feeling is mutual-- the blog!

2/20/2008

Senator Obama's latest string of wins can be attributed to the efforts of a small town in Japan.

“He put up a good fight on Super Tuesday and then won seven consecutive contests, so I think our support did him no harm and, in fact, carried him in the right direction,” Mr. Fujiwara said. “That happens sometimes. You enter a restaurant and there’s no one inside, but the moment you sit down and order something, customers start coming in one after the other.”

Thanks guys.

Ron Paul supporters are still working to uncover the conspiracy that will explain the link between Obama the candidate, and Obama the rural fishing village. My guess is that it has something to do with the federal reserve and how it sucks.

Labels: barack obama, politics

posted at 11:05 AM

--------------------

2/10/2008

Yes, We Can by flickr user xtrapop

It was a creed written into the founding documents
that declared the destiny of a nation.

Yes we can.

It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists
as they blazed a trail toward freedom.

Yes we can.

It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores
and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.

Yes we can.

It was the call of workers who organized;
women who reached for the ballot;
a President who chose the moon as our new frontier;
and a King who took us to the mountain-top
and pointed the way to the Promised Land.
Yes we can to justice and equality. (yes we can)
Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity.
Yes we can heal this nation.
Yes we can repair this world.

Yes we can.
Si Se Puede.

We know the battle ahead will be long,
but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way,
nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices
calling for change.

We want change!

We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics
who will only grow louder and more dissonant.
We've been asked to pause for a reality check.
We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope.
But in the unlikely story that is America,
there has never been anything false about hope.

We want change!
I want Change.

The hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon
are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of LA;
we will remember that there is something happening in America;
that we are not as divided as our politics suggests;
that we are one people;
we are one nation;
and together, we will begin the next great chapter in America's story
with three words that will ring from coast to coast;
from sea to shining sea

Yes. We. Can.

Yes We Can (Obama for America): will.i.am., et al. (2008)

Labels: barack obama, politics

posted at 3:13 PM

--------------------

1/30/2008

What's better than a Ted Kennedy endorsement? Well, almost anything really... but an endorsement is especially awesome coming from Shepard Fairey, cause then you get awesome posters chock full of awesome. Visit ObeyGiant.com to order your own.
It may look a little hammer-'n-sickle, but that's just his street art style, yo! Fairey don't mean nothin' by it (Obama != socialist... for reals).
Thanks Gawker !

More PrObama Street art can be seen at GoTellMama.org

Labels: art, artists, barack obama, current events, politics

posted at 8:27 AM

--------------------

8/01/2007

Three... three... three posts in one!

1.Why is it that whenever I use stock photography featuring "people-of-a-color-other-than-white" I have to have the awkward "it's a little too ethnic" discussion? Is this a normal customer reaction in all markets? How do you, as a designer, respond to customer requests for white-washing?

It really puts me in an awkward place morally as I have to find a happy medium between the client pleasing oh yes, what was I thinking!? White upper middle class faces coming right up! and self-righteous scorn. In my experience, when a client is given the choice of two ads, identical in every way other than the model's ethnicity, the client will always always choose the ad featuring the white model.

If any social scientist out there would like to conduct a study on race relations within small market advertising, I'm totally down with providing the data.

2. Check out this write up of ol' Tim Youmans published this week in the News-Star. It's not every day that someone essentially dubs you a present day incarnation of Woody Guthrie. I especially appreciated that the story gave me not one but TWO opportunities to say "Oh yeah, that Woody Guthrie guy? He was my marriage counselor." I don't get to name drop often so it was a very special day for me.
I saw Tim at lunch yesterday but I was too socially awkward to say hello... what with his new found fame and all. Listen to his free music for folks at myspace.com/timseantunes. Listen to the pretty melodies but to the lyrics above all. I can especially get down on (in a meditative way) the song "A Pretty Good Time", a touching tribute to Tim's youth group at First Baptist.

we will have a pretty good time
please be safe, in all the right ways
we’ll find there’s so much to give up
and in that, so much to gain
remember God in the days of youth
before we tire and grow weary
and we will have a pretty good time
as our lives shimmer and shine

3. On our way to OKC for our first official meeting of the Obama campaign volunteers, Chris and I were so psyched that, if asked, we would have driven all the way to Iowa to begin canvassing that very night! We had Hope in our hearts and Policy Reform on our lips! There was no greater man in Washington than Barack Obama and we, THE PEOPLE, were going to storm the White House in his name.

As we drove down the highway I imagined all the volunteers meeting together for the first time like old friends – all of us united in purpose. We'd pile on a bus to the tune of bird chirps and laughing children. We would all join and hands, guitars would come out of no where, and "We Shall Overcome" would be sung in 3 part harmony all the way to Des Moines! Somewhere, someone would buy the world a Coke.

Oh. My. Lord. What a gigantically excruciating disappointment.

When the meeting was adjourned we trudged back to our car... the only hope we had left was the hope that we would never ever see any of those people ever again.

Come with me on a journey towards disillusionment: The scene: An over crowded banquet room at "On the Border". Imagine that every person in the room was driven to attend the rally out of a desire for business networking rather than any kind of "audacious hope" for American politics. Imagine two straight hours of straining to hear the speaker over the "I'm richer than you" one-up manship going on around you. Watch in awe as business cards materialize out of thin air along with empty requests to "get with" their "people". Also, imagine that your refried beans were dry and crusty from being under a heat lamp too long and that the guy next to you, practically in your lap, is a little more than tipsy from a margarita the size of your head. Watch in disgust as Tipsy Man seems to really enjoy touching all the chips in the communal chip bowl.

Awesome.

"But Marissa", you say, "I was there! It was hardly the colossal waste of time and gas money that you imply!" Than I guess we weren't at the same table then, were we?

Special quotes from the evening:

"I would love to attend the Barack-B-Que, but I'll be in Aspen that weekend."

"Do you know _insert obscure name drop_?" "Oh yes! Her family used to summer near our beach home!"

"I'm voting for Mitt Romney anyway - have to look out for the ol' wallet."

Which brings to mind one other quote "I like your Obama, I do not like your Obama Mamas. Your Obama Mamas are so unlike your Barack Obama.” You tell'em Gahndi.

Thank you for letting me get this off my chest. Chris won't let me talk about it anymore.

Labels: barack obama, christianity, life, music, oklahoma, politics, work

posted at 7:46 PM

--------------------

4/06/2007

I was recently chastised by my father for being a little heavy on the Obama. I tried to explain that I'm not obsessed with the campaign... I'm just lazy about posting, so it just looks that way.
There are two solutions to the problem of perceived over-obamanation: 1) Create an entire post on the positive aspects of one republican pundit of my dad's choice in order to create balance. 2) Post more often.
I'll go with upping my post frequency since I'm tired and, as admitted above, lazy. Dad would probably choose someone like Ann Coulter anyway and, while I enjoy a challenge, I don't think my fragile soul could take it.

Things I'm enjoying at the moment.
1. Online Comics
2. New curtains in the studio
3. Today at work we're ordering biscuits for breakfast. ROCK!
4. New art in the mail from Ashleyg! Thank you!
5. Tiny Showcase
6. Rollie Fingers

Oh and happy Good Friday day!

Labels: art, artists, barack obama, indie shop, life, politics, Rollie Fingers

posted at 10:10 AM

--------------------

3/20/2007

Yesterday Chris, Aaron and I were privileged to attend Barack Obama's rally at the OKC Farmer's Market. I broke loose of the boys early on since we of short and stubby stature have a better shot at a decent vantage point when unincumbered by tall people. I'd like to give a special thanks to all the very kind, very tall men who offered to help me move up in the crowd.

One of the things I appreciated most about the rally was the climate of friendliness and community that was present among both staff and attendees. Despite the fact that we were packed in like cattle with what seemed like heat lamps above us, I never heard an ill tempered comment or witnessed any rude behavior. People easily joked and conversed with their neighbors. If I was a new age hippie, I would tell you that the room was filled with a positive energy (I might also say something about auras and spirit and...what is that smell?! Patchouli?).

And that's what this whole campaign is about–community... "the people"... Us. Sen. Obama's aim is to create a stronger community amongst the American people, focusing on ideas and issues that are universal concerns.

But nearly every campaign lays a claim on these ideals, right? It seems naive to believe that the best interest of the nation could truly be at the heart of a campaign, as opposed to the candidate's personal ambitions and desire for power. But when Sen. Obama says it, for some reason I believe it. I'm not the only one either. And like Sen. Obama said yesterday during his speech, "Every time the American people decide that things need to change, they change. When a million voices come together and make a decision that we're going to have change, we're going to have change."

It's been said many times that the people who are most appropriate for the role of president would never even consider the position because of the vanity and ruthlessness required. What other politician in recent memory could be described as "genuine", "honest", or "sincere"? How about "humble"? Sen. Obama is all of these things. Finally, a decent man has stepped up to the challenge. Sen. Obama is willing to put himself on the line because of, what appears to be, a genuine desire to change the United States for the better.

We don't admire him because of his celebrity or his "rock star status". We don't rally because we think he's physically attractive. We stand beside Sen. Obama because, in order to lead a nation, we understand that it takes much more than these superficial qualities. After all, wasn't it the election of charm and "good looks" that got us stuck with the last guy? At least this time around, maybe the soccer moms will be on our side.

I'll be adding links to accounts and pics from the rally as I find them. If you have anything to share please let me know in the comments!

• AP News Wire story from ABC News
• OklahomaObama.com
• BarackObama.com
• OK Blue Notes Official weblog for the Oklahoma Democratic Party
• Democrats of Oklahoma Community Forum Obama Rally Thread
• Photos from Flickr:
feelingismutual (me), tjsinokc, tamihollidayelder, fierce bunny

Labels: barack obama, event, flickr, life, oklahoma, politics

posted at 12:15 PM

--------------------

2/19/2007

- Hey, Marissa.
- Yeah what?
- Why don't you post more?
- Why don't you post more?
- That's dumb.
- Sosyourface!
- ...

So right... posting... Threadless has some pretty awesome new designs. You should go check them out. I ordered a couple and wish I could order more. I was about to order one for The Chris but the last one I ordered didn't go over so well...order order order. Why, Threadless? After months of designs that didn't even remotely interest me, why do you have to release all the good ones at once?

Yes, I know Barack Obama is in the game. I'm still not sure what I think about that and I haven't decided whether I'm going to be all gung-ho supportive or hide under my comforter till next November. I asked my dad to "pretty please vote for Obama and I'll love you forever". He said no. If those kind of tactics don't work on your parents then they most likely won't work when canvassing door to door.

I do have my very own Obamaisgood.com T-shirt with which I proclaim to all of Shawmpton that, yes, Obama is good! I wear my shirt with pride...so far. Please Obama, don't hurt'em. All of our hopes and dreams are on the line.

Labels: barack obama, current events, design, gifts, politics, threadless

posted at 12:23 PM

--------------------

1/16/2007

Ahhh... There are many reasons why today is fantastic– not the least of which was this email that greeted me when I came in to work his morning:

Senator Barack Obama has announced that he has filed papers today to create a presidential exploratory committee. Exploration is good, but I'm a little concerned that an official bid for 2008 may be premature. Sen. Obama will be a wonderful president someday (see that? positive thinking) but he needs to be in the national spotlight a little longer in order to prove his worth to the entire country. As much as he is loved by his constituents and ardent fans, I'm so afraid that his flame will die if he tries to run too soon. He's too much of a talent to become another Howard Dean.

So far, the only negativity I've heard (that doesn't originate from hype-apprehension) are the very clever rhymes associating his name with that of Osama bin Laden. And have you heard? Barack Obama's middle name is Hussein? Well! We can't have that! So unless something earth shattering is revealed, Obama seems pretty safe from controversy and scandal.

On February 10th, Sen. Obama will announce his official plans. If his decision is to run in 2008 I will do everything I can to do my part in working towards his election. Dude, just call on me. I am a canvassing, button wearing fool!

Here's a little excerpt from my "very exclusive" email:

As you may know, over the last few months I have been thinking hard about my plans for 2008. Running for the presidency is a profound decision - a decision no one should make on the basis of media hype or personal ambition alone - and so before I committed myself and my family to this race, I wanted to be sure that this was right for us and, more importantly, right for the country.

I certainly didn't expect to find myself in this position a year ago. But as I've spoken to many of you in my travels across the states these past months; as I've read your emails and read your letters; I've been struck by how hungry we all are for a different kind of politics.

See Sen. Obama's Official Site for more information.

Labels: barack obama, current events, life, politics

posted at 2:40 PM

--------------------

1/11/2007

Anyone need a date to the 2008 DNC?! Since the convention will be held in Denver, attendance seems to be attainable, now I just need to figure out how to get a free ride. Maybe I can sneak in as a vendor.... make a few hundred "Obama is my homeboy" shirts... sounds easy enough. ... sleep in the back seat of my car on a pile of Hanes 100% cotton goodness... it'll be great!
Let's go to Denver!

Labels: current events, politics

posted at 10:52 AM

--------------------

11/09/2006

(via cnn.com)
I absolutely adore the awkwardness of this picture... looks like the courtin' of the democrats has officially begun. I can almost hear Pelosi's nervous sympathy giggle and I love Bush's schmoozy expression. Maybe Pelosi is trying to decide how long that joke about drapery is supposed to be funny.

Labels: cnn pics, politics

posted at 11:08 AM

--------------------

11/08/2006

What a beautiful day! It may be November but the sun is shinning, the grass is green, it's 80 degrees outside and the world is smiling!

Ever since I started caring about such things, Election Days always put me in knots and every single one has been a disappointment. But not this one! Rumsfeld was just icing on the yummiest cake ever (not that gross crisco frosting either.... the good stuff!). I don't even mind that my candidate lost since everything else went so well.

Let me tell you, there's nothing more depressing than a watch party for a losing candidate. I hate to see a grown man cry but, luckily, Chris and I left dinner on the stove so we had an excuse to leave early. I was going to play the hand shaking game before I left but skipped it since I thought it would seem like I was cutting out because we were on the losing team. Also, I didn't want them to retract all the wonderful things they said about me before the numbers started to come in!

I loved working in politics though, and I hope I have the opportunity to help other campaigns in the future. But only campaigns that don't have a vindictive old man running sabotage with dirty ad shenanigans (Just a tip for those with a future in politics, especially in Pottawatomie County– When you fire the guy who writes your ad copy, make sure you do so without bruising his pride. If you tick him off, his negative ad backlash will be quick and brutal).

Labels: life, oklahoma, politics

posted at 3:15 PM

--------------------

10/12/2006

Between the Foley scandal and the Abramoff debacle, the list of politicians who will never get my vote just keeps getting longer and longer. Today I put Connecticut Republican Rep. Christopher Shays (Shays on Foley Handling) on the list. Although I guess he's pretty safe from my wrath since he's in Connecticut and all.

Just last week, Shay issued a statement saying “If there is any leader - Republican or Democrat - that knew or should have known about Mark Foley's behavior, he or she should step down from leadership. I will not vote for any leader who knew or should have known about Mark Foley’s conduct." He also, very correctly, observed that "The integrity of Congress is on the line.”

So what happened Shay? I guess you mean anyone besides Speaker Hastert. "I know the speaker didn't go over a bridge and leave a young person in the water, and then have a press conference the next day," the embattled Connecticut congressman told The Hartford Courant in remarks published Wednesday...."Dennis Hastert didn't kill anybody," he added.

Jerk.

I guess since the GOP has lost the moral high ground for shizzle they've decided to throw family values out the window altogether. It's as if the whole party has collectively decided to give up the charade "Shucks! You caught us... the truth is we hate children!" The GOP could've spun this to their advantage. They could've reached out to the families with heart felt apologies. Foley could have been drawn and tarred and quartered and feathered. But instead they're busy blaming and covering their butts and I don't know anyone outside of The Capitol who thinks it's working. Cause you know what? This isn't a "gay thing", or a "drunk thing" or a "liberal conspiracy thing". This is a pedophilia thing. Foley is the guy on Dateline we look at with disgust as he fumbles with a margarita because of his proximity to a 14 year old. No one in their right mind looks at a pedophile and thinks, "at least he didn't kill anyone." In the same way, no one would look at someone who enabled a pedophiliac and say that they didn't personally murder children so they're absolved. Oh right, except for Rep. Shay.

I'm tired of all the spin and the lies. I'm tired of people being jerks. I'm tired of wishy washy, backsliding, hypocritical morons. You know what sucks? Deciding who to vote for dependent on which candidate did less stuff that I hate (Yeah Henry loves the lottery... but Istook eats babies). I'm changing my affiliation to The Decent Human Being Party. Who's with me?

Labels: cnn, politics

posted at 11:16 AM

--------------------

10/10/2006

Chris and I have advanced to a new stage in our relationship: Old People. Not every couple in their mid-20's can say that they regularly fall asleep on a love-seat while watching PBS. It's gotten to the point where Antiques Road Show is a highly effective alternative to sleeping pills. I'm not sure if I should attribute my newly aching body to "The Old" or to the couch sleeping.

Every night we dominate the crosswords. It's about time I found a reason to pick the paper up from the yard. If I had known about the forced subscriptions, I never would've taken a newspaper job. Bah. And Eugene Sheffer, you will be vanquished! 'Cause, dude, if the answer consists of 3 separate words then the clue would be a perfect place to let us know. Seriously. You better hope we never cross paths Sheffer... if so, I have a combo move with your name on it.

My birthday weekend was lovely, so thank you to everyone who helped make it rock. In related news, I am now the proud owner of a 1" button maker!

Does anyone else think that the arrival of the recent cold front and Karl Rove's presence in Oklahoma is a little too convenient to be a coincidence? I knew that the breeze felt especially evil yesterday morning.

Labels: life, politics

posted at 1:29 PM

--------------------

9/12/2006

From cnn.com
Angered Hussein: 'We will crush your heads'

"Congratulations! you are in a cage, Saddam," witness Ghafour Hassan Abdullah said as he stared at the ousted president. Hussein later lashed out at "agents of Iran and Zionism" in the courtroom and vowed to "crush your heads."

Mark McKinney shows Saddam how it's done.

That wacky guy. At least we know that, along with his Doritios, Saddam is allowed access to Kids in the Hall... See! We didn't just ratify the Geneva Convention...we hook our prisoners up!

Labels: cnn, cnn pics, current events, politics

posted at 9:49 AM

--------------------

9/11/2006

I'm trying to ignore today's coverage as much as possible, but this AP photo is stunning.

A victim's young daughter during a moment of silence.

Labels: cnn pics, current events, politics

posted at 9:42 AM

--------------------

9/05/2006

Labor Day...just...won't...die....

Okay, now it has. I'm done.
The final copy is at flickr. Download it at original size so you can make copies and pass it out to Starbucks workers and incite conflict in the workplace... be an organizer. Keep in mind that the poor thing was killed before the proofing process began so pass it out at your own risk.

Labels: art, craft, life, politics, work

posted at 11:45 PM

--------------------

9/04/2006

Happy Labor Day

Last week I worked up this illustration of "The History of Labor Day" for a special section in our paper. Sadly the piece was nixed as it was viewed by our publisher to be a little too friendly to organized labor and "not the message that we want to send out". Well. Fair enough. The guy is from Michigan so I understand his distaste for unions but when I was told to illustrate the history of Labor Day I wish someone had told me to keep the Labor Movement out of it.
So here it is...my unpublished labor of love.

And the man just keeps knockin' us down.

Our big labor day plans involved furniture re-finishment (Is that a word. Spell check says no). Chris left me alone to finish the task as he's one of the few who actually has to work on this national day of rest* and it took about 20 minutes of my inexperience to royally mess it up. Here's a tip. Don't use a power sander on ancient unidentified paint after soaking the piece down with a hose. Our last piece of fine grit sandpaper is now completely gunked up with blue paint...which is surely lead based and now seeping into my pores as it's covering my hands as well. And Chris made it sound so easy! I'm supposed to be at Lowe's right now buying more stain for our night stand...but the way thing are going I think the world is safer if I just stay indoors.

*Why is it that the downtrodden masses who inspired this holiday are the only ones forced to work it today?

Time again to vote for your favorite Oklahoma bloggers---> 2006 Okie Blog Awards. The fact that I've been nominated for bugger all should be enough to legitimize this contest (no Emmy like snafus there). Maybe if I hadn't offended the entire population of Stroud I might've had a chance. Lincoln County has mad voter power.
My favorite pre-marital counselor, Tim Youmans at Anabaptist Monk, has been justly nominated again this year for Best Inspirational Blog. I've officially begun my campaign to see that he wins it big.

Labels: art, holiday, life, oklahoma, politics, see jane work

posted at 5:17 PM

--------------------

[listening: the ting tings]
[reading:cat and girl]
[watching: twin peaks]
[project: blue dome arts festival]

This is a Flickr badge showing public photos from feelingismutual. Make your own badge here.

april 14--feist
april 19--newvo 2008
april 22--sean's birthday
may 02--tegan and sarah
may 17-19--blue dome arts festival/mayfest
mar 08--the wailin' jennys

Previous Posts

my shop
my space
my flickr

lecirage at yahoo.com

©2001-2008 by le cirage design. Ã bas le cirage!