Nov. 6 Can't Come Soon Enough

Happy fall, everyone! And not-so-happy voting season!

As much as I hate talking about politics, I am going to take this time to do so because - let's be honest - this is the only medium where I won't be berated for even mentioning a candidate's name.

I don't like politics. Particularly politicians. But I don't quite think it's justified for me to complain about it all because I'm not going to run for any office, so the politicians we have are just going to have to be good enough.

Each Wednesday I sit through a three-hour class that is supposed to be about public relations, but quickly turns into the Democratic National Convention where everyone hops on the Obama train and rides it in circles chuckling to themselves.

This is an exact quote from class last week: "It seems like everyone is starting to lie nowadays. I mean, Obama even lied in the last debate."

Before I could stop myself, I made an exaggerated gasp, looked the girl straight in the eye and said "Nooooooo!"

Now I'm not a huge fan of either presidential candidate, and I like to look at issues individually instead of through a party lens, but if you honestly think that your candidate doesn't lie... you need to have an honest conversation with a psychiatrist.

It seems that around family and Georgia friends, I'm the crazy liberal who believes gays are human and that the government shouldn't be able to stick things in my uterus. Coming to UNC, I quickly became the conservative who considers the national debt an issue and sees that tightening gun control laws would only affect people interested in following laws in the first place.

Honestly, I get what Obama was trying to say with the whole "you didn't build that" comment. I also get where Romney was going with the 47 percent comment. Neither of them chose the right words, and the opposite party took quick advantage of that.

The point is, this election is off the charts in terms of slinging hatred. I understand that people feel strongly that their candidate is better than the other. But I've heard it spun in both directions that "if [Candidate] wins the election, America will instantly be drawn up in flames spit by the devil himself." As far as I can tell, there are actually decent people on either side of the election, and however wrong you feel they are - they do believe that what they're doing is best for America. Or at least I'd hope so.

So if you want to vote - do so in the manner of your choosing. However, excessive Facebook posts and outraged rants are only going to lose you respect - even from people that may agree with you. Let's try and focus on why "our" party is best for America, and less on why "their" party is bad. You might keep some friends that way.

I, on the other hand, will continue to remain silent during all the rants. Even if it means sore eyeballs from all the rolling they do.

A wedding celebration

This weekend I got to watch my beautiful friend Ann-Katherine get married! This year alone I get to be a part of my high school best friend, college best friend and since-fifth-grade best friend's weddings. That's pretty neat.

I blogged about when AK graduated a semester early and moved out of our house in Athens a few years ago. Luckily, I got to live with her for 2.5 years and the majority of my college memories involve her.

So in honor of my wonderful roommate getting married to one hell of a guy, here is a run down of this weekend in pictures:

Reunited with my four best mates on Thursday!

Bridal luncheon cupcakes

My Child and Family Development major friends found a baby

My beautiful friend Mollie

Bride on rehearsal day

At the hotel before the rehearsal dinner - Memphis Bridge in the background

Memphis Bridge

Bride with downtown Memphis in the background

Rehearsal Dinner

More rehearsal dinner - in our UGA colors

Wedding morning cheers!

Almost ready

BRIDE!

So so beautiful - reading her letter from John

Cathedral length veil looked so awesome walking down the aisle

With the matron of honor

All five

The cake

The reception venue - Teton Trek at the Memphis Zoo

Getting down with grandma

My parents came too!

I do realize there are no pictures of John in here, but I was with AK the whole time so I didn't really see him much except at the actual ceremony and I don't think they're fond of iPhone pictures in the cathedral. Anyways, congrats AK and John!