I'd like to commend you for all your years of season-predicting service. I often wonder what it must be like to be the most famous groundhog in the world. While it seems that you have a pretty cushy set-up in that den of yours, it has to be a bit unnerving to be yanked from one's cozy bed in the frigid early morning hours of every February 2nd.
While your service record is impressive, I can't help but notice a consistent pattern when reviewing your performance. You tend to always see your shadow and retreat back into your comfortable abode, thus leaving us common-folk with yet another six more weeks of winter.
Perhaps it should be brought to your attention that your anxiety about your shadow has dismal consequences for those of us who must leave our cozy beds EVERY frigid early morning, and not just on the second day of February.
Have you considered counseling? I have a somewhat unreasonable disdain for grocery stores, so I sympathize with your apprehension when confronted with your shadow. However, my fear doesn't have the same consequences as yours - think of all those other who are, quite frankly, dreading another six weeks of winter. Surely something can be done to ease your fears. Our new President has asked us as a nation to help each other. So, on behalf of millions of shivering Americans, please let me know of any way which I can be of service, or aid in your plight. I would never suggest you had adopted this behavior as the easiest means to return to slumber in your hollow. I just want to volunteer to help.
We'll all be rooting for your next February 2nd - you can do it! Don't let the shadow get the best of you!
With respect and optomism for a shorter winter in 2010,
Last night my colleague Laura Godfrey, a Bilingual Web Content Manager for GobiernoUSA.gov, attended the Latino Inaugural Ball. Here's her report...
The Organization of American States (OAS) is used to opening the doors of its magnificent building to dignitaries and celebrities. But last night was a first. The OAS hosted The 2009 Latino Inaugural Celebration to honor grass roots organizations that worked tirelessly to encourage Hispanics to exercise their civil right to vote. And vote they did, 10 million of them. For me, last night was also a first, I was there for two very important reasons: to sing with Cantigas, my choir, during the opening reception; and to cover the event for GobiernoUSA/USA.gov. It was also the first Presidential Inaugural Gala I attended in my life. What a rush!
I didn’t have to brave the cold weather, or long lines at the Metro, instead, several members of Cantigas carpooled and got to park at the OAS. That was a definite plus. Inside, as people arrived I could see the excitement and the celebratory spirit of the group as I scrambled to take some pictures before we went on stage. After the opening reception around the majestic fountain of the lobby we were moved upstairs for speeches and entertainment. The MCs were Univision anchor and host of “Aquí y Ahora” Teresa Rodriguez, and radio El Zol host of “Pedro Biaggi en la mañana” Pedro Blaggi. Don Francisco and Gerardo Rivera were also on hand to talk to attendees and pose for pictures, but did not deliver any speeches.
Henry Cisneros, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Clinton, was loudly cheered and applauded when he took the stage. He was there to thank the work of so many volunteers that delivered the record number of Hispanic votes. The crowd chanted: Sí, podemos and Sí al cambio (Yes, we can; and Yes to change).
As the event went on, I had one recurring thought: Unity. A short but very powerful word. What an amazing feeling to see people from so many different countries and backgrounds (not all were Hispanics) come together for a common purpose.
But the account of the evening would not be complete without some very important facts. The official drink of the Gala was “PiscObama” (derived from the famous Peruvian drink Pisco Sour). A young Obama made an appearance and I took a picture with him (well, he is not really Obama, but take a look). And yes, my feet hurt to the point of numbness. But was it worth it? You bet!!!
Last night my colleague Leilani Martinez, a Bilingual Web Content Manager for GobiernoUSA.gov, attended the Latino Inaugural Ball. Here's her report...
Yes, I admit it, as a Hispanic and as a long-time resident of
D.C., the capital not only of the U.S., but also of all kinds of
receptions and networking events, I’ve attended many Latino social
networking events since I first moved here over 10 years ago.
Fortunately, I’ve not only attended many of them, but I’ve also helped
organized quite a few. But nothing compares to the celebration I
attended on Sunday, January 18, at Union Station here in Washington,
D.C. The Latino Inaugural Gala 2009 was a festivity like no other as
Latinos this time came together to celebrate a night of history in the
making as the voices of Hispanics everywhere were heard in
unprecedented numbers in this presidential election.
The party felt at times more like a “Premio Lo Nuestro” event, the
Hispanic equivalent of the Grammy Awards, than an Inauguration Ball as
top-notch Latin artists were the center of attention…and to be honest,
the red carpet occupied most of my time and energy as the
GobiernoUSA.gov official correspondent for the night.
At 5:30 pm I got to the event, and after registering as a media
representative, I sat down for a couple of minutes to study the media
advisory and tip sheet. The list of confirmed artists was impressive.
So I realized right away that I needed to be ready for the long list of
celebrities and politicians who were set to walk down the red carpet…as
ready as I could be with my Kodak Zi6 video recorder, Canon digital
camera and BlackBerry World Edition. My strategy was not to try to
compete with Univision, MTV Latino or CNN en español, but to befriend
them. However, I was also determined that I was going to do whatever it
took to take a great shot of Jennifer Lopez, better known as J. Lo
(especially after the twins!), Alejandro Sanz, a singer from Spain, and
my personal favorite, and of course, Shakira. So before the red carpet
started I decided to walk around and mingle with my media colleagues. I
joked with them and for a moment, I actually thought that we were all a
big happy family until the red carpet started. One of the first person
to walk down was Geraldo Rivera, followed by Angelica Vale, a very
famous Mexican actress, David Archuleta (the kid who almost won
American Idol), Lila Downs, and many others. Things were pretty under
control until the infamous couple came around. We all started to jump
over bags and get on chairs (me included!) as there was no way we were
going to miss the opportunity…not only because it was J. Lo and Marc
Anthony, but also because all these artists were there talking about
and celebrating the election of President Barack Obama.
After the red carpet was done and after finally realizing that I could
barely walk due to how numb my feet were from working all those hours,
I turned around and saw a sea of people, a very diverse group of people
all dressed up and so excited about being there. I took the opportunity
to ask people to share with me their stories and their thoughts. A
young invitee, Carlos from NY, told me that he took the train down to
D.C. to come to this Gala as he wanted to be part of this celebration (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfX5oGeJUkc). His companion Amy was convinced that the trip was so worth it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG5-Q190Xr4).
It was at that time, when stories like those were shared with me by
some of the attendees, that everything came full circle. Don’t get me
wrong I’m still very proud of myself for getting those shots of J. Lo
and Shakira, but what made it all really meaningful was the fact that
this was a night where we all came together– community leaders,
activists, politicians, celebrities and regular people – just like you
and I - for one purpose: to celebrate a historic moment the Latino
way...
Today, Barack Obama and Joe Biden will be sworn-in as President and Vice President of the United States. You can watch the Swearing-In ceremony live online beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern.
In
the evening, there will be the first-ever Neighborhood Ball, a
nationwide celebration -- and you don't have to be in the
nation's capital to join in the festivities.
ABC will broadcast
the Washington, D.C. Neighborhood Ball beginning at 8:00 p.m. EST, and
people at Neighborhood Balls across the country will be sending in
photos and videos of their celebrations. Some may even be featured in
the official Inaugural book.
By: Nancy | January 15, 2009 | Category: Home and Family
Just two streets from Gov Gab Headquarters, they're making a lot of preparations to welcome the new kids on the block.
By this time next week, Malia and Sasha Obama will have joined the exclusive list of kids who have called the White House "home." And while they won't be as little as John John and Caroline Kennedy, who danced at their daddy's feet in the Oval Office, or as mature as the college-bound Bush twins when they moved onto Pennsylvania Avenue, at seven and 10, the Obama girls are the perfect age for Kids.gov.
Malia and Sasha may not be inheriting Amy Carter's tree house or Tad Lincoln's pet goats when they move into the Executive Mansion. But they will be the first "First Kids" who'll grow up online in the White House, learning about the country their dad leads, and the great stuff that the government has for them—and for every kid—online, from Kids.gov.