Kelsi's Blog for 2007 November

(5) Mon Nov 05 13:31:03 Burning man: I may be known to blurt out my dislike of Burning Man without giving proper supporting evidence.

Today, The Chronicle made my case for me:

"The couple's two children - a boy, then 6, and a girl, then 5 - were in the house when Nina Reiser was there, but Hans Reiser's mother was out of town at the Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert, authorities said"

Original Story

People who raise alleged murderers go to burning man.

Sun Nov 11 23:15:25 Piano, New York, and John Edwards: This week, as I came home from class after 9pm, an old man and his dog were walking in front of my house. As I got out of the car he greeted me and asked me about 'the piano playing'. I was surprised as he told me that he had heard me play a few times on his nightly dog walks. He said he really enjoyed Handel's Largo. He (Bob) introduced himself. I said I hope to see him around. This made me happy as it is one of the friendliest neighbor interactions I've had (excluding the nice little boys next door) since moving. I have played piano two times in the four days since I met Bob. I played Handel's Largo but am also teaching myself a new piece by an Italian composer.

Drew and I just returned from a really nice trip to New York. We stayed with his aunt and uncle who live in Yorktown Heights, 40 miles north of Manhattan. It is unbelievably beautiful near their home. We went on nice hikes where we could see the green, yellow, and bright red trees for 40 miles, leading to the NYC skyline. We also saw a fun Broadway show and enjoyed dinner at a fancy village restaurant (Otto) and several home cooked meals. I can't wait to go back.

I'm going to meet John Edwards at a grassroots-type fund raiser this Friday. I hope to be memorable in some way.

Here are some photos from our recent trip to NY:

(4) Fri Nov 16 23:50:25 Met John Edwards: I had an amazing time meeting John Edwards at a campaign party in a beautiful (and huge!) house in San Francisco. There were two main age groups and I was in between them. Everyone was really friendly. The house was really hard to find in a really nice neighborhood at the top of a hill (on Cortes Avenue for those who know S.F.; I don't, and it was a small miracle that I found the house through the fog without getting lost).

I arrived at 7:35 pm, and I think John Edwards must have been there by 8pm. I was the second hand he shook as he came through the door; it was something different as I've never been this active in politics.

I spoke briefly with him and said I hope I could help do whatever it takes for him to get the nomination (since most of us believe this is the big fight; not the general election--he will win by a landslide against any of the Republicans). It was really neat to talk with other like-minded people who felt as strongly as I do about so many issues. We agree that we're at a critical point in history with so many huge issues impacting the globe. We're in great need of a principled leader after the last 8 years of the current administration and the damage it has inflicted.

John Edwards' priorities of fighting hard against poverty while ending all fighting in Iraq or potential fighting in Iran is so refreshing. It is so great to support a candidate who is genuinely compelled to do the right thing. It will be hard, but it will make our country better, and I believe his presidency would make our citizens better people. Not to operate purely out of self interest will be such a change of pace, and I think America is ready to see some altruism in Washington, compared to the utter corruption that exists now.

Prior to attending this party, I knew I wanted to be involved and possibly go to Iowa if I could be helpful, but I wasn't sure if they wanted or needed me. At this party it became clear that besides money, having people go door to door in Iowa is imperative. Therefore I'm now pursuing the various options to campaign in Iowa and/or New Hampshire. I can't wait. I hope I can be helpful. At the tail end of the party, I think I convinced the two Wolff brothers to consider going to Iowa as well. They will be making a road trip out of it. Instead, I think I will maximize my time off work by flying, in spite of how much I hate flying.

Mon Nov 26 22:25:11 Going to Iowa: it is official; I am going to Iowa. I leave on Dec. 29 and fly into Des Moines. Then, I volunteer all week long, and fly out of Omaha which is in a different state, but apparently "just across the river" from Iowa. I am looking forward to things, though am a little nervous. It will surely be an adventure different from all others. Here is a photo from my house party with John Edwards from last week. I was trying not to be too conspicuous, hence the bad photo. I hope to get better photos in Iowa.

Wed Nov 28 13:37:17 great john edwards blog postings: My friend Damon sent me this blog posting which I found enjoyable:
http://www.mydd.com/story/2007/11/27/17420/490

Another post from the same blog list just a few of the reasons why John Edwards is the candidate to support.
http://www.mydd.com/story/2007/11/27/162929/02

In some non-John Edwards related news: I was ecstatic to find out that the horrible writing requirement of my SJSU MS in Chemistry degree has been waived. The requirement was to take a 3 unit class for undergrads/grads which only meets in the middle of the day twice a week. I only took four classes which were not math, chemistry, or physics at Berkeley. Thankfully one class was good enough for the Associate Dean.

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Title image by cobalt123.