Old People Problems

While I'm not an old person by age, my body is somewhat older than my chronological age. I've suffered from hypertension since I was a teenager, and refused to have it treated until my mid-20s (simply because only old people would have such a disease, right?).

Since then, I've been prescribed a medicine cabinet of anti-hypertension medications. The thing about these drugs is they do have side-effects. Today I was reminded of one side-effect if you fail to take one of your pills. In downing my grandma-sized handful of pills this morning, I unknowingly dropped a pill on the floor. It turned out that pill was a beta-blocker. By 3PM I was out of my mind, a heart rate of 100+/minute, and lightheadedness.

Luckily, a bought of collective sanity allowed me to deduce that I must have not taken one of my pills this morning. Returning to the location of my pill dispenser, I spied a white pill on the floor; it was the culprit! I went ahead and took it, because I couldn't imagine a night spent in that shape. My heart pounding out of my chest and my ears ringing were enough to set my mind.

Some people say they don't notice when they miss a dose of their blood pressure meds, but, unlike them, I certainly know when I've missed a dose!

Now with almost 30 minutes passed since I took my little white pill--and a resting heart rate safely in the 70s (and still falling)--I feel much more at ease and calm.

Soolantra Topical Cream (Day 9)

After using Soolantra (ivermectin 1%) for nine days, I have decided to offer a follow-up.

I have found this medication to be quite beneficial. I have used it daily (a.m. application) with much success. I have noticed a decrease in overall redness and pustules, which are often associated with rosacea. Additionally, the overall appearance of my face is more uniform, which is always a good thing! Unlike Mirvaso, my face maintains its natural color with a matte appearance.

The topical cream goes on well and is absorbed by my skin without leaving a greasy residue behind. Initially, I was afraid that it may increase acne flare-ups, but it has not created that reaction. I will continue to use this medication on a daily basis and offer additional updates.

From Mirvaso to Soolantra

Yesterday, I had an appointment with my dermatologist. During the appointment, my doctor revisited my "rebound effect" from having used Mirvaso. She asked me to pilot another topical rosacea treatment, called Soolantra. (Soolantra, like Mirvaso, is manufactured by Galderma Laboratories.) She said that it was different from Mirvaso in that it treats a skin mite, called demodex, which is thought to be a contributing cause of rosacea (gross!). My doctor also explained that it has an anti-inflammatory property that would be beneficial to my overall skin health.

My rosacea is fairly mild, and it contributes to periodic pustule breakouts on my face, in particular around my nose, cheeks, and jawline-area.

Now, I try to be an informed patient, so I did a little research on Soolantra before taking the prescription to my pharmacy. It turns out that the chemical in Soolantra, called ivermectin, is indeed a parasitic treatment! In fact, it is used as a topical treatment for scabies and lice. I was mortified with the prospects of asking my pharmacy to fill the prescription, with the thought someone working there may think I'm receiving treatment for such conditions. After looking at the Galderma website for Soolantra, however, I discovered that this particular formulation is strictly for the treatment of rosacea, which means no one there should attribute my use of it as having lice...or scabies (crabs, O-M-G).

With that said, today is my first treatment with the medication. I am excited (yet cautious) about the results. Galderma states that I should see noticeable results in the next two weeks, so we shall see! In the meantime, I am not receiving treatment for scabies or lice. :)

Marriage Equality for the USA

Ah, yes! The sweet sound of diversity being embraced in the world's oldest democracy: America.

As a gay man, I am finally happy to say that I can marry the individual of my dreams without worrying about being judged unworthy by my government. I kept a list of the states that legalized marriage equality, but I have since torn it up, because it is now moot. Each state is legally bound to accept the marriage of a man to a woman, a man to a man, and a woman to a woman.

What does it mean to me?

A few weeks ago, I watched my brother marry the girl of his dreams in a full wedding that was sanctioned by the government of our state. I was teary eyed for multiple reasons. I never thought I could have the same experience in my home state. Instead, I envisioned a ceremony in a state or country I never had called home. Ironically, and true to form, my brother's marriage wasn't a religious ceremony. It had those tones, but it was civil in nature. They exchanged vows and rings, kissed, held hands, and faced the audience for the first time as husband and wife. There were no gold or rugged crosses or prayers for blessing. It was my their style.

What does it mean to religious individuals?

Nothing. I once heard an individual state that their church would have to change its by-laws to preclude same-sex marriages from being performed. Well, goodness gracious. The religious people get their panties in a wad about the whole affair when it doesn't apply to them. I wouldn't want to get married in their stuffy, hating church in the first place. They place too much premium on "outsiders" wanting what they have. If I want, I'll create my own church and call it the First Church of Same-Sex Love and we'll put in its by-laws that mixed-sex marriages may not be performed. And the person I was eavesdropping on is correct. There is nothing about marriage equality that demands or requires anyone to change their viewpoint of the issue. It is a First Amendment liberty! In short, no one is requiring all the heteros to become homos. Jeez! We don't want you at our party drinking our booze, anyhow.

What does it mean to the hypocrite?

The endless lectures on Facebook and in-person about the Biblical morality of it all. Come on, your argument holds no water. I don't care what Leviticus says. Basically, you may as well pull out Hans Christian Andersen and quote from his works. That's the same level of credence I give your religious arguments. Ironically, many of these sanctity of marriage arguments are being extolled by individuals who have been divorced! In fact, I may have lost a "friend" who argued for marriage's sanctity, considering I couldn't consolidate his argument with the fact that he had divorced his second wife. Where does God fit into that argument? No one wants to talk about that. Instead, he wanted to point out the principles of Christianity that he believed upheld his personal viewpoints. I'm sure he wouldn't have been as comfortable receiving a lecture on divorce and fornication. (Gosh, I may have to ask for an amen on that!)

Finally, I will fly my flag a little higher today with pride and acceptance of all who walk beneath it. It won't be a rainbow flag or Confederate flag. It will be the flag of the United States of America. It will represent the country that underscored the value of human dignity and ratified our nation through the words scrawled by James Madison, "We, the People..."

Mirvaso, Onreltea Follow-Up

After a bad experience with Mirvaso (Onreltea in Canada) on my face, I recently discovered another use for it. I have eczema, which shows up on my hands often as itchy, red spots. I have had persistent spots on two knuckles on my left hand. I had used prescription strength topical steroids with no success. I thought about redness and what Mirvaso was supposed to be able to control. I decided to apply a small dab of brimonidine to each of my persistent eczema spots. I am happy to report that it remedied the redness!

One spot is completely gone and the other one is fading fast. I'm sure this is an off-label use of this medication, but that's what we do by nature: experiment. I wonder what the implications of its use might be on scars, etc.?

Galderma, if you use this idea, I expect complete compensation.

"The Interview" Conspiracy Theory

Am I the only person who thinks that Sony "hacked" itself?

How can you take an otherwise bland comedy about a reclusive third-world country and turn it into an international "I've-gotta-see-it" sensation? I think the facts speak for themselves.

1. Does North Korea really have the infrastructure to launch a hack?
2. How else can you get the President of the United States to endorse a movie?
3. How can you get the FBI to finger the object of the movie?
4. Can you get the theaters where it was to be debuted on Christmas Day to pull it from their screens?
5. Rehash the movie in the media over-and-over again, by playing the blame game.
6. Decide to release the movie AGAIN in theaters, but, also, let's add an online release, through Google's YouTube and Apple's iTunes.

As I write this blog, I am on the verge of watching the movie online. Would I have watched the movie in theaters, otherwise?

Lord, no! I just don't watch movies in theaters. But I'm sort of interested in seeing what this movie is about, but not so much as I'd grace the doors of a who's-that-getting-a-blowjob-down-front, sticky, icky movie house.

Perhaps, Sony is testing the waters of the "at-home" audience for future reference.

I may be wrong, but I smell an international I Love Lucy-worthy publicity stunt! (That may just be working on me.)

Mirvaso Topical Gel, Part 4

Last week, was the "healing week." On Monday, I experienced another embarrassing flare-up on my cheeks, but it was short lived, compared to the previous episode of flushing. Monday was my last visit from the complete face redness.

Last week, I did notice that my face is very dry. My skin is sensitive and I have been using products to correct that issue. As of this posting, my face feels rather normal compared to where I was at last week. Before, I had pain, then stinging, and now all of that has subsided. I think once the dryness is alleviated, then my red-face will be done. I'll see where I am at in the coming weeks.

I have done research online and noticed there are few resources about Mirvaso and Onreltea. I did see the big, red banana in a Mirvaso commercial posted on YouTube. Yes, that was my face after using Mirvaso! Geez!

I would be interested in receiving comments from other people who have used it and are experiencing positive results from its application. I want to use it and have the beneficial results remain. I am tempted to try it again over my Christmas holiday break, but I am not so sure. Perhaps, if I used moisturizers with it to abet the dry skin. Also, I wonder if using a single pea-size on my face would alleviate the extreme reaction?

It's under consideration! Until then, enjoy the red banana. Ha! Ha! It looks wrong!

Mirvaso Topical Gel, Part 3

Okay, today has been extremely better! My skin didn't have a major meltdown today. The only redness I have noticed is in the last hour. It is on my right cheek next to my nose. Instead of heat, it is mildly warm and it has a tingly sensation, which is new.

I was thinking last night, after my last post, that it is interesting that my forehead and chin never displayed the same symptoms of the skin on my nose and cheeks. Both forehead and chin received a pea-sized application of Mirvaso. When I was having my 10 hour reaction, those parts of my face returned to their regular skin tone and color. It's too bad that my cheeks and nose didn't follow suit; otherwise, I could have continued on the Mirvaso treatment.

Hopefully, tomorrow I will be asymptomatic!

Mirvaso Topical Gel, Part 2

It has now been 3 days since I last applied Mirvaso to my skin. As I outlined in my previous blog, my dermatologist prescribed Mirvaso for rosacea. Unfortunately, for my skin, it did the exact opposite. It works well when applied, but after about 10 hours it loses its effectiveness. At that point, I say hello to the redness.

Today, you would think, would be a normal day. It was not. Today was a bad day for my skin. After my lunch, my face began its transition from its everyday appearance into its new red version. It started with my nose. I didn't realize it was happening at the time. Someone commented that my nose looked really red! I looked in the mirror and I could have been Rudolph's twin nosed brother. It was glowing, and yes, I mean glowing! My nose has never done that before. Then, if that wasn't bad enough, it began to spread to my cheeks. My nose turned to its normal color as my cheeks lit up. By the end of the work day, I was no longer Rudolph, but Bashful, from the Seven Dwarfs. (To tell you the truth, I think I had bashful beat, because my cheeks were rocking a full flush.)

Yes, people laughed at me. I heard comments like "Are you feeling bad?" "Do you have a fever?" "Ohmygosh, what is wrong with you?!" I was almost tempted to put the gel on my face to get the redness gone, but I resisted the temptation, and accepted the unsolicited ridicule that it brought.

So, it wasn't awkward at all. Thanks, Mirvaso.

As I write this entry, My nose is red, my jaw-line on the right side of my face is scarlet, but the middle of my cheek is pale white. It would make the birthmark on Mikhail Gorbachev's head jealous. If someone saw me right now, they would think I am a burn victim. My left cheek is its normal color at this time. It's cool to the touch, and the right is burning up. Is that normal?

I am thankful that it is the weekend. It is my sincerest hope that it will subside shortly. I don't know why the effects of this medication are lasting so long. I would have thought it would wear off by now. My body is on overdrive, it would seem. I'm not sure if this is an allergic reaction or just a symptom of withdrawal. I was just on the stuff for about a week! It's a topical gel, not cocaine. I think the FDA has a website for reporting adverse drug reactions. I may go there, because people need to know this stuff isn't benign. I'm sure many people use it without a reaction, but I'm in the minority (as usual).

As for pictures, I will probably take some for my dermatologist so she can have a reference for what I am currently going through. If it isn't better by Monday, I will have to call or go back to the dermatologist's office, because I can't function in this condition.

I think Galderma markets this drug as Onreltea in Canada.

Strange Dream

Unlike Freud and Jung, I give little credence to the validity of dreams outside of the realm of sleep.

But last night gave me pause to reflect on what dreams may really mean, in terms of the body communicating with the mind.

My dream consisted of being a student. I was working on a worksheet. Strangely, I was the teacher and also the student. Someone said that the worksheet was very hard, so I decided to sit down and work out the answers myself.

While the majority of the worksheet was incredibly easy, I was baffled by a particular word. The word that I kept seeing and saying to myself was syncope.

Strangely, syncope is a medical term. I knew that in my dream; however, I couldn't relate it to the history worksheet that I was completing. I scanned through the chapter in the textbook that the worksheet covered. I could read the other words, but no sign of syncope. Being a dutiful student, I turned to the glossary. No help there. Then I turned to the index, feeling more anxious and confused. Still, there was no help.

I knocked the book off of the table where I was working. I wrote down, it deals with the heart and fainting.

Ironically, the feelings that I had in the dream were signs of syncope!

What does it mean? Was my dream attempting to tell me about something going on in my body? Is it a foreboding message?

Merry Christmas to me!

Hugs and Sexual Harassment

A 17-year-old Georgia high school student was suspended from school over a hug he gave to his teacher. Depending on who you ask, you get different versions about whether it was consensual with butterfly kisses, sexual, or just plain innocent.

As a teacher, I have a very strong view on this issue.

I teach adolescents who are learning about their bodies and its new capabilities. That's just nature. I can't control that beast. My steadfast rule is that you don't touch me and I don't touch you.

Certainly, I would never tolerate a student giving me a "hug" from behind or a "clingy" hug. There are exceptions, of course, to every steadfast rule. I have been known to allow a student a side-hug, in the view of another teacher, if the situation allows it and they initiate it. Let's face it, if it were the other way around, the mobs would be out in full force to put that teacher on a rail and run her out of town.

At 17, I would fully expect that a student would be able to control himself, even if he is from a family that "hugs." Not everyone is from that sort of family and, unfortunately, hugs can quickly escalate into something much more sinister, whether it is overt or covert. There is nothing like a good scandal to get the tongues a-waggin'!

I also teach my students that "no" means no. If someone tells you to stop doing something, whether it is physical or verbal, and they continue that behavior then it is undeniably harassment (shades thereof are open to context). Tried and true, as I like to say.

If a student gives you a hug, and you feel uncomfortable, then I believe a teacher (or anyone) is fully within his/her rights to say "no." It is something that students are not used to hearing. They perceive it as not applying to them, because they are only capable of seeing to the tip of their nose.

The bottom-line is that I don't want to become the main story on CNN's website!

The Walking Dead

Am I the only person who watches AMC's The Walking Dead, but secretly wished that I didn't?

I started watching this series at the end of season 2, at the recommendation of a friend. I watched it on Netflix and then caught up with season 3 through iTunes. Now, I'm officially on the full-strength formula via AMC.

It was a very promising series. It was full of cut-throat, zombie-slashing action that cut straight to the chase. There was never a dull moment. People were dying left-and-right. Then, after I wished they would take refuge in the prison, they did.

In prison, they we remain.

I feel like a prisoner on Sunday nights. Instead of living vicariously through these dystopian do-gooders, I am now forced to face the humdrum possibility that the "end of the world" won't be very exciting after all.

Some Sunday nights I secretly think to myself, "I wish I'd blown up in the CDC building in Atlanta."

Of course, please don't tell my friends. On the other-hand, they may agree with me.

Boredom

How do you really know when you're bored? You log on to Yahoo! Messenger. The scary part is that you remember your username and password. Then you realize some of your old "friends" are logged on too!

Awkward.

The new chic

It seems the new way to die is in an anonymous hotel room. We have examples like Whitney Houston, and now this guy from Glee.

(I think I must be the only homosexual male in the Northern Hemisphere not to watch that show.)

Skin Report (Acne and Keratosis Pilaris)

I spent part of my day at the dermatologist's office. Yes, I like to go there, because for once in my life I can feel positive about something personal. I used Accutane (isotretnoin) for many months to get rid of my prepubescent, pubescent, and adult acne. Although, it is all gone, I still take a smaller dose of the drug as maintenance. It keeps my skin smooth and soft, limits oil production, and increases collagen production.

BUT...As the saying goes, "The Lord giveth and taketh away."

It would seem that a possible side-effect of using the isotretnoin is an exacerbation of an inherited skin trait (thanks Dad), called keratosis pilaris. It was one of those minor things I noticed when I took my shirt off and saw my upper arms. My arms looked as if they had a rash of hard, reddish pustules. From what I can gleen about the skin condition, my skin reproduces skin cells at an accelerated rate (sort of sounds like cancer). Then, the new skin pushes the old skin up, which forms little mounds of dead, unshed skin.

It really wasn't a problem until it started to show up on my forearms. I have noticed in recent weeks (and months) that my forearms are developing the same pustules. The same can be said for other parts of my body, such as my chest, abdomen, and the backs of my thighs. People see my forearms, if I am not wearing a long-sleeved shirt. In short sleeves, it looks like I have a rash on my arms. I've been asked if I have poison ivy. To say the least, it's embarrassing.

Before I go any further, I need to disclose another skin condition that I have, called eczema. During my previous trip to the dermatologist, I had a nasty case of eczema on my left forearm. It was red, scaly and hateful. To ease my discomfort--and increase my sympathy factor--I told people, if they asked, that I was a burn survivor. Yes, it looked that bad! The dermatologist treated that with a combination of triamcinolone acetonide cream, with Cetaphil as a vehicle, Locoid Lipocream, and Clobex. My forearm, as far as the eczema goes looks brand new. No hyperpigmentation or scarring, just fresh, smooth skin.

Today, she thought it was possible that the triamcinolone acetonide (which is a topical steroid) could have caused the keratosis pilaris outbreaks on my forearms. So no more of that for my arms. I am now using a new skin care regimen consisting of a keratolytic emollient, Hylatopic Plus Cream, Uramaxin 45% Cream, and Locoid Lipocream. (As a side note: I found out that Hylatopic is sometimes used to treat the skin of cancer patients undergoing radiation treatment.)

And, yes, I'm still taking isotretnoin, like a boss!

Chatty Car

I suppose some people may think it is good for your car to tell you its problems. I agree...sort of.

It's fine to let me know that a problem may exist, but it doesn't have to tell me every time I tap the brake, or even start the ignition.

I have a Mercedes ML350. It likes to tell me that it needs the rear lights fixed, it needs the brakes fixed, and it wants me to check its oil level.

Okay?

Those are all things I'll get around to eventually (I hope). But, for example, each time you touch the brakes an annoying beep sound goes off and a reminder message goes up on the dashboard screen about the brakes! It doesn't matter if it has told me that 40 times in the last ten minutes; it's going to do it!

Come on! What happened to cars that just threw up a vague symbol on the dash and left you guessing?

Easter

On this holiest of holy days, I want to reflect on probably something I have probably already said at some other time and/or some where else.

Facebook is a good place to keep in touch with people, but it is also a good place to be reminded of how foolish people can be. I am far from the most religious/spiritual person on the planet, but I don't take take out of my day (irony here) to tell people about it by plastering their Facebook walls with countless posts.

Whereas, Christmas has a since of joviality and the spirit of giving (and, yes, a virgin birth for good measure), Easter is simply a day to celebrate something that to me is quite absurd to me: execution, burial and resurrection.

So what's my point?

Were people executed by crucifixion? Yes.

Were people buried in caves/tombs? Sure.

Did someone come back from the dead after a crucifixion? Nope.

Yes, Easter is more about the eggs and bunny rabbits, for me. After all, Easter was originally a pagan celebration of fertility (duh, it's spring). I'll take my fertile little bunnies and life-giving chickens' eggs over the belief that some Jewish person chose to die for my sins, had to be buried for three days, and then brought back miraculously from the dead for all the world to marvel, even 2,000+ years later!

"Why I Raise My Children Without God"

I found an article (iReport) on CNN that I really enjoyed reading. It spoke to many of the same feelings I have, although not as a parent, about God. As a child, I believed in God not out of his ability to be rational or fair, or out of love, but out of fear of what would happen to me if I failed to do so. I was taught that God was behind every bush and corner, and we never knew when he would spring out and cast us into Hell for any minor transgression. Growing up led me to the realization that God is no different than the Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus, or Jack Frost. It's just that somewhere along the way, our ancestors forgot to inform us that God was a similar imaginary figure. God may not be such a terrible concept, if he wasn't so violent and full of malice. God teaches hate, and makes those who do hate bold. If only everyone could agree to simply love and accept each other unconditionally. I tell children that everyday: Simply accept each other as we are. (I think there may be a hymn about that.)

 

I did not write nor do I own the following material. It is available, as of the date of this blog's publishing, at: http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-910282

 

 

God is a bad parent and role model.

If God is our father, then he is not a good parent. Good parents don’t allow their children to inflict harm on others. Good people don’t stand by and watch horrible acts committed against innocent men, women and children. They don’t condone violence and abuse. “He has given us free will,” you say? Our children have free will, but we still step in and guide them.

God is not logical.

How many times have you heard, “Why did God allow this to happen?” And this: “It’s not for us to understand.” Translate: We don’t understand, so we will not think about it or deal with the issue. Take for example the senseless tragedy in Newtown. Rather than address the problem of guns in America, we defer responsibility to God. He had a reason. He wanted more angels. Only he knows why. We write poems saying that we told God to leave our schools. Now he’s making us pay the price. If there is a good, all-knowing, all-powerful God who loves his children, does it make sense that he would allow murders, child abuse, wars, brutal beatings, torture and millions of heinous acts to be committed throughout the history of mankind? Doesn’t this go against everything Christ taught us in the New Testament?

The question we should be asking is this: “Why did we allow this to happen?” How can we fix this? No imaginary person is going to give us the answers or tell us why. Only we have the ability to be logical and to problem solve, and we should not abdicate these responsibilities to “God” just because a topic is tough or uncomfortable to address.

God is not fair.

If God is fair, then why does he answer the silly prayers of some while allowing other, serious requests, to go unanswered? I have known people who pray that they can find money to buy new furniture. (Answered.) I have known people who pray to God to help them win a soccer match. (Answered.) Why are the prayers of parents with dying children not answered?

If God is fair, then why are some babies born with heart defects, autism, missing limbs or conjoined to another baby? Clearly, all men are not created equally. Why is a good man beaten senseless on the street while an evil man finds great wealth taking advantage of others? This is not fair. A game maker who allows luck to rule mankind’s existence has not created a fair game.

God does not protect the innocent.

He does not keep our children safe. As a society, we stand up and speak for those who cannot. We protect our little ones as much as possible. When a child is kidnapped, we work together to find the child. We do not tolerate abuse and neglect. Why can’t God, with all his powers of omnipotence, protect the innocent?

God is not present.

He is not here. Telling our children to love a person they cannot see, smell, touch or hear does not make sense. It means that we teach children to love an image, an image that lives only in their imaginations. What we teach them, in effect, is to love an idea that we have created, one that is based in our fears and our hopes.

God Does Not Teach Children to Be Good

A child should make moral choices for the right reasons. Telling him that he must behave because God is watching means that his morality will be externally focused rather than internally structured. It’s like telling a child to behave or Santa won’t bring presents. When we take God out of the picture, we place responsibility of doing the right thing onto the shoulders of our children. No, they won’t go to heaven or rule their own planets when they die, but they can sleep better at night. They will make their family proud. They will feel better about who they are. They will be decent people.

God Teaches Narcissism

“God has a plan for you.” Telling kids there is a big guy in the sky who has a special path for them makes children narcissistic; it makes them think the world is at their disposal and that, no matter what happens, it doesn’t really matter because God is in control. That gives kids a sense of false security and creates selfishness. “No matter what I do, God loves me and forgives me. He knows my purpose. I am special.” The irony is that, while we tell this story to our kids, other children are abused and murdered, starved and neglected. All part of God’s plan, right?

When we raise kids without God, we tell them the truth—we are no more special than the next creature. We are just a very, very small part of a big, big machine–whether that machine is nature or society–the influence we have is minuscule. The realization of our insignificance gives us a true sense of humbleness.

I understand why people need God. I understand why people need heaven. It is terrifying to think that we are all alone in this universe, that one day we—along with the children we love so much—will cease to exist. The idea of God and an afterlife gives many of us structure, community and hope.

I do not want religion to go away. I only want religion to be kept at home or in church where it belongs. It’s a personal effect, like a toothbrush or a pair of shoes. It’s not something to be used or worn by strangers. I want my children to be free not to believe and to know that our schools and our government will make decisions based on what is logical, just and fair—not on what they believe an imaginary God wants.

Afternoon Delight

Last night my mom and I were having a conversation about people in general. Mom made a comment about how "crazy" people are in the world. I thought on what she said for a few seconds, before I realized that while she was making her observation she was giving a haircut to a dog.

It gave me a good tickle!

Election 2012

Just before Elections 2014 & 2016 get started, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on Election 2012. More than a billion dollars was spent on a single day's outcome. Certainly Election Day is a big deal, as we elect representatives on the national, state, and local levels; however, I am left feeling unimpressed by so-called Big Money's attempt to sell Mitt Romney.

It's no surprise that I voted for Barack Obama, even though my state went for Romney. I would do it again. I believe that our ideas, needs, wants, and hopes are bigger than the 47%, the 1%, or any other minority group. I am more than a Democrat, a Kentuckian, a believer that we can all do better than what we are doing now; I am an American.

I once heard that America's best days are always ahead of it. I believe that statement. How could our ancestors have seen our today from their yesterday? How could they have envisioned a nation such as ours from the deepest depths of the Civil War, two World Wars, Great Depression, Cold War, and so much more adversity?

We are more than our fears, our prejudices, our insecurities. Yes, we are the authors of our own stories. Each story is combined with a neighbor's story, and another's, and so it goes. We are a nation that perseveres. The next rainbow will always be the brightest. Tomorrow's dawn the sweetest, because we live within it.

We can dream, we can hope, we can conquer. No matter what we are told those three principles hold true, from the lowest of the low to the highest of the high, and everyone in-between. We have been to the stars. We have seen what we can accomplish.

We know there is more!