The New Paradigm for Financial Markets

The genius and modern philanthropist George Soros has published a new book about the 2008 US recession. Obviously this man is a genius when he can publish a book (which takes time to write, edit, process, etc.) in the middle of the event he's published about. He's also an amazing humanist showing the spirit of giving and doing more than attaining wealth through the great works of the Soros Foundation.

So his new book is all about balancing government oversight with the free market, because too much control from either will create problems and shrink the market. I'd also like to take this opportunity to say "told you so" to my college macroeconomics professor who relished in dismissing anything I ever said about totally free markets being the light and the way. Booya.

My socialist tendencies are coming through. It's also exciting to see the general perception of the American public turning towards increased government oversight. Even Congress rallied in passing a bill letting the 70,000 barrels of oil set aside for the strategic oil reserve out into the market, rather than stockpiling for some worse day. At $3.75 a gallon, I'm wondering how much worse are we actually preparing for Mr. Bush? Eeeks--when power is in the hands of corporate robber barons. Any history folk feel like this smacks strongly of the 1860s, 1880s, and 1900s anti-monopoly and anti-trust eras? Hmm. I wonder why.

Sascha

I'm an Aunt!!

I just want to announce CONGRATULATIONS to Amanda & Eric on the arrival of Sascha Erica Lewis! She arrived at 5pm today, just in time for mother's day at 7lbs and 20 inches. She has black hair and blue eyes-- the perfect little princess.

This is the first baby in our family and I can't wait to go out and see her. Yay for Sascha!!

Double Happiness

So I started working on this one a week ago, and thought I should put it up now to send some extra care and concern for all the people in Chengdu and Szechuan province. You can always go to UNICEF and make a donation.

Weddings are always such wonderful things, especially when it's two friends who you've seen go through ups and downs together and come out happier and kinder to each other for it. I'm a bit late on my post, but enjoyed my college friends' wedding back in March. I did just now go order prints from the wedding, hence my return to the message.

There's something hopeful and reminiscent about weddings. It's partly a reflection of what love and relationships ought to be and partly a remembrance of how you have been a part of the relationship with two people. It's very transcending, I think and beautifully represented by the Chinese double happiness character. Because it really is two loves joined to each other, not some two becoming one. Each person is always that individual, but it's the joining of their love together that makes it so special.

I had a very interesting time with the groom (although he wasn't engaged at the time) wandering around Chengdu, China trying in very limited and probably badly accented Chinese asking for a calligraphy of the double happiness character. We got tons of looks as if we were complete idiots, and never actually got the calligraphy. But in proper form, the Double Happiness was on their wedding guestbook-- the perfect place for it.

It's just a beautiful symbol for a great moment and brings together the essence of romance--Double Happiness.

Republicans Vote Against Mothers

Well, it shouldn't be so surprising. It's not like many Republican bills haven't already done the same thing when fighting against family leave, equal pay for women, welfare support, and housing vouchers. But now they've gone and really done it this time. 178 House Republicans voted against HR 1113: "Celebrating the role of mothers in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of Mother's Day."

The best part of it all is how there are still some journalists with a sense of humor. Hooray to Washington Post writer Dana Milbank for her article.

Sealed with a Kiss

The science of kissing from The Washington Post.

Revolutionary Love

I am not what you would call an active church-goer. I was raised in a faith and still believe in it, but do not feel that I must attend church regularly to practice it. That and I have started coveting my weekend free time since I have gotten so busy during the week.

For some reason today was different. I got up and did my usual leisure morning routine and checked out the websites for the two Unitarian Universalist fellowships I sometimes attend. They both had interesting sermons going on today, but one of them was in 15 minutes and I hadn't even taken a shower yet. So I opted for the "Revolutionary Love" choice. If you don't already know, Unitarian Universalism is a pretty liberal, activist kind of faith. The description of the sermon conjured Che Guevera in the best possible way. While I had some reservations, I decided it would be fun.

I was completely blown away. I don't even feel like I could come close to doing the talk justice by trying to repeat it. Luckily they are available on MP3. Unfortunately, the last sermon on the site was from January 20. So I'm not sure if this one will be listed, since it was a guest speaker. Charlotte is too lucky. When I was in college there, they were in their interim minister period and I only wish they had found Rev. Melissa Mummert sooner so I could have had the chance to hear her each week.

She spoke of the power of love not just in romance, but in the ability to change the world. She referenced her personal experience in ministry with incarcerated women that brought me to tears. She successfully produced a documentary about it. She made each person feel the "I am one, but still I am one. Although I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." She tugged on the heart strings and hopes of making the world a better place for everyone, and she empowered each person to hope and to act in love.

I don't think this could have come at a better time for me. My job and my personal life have been a little tumultuous lately, but I have been doing what I can to make it better. This last week held a good deal of transition, anguish, and of course hope for the future. Life just seems so much more full of possibility when it is based on love-- love for one another, for humankind, love for the earth, and love of life and opportunity.

This may all sound too lovey-dovey, but I'm ok with that right now.

"Never doubt that a small group of committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Mead