You're kidding me, right?

I can't imagine anything more tacky. Actually, it's a tie - the fact he's had Pacific leaders sign the damn thing, or the fact he's putting it up for auction.

And then there's the fact of his relationship with his wife. Jump. how high?

gees.

On a completely different note, i wasn't terribly worried about my job prospects for when i arrive in London. Until i started looking, and realised, to my horror, that I couldn't actually justify applying for anything less than interesting. Oh yeah, i could get an EA or PA job, or an admin job, just fine. But i'd be bored to tears in about ten minutes. 

The stuff website is telling me that the 'World economy 'may lose 51 million jobs''. Oh crapola.

Another sign of the state of the economy (well, in my ill-informed mind anyway) is the National Bank no longer opening UK bank accounts for its customers with Lloyds TSB. 'It just got to be such a drawn out process' was the reason I got. Hmm. That might explain why the cost of opening the account went from $90 to $130 without much notice.

And, in the news(paper) today...

one thing i've noticed - our broken-armed PM might be getting in the news - but he's only getting teeny-tiny snippets. Hardly a photo since the stair-tumble. One would think he's been PM for three years and everyone is bored, not a fresh and new and exciting leader. Unlike someone else we know. (Yep, Mr Obama, here's looking at you).

The World Section of the Dom brought more interesting things. A tiny bit about crumbling support for Gordon Brown and Labour in Britain.

Richard Long in the The Long View suggests some small government departments should be scrapped in order to make room in the Budget. Just another opinion piece riding the Obama wave? Not that Obama's specifically said he's going to cut bureaucracy, more that public money needs to be spent wisely and carefully on projects (and staff) of high value. Maybe 3M should watch their bottom line, some peeps might be cutting back on their post-it note orders. 

I'm all for this sort of concern about using the people's money - as long as services that have an effect on and improve their lives aren't impacted. If a little old lady in her state house can't get the ponding in her back yard fixed and the hole in her ceiling patched up, forgettaboutit. And there's no need to take the craft knife to public sector in New Zealand just because Obama says so.

Simon Upton then opines that the Greens (in Nandor's words) 'fastened their lifeboat to a sinking ship.' I can see where he's coming from. Had the Greens, shock horror, gone into coalition with National, our little old lady might get some free insulation action when the hole is patched up - saving her precious money on the power bill. Wouldn't that be using MMP for all it's worth? Though in that case i'd be putting money on the coalition falling apart within six months faster than Rodney Hide can say 'there's no such thing as climate change'.

Normally I don't venture so far as the Business section, but I was looking for my horoscope. Obama dominates almost the entire second page. Not a very flattering or big photo. Maybe the paper was trying to imply that they're moving on to concentrate less on how beautiful he is and more on the serious business of the President. 

Instead we're treated to the asses of a pile of bikers. Apparently the US are thinking about another multi-billion dollar bail out of the American banks. Those banks that did all the dodgy debt dealing and caused all the crap in the first place. 'Economic stimulus' sounds much more enticing than 'bank bail out' doesn't it? 

This is the point where I wonder why i'm following all this political stuff. The news is all doom and gloom and thundery clouds bearing down on us.

And my horoscope?

'Don't let love lead you astray. Formulate your ideas and put them to the test, even if someone is trying to slow you down.' 

So, even the stars think I should find me a proper man instead of dreaming of the President. 

And today, in the news:

a journalist tries to explain why I am so in love with Obama (for the record, i agree with her)

I am officially on the hunt for a man so that I continue to be a healthy, rounded person. Rather than one with delusions of grandeur and daydream about how hot the leader of the free world is.

May as well put it out there - my goal is, one day, to go on Air Force One. It doesn't have to fly, or nothin', but i would like a coffee. That would be great. Trim latte, thanksverymuch.

On the news last night, Rodney Hide wore a pink shirt. With red around the inside collar. His face was red. The part of his (waxed, clearly) chest we could see was red. His head was shiny. He was saying something about how local councils shouldn't go into partnership with KiwiBank (they are looking at having branches at Councils so they can get banks back into the smaller communities). All I could think was, man, it wasn't a good idea to put on that shirt. Didn't help that he looked very much like he was on holiday rather than working hard as a Cabinet Minister.

How wonderful and refreshing is it to see that the new President is completely in love with his wife?

 

(photo from ChicagoTribune.com)

I can't get enough of that song, that dance, those loving looks...oh, swoon. Oh, for a man...

And I liked the ball dress. Nice colour, very simple in contrast with the delicate details. I especially liked the one shoulder. My favourite from all the coverage, however, was the very 50's dress she wore to greet people going in to visit the White House. Absolutely perfect for her figure, and the pattern was to die for. Like the sleeve length too. I need to get me one of them dresses. mmmhmm.

(photo from the Associated Press site)

More than ever before have we heard about the use of clothing as political weapon. And boy, the new first couple have weapons of mass destruction when it comes to their wardrobes.

Watching CNN today they were talking about how hot Obama looked in both business and bathing suits, and how he looked so at ease in both. There was also a story about how Michelle dresses like 'the rest of us' and they keep replaying the Jay Leno interview where she confessed to buying the J. Crew outfit she was wearing off the net. 

Am I buying into a sexist stereotype by caring and thinking about what the First Lady is wearing? Is it sexist to pay more attention to what the women are wearing than the men?

I figure that fashion is an integral part of pop culture. We are all aware the choices we make everyday reflect on our values, our personalities, and the fact we know people are looking. Michelle knows we are looking, talking, assessing, critiquing, and therefore dresses appropriately. She'll be well aware that some will be hit, and others will be miss. That you can't please everyone. And besides - women dress for women. So i'm going to say it isn't sexist for me (a woman) to look at her and do what comes naturally: judge.

This isn't all about the women, though. Obama has announced a pay freeze on the salaries of all senior White House staff. He has urged all public servants to take care and be aware that the money they spend, the budgets they approve, is the money of the people. Every staple, every post-it note, phone line, text message, and drink from the water cooler, if paid for by anyone earning taxable income in the States. That's some pretty serious responsibility, right there. 

I love that he also announced an Executive Order on Ethics, which brings in new rules on lobbying. Transparency is, too, a crucial word. 

Something completely and utterly transparent is John Key's attempt to look 'Prime Ministerial' amidst the hype and say oh, well, I suggest MPs should take a pay freeze. Not that the  independent Renumeration Authority has to listen to him. Just like the petrol companies didn't drop prices because Gerry Brownlee said out loud that he thought they should. They dropped them because, just like every other day of the year, the companies looked at all the different factors that affect pricing and made a decision. 

Tell you what, those 100 days of action in New Zealand have amounted to...um...? They're still on holiday, aren't they? Do those 100 days count all the days Mr Key had off in Hawaii for Christmas, or do they stop and start counting as they please? I am a little worried that maybe he isn't eating well. Surely a man of his age shouldn't break his arm that badly falling down the stairs? Maybe he needs to drink more milk. Can't have a brittle-boned Prime Minister.

(Photo from stuff.co.nz)

Holy crap, where has the day gone? Need to get started on that hunt for a man like Obama. you know, the loving looks and all that.

Polly xx

Hi, my name is Polly and I am a political junkie.

There. I said it. 

I got up at 5.30am to watch Obama's inauguration. I know, I know, I could have just got up at some reasonable time and watched it on delayed coverage at 11, but I wanted it to be memorable. You know, be able to tell the Grandkids about how 'i remember' (in that shaky old lady voice) ' when i got up at some crazy ass hour to watch McHottie Obama get sworn in as the first African American President of the USA. Oh, he was fiiiine! And you know, that wife of his, she wore this amazing dress. Showed off her figure it did. Brought classic elegance back to the White House, yes indeed.'

Not entirely sure how the voice in my head ended up with a Southern American accent.

So, someone told Aretha Franklin that that hat was a good idea. It really wasn't. Though I like the shades of grey. Mmm grey.

Paul Henry's tie on Breakfast? Was he taking the piss?  

I was intrigued by the amount Obama referred to bringing in an era of the States being an international peace keeping force. It's about time. 

Obama said it: He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. It is the people, it is the people, it is the people. And boy, did the people come. Holy crap, that was a crowd. I wonder how many had to step over the corpses of their prejudice to turn up and support the first African American President. 

My hope is that his mentioning the great concern of global warming will lead to greater global action on the issue.. John Key seems determined to pawn to dirty old Rodney Hide and have a select committee that considers if climate change even frigging exists. Shame on you, smiley man.

Dick Cheney in a wheel chair. Ah, karma.

Despite what i'm going to tell the grandkids, i'm not sure about Michelle Obama's dress. Carly Flynn liked it. I'm fond of the design, but not the colour. Or the sparkle. But the cut is very Jackie O. Good. That's what she needs to do. 

I can just imagine what is going through her head while watching Bush leave in the helicopter - 

'oh my goodness. I am holding the hand of the President of the United States. OMG. OMFG. This is my life. How did I get here?And later, i'll go to BED with the PRESIDENT! Holy crap. Better shave my legs.'

Obama is a symbol of hope that everyone, no matter what, can cheer for. Just because he identifies with Bob the Builder and tells us that 'yes, we can.'

I had chocolate cake for breakfast. Because, yes, i can. Anyway, how else is one meant to celebrate history?

oh Oliver Driver. You are beautiful. And tall. And so hot in that black on black suit. My Mum doesn't like it. I adore that you stare down the camera at me and take the piss. And say all the completely inappropriate things that everyone is thinking but would never dare say. 

Right. Coffee time.

Love, Polly xx