Congressman Shock's "conversation" with the First Lady

Schock will be a guest on NPR's "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!," airing August 15th and 16th, where he revealed that he complimented First Lady Michelle Obama on her "buff" arms, and she returned the praise.

Read the excerpt below:

PETER SAGAL, HOST, WAIT, WAIT...DON'T TELL ME!: Because of that photograph, you were asked once, we found this - whether you felt in your professional congressional opinion - whether you or President Obama had the better bod. And you said you didn't know. Have you had a chance to check it out?

REP. AARON SCHOCK: [LAUGHTER]

SAGAL: Because we know what guys are like - I'm a guy. You're out there, you're hanging out at some congressional thing. We're checking each other out. We're seeing who's brining it. So, what do you think?

REP. SCHOCK: Well, I'm sorry to disappoint - the opportunity has not presented itself. However, I will say that at the White House picnic that I was invited to, Michelle was there, First Lady Michelle Obama, with a sleeveless shirt on, and she was looking pretty buff.

SAGAL: Really?

REP. SCHOCK: Yeah. I actually complimented her on her arms. She's got it together.

SAGAL: You did? You actually went up to Michelle Obama and you said, 'Hey, nice guns?' What did you do?

REP. SCHOCK: I did.

SAGAL: Come one. No, stop. What did you say to the First Lady of the United States? I want to hear it.

REP. SCHOCK: Ah... [LAUGHTER]. We were along the rope line at the White House, I had some guests there that I brought with that wanted their picture taken with her. And so I said hello to her, and we, you know, I chitchatted and I said, 'You're looking good.' And she just kind of laughed at me. And I said, 'Seriously,' I said, 'Those are some arms.' And she said, well, she made a nice compliment about myself, and then she moved on, so.

SAGAL: No, stop! No, sir. No, sir. You're not going to get away with it. What did she say to you? 'She made a nice compliment about myself.' What did she say?

REP. SCHOCK: Something to the effect of, 'You're not too bad yourself.'

SAGAL: Ah ha! Ah ha. And then you guys went into a pose-off, right, like at the end of a body-building competition?

AMY DICKINSON, PANELIST, WAIT WAIT...DON'T TELL ME!: You know, I bet that never happened with Mamie Eisenhower. You know? It just never did.

SAGAL: I got to say, elected to Congress at age 27, big deal. Gotten some props from Michelle, that's something sir. Congratulations.

REP. SCHOCK: You know, I think Joe Biden overheard and got a little jealous, too.

SAGAL: I'm sure. Because I've noticed Joe's been on the elliptical ever since he met Michelle.

Hmmph, kinda fresh don't ya think? Good represntn Congressman Shock, you go boy! (Oh, was that a little fresh?)

Source

The Black Issue 2009

... is Barbie.

For some time now, there has been a “black out” of models of color on the runways. First Lady Michelle Obama has shined new light on the black out by not wearing the names of the designers who do not show diversity in their shows. I am not sure if it is deliberate on her behalf, but that is the way it is playing out. The First Lady had particular taste before going to the White House and she is staying true to that. Cool with me.

Dressing the First Lady is the dream of any fashion designer. However, Mrs. Obama’s use of Chicago designers and American retailers such as J. Crew, and Black House White Market, have left many in the high fashion industry on the side lines, wanting to be in (hey Calvin and Prada). To date, every J. Crew item that Mrs. Obama, Sasha and Malia has worn – sold out instantly.

For years now, top designers have staged hundreds of shows in New York and Milan, which were/are totally without models of color. Black models have been constantly left out of lucrative advertisements, makeup contracts (unless you are Beyonce, Rihanna or Queen Latifah, all of whom are NOT models) and overlooked for editorials and runways.

In an effort to send a message about the beauty of diversity in fashion, in July of 2008, Vogue Italia conceived the first Black Issue with top black models in starring roles, including Iman, Naomi Campbell and the new It Girl, 19 year old Jourdan Dunn. I ran right out and put my twenty on this once in a life time “Black Edition”.

This year, it is “Black Barbie” that has landed a starring role in Vogue Italia. We will be picking up the "Black Barbie" issue as soon as it drops.

Maybe now Little One can get her "B" to give me mine back...




A little history: The first black doll from Barbie was introduced in 1967, as a friend of Barbie called Francie, followed by the first "Black Barbie" doll, introduced in 1980.


This autumn will bring the launch of a collection of black Barbie dolls, called the So In Style dolls; which have been designed with more authentic-looking black features, including a new facial sculpt that has fuller lips, a wider nose, more distinctive cheek bones and curlier hair.



Little One and her "B" are uber excited to see the new So In Style Barbie dolls. The So In Style dolls will be available early next year. Little One can look, but unless somebody gets her one for a gift - she won't be getting one. Besides, we have already made a neat little investment in this and all it's trappings...

... she is gonna to need to play with this until she is at least sixteen and then pack it away and save it for my grandchild.

Girls With Pearls

HELP PASS THE WORD!

Join Camp Girlfriend as we salute our new First Lady by wearing pearls on Inauguration Day. No matter where you are you can participate in this salute. Its simple-wear pearls. Little girls, big girls all girls...let’s wear pearls! Contact your family and girlfriends and ask each one to ask everyone, to wear pearls on January 20, 2009. To work, to school, the Inauguration, the balls, the party at my spot or just in front of your TV. Girls will be wearing pearls. What a wonderful keepsake for us all to have-pearls in recognition of Inauguration Day. Thanks for your support and participation and tell every “girl” you know.

The "mommy wars" revisited


Remember that little ditty? It was a jingle from a commercial, that ran during the early 70's, for a perfume called Enjoli. Check it out:

Women loved that commercial. Many actually saw this super woman as a person to emulate, a true testament to the fact we could do and have it all. And so began the so called "mommy wars", stay at home moms vs. working moms. A war that was born mainly in the minds of advertisers, as evidenced by the Enjoli commercial. Is it possible the "mommy wars", which continue to simmer, could once again be moved to the front burner, due to the decision of First Lady-in-Waiting Michelle Obama to take a detour down the dreaded "mommy track"?

Michelle Obama graduated from Princeton University and Harvard Law School. After completing her formal education, she returned to Chicago and accepted a position with the law firm Sidley Austin, and subsequently worked as part of the staff of Chicago mayor Richard M. Daley, and for the University of Chicago Medical Center. (from Wiki)

Landing at Sidley Austin, where she specialised in intellectual property law was no small feat. Sidley Austin, formerly known as Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP, is one of the oldest law firms in the world. It is the sixth-largest U.S.-based corporate law firm with over 1,800 lawyers, annual revenues of more than one billion dollars, and offices in 16 cities worldwide, with the most recent addition of Sydney, Australia, in May 2007. Its original predecessor firm was founded in 1866 and had Mary Todd Lincoln, the widow of President Abraham Lincoln, among its earliest clients. The firm was formed as the result of the merger of two firms: the Chicago-based Sidley & Austin, founded in 1866, and the New York-based Brown & Wood, founded in 1914. As of 2006, it was the 9th largest law firm in the world (and 5th in the US) by revenue. (from Wiki)

In 2002, shortly after the Obamas' second daughter was born, she went to work at the University of Chicago Medical Center, where she eventually became vice-president for community and external affairs. Caught without a sitter, Mrs. Obama took the baby with her to the job interview. Clearly Mrs. Obama is an accomplished, highly intelligent, capable, and career oriented attorney. However, when she was recently asked by Ebony Magazine what we can expect from her in the coming years, her response was 'My first job, in all honesty, is going to continue to be mum in chief'.

Hearing Mrs. Obama make this commitment, one could not help but wonder if she was just taking extra care to not come off as the high powered attorney we know her to be. We know that daily we are faced with instances where we must weigh stepping back from our strongest, most confident presentation, because people who are not used to (umm...how do you say... oh yes) diversity, often come in with preconceived notions that we are angry black women or have a chip on our shoulders. But Mrs. Obama wasn't just making nice. There is no frontin' going on here, she appears to be ready to relish being a stay-at-home-mum, and dammit she should. Many working mothers would love to have the stay-at-home option, although they would never admit it.

As expected, the questions surrounding Mrs. Obama decision have started. As Mum-in-Chief, she will bring much needed attention to the issue of better access to childcare (which is at the heart of the mommy wars). Mrs. Obama has said that she will be an advocate for better childcare. Hopefully the spotlight she can shine on the issue will end this "mommy wars" nonsense once and for all.

She is the best Hula-Hooper I know. Once she gets the rhythm going, she can drop to her knees!"-President Elect Barack Obama-

No, he is not talking about Malia or Sasha, he is talking about Michelle. Wow, so Michelle can do it like that? Do you know the level of skill and agility it takes to master a Hula Hoop to that degree? As a chick who can barely get the rhythm on a Hula Hoop before it drops to my knees, I am impressed! Where I come from you got laughed at for not being able to hold your own with a Hula Hoop. Finger pointing, ridicule - those mean little girls! Oh, I digress... Do you think this is how Michelle keeps that little waist line in check? Hmmm... so many questions.

I do remember reading that Beyonce said that one way she keeps such a tight body is by Hula Hooping. Maybe it's time to take a second look at our Hula Hoops.

It is true, Hula Hooping is a good way to diversify your workout. It primarily targets your middle area. The circular lower body movements directly work abdominal muscles, hips and waistlines. You get a cardio and a strength workout. One minute of Hula Hooping can burn as many calories as running an eight-minute mile. Hula Hooping also promotes correct body alignment from the circular motions and proper posture in the upper body routines.

Ladies, time to break out ye ole' Hula-Hoop and have some fun + your man might find watching you do it (Hula Hoop) highly entertaining.

Mrs. Robinson is going to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue!

GOOD NEWS! We don't have to worry about any little hot ass interns running behind President Elect Barack Obama when he gets to the White House. Apparently he is taking his Mother-in-law to the White House with him. This appointment of Michelle's Mother to First Grandma gives me goose bumps. No, not because of the cock blocking potential (although that is a bonus), seriously though, this is a wonderful gesture President Elect Obama is making.

Marian Shields Robinson, who formerly worked as a secretary at Spiegel's catalog store, can trace her roots to pre-Civil War African Americans in the American South; her paternal great-great grandfather, Jim Robinson, was an American slave in the state of South Carolina, where some of her family still resides. I am in awe of the history that this family is making. Three generations of Robinson women actually living in the White House, in the family quarters, and oh, by the way, they are direct descendants of slaves.

Mrs. Marian Robinson, who is 71, was an integral part of the Obama campaign as babysitter for her granddaughters. As a result, Michelle and Barack have been able to devote their life in service to their country, knowing that their children are well taken care of. Well done, Mrs. Robinson, well done.

November 5, 2008, I have a new Super Hero...
but first let us pay allegience to those who came before.

The Crimson Avenger - She, possessing the power of teleportation and intangibility, is an African-American woman who might be called Jill Carlyle. In a flashback sequence, she studied law but apparently lost a case in which the defendant was clearly guilty. She obtains a pair of Colt pistols originally owned by the first Crimson Avenger and uses them to exact vengeance upon the unknown criminal. These guns are cursed such that, if the possessor uses them out of revenge, he or she will be cursed to track and kill those who have taken innocent life. As part of the curse, an ever-bleeding bullet hole appears on her chest.

Pulsar - Monica Rambeau was a lieutenant in the New Orleans police force. A friend of the family, had been forced to create a device which would harness other-dimensional energies. In the process of helping to destroy that device, she was bombarded with those energies and found that she could, as a result, transmute her body to energy and back again at will. As a full fledged member of the Avengers she inherited the moniker Captain Marvel from the press. Eventually, she gave up the name out of respect to its former owner and changed her name, first to Photon, and finally to Pulsar. One of the most underrated characters in the Marvel Universe, she is one of its most powerful, as seen during the World War Hulk storyline

Patrolwoman Misty Knight, who graduated from NYC's police academy with top honors, rescued Colleen Wing from a gun battle, and the two became close friends. During a bank robbery, Knight discovered a bomb but could not dispose of it in time and lost her arm in the process. It was replaced with a cybernetic arm. In spite of her new strength and ability, she was forced to end her active duty with the police force and resigned. Colleen encouraged Misty to be resiliant, and the two formed a private investigation firm. Together they became the Heroes for Hire, employing a few other vigilante heroes and working as bail bondswomen for super villains.

Introducing a new black, female, Super Hero,

First Lady of the United States... Michelle Obama!

Michelle LaVaughn Obama is a lawyer and the wife of Barack Obama, the President-elect of the United States. She was born and grew up on the South Side of Chicago and graduated from Princeton University and Harvard Law School. After completing her formal education, she returned to Chicago and accepted a position with the law firm Sidley Austin, and subsequently worked as part of the staff of Chicago mayor Richard M. Daley, and for the University of Chicago and the University of Chicago Hospitals. Michelle met Barack when he joined Sidley Austin and today they have two beautiful daughters, Sasha and Malia Obama. When Barack Obama was elected to the Senate, the Obama family chose to live on Chicago's South Side rather than Washington, D.C.

Michelle's greatest Super Hero feat to date - she has met the challenge of mastering the balancing act of being a strong black woman, while raising a family and being married to a strong black man. Hmm, hmmm, we owe Michelle, she has helped make it possible for Barack Huessin Obama to ascend to the office of President of the United States. She is one of those sistas you can bring along to compliment (or make) the deal. She is the first African-American First Lady of the United States! Michelle Obama - a true American Super Hero!