(Photo: Me, Lisa Greene, Mike LeBaron)

I feel bad for my mom and dad, who saved their pennies to make sure that my sister and I could have braces and later, perfect teeth.  So today, I have straight teeth, but a goofy looking smile.

With that said, I need help.  I need to reinvent my smile.  No, I scratch that.  I need to reinvent my “picture smile.”  I think my normal & natural smile is just fine.  It’s the smile that I put on when it’s picture time that looks just goofy.  It’s true.  As a result of my silly “picture smile,” I’m self concious and HATE having my picture taken.

(Photo:  Mike Lebaron, Mike Peterson, Lisa Greene, & Me)
Note the goofy smile…

How to Smile
This website is telling me to think happy thoughts.  Ok, yeah, that will work!  Right…

And this website is telling me that it’s not my fault, it’s the photographers fault!  If the photographer follows a few simple steps like taking a couple of pictures immediatley after saying “cheese,” he or she will end up with a natural looking smile.

Any tips on capturing a great smile on film?

Join your fellow Young Professionals for McCain and members of the Chicago Young Republicans for a get-out-the-vote rooftop rally as we begin our final sprint toward the finish line otherwise known as the White House.  We’ll gather in Barack Obama’s backyard to rally the Republican troops and to paint this Democratic town a bright shade of red.

For a mere $25, attendees will enjoy an open bar with beer, wine, soda and water served. Light appetizers will also be offered. The rooftop deck offers an amazing view of the downtown skyline as we make the most of the waning warm days of summer. Most importantly, meet and network with fellow supporters of John McCain and committed young Republicans as we join hands to make history this fall, and for many years ahead. Collectively, John McCain and Sarah Palin represent the new leadership of the Republican Party, and we stand as its future.

RSVP’s are strongly encouraged for the purposes of providing our organizations with a solid head count in advance so that we will have an ample supply of food and beverages on hand. Email (ilypsformccain@gmail.com) or call Shawn Healy at (312.505.6579). Please bring a friend, co-worker, or family member, and make this early fall gathering one to remember.

Sarah and I are planning on attending.  We hope to see you there as well!

Ciao!

RH
rick @ rickonair.com

While walking home from work last night, I came to the Michigan Avenue bridge at the intersection of Wacker & Michigan Ave.

A serious dilemma
Do I walk two blocks west to Wabash or do I stand here and wait for the bridge to come back down?

Instead of walking the extra block or two to get to Wabash, I chose to stick around and watch the crowd.  In the words of my wife Sarah, “People Baffle Me!”

Cameras, video cameras, kids sitting on dad’s shoulders … these people made it seem like there was some sort of accident or catastrophe taking place.

“Come on folks, move along … nothing to see here.”
The bridge was up allowing a barge to pass underneath it.  No accident.  No jumper.  Nothing exciting.  Simple river traffic.

Realizing that I was just wasting time standing there, I decided to walk on over to Wabash.  When I was half way over the Wabash Bridge, I glanced east at the Michigan Avenue bridge.  Sure enough, it had come down.  Wouldn’t you know it?  If I would have stood around for a few more minutes, I would have been able to cross the bridge and make it to my final destination in no time.

The point of my rant?  Tourists.  They’re so funny!  They’ll take pictures of anything!

Happy Labor Day, everyone!

RH

        You see, boys forget what their country means by just reading The Land of the Free in history books. Then they get to be men they forget even more. Liberty’s too precious a thing to be buried in books, Miss Saunders. Men should hold it up in front of them every single day of their lives and say: I’m free to think and to speak. My ancestors couldn’t, I can, and my children will. Boys ought to grow up remembering that. (Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, 1939)

Instead of watching the DNC Convention on Tuesday night, I chose to Jimmy Stewart’s classic movie, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.”  This line has been stuck in my head ever since.

Yes, Mr. Smith.  Liberty is too precious of a thing to be buried in books.  We should hold it up in front of us every single day of our lives and say:  I’m free to think and speak.  My ancestors couldn’t, I can, and my children will.

That’s certainly a mantra to live by.