My uncle sent me a link to the latest 'Did you know?' video on YouTube. A video that was put together to make you think about the future and give you a few eye-opening stats along the way.
YouTube then suggested I watch 'Did You Know?: The 2009 Inauguration Edition' and thus gave me my Lincoln reference for the day. Did you know that the first course of Obama's Inaugural Lunch was served on a replica of Lincoln's china, displaying the American bald eagle, US Coat of Arms, and a border of 'solferino' (a colour popular back in the 1860s).
And of course, but this was already a well-known fact, Obama was sworn in on Lincoln's bible, which hadn't been used at an Inauguration since 1861.
There you have it folks, another day in the world of Lincoln references.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Anton is free
Last night, watching Season Three of Dexter, Deb (Jennifer Carpenter) tells Anton (David Ramsey) 
he is free. His response...'Have been since Abe Lincoln'. Of course she meant that he didn't have to be a police informant anymore, but I was happy to have my Lincoln reference for the day!
Anyone else have any good ones? Anyone? Come on, share with me!
Image courtesy of www.imdb.com
he is free. His response...'Have been since Abe Lincoln'. Of course she meant that he didn't have to be a police informant anymore, but I was happy to have my Lincoln reference for the day!Anyone else have any good ones? Anyone? Come on, share with me!
Image courtesy of www.imdb.com
Friday, April 10, 2009
Me vs Obama: who likes Lincoln best?
Since I started my obsession with Lincoln I have been given and managed to track down a few very decent books on the subject, including Dale Carnegie's own Lincoln the Unknown, and Gore Vidal's Lincoln, Thomas Keneally's Lincoln, Faulkner and Kepner's America - It's History and People, along with Chuck Wills' almost-picture-book-quality Lincoln - The Presidential Archives, which comes complete with copies of his letters and other documents.
But more recently I was lucky enough to be given two books, the very funny Secret Lives of the Civil War by Cormac O'Brien, and Pulitzer Prize winner Team of Rivals - The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Team of Rivals is toted around as the book that inspired Barack Obama.
With Obama sharing my obsession with Lincoln (ok so maybe he got in first, he is older than me after all, but I maintain that I am more devoted to my obsession than he is), there are references everywhere. Obama giving his address at the Lincoln memorial, and the 200th anniversary since Lincoln's birth celebrations, have meant that photos of Linc even found their way onto the front covers of lowly Canberra newspapers! There are references in his speeches, references to Obama referencing Lincoln, and speculatioin on Obama's next Lincoln references!
So my Lincoln sightings have certainly been bumped up a notch, but I still prefer the really obscure references when I can get them. For example, while browsing the magazine stand in a local newsagent the other day I did a double-take as my eye caught the top of an old black and white photograph I recognized. I pulled out the magazine to find I had stumbled across a Smithsonian Collector's Edition magazine on Lincoln. It had been imported from the US, and I've never paid $21.50 for a magazine before, but I had to have it for my collection!
Image courtesy of www.zazzle.com
But more recently I was lucky enough to be given two books, the very funny Secret Lives of the Civil War by Cormac O'Brien, and Pulitzer Prize winner Team of Rivals - The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Team of Rivals is toted around as the book that inspired Barack Obama.
With Obama sharing my obsession with Lincoln (ok so maybe he got in first, he is older than me after all, but I maintain that I am more devoted to my obsession than he is), there are references everywhere. Obama giving his address at the Lincoln memorial, and the 200th anniversary since Lincoln's birth celebrations, have meant that photos of Linc even found their way onto the front covers of lowly Canberra newspapers! There are references in his speeches, references to Obama referencing Lincoln, and speculatioin on Obama's next Lincoln references!So my Lincoln sightings have certainly been bumped up a notch, but I still prefer the really obscure references when I can get them. For example, while browsing the magazine stand in a local newsagent the other day I did a double-take as my eye caught the top of an old black and white photograph I recognized. I pulled out the magazine to find I had stumbled across a Smithsonian Collector's Edition magazine on Lincoln. It had been imported from the US, and I've never paid $21.50 for a magazine before, but I had to have it for my collection!
Image courtesy of www.zazzle.com
Lincoln, just as good on fabric
My sister sent me a link to Linc, in t-shirt form. I ordered it straight away and couldn't have been more excited when it came in the mail the other day!
It is a little odd though... Anyone who knows anything about Lincoln knows that when it came to duel-time he preferred a long sword over pistols, to take advantage of his long monkey arms.
Does it count as a Lincoln sighting each time I wear it, or is that cheating?
It is a little odd though... Anyone who knows anything about Lincoln knows that when it came to duel-time he preferred a long sword over pistols, to take advantage of his long monkey arms.
Does it count as a Lincoln sighting each time I wear it, or is that cheating?
Twentieth Century Fox brings Lincoln back to life
To continue on with my Lincoln sightings, I went to the movies last weekend and the trailer for Night at the Museum 2 Battle of the Smithsonian came on. Sure enough, not only does everything in the Smithsonian come to life but outside things, like the Lincoln memorial statue!
Then yesterday a friend sent me a link to an online exhibition the Smithsonian had going, and I accidentally stumbled across their collection of Lincoln portraits. I swear it was an accident, really!
Then yesterday a friend sent me a link to an online exhibition the Smithsonian had going, and I accidentally stumbled across their collection of Lincoln portraits. I swear it was an accident, really!
Look out, Lincoln is behind you!
In April 2008 I visited the Lincoln memorial in D.C. and I can only describe the feeling as the 
closest I've ever come to a spiritual experience. I got goosebumps, everything went quiet (despite the throngs of yelling school children on excursion), and I just felt really, really calm.
Since that day, a year ago, I have seen Lincoln everywhere. Sure, you might argue that he has always been everywhere but I just wasn't looking for him...but it sure is getting spooky.
Now I don't normally believe in 'signs' as such, and I think you make your own destiny, but maybe there is something here. Am I meant to learn a lesson from Lincoln? I'm sure he's got some good ones to teach, even if it is posthumously.
So
I thought I would start making a note of the Lincoln references I come across. Over the last year it has included some really obscure things like hearing his name in a rap song, Family Guy references, Dale Carnegie books, and being sent an email from Semi Permanent (design conference) with a big, 'ol picture of Ron English's version of what Lincoln and Obama would look like if they had a love child on the front.
I may be bordering on obsession when it comes to Lincoln these days, but it sure is fun. I've started doing a lot more reading into his life and history, even named a recent goldfish Linc (sadly he was assassinated - no pun intended).
So if you see any of your own, feel free to add them to mine!
Image courtesy of Ron English.
closest I've ever come to a spiritual experience. I got goosebumps, everything went quiet (despite the throngs of yelling school children on excursion), and I just felt really, really calm.Since that day, a year ago, I have seen Lincoln everywhere. Sure, you might argue that he has always been everywhere but I just wasn't looking for him...but it sure is getting spooky.
Now I don't normally believe in 'signs' as such, and I think you make your own destiny, but maybe there is something here. Am I meant to learn a lesson from Lincoln? I'm sure he's got some good ones to teach, even if it is posthumously.
So
I thought I would start making a note of the Lincoln references I come across. Over the last year it has included some really obscure things like hearing his name in a rap song, Family Guy references, Dale Carnegie books, and being sent an email from Semi Permanent (design conference) with a big, 'ol picture of Ron English's version of what Lincoln and Obama would look like if they had a love child on the front.I may be bordering on obsession when it comes to Lincoln these days, but it sure is fun. I've started doing a lot more reading into his life and history, even named a recent goldfish Linc (sadly he was assassinated - no pun intended).
So if you see any of your own, feel free to add them to mine!
Image courtesy of Ron English.
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