#266: Go to another Wedding!

This goal was achieved in June, but I forgot about it! It was a great wedding with brunch and...AN OPEN BAR. Perfect.

#55: Find a Republican Candidate to Support in the 2012 Elections

I think the purpose of this goal is to teach myself that not all republicans are bad, and not all democrats are good. Actually, I really have an easy time finding democrats I don't like (re: John Edwards) and an easy time finding republicans I do like (Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski), but when I look at who I like and who I don't like, there seem to be too many similarities on things that don't matter.

For instance, I am extremely inclined to vote for a female over a male. I supported Hillary over Obama, wanted Martha Coakley to win the Massachusetts primary for senate and all of the above republicans I listed who I liked are women.

Also, I love the republicans who are bi-partisen and hate the "blue dogs". I can't stand Nelson or Lieberman, but love Olympia. This really isn't very fair of me. I will say that I do like some ultra-conservative senators, even if I don't agree with them. I always liked hearing Pete Domenici speak, and enjoy Orrin Hatch and John Kyl whenever they are questioning a supreme court nominee. Still, those are exceptions to my rules.

So when I heard about Mia Love, the woman vying to be the first black republican woman elected to congress, a young woman from Utah who shares the same first name of my sister I was sold. She is adorable and seems smart. I agree with nothing she says, but like to hear her say it, and I'm sure Utah agrees with what she says, so I'm sure she'd be representing well. Turns out she is running against the only democrat Utah has currently elected to congress: Jim Matheson. There has to be some love for the democrats in Utah! Then I thought about how much I don't really like what Mia Love is saying, and just like the person who is saying it.



Trying to think of a similar situation on my side, I looked toward Massachusetts, which currently has no  republicans in the house of representatives, and hasn't since 1997. Scott Brown has served a two-ish? year term in the senate and is now running for a full term against Elizabeth Warren, who I can't get enough of (....woman). There is one candidate, Richard Tisei, who is running and is openly gay. Actually, he'd be the first openly gay republican to serve in the house. Socially liberal, fiscally conservative...ok, fine, this guy wins. If Utah can have a democrat, Massachusetts can have a republican. Vote Tisei!

#5, #6, #45, #55, #203, #204, #245, #326

#5 & #6: Visit Two New Countries: Armenia & Georgia!
Many of you know that I went with the Friendship Chorus to Armenia and Georgia. They have a "cool" relationship with each other (mostly because of the friends they keep) but both have a long history with Christianity, so we saw a lot of old churches. Like first century. The difference between the two countries is very clear at the border. You enter into Georgia and it's like you've warped forward 60 years. Tblisi, capital of Georgia, is very modern and new, while Yerevan, capital of Armenia, is 2,500 years old. Yerevan also has a sweet fountain show. Both countries have lots of stray dogs, which is fun/sad. I had a great time in both countries!

#45: Have a Piece Written for CES
I was so psyched to have the first piece sent to me a few months ago for the New Hampshire concert I'm doing at CES in the spring of 2013. The concert theme, which has been hinted at in the goals list, is new works by New Hampshire composers, or composers with a connection to New Hampshire. All of them have lived in NH for a period of time, most of them still do. An exciting adventure!!

#55: Find a Republican Candidate that I like
Ok, I did this! But more on it later--got to save something!

#203: Go to a Museum
The Armenian Genocide Museum was very moving, but I felt like they were trying to prove the genocide happened the entire time. Probably because Turkey is so mean! Anyway, whatever your feelings are about the subject (mine is very pro-Armenia, but Turkey is my favorite meat) I thought it was interesting when someone said that people who live IN Armenia care about this issue, but care more about opening the border to Turkey for trade, in contrast to outside-of-Armenia groups who are really only focused on making Turkey and other countries label it "genocide".

#204: Go to a Museum
The Tretyakov Gallery has the largest collection of Russian art in the world. And it's air conditioned!!


#245: Visit a New Country: Russia
On our way back to America, we stopped by Russia! Spent three nights there and had a blast trying to cram the entire city in! It's big.

#326: Go to a Ballet
Instant Goal! I don't know why this wasn't on the list, but it should have been! The seats were too close together, there was no air conditioning and the orchestra was laughably bad. On the plus side, the tickets were reasonable, the seats were in a fantastic location and the dancing was great!...I think. I couldn't tell because my eyes were crying sweat. Anyway, I learned that you should not go to the ballet if:

1. There is no AC and it's the summer.
2. There is an awful orchestra and you are a musician.
3. You don't like paper fans.

Still, it was a ballet. And it was in Russia. And I wore a bow-tie with jeans.