Show Me the Euros

More Rate Cutting

In an attempt to revive the economy, central banks around the world (US, Britain, Japan, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Denmark, and South Korea) have cut rates.  In addition, the 15 country member European Central Bank has also cut rates.  ECB President, Jean-Claude Trichet, declined to rule out further reductions.  Interest rates are now below the level of inflation and rumored to go even lower.  Full article here.  How low can you go?

S.A.D.

As a California native, I always believed that Seasonal Affective Disorder was somewhat of a myth.  And then.... I moved to Boston and experienced an actual changing of the seasons and my first New England Winter.  I'm going on my third Winter and I can honestly say that there is always a huge hit of melancholia when the weather changes.  When I get in a funk, there are only a handful of things that are guaranteed to make me smile- the image motif on today's hanky is one of those things.  

For full effect, here is a video from the Great Tube of You:

All the Leaves....

...have turned yellow on the tree outside my bedroom window and some have begun to turn brown.  I am in awe of Fall.  

Beautiful Day

Today's vibe was remarkably different from the post election day 2004. I remember the overwhelming shame and disappointment people felt when Bush won. But today, people on the streets seemed genuinely happy.

Yes We Did!

First headline on the google news feed: "World Celebrates Barack Obama Victory".  When I went to bed last night, I had a perfect image of today's handkerchief.  

Yes we can.  Yes we will.

Results

Obama wins the presidency... Now the real work begins.

Here is today's handkerchief:

And here is yesterday's photo, taken just before my battery died.  Luckily my eyes were open and I don't look like a schmuck.

Ohio came through this time.

Seeing Stars

I nearly went cross-eyed stitching the 50 stars on today's design.  One hour to midnight and it looks like I'm not going to get this one finished.  But I can accept failure because election results look favorable.  Polls have closed in California and Obama is on the brink of becoming the next President of the United States of America.  What a landmark event.  Let's get this country back on track.  

No Surprises Please

Election Day.  No surprise that 3 of the 5 news articles are about the presidential election.  I'm hoping for the best and preparing myself for the worst.  Heartbreak's a bitch and this one has the potential for therapy written all over it.  

One of the greatest songs ever recorded to start off this election morning.....

Denied

My camera battery died in the middle of shooting today's photo.  So, lieu of documentation of the hanky I offer two of my favorite "ohio" songs and one that a friend sent me after reading my morning post.  Photo to follow. 

Click Here

OH Ohio

Ohio getting some NJ love from The Boss.  The battle will end tomorrow.  I have never been so petrified about the worst case scenario.  

Movement for Multi-Party Democracy

Election results for the Zambian President was very close... another contested presidency for the books.  I can't help but feel a sense of foreboding for the upcoming US election.  

The eagle is from the Zambian flag.  While I was stitching I was thinking to myself what a powerful and REALLY overused symbol.  Does this imagery still have the same resonance?  

Zim Zum Zambia

Two stories on Zambia today:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601116&sid=assXY5QsppiE&refer=africa

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7704859.stm

Being Zimbabwe's neighbor to the north, many of my fellow Peace Corps volunteers would go to Lake Kariba for holiday.  Our medical officer would warn people not to swim in the lake because of the risk of getting bilharzia (caused by this parasitic worm), but inevitably people could not resist the clear blue water.  Luckily, everyone came away unscathed. 

Dia de los Muertos

My roommates and I are hosting a Day of Dead Party... hence the get up.  I tried really hard to finish the hanky before everyone arrived, but was unsuccessful.  I am blogging while people are enjoying festivities outside my door.

The hummingbird imagery is for my grandmother whose Chinese name is in reference to a bird. At her funeral services there was a little hummingbird hovering in the air just beyond where all her family and friends were gathered for the internment.  I noticed it from the corner of my eye and watched it suspended over the crowd for what seemed like 5 minutes but was probably only 30 seconds.  The hummingbird was most likely there because of the floral arrangements, but I like to believe it was my grandmother saying her last goodbyes.    

All Clogged Up

I've been battling an oncoming cold for the past couple of days.  This morning I woke up with most of my respiratory system congested.  I'm fighting the urge to crawl back into bed.  I'm also trying to convince myself that stitching will take my mind off things.  

Today is also Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead,  traditionally celebrated in Mexico to honor family members who have passed on.  The news stories that appeared this morning left me wanting.  So, in the spirit of Dia de los Muertos, my handkerchief will be in honor of my paternal Grandmother, Lee Shee Go.  Today's monogram will stand for a real person.