Facebook?

I had a very nice Thanksgiving.

The day started out rather ick (i.e. leaving an hour earlier than I anticipated, my dad periodically singing Space Oddity [complete with his atrocious imitation of Bowie's accent], having to change out of pajamas, etc.)

Once we arrived it was a tad awkward, at least for me.  I never know what to say to people or what to do with myself in those situations.  Eventually, we all warmed up to one another.

I've forgotten how much I love my cousins there ^_^ Can you believe they're 21 and 18?  It was very fun catching up with them.  We played Boggle (a game I haven't playing in ages).  I was pretty rusty, but it was fun, challenging.  

A couple other families were there.  I was talking to one woman who was good friends with my Biology teacher!  Fancy that!  Such a small world, no?

My cousin, my mom, another man there, and I had a discussion about Facebook (which led to a discussion about Livejournal, Myspace, Twitter, Blogspot, etc.)  It was a good conversation.  Why use all those sites when you can just email?  What are the advantages?  How are these affecting our society, and communication in general?  We also talked about microfinancing.  You know, today I read an article in Time (a Joel Stein article, no less!) about that same topic.

Grandpa was there, and it was good to see him again ^_^ Hopefully I'll see him tomorrow, as well; one last time before he flies home.

Near the end of the evening we watched part of a James Taylor concert and talked about then music and now music.  Then music won.

I'm pleased to report everyone at the gathering was an Obama supporter (and everyone I talked to was a No on 8er, too!)

Overall, a lovely evening.  I know a lot of people dread the annual Thanksgiving get-together, but I enjoyed it very much this year : )

Hope

I've just watched Barack Obama be elected the next President of the United States of America!  The first black man has just been elected President and I am here to see it.  I am here to see it. I've seen the turn of the millennium, I've seen the Twin Towers go up in smoke, I've seen the rise of technology, I've seen gay marriage become legal in my own state, I've seen an intelligent, capable woman nearly be elected president, I've seen so many things, and now I've just seen Obama get elected President.

Right now, I'm reading The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother, and I love these quotes dearly:

"Am I black or white?"

"You're a human being," she snapped. "Educate yourself of you'll be a nobody!"

and

When he asks his mother whether God is black or white: "God is the color of water."

I remember watching this Obama speech and getting chills (he's such a powerful speaker):

That's what kept some of our parents and grandparents going when times were tough.  Which led them to say, "Maybe I can't go to college, but if I save a little bit each week, my child can.  Maybe I can't have my own business but if I work really hard my child can open up one of her own."  It's what led those who could not vote to say, "If I march and organize, maybe my child or grandchild can run for President someday."

I'm so full of hope right now.