Edit: As promised, here’s the lovely pattern I used for the above infinity scarf from Brooke Ann Dove at “On the Wings of a Dove” Blogspot.

The crochet bow’s pattern comes from JennaScribbles (scroll down to view the green bow). The only thing I changed was that I didn’t skip any chains in row 2.

Happy Crocheting!

“…raise unlimited sums from corporations, unions and other groups, as well as individuals.” and “Super PACs can also mount direct attacks on candidates not allowed in the past.”

PACs stand for “political action committees” and are private groups that aim to get a particular political candidate elected or try to influence a certain legislative outcome by either receiving contributions or spending over $1,000 for this purpose. (Wikipedia)

Earlier in January, he announced that he was forming a committee to explore his potential candidacy for the President of the United States of South Carolina. Since Colbert could not legally run for office while still tied to his Super PAC, Jon Stewart, Comedy Central’s other political funny-man, “took over” Stephen’s Super PAC. The Super PACs’ name was also changed to, “The Definitely Not Coordinating with Stephen Colbert Super PAC”. Aside from his TV antics, Colbert was legitimately making a point about how the PAC system operates. Even though now he’s not “in control” of his PAC money per se–money that he raised for the exclusive purpose of promoting his own candidacy–Stewart, who is now in control of the PAC and friends with Colbert–can use it for basically the same means. (Aside: this is what actually happens).

Since then, Colbert has been seemingly “endorsing” Herman Cain, a former Presidential hopeful who suspended/left the campaign. However Cain still appears on the primary ballot. Colbert keeps telling his viewers that “A vote for Cain is a vote for me.”

SOOOO with all of that background, I now come to what witnessed today: Stephen Colbert’s “Rock You Like a Herman Cain South Cain-olina Primary Rally” at the College of Charleston’s Cistern, January 20th 2012.

An anxious queue, consisting of mostly CofC college students, began gathering outside of the campus’ courtyard as early as 10am–the rally didn’t start until 1pm with doors opening at 12pm. Naturally, the line stretched from the Cistern on St. Philips Street down to busy Calhoun Street a couple of blocks away, spilling around the corner. I wasn’t able to line up early, as I had to work–fortunately at an office building literally just a block or so away. I took off at 12:45 for the rally; apparently the yard had reached its occupancy limit, and the remaining students and curious passers-by had to wait outside. Students climbed up to and held on to iron bars on top of the waist-high concrete perimeter that housed the Cistern yard. I peered in through the elevated iron bars, students’ legs, and around trees to get a glimpse of the stage where Colbert would make his appearance.

The stage with the "Vote Cain" banner. You can see how far away I was.

The stage at the far end of the yard held a gospel choir and a large banner with Cain and Colbert’s faces plastered across the top.

Herman Cain's Campaign bus

Just before 1pm, Coastal Carolina’s marching band started up, Cain’s campaign bus pulled around the corner, and Colbert and Cain appeared on the stage singing, “This Little Light of Mine” and then, “The National Anthem”. Colbert gave a brief introduction, still jesting in his Comedy Central character’s fashion: (as accurately as I can remember his quotes)

“It’s nice to be back in SC. Who says you can’t go home? They probably don’t have their own private jet.”

“Don’t sit down! …Because there aren’t any chairs. I’ll take a standing ovation any way I can get one.”

talking about Charleston in general, “…and if this rally gets out of hand, at least you’ll be pepper sprayed in the nicest way possible.

Even with his jokes, I think he let a little more of himself show through than he normally does, which was nice. He’s hilarious, and I love his show, but it was nice to be able to see him being more himself than having to sift through his TV personality’s sarcasm and jokes to figure out what he actually feels about issues.

Herman Cain then took the stage and babbled on and on about how Washington is corrupt and obviously, since he had to drop out of the Presidential race, that change won’t come from the inside–it has to come from the outside, the people. Then it was “tea party” this and that and “don’t waste your vote on me tomorrow”…and then he started talking about Pokemon for some reason. I don’t know, I was a little far back, but I did hear him say what I thought was Pokemon…and my friend who was closer posted on Facebook that he actually sang the Pokemon song. At this point, I wondered whether or not I should leave. I was sincerely bored, and mainly wanted to just hear Colbert.

After Cain’s incoherent speech, Colbert returned to the stage (thank you!). In his own amusing self, he talked about the PACs and that whole messed up system in general. I mean, look at how far he’s gotten with his Super PAC; in the polls (as of yesterday, 13% are voting Colbert–that’s after only a WEEK. He asked the audience to consider that if corporations are people, we should recognize their civil rights as they raise money to sway the political process. He basically said that the way campaigns raise funds are “a joke.”

“As Abraham Lincoln said at Gettysburg, ‘Give me some money.’” –Colbert

He then urged the audience to be informed and to vote in the primary and the upcoming election and that “every vote counts”.

At that time, I had to head back to work (boo), but left feeling a little more upbeat. Colbert is a not just a hilarious “extremely conservative” TV personality, but a talented, inspiring individual that uses his media power for good to bring flaws in our country’s political system to light. I venture to guess that many of my fellow college-aged audience members at today’s rally didn’t fully grasp everything that Stephen was talking about today; some probably don’t even get his sarcasm on his show and think he’s actually being serious when he says ridiculous things. I still remember that one time I had to explain to my ex-college roommate as we were watching his show that he wasn’t being serious. In fact, I know this just from what the students who were near me were saying. Even so, I hope that Colbert’s call for people to be more informed and to make their vote heard will cause people to stop and think about who they will cast their vote for in South Carolina’s primary tomorrow. I know I taking that a little more seriously now, even if all of the candidates are crooks.

Thank you, Colbert.

This will be my first ever Christmas in my whole 24 years of existence that will not be spent with family and not be spent in Kentucky. I decided to not make the journey home this year mostly because I knew I’d be home for several months starting in April when my lease finished up in Charleston…and then there were the car issues… But my car didn’t blow up, so that’s good. Poor girl. She is is 11 years old. She’s getting feisty now that she’s a preteen.

Anyway, Shellie is due with her first baby ANY DAY NOW! Ahhh, excitement! They’re having a tough time at the moment, so just pray for strength for them. My cousins and aunt and uncle and Mammaw are all heading to Shellie and Rob’s house in Birmingham; Mom and Dad are going to Aunt Rita and Uncle Frank’s house and spending time with Granny in the nursing home; I’ll be here in Charleston crashing Jena and Pat’s first Christmas as a married couple (why do most of my friends have to be married already?). Just kidding. It will be fun. Our other married friends, Jared and Niquie will be joining us for Christmas dinner on actual Christmas day since their family is coming and going on Christmas eve. Jena and Pat are also going to come to my church’s Christmas Eve service tomorrow night! I’m excited they’ll finally get to see Coastal! My church is having a Christmas community service–it will even be across the street from our church at an elementary school since they’re expecting so many people to show up. I’m going to be in charge of the 3-5 year olds for the first service at 5pm and then join in at the 7pm service.

I also gave myself an early Christmas present this week by finishing my OxfordTEFL application and interview. So, as soon as I finish my 20 hour online Pre-Course task, pay the deposit for the course in July, and buy my plane ticket, I’ll be

MOVING TO PRAGUE!!!

That’s in the Czech Republic. In Europe.
EUROPE!
AHHHHHHHHHHHH

I’m pretty excited! The interviewer was a former TEFL student and said he had meant to only go and stay in Prague to teach for a year and ended up staying for 5 years, now he works for the company. You never know what will happen (shhh, don’t tell my mom.) Oops. Too late. I forgot she reads this blog. *Hi, mom!*

So soon I’ll be seeing places like:

Prague Castle

and

Old Town Square

with weekend excursions to places like

Vienna, Austria

And dare I say some excursions at some point to the other parts of Europe at least before I leave that beautiful European Union? I can’t wait.

The adventure starts July 2012.
I really wish I had the guy that voices all the trailers to read that out loud just now.

Ah, in other news, I hope everyone of you out there in cyberspace has a very Merry Christmas indeed! (and you should all watch the Doctor Who Christmas special on BBC America because that’s what all of the cool kids are doing!) Here’s the trailer:

And now off you go to Netflix to catch up on all 6 seasons of Doctor Who…and then Torchwood, Merlin, and Battlestar Galactica, and…no? That’s just me then. And Jena. We’re practically the same person anyway. We’re Jenarah or Sena–take your pick.

Ok, I don’t even get paid to plug that…but I wouldn’t mind if I did. HINT HINT interwebs! Thanks to Comcast for FINALLY giving me BBC AMERICA! Guess that was their Christmas present

I’m gonna go crash. Have a great Christmas everybody!!!!

My cousin, Shellie Chambers, also sells awesome crochet owl hats. I’ll post a picture of some of the ones I had her make for the girls I nannied for their Christmas presents. I’ll even throw in some cute pics of the Christopher kids at the aquarium over the weekend. Mr. Christopher had to get them out of the house while Mrs. Christopher was finishing some last minute shopping and he was nice enough to allow me to tag along. They all came to pick me up at my house on the way there, and as soon as I got in the car Corrina shouts, “Daddy tricked us! He told us we were just going to follow this yellow truck, but I knew this was your house.” Oh, I love those kids. (Pictures above).

I REMODELED THE BLOG.

It’s all pretty and personalized now. I’m going to work on having more craft posts and travel posts also. I may even retell some of my past travel adventures. Aren’t you excited??!!