are the rock I stand on to see above the waves.

And Kate, Kate is the other half of me. We still communicate in a language without words. We still have a relationship no one else can touch. She's the blood and I'm the heart. One doesn't work without the other.

All of these people help fill the holes in the respective puzzle of me, but there are little corners unoccupied even still. I feel like there are always spots left open, waiting, like a reserved parking space in a garage, left warm from the last car that it inhabited.

It would just be easier to choose who you love. Though I doubt it could be better.



Thank you, friends.

Please take me back, baby please.

Dear Blogger,

I know I haven't been around lately, baby. But don't hate on me, I've been workin' hard to buy you nice things. It's all for you in the end, you know that, baby right?

[insert the intro to Barry White's Can't Get Enough of Your Love here]

[turn down the lights real low]

[slip into something comfortable...]

Shhhhh. There now. Let me give you some of that quality time you deserve. Sit back, relax and let me take care of you.

Yours,
Megan

I love you Eddie Vedder and I promise not to stalk you.

Last night the stars aligned and my karma finally kicked back into gear. I drank with Eddie Vedder.

Here's how it went down. My friend Katie works for the Cubs. She books all the talent and celebrities for the 7th inning stretch and to throw out the first pitch. It's basically a dream job...hang out at Wrigley all day and entertain stars and professional athletes. Anyways, Eddie is just one of her many celebrity friends.

So she texts my roommate to come down to Stanley’s, which is the bar below my apartment. I'm lazing around on the couch at my neighbor's place when my roommate runs in and is like, "Didn't you get my texts?" completely breathless. I said no, and she was like, "Get up, get dressed. We're going to Stanley's. Eddie Vedder and Chris Chelios are hanging out down there and Katie got us the in!" So I go down there and who the fuck is she sitting with, but Eddie motherfucking Vedder? I almost shit myself. No, you know what? I may have shit a little.

This man is my god. I don’t have religion, I have Pearl Jam. It was insane. A warm wave came over me. My cheeks started burning and my hands grew slick with sweat. This is one of those once in a lifetime moments, I thought to myself.

But I couldn't move. I couldn't speak. I couldn't even bring myself to make eye contact with him. I was totally frozen with apprehension. It was as if my whole body had petrified upon taking one step into the bar. I was cemented to the ground.

I've met a lot of celebrities and I've never lost it like this. This man made me LOVE MUSIC. See this post about Pearl Jam. Now you understand the reason for all of the above.

I did end up loosening up, as my roommate can attest. At one point, as we got up to leave, we made eye contact briefly. And no, it wasn't soul shaking, it wasn't awestriking. He's just a regular guy, like me or you. I threw up the peace sign and he graciously flashed it back. My insides warmed.

I had my camera, but felt that these moments should be memorexed in my mind. These type of moments are so rare and not everything needs to be captured. You end up missing the real moments with your face behind a camera.

So I snapped the above shot as we were leaving. Just one photo.

I can die happy.

Air & Water Show, Lake Michigan 2008

In the meantime, enjoy these photos from the show this weekend.



It was a perfect day!

Sorry....

My computer crashed while I was in Florida for work and I haven't been able to get internet access until now, when they gave me a loaner at the office.

I do have a lot of pics and stories to share very soon. Your patience is appreciated!

XOXO
Megan

No I didn't have a waterfall installed.

Here's the video of my latest mishap. The property manager asked me to put a list together of my losses, so that's a good sign. Right? Just tell me it is. Please.

Guest Blog by E.Lo

Since I am in Florida all week for work with limited blogging time, I enlisted my good friend E.Lo's help as a guest blogger.

What started off as a joke took a hilarious turn when I somewhat lightheartedly suggested she blog about me. Well, leave it to E. Lo to write one of the most pointedly tongue in cheek, inimitably flattering blog posts I've ever read. Please enjoy the smooth lyrical stylings of my partner in crime and the hottest piece of Korean ass you will ever know....E.Lo.

Top Ten Reasons Why I Love Megan Gates:

10. Megan Gates is vain. Megan is unabashedly vain in a charming way. She's really hot so it's not like it's a desperate attempt to work with something she doesn't have. I was bored on my first day of work and wanted something to do. This is the email she sent me that led to this blog post:

I would love LOVE you to guest blog for me! of course the topic would have to be why I am so very awesome and include photos with many clever captions, but only the good photos where my jawline looks flawless and my eyes sparkle.

Luckily, she pretty much looks like that in every.freaking.picture.



9. Megan Gates has an amazing rack. For a girl, I'm kind of obsessed with boobs because I really don't have any. Don't cry for me, Argentina because I believe in "The Secret." One of the book's mantras is "If you see it in your mind, you will hold it in your hand." Basically, my mind is always thinking of Megan's boobs (I know, friend, you too) and one day, I will hold them in my hand. Eww, not like that, pervert. I'll metaphorically hold them in my hands. I've actually held the real ones in my hand and to quote Seinfeld, “They are real and they are fabulous!”



8. Megan Gates loves the Food Network. Megan is one of my only friends who knows what a mirepoix is (aka the holy trinity of French cooking). I can say, "Did you see that mac and cheese challenge where…" and she finishes with "that cocky lesbian was totally pissed she didn't win and freaked out with the home cook also had three dishes?" BTW, did you see that? She was a raging whorebag; she really was. And Megs is the only other person I know that would do Alton Brown. God, he knows everything which is so sexy!

7. Megan Gates makes shopping an Olympic sport. There are few people that can shop as long and hard as I can. Few. When I lived in Boston, I shopped the shit out of the original Filene's Basement in Downtown Crossing for a record six hours. I didn't eat, drink or pee. I thought I basically had the gold medal in the bag and then I met Megan. I think our antics in the Nordstrom Rack shoe section might rival that of monkeys in heat. No matter what happens between us, even if she bones down my husband, steals my car and spills cranberry vodka all over my Gucci purse (God forbid!), I will always love her for forcing me to buy these Etro Shoes:



I know. It makes me sick to my stomach to think that I could have let them go. SICK. Until recently, I was unemployed and I was running through my savings. I had taken a few trips, bought more than a few rounds and I was really at my limit. I promised myself I would just window shop but then Megan spotted her: burgundy and metallic bronze with a swagger that gave me a hard on. She was gorgeous. Etro heels originally $695 for $119. But friends, I didn't have $119 to spend on shoes; I really didn't. I sat there clutching the shoes to my (flat) chest. Megan looked at me and said the most important words I've ever heard in my entire life: "Eleanor, if you let those shoes go, you will regret it for the rest of your life. You will dream of those shoes. They are here; they are your size; they are your destiny." Megs is a very light-hearted girl and so her somber words rang even more true. Needless to say, I bought the shoes and I put them on everyday in the house before I go to bed (I'm not wearing them out until I have health insurance and I'm not even kidding you. Even a trained professional like myself knows not to fuck with 5 inch heels) and every night, I whisper to the goddess in the sky, "Thank you, American Express. Thank you, Megan Gates. Please give me bigger boobs. Amen."

6. Megan Gates is the best aunt ever. I have to give a shout out to our friend Katie who is also an exceptional aunt. I guess they tie for best aunt but since Katie is neither a blogger nor a glory whore, I return to our favorite person at large, Megan. She loves her pumpkins immensely. Recently, we went to Target to pick out Jack’s birthday present and we settled on this awesome dinosaur. With the push of a button, his big, angry dinosaur wings flap. I thought we did a pretty good job but Megan was tortured by the fact that it was blue and not green, Jack’s favorite color. TORTURED. She held it every which way stared at it like it was Gerard Butler’s ass, as if staring would somehow make it green. As a compromise, she got him the dinosaur and a remote controlled snake that was…GREEN. (In my mind, I just said it out loud and I waited for the studio audience to say “green” the way Kat Deeley makes the audience say “judges” on “So You Think You Can Dance.”)



5. Megan Gates has excellent taste in television. Speaking of SYTYCD, Megan and I have the exact same television tastes (making her taste obviously impeccable). Not only do we watch copious amounts of the Food Network, we love SYTYCD (one night watched the “Bleeding Love” routine over a dozen times and I can do an uncanny impression of Kherrington’s chest pound/ neck roll from her “Dreaming with a Broken Heart” routine), Project Runway, My Boys, Rock of Love (Heather’s hair was the 8th wonder of the world), A&E’s Intervention and- wait for it…Tori and Dean Home Sweet Hollywood. We love Dean. We are going to share him as our future husband and we’ll go shopping when he goes scuba diving. I’d also like to use this opportunity to say R.I.P. Mimi LaRue. You will be missed.

4. Megan Gates drinks Boone's Farm. Classy. Delicious. Cheap. Like the woman herself.



3. Megan Gates is endlessly complimentary. She always compliments my (admittedly dwindling) intelligence, tells me how much she wants my legs (take ‘em), assures me that he really didn’t mind when I puked all over him, tells me my cooking is the best and tells me I look like movie stars that are a million and one times hotter than me. After I (drunkenly) tell someone to fuck off, she assures me that I handled myself with great aplomb and my hair looked great when I was doing it. That part is the truth; my hair looked awesome.

2. Megan Gates is an amazing writer. That is why you stopped by, is it not? (BTW, sorry you stopped by to read some real, creative, inspiring writing and found this pile of shit.) Oh, you stopped by to see her tah-tahs? Fair enough. Megan has more talent in her pinkie than I have in my entire body but what you do not know, dear reader, is that she is not just a writer but an artist period. She paints pictures; she can paint originals and she can copy the great works. She is endlessly creative with her outfits. Girlfriend makes an outfit out of a scarf, belt and pair of hoop earrings. I can go on but really, it just depresses me and as much as it’s about her, since I’m writing this, it’s more about me.

1. Megan Gates is a true and loyal friend. She is the kind of friend will bring you a big gulp of Diet Coke and a pack of smokes and listen to all your inane shit, interjecting only to offer her sapient advice. She will hold your hair after you drink an entire bottle of Malibu (I don’t even like Malibu; only god knows why I did it) and tell you that you are a very pretty and dainty puker. She calls when it’s been a while. She takes you to the burbs for a relaxing weekend when you’ve had a truly foul week and need a break from life. She dry cleans your pashmina after borrowing it for a wedding. She’s in it for the long haul. When I sing the “Cuz it feels just like I’m walking on broken…” she sings the background, “walking on, walking on broken gla-aaas” because some days, I just need to the sing the melody and she’s fine with being my backup. Megan Gates is a great fucking friend. After writing all this, I’m like two cocktails away from banging the shit out of her.



Thank you, E.Lo (pictured above) for making my head even bigger than I thought possible. You are the greatest!