Super Tuesday

4 years ago today, I became embarrassed to be an American. At a ripe 17, I worked as a election poll-worker because I was so eager to be part of the democratic process and I just missed being a voter by a few months. I worked from 5:30 am till 9pm, one hour after polls closed in California. When I got home and saw the results pouring in, I actually cried I was so upset and embarrassed to be an American. My motto with regards to the Bush Administration has always been "well, I did all I could, and I wasn't even voting age".

4 years later, here I am, halfway across the world, and for the first time in ages, I'm feel a sense of pride in being American. Anxiously waiting for the results, I keep reading stories of record turn outs. Lines of people excited for change, finally getting off their ass and voting. I feel like I am missing a monumental moment! When my absentee ballot came, my flat-mates all took turns leafing through the sample ballot. To think that so many take the ability to vote for granted! Not to mention the power that those we elect hold on a global level!

I'm sure we will do something soon that will renew my embarrassment by association. Perhaps another war and/or another stab at the global economy? But today, I'm proud to be a part of the big day.

Cold War Modern

I had yet to go to the V&A, so I decided to head over there today. I only got there in time to see one show, so I decided I'd see one called Cold War Modern.
So, I didn't really know much about the exhibit before I went to go see it. I knew the time range it was focusing on, and that was enough to interest me. So, walking up to the first chat wall, I was shocked to read that the exhibit explored the role of art and design in the "Battle of Images" between the Soviet Union and the USA. Yes, these ideas make total sense to me, but for some reason, I was caught completely off-guard as I entered an exhibit that looked at the advancements in art and design which arose from both the US and Soviet side. It was an interesting show, but badly laid-out. I got an audio guide, which I abandoned after I couldn't figure out the order it was set up in. I also just felt so uncomfortable, because I have clearly been taught a very bias account of the Cold War. However, the exhibit got better towards the end, as there were many cool posters, some of which were clearly used in Shepherd Fairey's stuff. Also, they had a few outfits, but two of them were Pierre Cardin, which is not so relevant to US or SU. I had to leave earlier than I would have liked, because the museum was closing. It seems that I spent too much of my time standing around confused in the first two rooms to really enjoy that last one. There were interesting questions raised, but I just didn't really have time to digest them nor did I see how the pieces chosen really helped to support the ideas.