Welcome to Hahvard!

I love the start of Fresher's Week. Sad as it may sound, I'm excited to see all these (young, boy, are they young) faces arrive at the hallowed gates of Harvard, and begin to settle in. Parents and students alike, are in a mad dash to get into their dorms, buy a fridge, a mat, and get their bearings amid the sprawling mass of buildings.

As a Cambridge resident for the last eight years, I've been privy to this crazy rush every August. But, this year was a little more special.

Malia Obama is on campus. She moved into the halls of residence at the same time the eclipse was taking place. (Good move on part of the Obama's. Whilst folks were busy looking to the heaven's, they moved their little girl in with little fuss).

However, I do wonder, actually, I hope, she manages to enjoy college life. I would imagine there is a greater burden, on her shoulders, than most students, to do well. Although, I'm sure the Obama's would protest loudly, will professors, ever so slightly, give her special treatment? Will she make real friends? I think it's important that her experiences, here at Harvard, are without falsehood.

It's a nerve-wracking time for all, (which starts with being given just twenty minutes to off-load all of your stuff to your dorm building!) But, I'm sure Malia has been well schooled (pardon the pun) in how to handle all of this.

I certainly hope she can pop down to Staples, grab a slice of pizza from Pinocchio's, pick up a bottle of water from CVS, and even get a Curious George t-shirt, without fear of being stopped, photographed or just stared at. Now that she's arrived, I wonder if all the business'/places she visits will replace the "Mark Zuckerberg was here", with Malia's name? Hmm...

Regardless, to the class of 2021, welcome - but please don't hog all the tables at Starbucks with your books!

Presidential Debates

The Presidential Elections are looming and tonight (Oct 3) is the first debate between the two candidates.

I can't vote and I'm glad because I haven't a clue what either party is standing for. I've kind of got my head around the whole what's a Republican/Democrat thanks to a history book I'm reading (on and off) but that makes little difference if their polices are not 100% clear. The ads aired have so far been one accusation after the other about not paying the correct taxes, failing on increasing the job market etc. Confusing for me a non-voter, can you imagine if you had to make a decision to bring one of these men into office?

As I watched the CNN election coverage, they reported that people, especially young people, need to come out and vote. And it reminded me of what someone said about elections - make it more like a contest as the American public respond in their millions to a competition then they do a campaign.

I said to Hubby that they so need to do that. The American Idol Presidential Campaign Debate. The judges (of course) Simon Cowell, Randy 'Dawg' Jackson...

SC: What's your name?
BO: Barack..Barack Obama
RJ: Okay Barack, what are you going to sing?
BO: Let's Stay Together by Al Green
SC: At least it's not Adele
MR: I'm singing 'If I were a rich man'...ha ha I already am! Seriously, I'm going to sing 'Chasing Pavements', - that's Adele isn't it?

And then the ultimate showdown  - a TLC Steel Cage match...WWE is the most watched program, so it's gotta be done. In the red corner, Mitt Moneyman Muscles Romney and in the blue corner we have Barack Fire Assassin Obama. Throw in the 'Money in the Bank' contract...and it could just work.

But in all seriousness, I don't envy the American public this November when they'll cast their votes. It ain't gonna be easy who to choose. However, one thing that should be made clear is if you don't vote, you can't complain.