It's just like the song says!

Whenever I am sad I always resort to Petula Clark's "Downtown." This isn't some indirect song about wallowing in melancholy, this is a good old fashioned "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" and go downtown damnit.

So why does it make me feel better? I think it is the basic novelty of the song:

When you're alone
And life is making you lonely
You can always go... downtown

When you've  got worries
All the noise and the hurry
Seems to help I know... downtown

Downtown seem to be omniscient and I just need to get my butt there.

So thanks Petula, for always reminding me that "We can forget all our troubles, forget all our cares, and go... downtown."

And because no one says it better than Seinfeld.

How I won Valentine's day

Ever since I quit campaigning I have found other ways to be competitive. Just ask my boyfriend what happened at Christmas. He will tell you that I "won" Christmas too early and ended up being disappointed before the day even got here. Sick, I know.

However, I find some kind of joy in seeing how far I can take the holidays. The problem with Christmas? I started too early. I planned, baked, decorated, shopped, baked, planned, decorated, shopped, and baked. I was clearly winning Christmas.

You see, when one is a former political campaigner they only know how to eat, sleep, and breathe the campaign. When I don't have a campaign to work on, and my boss tells me it's time to go home. "What, you don't want me to keep working?" I must find other ways to occupy my time.

With Valentine's Day, I took the "tortoise and the hare" approach. I didn't rush it, I put up some decorations here, bought a card there, and just a day before I decided I was going "all in." That means: homemade treats for the office, obnoxious "be mine" socks, free mocha from Starbucks, and an overall vomit of pink and red. Results? SUCCESS.

Case and point? I need a hobby...or a pet.

Meryl Streep Appreciation

I have a strong admiration for Meryl Streep. Some of you might sigh, and think "Yeah, so do a lot of people." I think that people are drawn to her honesty, a quality that makes her a fantastic actor.

This commencement speech is a culmination of that genuine personality. Take 20 minutes and listen to her words of wisdom. Her speech rings true, especially for women.

In lieu of getting sappy, I really identify with the speech. College was a time that I completely embraced my personality. You don't like the democratic, feminist, who likes to discuss the gold standard? That's just fine with me.

In the words of Marlo Thomas (here's the cheese), I would like to thank Meryl for encouraging woman to be "Free to be....You and Me."