apropos of anything

I know that I have higher hopes for our 44th president, Barack Hussein Obama, than I have had for any other president that I can remember. Julia and I watched the inauguration from the bridge that spans the two towers of the CNN Center; the atrium directly below us was full to bursting with people who’d opted not to deal with the frigid temperatures at the outdoor Centennial Olympic park viewing, and every time Barack Obama appeared on the giant HD TV, the crowd roared like their football team had just scored the winning touchdown. It was amazing, just a little piece of the emotion that must have been happening in D.C. at that exact moment, but from the familiarity of my office, where I have experienced almost every significant event over the last eight years and the most fitting place for me to be to usher in the Obama era of hope and change.

I know he’s not magic, but he does make me believe that yes, he can, and yes, I can, and if we all give a little and work a lot we can dig ourselves out of this quagmire. I trust him, and I have faith in him, and I hope he starts his term tomorrow by coming out swinging.

I know that Geoff was absolutely right when he told me to see Slumdog Millionaire, even if I had to fly to New York to do it (and at the time, I would have). It’s a beautiful and heart-wrenching movie that stays with you, that reminds you of the tenacity of the human spirit, and above all else, makes you so grateful for having parents. For me specifically, the footage reminds me of how much I love Mumbai, flawed as it is, and also that from whom much has been given, much will be asked. They can’t touch me, we break our friends so fast they can’t even touch me…

I know that what’s happening in Gaza, what has been happening in Gaza for weeks now, makes my stomach churn. I don’t really care if you think Israel is right or if you think the Palestinians are right — surely you can agree that no human being should have to stand in line for hours simply to get a loaf of bread, or be terrified to go to the bathroom because there are rockets flying overhead. Surely you can agree that the aid workers need to be able to get back into Gaza because… but for the grace of God, that could be you or I.

I know that grapefruit cake is yummy, that I work with awesome people who put together amazing products with grace and style, and that I am looking forward to tomorrow.

It’s a blessing.