On The Horizon

In addition to a love of politics, photography, and travelling around I happen to be quite a big U2 fan. So, despite the news having been released a few hours ago, I'm celebrating the upcoming release of the rockers' new album, "No Line On the Horizon" this coming March!

I've been excited to return home for quite some time, but the impending release of a new single around the time of my arrival just adds to the fun.

Christmas approaches!

Where to Next?

I'm no longer the "18 year old high-school student/political blogger."

As of this morning I'm the "19 year old college-age political blogger."

Something tells me that's not as easy to market...

Despite having put another year behind me some things don't change. First, I'm still fascinated by watching and covering American elections. Second, I still love to write, take photographs, design graphics, and shoot video.

In the late winter of '07 I set out to attend a few campaign events and type up summaries online. By Election Day I had been on the floor of the RNC, shaken hands with the two party nominees, been on television as a political analyst and a game show contestant, and had my blog posts syndicated around on various news sites.

So what do I have up my sleeve now and what am I aiming for looking ahead to the 2012 election? It's a secret for now, but you'll find out soon!

A Healthier Addiction Than Politics?

Absentee-Time?

A number of absentee ballots for New York and Maryland residents have already arrived here in South Africa, but I'm still waiting to receive my trusty old Massachusetts ballot.

When I do I'll provide my final thoughts on the two candidates and break down which issues will influence my vote. Other than that, don't expect to hear how I voted until the lovely morning of November 5th.

Checking the mail...

One Part of Our Economic Problem

Nice work, megamillions.com.

The lottery is a great addition to a healthy family economic plan.

RNC Balloons!

Flying with the Sun at My Back (4:15 AM)

It's bright and early in Boston and I should be touching down in St. Paul, Minnesota in just a few hours.

I'll be jamming out to Robbie Seay Band's "Song of Hope" this morning, and if you're in need of a great way to start your Labor Day morning, give it a listen HERE.

See ya in St. Paul.

A Fantastic Ending

There are few better ways to end a week in New York City than club seats to a R.E.M. concert.

...which is to say I had a great time.

Where Did High School Go?

For the past fifteen or so months of maintaining this blog my time has been broken down into two main categories: school work and my free time (which I filled with a social life and a dedication to covering the election).

I graduate from high school next week, but the structure of my life has already changed from the simple regimen that I was so used to. Instead of school work I have real work: one job during the week covering the election and writing (starting June 9th), the other on weekends, spending nine hour shifts in the sun performing manual labor. The Saturday and Sunday nights that I used to count on as my primary opportunities to socialize or blob around the house writing and researching are now nights where I feel like doing little more than rest my muscles and sleep.

The moral of the story is that I've been finding it hard to devote much time to this blog the past few weeks. There is, however, one very exciting bit of news coming up on June 8th that will undoubtedly push me into full swing again with my writing and political enthusiasm, and I'm excited to return to this blog once I get a hang of my new summer work schedule.

Now, off to get some rest for an early morning wake-up!

(Very Good) Teleprompter Humor

Some Real (non-political) Entertainment

I'm off to see Eddie Izzard at Boston's Orpheum Theater tonight, and after being swept up in Izzard's new show on FX, The Riches, the past few months I'm excited to see him in the role he is famous for?a standup comedian.

World War II, Eddie Izzard style:

"The Boss" Shakes Up My Playlist

The news has it today that good-old American rocker Bruce Springsteen has endorsed Barack Obama.

I'm not necessarily surprised by the announcement, but the Clinton campaign and I are going to have to get some new songs for our 'Hillary' playlists on iTunes; "The Land of Hope and Dreams" and "The Rising"—both hits by Springsteen—have been on regular rotation at Clinton events the past few months.

John Kerry received Springsteen's endorsement in 2004, and while "the Boss" may not be the ticket to a spot in the White House, he'll certainly bring some mighty good campaign songs to team Obama.

As for two new tunes for the Clintons:

The Next Chapter

Four years of grueling high school work in preparation to head off to college begs a reprieve from the stress. Acting, taking photographs, writing, bouncing basketballs, kicking soccer balls, rowing on the Charles, and an insatiable appetite for politics became my escapes from the everyday grind

In two days my senior year switches from tests, papers, and nightly homework to a "senior project." For me that's blogging, continuing an AP art history course, immersing myself in a Polish language class, and giving my mind a chance to process things at a more natural pace than it's been running on for years.

Just as my ability to step back and pursue, think about, write about, and film the things I consider important will now increase dramatically, the campaign that has for so long been about picking apart differences among a large group of candidates has shifted to one about political philosophy and of which party's beliefs are the ones our country needs.

It's a challenge not just as a voter and citizen to think about that—and it's all the more difficult to think about it and then write about it. But hey, I've survived a freshman, sophomore, junior, and (almost) a senior year of high school analytical essays, class discussions, and debates, I'm sure I'll find a way to survive.

Goodbye, Florida

All good things must come to an end, and I'll miss St. George Island in Florida.

Seven days here, two days at home, and five days in New York City.

A little treat after three and a half years of grinding through high school? You bet.


(photo credit: 2008 by Caroline Kotter. All Rights Reserved.)

A Room with a View

Two weeks of vacation have begun, and despite clouds rolling in just a few minutes ago, 74 degrees sure beats Boston with snow squalls and lows below freezing.

The End

Today is my last full day of high school classes.

It's been an unbelievable ride, but I'm too exhausted from 3.5 years of straight work to want to do anything now but sleep and get ready for spring vacation.

But what could be better than a little celebrating?

On New Years Day, 1990. Communism's over. U2 takes the stage.


Expect a light sprinkling of posts from the Florida Panhandle starting Sunday.

Goodbye BB&N, hello Florida!

A Lunar Eclipse!

It's fun to be a little kid sometimes.

I've got one paper to write, one hour to wait for the moon to disappear, and a window right next to me from which I can watch it all—let the festivities begin!