Barack Obama wins bush executive orders lose

[ellen_datlow]

Here are the first changes Obama plans to make as soon as he takes office.
Starting to undo the past miserable eight years of hell

via Jezebel

Incidentally, I met Rick Bowes for lunch today and the place I'd planned to go was too loud and crowded at 2pm...The other place we ended up was also loud and crowded. I was astounded that everything was so crowded. Rick says it's been like this in NYC since Election Day.

I only got home Wed night and had dinner out Thursday with the incredible Kate Eltham and Robert Hoge--at my favorite local Japanese restaurant...which was more crowded than usual.

There seems to be an optimism and sigh of deep relief in NYC--how's it in your city? Notice anything different in the past week?

Comments

[doortoriver.livejournal.com]

EXCELLENT.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Yes! I feel like jumping up and down and cheering! But will wait till it actually happens.

[czakbar.livejournal.com]

I cannot f*cking wait. FINALLY.

;)

Re: Rick Bowes

[lonfiction.livejournal.com]

Hi Ellen,

When you see him next, please pass along how much I enjoyed "If Angels Fight" in Feb 2008 F&SF. I read it on a long flight recently, and really enjoyed the subtle, controlled storytelling. When I got back home from the trip, I was moved enough to try to send him an email, but the only address I could find bounced back to me.

This was a great story, and I wanted him to know people were still out there enjoying it.


On topic: Another major and often unrealized power of the presidency is deciding what foreign countries will receive what kinds of free military aid and how much. Of particular interest to many: which countries can buy certain kinds of military equipment from US, regardless of whether they are spending their own money or ours.) I'm optimistic on so many fronts about the country's new direction. And missing NYC a lot at this time of year, but that's another story. :)

Best,

Lon

Re: Rick Bowes

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Hi Rick,
He often comes by my blog--I'll alert him to your comment--I'm sure he'll be delighted to hear what you say. It IS a fine story.

Thanks for that info. I don't want to hope too much, in fear that I'll be disappointed but yeah. ;-)

[melissajm.livejournal.com]

Stem cells- maybe by the time my liver gives out, they'll be able to grow liver calls! And if they could grow insulin-producing cells...!

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Yes! Time's been wasting these page eight years.

[melissajm.livejournal.com]

It could compensate for low blood supplies in disasters...grow skin for burn victims...

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Not to mention help cure many diseases.

[lagilman]

speaking from the other end of Manhattan -- Rani Graff and I had lunch at Bar Bouloud today and it was jam-packed, as were many of the bars I wandered by last night (I finally got to eat at Pio Pio, which was also packed). I don't know if peple are still celebrating, or they've decided to single-handedly save the city's economy, but the dining-out is lively, yes....

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info. You know? I thought I'd taken a photo of Rani but it must not have come out well enough, cause damn if I can find it! When's he leave for home?

Everyone is so upbeat and many more people seem to be talking to each other in the street and in restaurants (or is it just me?). It's like after 9/11 but in a nice/optimistic way.

[al-zorra.livejournal.com]

My nabe is a little less populated since the the global economy began to get influenza. No middleaged folks at all.

It has been a primary tourist destination for years now. It's always crazy. But the weekends are off the hook.

Though still crowded by the affluent young of all nations and continents, you can feel and see the difference.

Love, C.

[al-zorra.livejournal.com]

A side effect though, is that you're beginning to be able to see the residents again.

Though I've also been really sick for 8 days and have been out far less, I did venture out occasionally and today. So that's what my assessment is based on.

Love, C.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

I was there a few weeks ago, siteseeing with friends from out of town. It was jampacked--or at least a few blocks from you. Horrible. No more decent craftspeople/arts folk selling their wares on the street any more--all generic, mass produced trash.

[vylar-kaftan.livejournal.com]

People on BART (the train system) occasionally yell "Barack Obama WOOOO!" But mostly it's people being gloomy about Prop 8. (The battle continues on that, with lawsuits and so forth.)

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Of course. They've certainly got reason to be gloomy.

not noticed much out here...

[themadblonde]

but Minnesotans aren't a particularly expressive lot. Except on Halloween when you're downtown on a Friday night. Then they are INSANE.