Day 225: Bubbling Lamp, Bubbling Stomach.

 

August 13th, 2011In what would be the 225th day of the year, my stomach would began to hurt from probably malnourishment or lack of nutrients of some sort (I subsequently took a Vitamin pill to help myself out). In the morning I didn’t do much of anything but rather hang out in the house, chillaxing for the most part. I watched a few episodes of Degrassi, played a few games of Tetris, and then ate some delicious rice with rotissery chicken. I watched FOX News, MSNBC, and CNN for live coverage of the Ames Straw Poll (Lauren and Tyler surprisingly watched with me). I switched back and forth between the news and an episode of Victorious though… When it was announced Ron Paul got second place, trailing Michele Bachmann by only 150 votes, I was ecstatic. The message of liberty is slowly spreading. Afterwards, I ate some more, and then went to Alexis’s place to hang out. While there, I saw and talked to Leah, Brittney, and Megan, as well as Brittney’s two visiting siblings. I also gave Alexis her gift of a bubbling lava lamp which is pictured in today’s picture of the day. Much like the lamp, my stomach appeared to be bubbly and my newly developed headache seemed to be reflective of it. Alexis and I caught up for a bit on gossip, watched an episode of Breaking Bad, listened to some music, and finally ate some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Unsatisfied, she dropped me back home, where Lauren and I decided to go to Jack in the Box, where instead of spending money, I used the free “2 free tacos” coupon I got a few months back. YAY! I ended the night doing nothing, but worrying about my malnourishment.

Shortly after midnight on this day in 1961, East German soldiers begin laying down barbed wire and bricks as a barrier between Soviet-controlled East Berlin and the democratic western section of the city. After World War II, defeated Germany was divided into Soviet, American, British and French zones of occupation. The city of Berlin, though technically part of the Soviet zone, was also split, with the Soviets taking the eastern part of the city. After a massive Allied airlift in June 1948 foiled a Soviet attempt to blockade West Berlin, the eastern section was drawn even more tightly into the Soviet fold. Over the next 12 years, cut off from its western counterpart and basically reduced to a Soviet satellite, East Germany saw between 2.5 million and 3 million of its citizens head to West Germany in search of better opportunities. By 1961, some 1,000 East Germans–including many skilled laborers, professionals and intellectuals–were leaving every day. WELL GEE, THAT’S DEPRESSING….

Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann won the Ames Straw Poll Saturday, besting eight other Republican candidates in a nonbinding but politically significant vote in the first caucus state of Iowa. Bachmann secured 4,823 votes, narrowly besting Texas Rep. Ron Paul who had 4,671 votes. Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty was chosen on 2,293 ballots, placing him third. Paul’s campaign chairman Jesse Benton said the result proved that the congressman is “a top-tier candidate” that indicates “our message is spreading, our support is surging, and people are taking notice.” RON PAUL RON PAUL RON PAUL!!!!!!!

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