While my physical presence might be overseas far, far away-- my heart will undoubtedly be with the rest of my family and comrades back home in the U.S. of A., on the historically exciting day of January 20th, 2009. My ancestral roots might originate from the Muthaland, 'tis true. But on this particular day, I'm damn proud to be an American. 

Without a doubt, along with Obama's official oath into office comes some extremely high expectations of him and what he can deliver. Bush leaves the Oval Office with some major "baggage" left for our new president to handle-- an economic crisis so bad everyone and their momma down to Skid Row felt it, the aftermath of war, and the loss of national confidence, overall, from west- to east-coast. Current American society is undeniably, well...a tad more impatient than that of FDR's reign back in the early '30's, when the economy was hurrrrtin' post-market crash. Ridin' high from Obama's victory over ("doh!") McCain, while taking in the sweet solutions the genuinely honest politican has offered with utmost integrity and practicality in mind, the American public, including myself, should rest assured that while deliverance from the Bush administration's mistakes won't be immediate, it will certainly come in due time if we don't falter from faith and his principles of nonpartisanship. How lucky are we to be ALIVE during such an amazing era, to witness history-in-the-making from an unstoppable campaign, to shockingly victorious poll results (thus restoring my own personal faith in the American public, admittedly), to an historic inaugural day- and beyond? Yeah, I know it sounds corny-- and to some, perhaps too idealistic considering the reality of our nation's "sitch," but so what? I'm still floatin' from damn-near elation that I was elected Miss November '08 when Obama was elected Mr. President during the same exact month and year-- a coincidental synapse I get to claim and dance about like an overjoyed American civilian if I desire to.

A month back, while awaiting yet another delayed flight from JFK to LAX, I dilly-dallied at one of the terminal bookstores, purchasing Obama's "The Audacity of Hope." Sincerity and practicality again prove to be his strong points, as he delivers honest answers to a host of issues while relating to people like you and me, with humorous asides about his personal/political encounters. :) And he does this while staying true to non-divisional lines amongst all classes, races, religions, what have you. Obama never fails in tying everything he substantiates and supports together, under one unfailing theme-- that what unites all Americans together is that unspoken,common feeling of national camaraderie, united under commonality and agreement of America's principles as set forth by our Founding Fathers: equal liberties across all sects and the rebirth of  "The American Dream" (achieved by the man himself)!

Shoehurling at President Bush?! AWESOME!
Current mood:  overstimulated
Category: Dreams and the Supernatural


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RFH7C3vkK4&feature=related

 

Hahahah- that was freakin' awesome!!! He's an adeptly fast ducker but the fear in his eyes are priceless...

When's February coming, dang it?

 

For those who liked Moore's "Dude, Where's My Country," --

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=12832

PO Box Info (*New*)
Current mood:Living in a jet-lagged dream


Hey guys!!! Thank you for all of your e-mails and generous, kind words...I do read them and try to get back to you when I can (some of you are hilarious)!  I've just been pretty slammed lately so I apologize if it's taking me longer than usual to get back to you. I did obtain a PO box as of late (finally, I know, I know!), which I'll be checking when I'm not traveling (so basically 1-2 days out of the week).

I love getting fanmail, and I do read all of them when I can, and keep them all! The address is:

 

PO Box 1057, 8033 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90046


Be sure to send a self-addressed, stamped envelope, if you want what you sent safely returned.

Items such as Rock Band / Guitar Hero drummer sticks, face plates, video game covers, etc. are also fine for me to sign...but the actual drum SET, strangely heavy or massive items...? Maybe not so much. :) (I've gotten MUCH stranger requests, believe me. :) I take these all as compliments!

Rock On!

Xoxo, Grace

Unbelievable!!! History in the Making...
Current mood:  jubilant
Category: Life


When we're old, sittin' in our rocking chairs on the front porch, reminiscin' about the good ole' days, it's gonna be mothereffing cool that our generation will get to say, "During our lifetime, within our society, we lived during a time when:

THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT WAS ELECTED!!!!! OBAMA IN THE (WHITE) HOUUUSE! Can you smell what Barack is cookin'?? and I was Miss November 2008, representing the month when this historic moment actually happened???

Can I get a "Hallelujah?!" An "AMEN, SISTAH?!"

I know I'm going to remember this for the REST of my life...that personally, socially, culturally, and globally-- this moment destroyed SO many old-school ways of thinking and my own faith in the American public was fully restored. Did anyone else get goosebumps from that acceptance speech, btw? Such humble gratitude and sincerity...

Palin's probably aerial wolf-slaughtering away from grief due to loss (she didn't just admit to doing it solely for fun, now....play nice guys...let's cut her some slack, she's back in the soccer fields and her small governing office in Alaska, where she comfortably belongs. Making life and death decisions for America while conversing with international diplomats with that twitter..? Ummm.)

Chicago Playboy/Peak Shoot- It Rocked!!!
Current mood:chillin’
Category: Jobs, Work, Careers

http://www.playboy.com/blog/2008/10/this-months-playmate-rocks-a-new-controller-1.htmlmore

*So I went to Chicago last weekend and had the time of my LIFE! The premise was to do another Playboy video shoot (sponsored by Peak!)- and this was the ultimate prize- Peak let me SMASH A STARPEX, KURT COBAIN-STYLE, at the end of the shoot. It was a one-take only, so I had to do it right- and at first "smash," it wouldn't break...but upon the second smash, it semi-broke, then on the third and final smash- I was left holding the stem, which I threw away like a real rock star and walked off the "stage" with the "audience" cheering me on like I was Chris Cornell or Ozzy. It was no less than AWESOME. Plus, I was able to visit Chicago for the first time (beautiful city!) and Playboy Chicago Headquarters- where Hef, the legend and THE MAN, started it all. It was really overwhelming and I felt so incredibly blessed. It was really surreal stepping foot into the empire that Hef built from the bottom up- he truly PIONEERED the sexual revolution in the 60's- I mean, he was at the forefront making it ALL HAPPEN, changing the way people at the time thought about sex, politics, gender, class, race, Hef was and is and will always BE THE MAN...and now I'm now a part of it as a blessed Playmate? It's like a dream come true! It's truly surreal.

Anyway- please check out the link (shout outs to Peak! I further felt like a rockstar when I got to sign the pieces! You guys are so sweet!!!!!!!!). And thanks to the Playboy crew in Chicago for making it happen- I had soooo much fun (shout outs to Kevin, Sam, George, Pat, Penny! I know I'm forgetting someone...dagnabbit....)