Karen's Photo Journal

Majestic Heights

We live through history everyday, but it is defining moments like today that make us pause and realize what we are witnessing.  Even if you didn't vote for Obama, today is like no other day for America.  This nation has over come so much to be where it is now. A day MLK spoke of 45 years ago. Whether you voted for him or not, Obama has united our states like no other candidate could have and this is what we needed more then anything. Today, I am proud of my country.

As a side note, check out the cool avatar I made over at Obamiconme for my Facebook page:

The Dream

Please set aside 17 minutes today to watch this whole video.  Tomorrow our nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of it's creed - that all men are created equal.

Call to Service

• "My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."  John F. Kennedy 

• "Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love."  Martin Luther King Jr.

• "We are the ones we have been waiting for."  Barack Obama

On January 19, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, thousands of people across the country are committing to renew America. I will be taking my kids with me to do a service project on Monday, hoping that leading by example will instill something in them as well.  Won't you join us?

For anyone that books a portrait season with me and shows me that they participated in this day of service (time stamped snapshots from you cleaning a park, giving blood, etc... for example), I will take $100 off of your sitting fee or donate $100 of your portrait sitting fee to a charity of your choice.  

Please watch this video below then follow this link to find an event in your area.

         

A More Perfect Union

"We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America"  

Never have those words felt so relevant to me.  Watching President Elect Obama give his acceptance speech almost seemed unreal last night.  It was a dream.  The dream of Martin Luther King and millions of us who felt it was time for change.  If Barack Obama was able to bring out unprecedented voters, make people feel passionate about their country again, hopeful for their futures... if he has already done that I am excited to see how we can unite even more in the next eight years. I prey for his safety.

When my bi-racial son was three, he told me that he was going to be president one day. I told him absolutely but inside wondered if I would ever see that in my life time. Watching the election last night with him was overwhelmingly emotional.  My daughter and I made some electoral cupcakes last night.  I am so glad we will eat them to celebrate, not to drown out our sorrows!  LOL

Politics are such a tricky thing to talk about.  Yes, I voted for Barack because I agree with his political views.  McCain is a hero but we needed a changing of the guard, so to speak.  Some of my best friends are republicans!  LOL  And McCain's speech last night was fantastic.  Change won't come easy but hopefully we will work together as a nation to heal and move forward.  Okay... no more politics!!!!!!

Today's the Day

My husband I went over to vote around 10 am.  We only had to wait a few minutes to vote.  I have never been so careful as to making sure my little circles lined up properly in the voting machine.  I checked it a few times to make sure the felt pen that we use here in Los Angeles made a dark enough mark.  I kept asking my husband all morning, "I'm excited; aren't you excited?" as I bounced all over the house!  Tonight will be a long, interesting night.  Tomorrow... wow.  Tomorrow will be historical. Here is the Firefighter Barocking his vote!

Are you Registered to Vote?

We learned eight years ago that one vote does make a difference.  Please, make sure you are registered to vote then let your voice be heard in November. Did you know you can register online now? There is a link at the end of this video.  Check it out...

Hilarious Politics

Are you following the Presidential race as much as my friends and I are?  Is your email box full of political updates from web sites and friends?  Are you starting to think November won't be here soon enough?  Then this Saturday Night levity is just for you:

Yes You Can

A while back I posted a video directed by Jesse Dylan which featured Will.i.am and others talking about Barack Obama. Well, today there was a video released which stars teenagers wishing that they had a voice and a chance to vote in this years election.  My friends son Christian (who is the face frozen in the video capture below) is one of the featured teens!  I am so proud of him and all the kids, including my own 14 year old for being so aware of what is happening around them.  Check it out and pass it on:

The Story of Stuff

I am big on the environment, eating organic, removing toxins from my home and being present and involved in my community.  It is easy to do with so much information and healthy products out there now a days. But products, by which I mean consumption, is still a challenge for us. And by us, I mean America.  I saw a great post on Dane Sanders site this morning that is right up my green little alley! Please take the time to watch The Story of Stuff. It is 20 minutes long and will educate you about consumption in an easy, fun way.  Most importantly though, it will get you thinking.

Grass roots for Obama

I went to an Obama campaign event this morning, run by my friend Linda and hosted by Calitalia Restaurant in Calabasas.  It was great seeing people of all ages (6 mos - 80 probably!) eager to learn more and see how they can help.  To find an event near you, go to this web site.  A nice Saturday morning!

Our future...