new track world record

While neither of us were hurdlers at Oberlin, we both were obsessive runners. The world record in the 110-meter hurdles has just been broken, by a man only 21 years old (and not the 2004 Olympic champion). It is the second short-distance event record to be broken in the last two weeks, setting the stage for a potentially exciting schedule of races at the Olympics in August. Kara Goucher, former NCAA 3000m, 5000m, and cross country champion, has already set the American half-marathon record (beating Paula Radcliffe's time!) and set a personal record in the mile this year. With so many young and new faces on the track and field scene, could we possibly overcome the doping scandals that have tarnished what little excitement there was for this sport in the U.S.?
The trials for the track and field events are scheduled for the end of June and beginning of July; as long as people are on their game for these races, it looks like the U.S. could really bring home some metal in track this year!

Happy Loving Day!!

In honor of the day that celebrates interracial couples and the Supreme Court decision that did away with the prohibitive laws against said couples, I thought this throwback from my childhood was appropriate. Ah, to have the King of Pop back again...

PS- Happy Birthday, Ry!!

extra padding in the wallet or straight to the piggy?

Have you gotten your stimulus check yet? I haven't and I only know a couple of people who have. My inside connection on the Hill says that there was a glitch in the system, so anyone who filed their taxes online and had direct deposit for their returns are the last on the list and will be getting their checks by mail.

So if you have gotten it, what have you done with it? Are you actually boosting the economy? Have you even thought about what you would do with it? Suze Orman would probably tell you to save it, but isn't it kind of like a gift card for spending? Hopefully it will achieve what politicians are hoping for-- stimulating the economy (times are looking dim, even in sunny, rich California). I'd agree with Krugman though who says it's bad economic policy, but the best democrats could do. I guess we'll see what happens. . .

picture of the day

I frequent the NY Times slide shows; there are generally some great images of all kinds of different people, places, and events. This slideshow was great because it reminded me of a more upscale version of an Oberlin party or something: part hilarious, part comforting. Plus, when I saw this picture, the woman on the right kind of reminded me of our friend, MDH, and it made me smile. So, it's my picture of the day, a new daily post I suppose.

more tennis

Just a short post to add to the comment stream from ap's tennis write-up because I think everyone should see the latest cover of Ebony.
Serena is bangin'.

marquer l'histoire

I promised my sister that I'd blog about tennis, the men's finals in particular, because it was so cool to watch Rafa at his best. Nadal played Federer in the finals on the clay court at Roland Garros in Paris this past Sunday. Unlike the long, close match at Wimbeldon last year, Rafa beat Federer pretty fast in 6-1 6-3 6-0. Everyone seems to love Federer, the suave Swiss who pretty much always has control over the match he's playing (except when he had mono this past Australian Open) so I couldn't help but hope the Spaniard underdog would win. It was bittersweet though seeing Federer fall so fast and hard, especially since he's vying for Sampras' career grand slam title record and needs 2 more to tie it, 3 to beat it. Of course I want him to beat it, because Sampras is annoying AND a republican.

I'm a big fan of the Williams sisters and neither of them were in the final, so I'm not going to comment on the women's match. Dinara Safina is fun to watch with her attitude and huge comebacks, but I need to see a little more of her before becoming a fan.

AP's book pick

George Soros came out with a quick book this Spring about the current financial crisis and how it fits into his analysis of the evolution of finance since he started out on his own in London in 1947. He does a great job of not only explaining the credit crisis, but also his philosophical ideas that relate to the human element that is inseparable from markets and how people behave. He definitely wrote quickly, which shows in his writing, but it's worth the 160 pages and a couple of afternoons of reading.

for those of us starting jobs/internships this summer

ok, i stole this from fashionista, but i think it's a good list to follow this summer.

"Flip-flops, Crocs, ripped jeans, denim shorts, chipped nails, exposed lingerie, and makeup experiments." - Meredith Melling-Burke's list of fashion don'ts for her interns, from Style.com.

obies in the news

Ok, well, maybe not in the actual news, but after they blow up from being on our blog, they probably will be in national media outlets.
A former teammate of mine and ap's has created a magazine with two other Oberlin students. I was really impressed when MDH gave me a copy of the first edition, and just wanted to share the online version with others. Keep in mind this was all created while taking a full semester of classes!

a long time gone

Yes, we are fully aware that it has been almost a month since our last post. There are many reasons for this:
AP had finals and then senior week and then graduation! She starts work in two weeks and then will be considered a full-time member of the real world.
B had a huge, time sensitive project due at work that was taking up her evenings. She then began the move from her apartment to her Dad's basement in order to save money for the summer before she joins ap in the bay area. Which leads me to our next news:
Since ap has gone back to the bay, she is starting the apartment search for the two of us. As of 11:30 p.m. EST yesterday, she had found "the perfect apartment". B is anxiously waiting to hear about said apartment, but fully trusts ap's judgment.
Things are beginning to settle down for the two of us, and afterwards, we hope to be back in full force.