Hire me!

In case you haven't heard I am in the market for a new job. If you know of anyone wanting to hire an brilliant, energetic, and massively creative marketing genius please direct them to www.marilyndavidson.com

Funny how things happen

It's funny that my last blog post was about slowing down and giving more attention to friends and family. Well now I have as much time as I would like to spend with them. Be careful what you wish for :)

Seriously, I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. It may drive me crazy but I have no control over what happens in my life. Yes, I have control over whether I'll wear a read or blue shirt today. Or if I'll eat a sandwich or pizza for lunch. But on the grander scale I really have no say. God has a plan and I have to trust that everything will work out.

He has already shown me in several ways this weekend that he is going to take care of me and he is in control. I couldn't control the fact that sitting 3 rows away from me at the OU/TX game was someone who was on my list of people to call for a job, God did that! Or the fact that a friend of our friends who was tailgating with us happened to know the person hiring for the position I had just sent my resume in for. That was ALL God. Or that I received a call from a high school friend this morning who I haven't talked to in almost ten years and she provided yet another opportunity for me to make some money....hello God I know you're there.

Its sad that God has to knock me on my butt to get me to shut up and listen!

"Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."

Sometimes we all need a reminder that it's ok to slow down.

After I finished my physical therapy session this afternoon I debated on whether I should run by my husband's grandparents house and grab a sandwich or hit up a drive through. "A drive through would be so much faster," I kept saying to myself. But stopping by Troy and Omega's would mean time to visit on catch up. "But I don't have much time and I need to get back to work!" (More excuses from myself) If they offered degrees in excuse making I would have a doctorate.

In the end I opted with going by the grandparents, after all food there would be free. (my cheap side won) So, I ran into the house and immediately headed for the fridge grabbing everything I needed for a sandwich all the while saying my hellos. I had the Omega special; a turkey and mustard sandwich, coke and mozzarella sticks.

As I sat in the kitchen talking to Troy I was happy that I chose to stop by. Time with family and grandparents is so limited and I think that too often I take advantage of it. Sure I have good intentions. I tell myself that I am going to see someone and next thing I know the week is over. I get caught up with pilates, running errands, watching my favorite shows, and responsibilities with junior league.

In the end going to the Gibson's was worth taking the extra time. It forced me to slow down and just enjoy time with family. I enjoyed listening to his stories about the war and hearing about how there used to be a vending machine that dispensed beer on base.

I think we all could benefit from slowing down more often. There is nothing better than time with family!

Rep. Sullivan leaning towards a yes vote on the bailout bill.

Rep. Sullivan to switch vote on bailout

By The Associated Press

Published: October 3, 2008

Two of the three U.S. House members from Oklahoma who voted against the financial bailout plan remained undecided on a second proposal that headed toward another vote on Friday.

Rep. John Sullivan announced he would vote for the Senate-passed version, but aides said Reps. Mary Fallin and Frank Lucas still were reviewing it and had not made up their minds.

"While the Senate passed financial rescue package is far from perfect — in fact it is a bitter pill to swallow — I am convinced that action needs to be taken to protect the pensions, investments and ability of Americans to obtain a line of credit, and therefore I will vote to support the bill," Sullivan said in a statement.

Sullivan joins Rep. Tom Cole and Dan Boren, the delegation's only Democrat, in supporting the bailout.Read the rest.

Call your congressman or congresswoman and tell them to vote NO!

Rep. John Sullivan 202-225-2211

Rep. Mary Fallin 202-225-2132

Rep. Dan Boren 202-225-2701

Rep. Frank Lucas 202-225-5565

Supply vs. Demand Should Be Common Sense by Now

It might seem odd to defend the free market anywhere in America. How is it that the free market could be doubted, especially since the collapse of Marxist socialism in the early 1990s? Are not the attributes of free-market capitalism obvious to all? Yet in the midst of the recent financial roller coaster ride and price spikes consumers have faced in visits to gas stations the past few months, some politicians have suggested ideas like production quotas or price controls. They have questioned whether the free market is best system for our citizens.

Is the free-market perfect? No. Is it the best system of trade and commerce for citizens who want to live in a free society? Absolutely, yes. Let’s look a little closer.

Issues that surround the energy industry actually provide an excellent means of examining free market principles, such as production quotas or price controls. No matter how frustrated we grow over prices, government controls don't work. In the energy sector, the Nixon administration's ill-advised rationing in 1973 led to long lines at gas stations, dreadful market distortions, and greater dependence on foreign suppliers. China experienced the same problem when it set refining quotas and consumer price controls in 2005.

The problem in the oil market right now is quite straight-forward: oil price increases come in the context of constant demand acceleration along with limited supply. In the world today, the methodical upward march in oil prices is driven by energy demand, not only in growing American and European economies, but the increased energy demand of India and China – places that, even 20 years ago, were comparatively minor players in the global economy. If we impose quotas or controls, the oil and gas will simply seek the more favorable offers of our global competitors, creating a shortage of supply here at home.

Things might be different if Oklahoma had more oil wells still operating. Through the decades, the state lost much of its marginal production, i.e. wells that did not produce enough to be profitable at the time when oil was less than $25 per barrel. Due to environmental regulations, these wells could not simply be turned off and sealed. They had to be filled with concrete. Today, if not filled in, these wells would be profitably adding to our nation’s domestic oil supply. This is simply a factual observation, not insensitivity to environmental concerns or historical reality.

The way forward, the best energy solution for America, and indeed for the entire world, is “all of the above”; meaning policymakers should remove obstacles and permit the market to work. They should encourage energy producers, transporters, businesses, universities and others to study and investigate every realistic means to boost energy production in a growing world economy. Oklahoma is uniquely positioned to contribute in many ways toward energy expansion.

“All of the above” includes an even stronger domestic oil and gas industry to maximize Oklahoma’s existing assets, infrastructure and resources; technological improvements in vehicle efficiency; accelerating clean coal systems for power generation; more wind, hydro and nuclear generation. It also includes energy diversity capabilities such as compressed natural gas (CNG), synthesized fuels from natural gas or coal (GTL/CTL), and biofuels in the form of ethanol, octane or whatever hydrocarbon configuration the market demands. It also may include upgrading the power grid so that Oklahoma can enjoy its central position as a power transporter. The important thing is that these initiatives are market-driven, not government mandated.

In the end, whether the concern is energy, health care, housing, or even monetary policy, there are no better alternatives to the price signals and rationality of the free market. In Oklahoma, the U.S. and the world, over time consumer choice should drive winners and losers, rather than government making such choices for us.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday to my sister Marie (she's the one on the right)! She is the big 3-0 today. Which only depresses me because it means I only have 2 more years until I'm that age.

I have a confession to make. I know that the recent developments with our country's economy are a very important issue. I know I should be spending my days reading every article that comes across my computer concerning it because in a round about way it will effect me...but I haven't been. I have to be honest it just depresses me and angers me that we have reached this point. Why do my husband and I have to live by different rules than everyone else? I would love to stop paying my mortgage and let the government come in and bail me out letting me pay them back when "things get better". I'm proud of our congressmen and women who stood up and said no yesterday to the bailout agreement.

If you would like to hear Mary Fallin's response to her vote you can here.

President Bush visits Oklahoma

Unless you were living under a rock the past two days then you know that President Bush visited Oklahoma City on Friday. Above is a picture of my mother-in-law getting to meet him. Soon I will have a pic of my encounter with him at the GOP fundraiser. It was awesome!

Where were you?

Just like the generation before us will always remember where they were when Kennedy was shot, I am convinced that my generation will grow up to tell their children where they were on September 11, 2001.

For me I was in my junior year of college living in a small apartment off campus with my best friend Jenica. I was getting ready for my morning class and listening to a local radio station when they began reporting that an airplane had hit one of the World Trade towers in New York City. Not immediately realizing the seriousness of what was happening they began making jokes about drunken pilots or inexperienced flyers. I then moved into my living room to sit on the couch and eat my morning cereal while I watched Fox News. They were covering the plane wreck and showing live shots of the World Trade towers when suddenly another plan came out of nowhere and crashed into the second tower. I screamed, and then just sat there in shock. Several times I had to remind myself that I was not watching a movie or a television show. This was happening in real life and in my country.

Six months later I traveled to New York City with three friends from UCO to spend our spring break talking with students from Pace University and helping at the World Trade Center Relief Shelter. Little did I know that these 5 days would change my outlook on life and volunteerism forever. It would also make me proud to be an American (but not for the first time ;) ).

The first place they took us was ground zero. This experience brought out mixed emotions. I wasn’t able to fully experience it the way a normal visitor would because they had set up interviews with several newspapers and we literally had cameras flashing in our face the entire time. (I hated it. Now I know why famous people freak out on the paparazzi)

We started the week with a conference on terrorism and round table discussion on how these horrible acts can affect a community and generation. While I believe that this time was well spent I have to say that I was a little restless. Those of you who know me know that I hate talking and I want to DO. I was ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work.

Finally I got my wish when we were taken to the relief shelter to work with the rescue workers and construction crew. Remember that this was 6 months after the tragedy and they were still searching for victims. In fact, we had an up close tour of ground zero scheduled but they had to cancel it because 13 bodies were found the day we were supposed to go.

I don’t know how to put in words the thoughts and feelings that were going through my head while we were at the shelter. Here we were in an old fire station that was stuffed from floor to ceiling with everything you could possible imagine an emergency worker would need. Our job while there was to help take inventory and fill the needs of the workers that would come in. We would give them clean dry socks; new boots; coveralls; gloves; cigarettes (yes I’m serious); shovels; and, my least favorite, body bags. We also served as confidants. They would come in from 12 hour shifts working at ground zero and just want someone to talk to. These were mostly young men in their early 20s who had to work in cold, rainy conditions and see things that no one should have to experience. Some had lost friends and relatives in the tragedy, others just wanted to help because they felt it was their duty as a New Yorker.

One thing that I will never forget from this experience is the vast amount of respect everyone in the city gave to the victims, their families, and the emergency workers. The shelter we worked in also served as a make shift memorial to firefighters who lost their lives. The gentleman who “ran” it was a former captain who, at the time, was serving as the head of the Hammer Team. This was the group of firemen who were first on scene whenever there was an anthrax threat. Whenever a family member of a victim would come in the place would go silent out of respect. No one talked, radios were turned off, and everyone rushed to do whatever they could to make them feel comfortable. Another ‘tradition’ was at ground zero, there was a long ramp that went into the pit and when someone’s remain were found all construction workers and firemen would stop what they were doing. An ambulance that was always placed at the top of the ramp would turn its lights on and everyone would stay that way until the remains were removed. I witnessed this once while there and it was an eerie yet proud moment.

If something like September 11th ever happened in our country again I would not hesitate to drop everything and go to help out. As Americans it’s our duty to help each other out no matter that person's race, religion, or personal beliefs. I consider that a privilege of living in the greatest country in the world.

This is Anthony Reinhart. A student from Pace University
who served as our tour guide for the week.
I feel honored to have spent that time with him.
He is a bright young man who is going to do BIG things.

In this picture is Hilary Fite, Laura Beth Wren,
a younger skinnier Marilyn, Kate Thrift (Lindley),
and the guy who headed up the Hammer Team (I wish I remembered his name)
at the relief shelter.

The Palin Factor

We are truly living in exciting times. This November we will be given the chance to witness history. For the first time as a nation we will either have a black president or a female vice-president. Several times over the past week I've ask individuals in their 70s and 80s if they ever thought either of these days would come. Most responded with, "Not in my lifetime!"

While the nomination of Governor Palin has brought 'controversy' and excitement, it has also started several needed dialogues about women and their role in both politics and the household. While I am not a mother, yet, I am still concerned with issues like balancing career and home. I know that one day I will be faced with the decision of whether I should stay at home with my children or trust them with a caregiver.

One thing that has angered me about this new debate is the fact that we are told as little girls that "You can do anything you put your mind to!", except have a career AND kids. Then people start to treat us like we are evil and committing some sin against the motherhood gods. Why can't a women have her cake and eat it too? Why do people automatically assume that once a child is born to a couple that the women has to be the one to sacrifice her career?

I can't speak from experience but I hope, when the time comes for me, raising our children will become a partnership between my husband and I. I also want to say that I in no way look down on women who give up their careers for children. In fact, I admire them greatly. Giving up a job and staying home to raise children takes a lot of courage and sacrifice.

As far as women taking on leadership roles, I say more power to them. We need a female voice in politics fighting for issues that effect children, families, and women. If you are thinking of running for office....DO IT! Dont let anyone tell you that being a women will hold you back or effect your ability to serve. If you aren't ready to strap on your walking shoes and start campaigning for office the least you can do it VOTE. VOTE EARLY AND VOTE OFTEN!!!