From 43 to 44

Along with many other traditions during the "Transition of Power," it is customary for the outgoing President to leave a note for the incoming President. The notes from past Presidents have never been read or leaked to the public, as one can imagine these letters are of the utmost importance.

That is until now.

The Huffington Post somehow go a hold of the letter Former President Bush left for President Obama. So here is it ladies and gentlemen, breaking news right here on IAYN.

Source

They Stole My Idea For My Blog Title

Besides my blog and ONTD, the following site may be my 3rd favorite blog ever. Definitely in the Top 5. Welcome to FML, a blog which is created entirely by user submissions and the trials and tribulations they deal with everyday. BTW, FML is an acronym for "Fuck My Life," which for the record is an acronym that I had started using quite a while ago (because my life is just THAT awesome). Basically, users can post anonymously (or under a screen name), stating a reason and or situation as to why their life is horrible. In addition, other members can either agree that your life is fucked, or they can disagree, saying you deserved it.

Here are a few examples:

Today, I didn't answer my cell phone. My Mom freaked out when she could not get in touch. She called the police and I did not hear the doorbell because I was sleeping. The police broke my door down. FML - 01/26/2009 at 7:12pm by Mudfence - I agree, your life is f***ed (595) - you deserved that one (24)

Today, I was in a hurry to get to work, and in my car I had two drinks settled down in my cup holder. One was my coffee, and the other was an unfinished cup of coffee where I ash and toss my cigarettes. FML 01/26/2009 at 9:38am by smoker - I agree, your life is f***ed (97) - you deserved that one (330)

Today, I was sleeping with my boyfriend and woke up in his arms to hear him say "Mom, Mom." FML 01/25/2009 at 9:47am by ohfantastic - I agree, your life is f***ed (494) - you deserved that one (27)

http://www.fmylife.com

So the next time you're having a bad day, just read this blog and tell yourself the motto I like to say to myself, "Things could be worse."

That Darn Hat

Besides the fact that January 20th brought us a new President and a new era of change, it brought us something more. Something that none of us could have ever imagined to impact our lives forever. That, my friends, is the shining beacon of hope to America, Aretha Franklin's Inauguration Hat.


Now my guess is that the Queen of Soul had no idea her accessory was going to cause this much of a commotion. For all she knew, this is what her mother and her mother's mother wore for a Sunday church service or special event (see Crowns, Lyric Stage 2004). That or she just found the hat next to a Bedazzler in her attic and decided President Obama would be mighty impressed with not only her singing skills, but her excellent craftiness as well.

My favorite thing about this hat is that since then, it has become a worldwide PHENOMENON. Soon after the Inauguration, everyone from Ellen (who was relieved she didn't wear the same hat on Inauguration day too) to bloggers, who especially have taken their own shots at Ms. Franklin's hat.

My favorite blog, ONTD, has had its history with integrating outside pop culture references into their own blogging world. For example, when The Dark Knight was about to come out, everyone's posts and user icons suddenly seemed to have gone through MS Paint involuntarily and Heath Ledger's joker face was 'spraypainted' all over the faces of stars like Britney and Zanessa. The phrase 'Y So Srs' was plastered all over Brangelina walking down the red carpet. Just like TDK, today it's difficult to not see a post without an icon dedicated to that glorious hat.

An example of LiveJournal User Icons

But my favorite AFIH moment is when I saw on my FB News Feed that 5 of my friends had just become fans of "Aretha Franklin's Inauguration Hat." After LOLing for approx 5.3 minutes, I became a fan immediately. The greatest part of this fan page is the description of said hat:

"A glimmering vision of hope outshining the sun on a certain cold wintry day in January, tears of joy and the swell of optimism bursting from two million citizens' hearts as they focus their expectant gaze in one direction... you know what we are talking about and that is why you are here. To celebrate this vision of change, this paradigm shift, this sparkling, glittering vision, yes... Aretha Franklin's inauguration hat."

I would say that every 5 minutes after joining the fan club, more and more people became a part of the movement. Even now, I see it's growing by the thousands. People from across the world are taking advantage of Photoshop and posting their own pictures of their favorite people and inanimate objects with the hat.

Who could ever predict that in 2009, as we welcome in a new administration, that the stand out of this incredible journey was not necessarily the fact that the United States has its first African American President, or even that [Former] President Bush left behind the biggest mess in the history with two wars and the worst economy since the Great Depression, but in fact it is a shining, glimmering, headpiece that no one could take their eyes or minds off of that stole the show. At this rate, we might have our very first silver bow hat as President in 2012. I'm just sayin if it was between a celebrity hat and a certain Governor of Alaska, I just might need to breakout the Beadazzler in the attic of my own.

Ronald is Lovin' It

For something completely different:



This photo just makes me LOL. What is Ronald thinking!?

Source

The Dark Day Into Knight

On this day last year, I was on the T going home when I received a text message from Jolie saying "Heath Ledger is dead." I wanted to scream out WHAT on the T, but then I would be that girl. So instead, I rushed home to read about what happened. In the process I got 3 other texts from my friends asking me if it was true (i guess that says a lot about me, now doesn't it).

I still can't believe it's been a year since his death, mainly because i can't believe how fast the year went. But good news is that he received a great tribute by getting an Oscar nom for TDK. Obviously he's going to win, but it is definitely bittersweet. Now please enjoy a clip from 10 Things I Hate About You. Hello 1999. Nice to see you again.



Why Heath & Michelle were one of the greatest celeb couples in history

Nanny for Hire

Top 5 reasons why I need to babysit Malia and Sasha/be adopted by the Obama family:

1) They picked out their own outfits from J Crew - and have better style than me
2) They profess their love for the Jonas Brothers and Miley and they end up getting their own concert
3) They watch Bolt & HSM3 (in their private movie theater) while their parents were busy dancing to "At Last" 10 times.
4) They have a scavenger hunt in the white house that ends with finding the Jonas Brothers
5) Their parents are [PRESIDENT] Barack Obama and Michelle Obama

Bonus Vid: Michelle Obama talks to Ellen about Malia's "surprise" at the DNC (Start at 3:30)

Big Day

When I wake up in the morning, the first thought that usually comes in my head is "What time is it? What time do I actually need to get up? How much more time does that give me to sleep?" On November 5th, the day after the election, I didn't wake up thinking that. My first thought was "Obama won. I can have faith in this country again. This is surreal. It's a new day." It's so weird to think that tomorrow will be the start of a new era.

In July of 2004, I remember sitting in my bedroom at home watching the Democratic National Convention that was taking place at the Hynes Convention Center, practically down the street from where I going to live when I moved to Boston in a few months. I remember seeing this man, who apparently everyone at the convention knew, because there was a sea of signs waving in the air saying "Obama." "Who IS this guy?," I thought to myself. Eyes and ears glued to the TV and 26 minutes later, that was it. I knew this Senator from Illinois was going to be something. Someone. I think I even put something about him running in 2008 in my AIM away message about it. Re-reading his speech, his message and values are still the same.

The true genius of America, a faith... a faith in simple dreams, an insistence on small miracles; that we can tuck in our children at night and know that they are fed and clothed and safe from harm; that we can say what we think, write what we think, without hearing a sudden knock on the door; that we can have an idea and start our own business without paying a bribe; that we can participate in the political process without fear of retribution; and that our votes will be counted -- or at least, most of the time.

It is that fundamental belief -- it is that fundamental belief -- I am my brother's keeper, I am my sisters' keeper -- that makes this country work.

It's what allows us to pursue our individual dreams, yet still come together as a single American family: "E pluribus unum," out of many, one.

There's not a liberal America and a conservative America; there's the United States of America.

Do we participate in a politics of cynicism, or do we participate in a politics of 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 health care crisis will solve itself if we just ignore it.

That's not what I'm talking. 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 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 for 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 it's promise. And out of this long political darkness a brighter day will come.

Obviously, things didn't go in the Kerry/Edwards favor, but in some ways, I think it was a good thing. I'm not sure if John Kerry would have made the ideal President that we needed at that time, but who knows. I'm not saying that President Bush should have won in 2004, but I am saying that things happen for a reason. Plus John Edwards got out fairly easily with the whole affair thing, and 4 more years just showed how inept Bush is/was as a President.

Putting it into perspective, President Bush has been in office since I was a Freshman in high school. I practically grew up and formed my own personal values and beliefs based on him being our President. And as our President, he was less than perfect to say the least. As far as I can say for my generation, President Obama is someone that does stand for change, because he is everything that these past 8 years of fail is not. He is someone that stands for hope, the hope that America can rebuild from the mess left behind from its predecessor, the hope that we don't have to worry if we will lose our jobs (or even find a job at all), the hope that we can return to the America it used to be, United, as one.

Tomorrow, we get a fresh start. Good morning, America. Nice to meet you.

It's a new day.


A policeman walks past Shepard Fairey's portrait of US President-elect Barack Obama after it was installed at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington on January 17, 2009. By Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty.

An Ode to President Bush

Thank you Mr. President. You've provided us with 8 years of laughter and tears. We will never be the same without you.

[Disclaimer: This video may or may not contain pictures of puppies and Sarah McLachlan's "I Will Remember You" playing in the background]



Bonus Video: Bye Bye Bush Bloopers

Peace Out, Quail Scout

In the last few days of the Bush Presidency, the New York Times conducted a poll asking the American public what their view of Bush is after his 8 years in office.

I have one word for this: FAIL.

• 22% approved of President Bush's performance over the course of his two terms

*In comparison, both Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton left office with a 68% approval rating. Jimmy Carter had 44% and George H.W. Bush left with 54%*

• 6 in 10 of those surveyed said they viewed President Bush negatively, while about one quarter viewed him favorably.

Even my boy Billy C, who committed adultery in to oval office (which in my opinion, NBD), had 3 times more approval than Dubya and his 'War on Terror.'

And for the humdinger of them all:

• Vice President Dick Cheney's favorability rating in the new poll is 13%, the lowest of his time in office.

This guy has been our VP for 8 years. Really? Really.

3 More Days.

Say What?

I knew going into my major that I was not going to make my concentration Advertising. Don't get me wrong, I definitely appreciate the creative side of it, which is why I could never go into that field. I'm just not creative enough.

But you know who is? These guys. Here is The Bubble Project, a global project in effort to take the advertisements to a whole different level. The creators say:

"The Bubble Project instantly transform these annoying corporate monologues into open public dialogues. They encourage anyone to fill them in with any expression, freed from censorship. More bubbles mean more free spaces, more sharing of personal thoughts, more reactions to current events, and most importantly, more imagination and fun."

Obviously, because this is basically a blank canvas, (and I have a deteriorating perception of the general public) I expect people to write offensive things. But actually, I was quite surprised to see some clever and witty speech bubbles written on ads across the globe. This one is one of my favorites. Wilma looks much hotter with her hair down. I wonder what Betty thinks of this.

What would you guys put on your speech bubbles??