Sean! How are you?

Profoundly tired. And kind of strung out from everything I've been through (and am still going through).

Also? I used to watch more news and other political TV, way back when. I'd stopped entirely. I would still reading things like Huffington Post or Crooks and Liars, but it was frequently depressing and I could only do it in little chunks.

I've watched almost nothing but MSNBC since I started watching the returns on Tuesday. It kind of feels good.

Damn you, Vortex.

Just... damn.

If anyone is at all interested in other stories of that nature, one of the best books ever to read is My Thirty Years Backstairs at the White House by Lillian Rogers Parks.

Phenomenal book that actually covers closer to a 50 year period since Mrs. Parks writes not only about her thirty year tenure as a seamstress at the White House, but also of her mother's thirty years of service, starting as the first African-American maid hired to work in the family quarters during the Taft Administration and ending with her as the first black lady to "sit high" as the Head Housekeeper.

It's a fascinating look at the different families.

And Vortex?

Damn.

What a beautiful and well written article. Bless them.

I once had supper with a woman who had been the lead correspondence secretary for the first ladies in the White House for 25 years. She had great stories but was very circumspect...resisting even the appearance of gossiping. She had similarly complimentary things to say about every executive under whom she worked.

It struck me then, and the notion is reinforced by Vortex's link, that it takes a particular type of person to hold those sorts of positions. And makes me wonder what is different about the individuals (presidents and first ladies) than what we see in the public eye.

Plus? Doesn't seem to be a lot of turn over in those jobs!

It's one of the things tiny things about the Bush Administration that bothered me--was that they seemed so distasteful of career bureaucrats, etc. When I read stories about the people that served several administrations, I wanted to scream. Non-partisan working folks keep the government running. Everything that needs done from doing the dishes in the Whitehouse to filing in some basement office.

In a complete change of topic.

Today is my mom's birthday. CJ and I are taking her out to dinner, but I have no creative ideas for an inexpensive something as a prezzie.

I did wake her up with a fun card - Front said "Don't worry about age, party like a teenager. Inside said Pierce one of your wrinkles . She laughed. I have a mushy card to give her at dinner.

Happy Birthday, Suzi's mom!

I'm bookmarking Vortex's post so I don't have an allergy attack in public.

(((((Sean)))))

Phenomenal book that actually covers closer to a 50 year period since Mrs. Parks writes not only about her thirty year tenure as a seamstress at the White House,

Is she the one who designed Jackie's inaugural gown? I remember reading about how it was a huge deal that Jackie chose a "negro seamstress" to make her gown.

Vortex, that article was evil. Do NOT do that before coffee!

ION, vw, I have a sleep study scheduled for Sunday. I had sleep apnea diagnosed 6 years ago, and I'm sure it will be diagnosed again. I'm afraid I'm headed for Darth Vader mask-ville.

Is she the one who designed Jackie's inaugural gown? I remember reading about how it was a huge deal that Jackie chose a "negro seamstress" to make her gown.

Actually, no, because Mrs. Parks retired in early 1961, on the eve of the Kennedy Inauguration.

However, as an interesting factual aside, while Oleg Cassini was more or less Jackie's "offical" designer during her White House years (he's the one who designed the pillbox hat for her, IIRC), according to HistoryWired.com, Jackie designed her inaugural gown herself and it was made at Bergdorf Goodman in New York.

I'm at an eye doctor waiting for Dave and being forced to listen to two McCain supporters talking about handouts and how $250,000 is not a large income.