WWOD: 2010 Census

I know, I've been the worst blog contributor ever. It's been months since I've said anything and now I'm back and, uh, complaining? Sorry guys - it's Robin, and I'm here now, and I'm going to try real hard and make it up to you!

Not only have I been missing from the blog, but so has our favorite man of power - Obama! Despite what all of nasty those critics say, we still think Obams is tops and has done a stellar job thus far in his presidency. That being said, we're going to revisit one of our very neglected sections and ask everyone's favorite rhetorical, not-so-politically themed question, What Would Obama Do?

On Tuesday, April 13^th NPR (that’s National Public Radio for your Canadians) ran a story that I was a bit grossed out by it. Truth be told, I think Obams would feel the same.

If you listen to the piece – which I would recommend – you’ll find that it discusses how low the return rates are for the U.S. census specifically in large cities like New York, specifically in everyone’s favorite hipster enclave to make fun of and then frequent on the weekend, Williamsburg.

Now being a Greenpointer myself and therefore a nearby northern neighbor, I suppose I shouldn’t make too much fun of the 'Berg and for the most part I don’t. But here’s the thing, and listening to the NPR clip will really get you going with this one, the return rate for the U.S. Census in Willamsburg is 30%. If it’s been a while since your last math lesson, then I’ll have you know that that means that 70% of people in Williamsburg have not submitted their Census (Censei?) forms.

Being someone who likes to fill out forms (either I’m super anal about being organized or just so narcissistic that I enjoy answering questions about myself) I filled out this form in the first five minutes that my second level apartment received it. When I stopped to confirm with my roommate that she had no Hispanic origins, she requested I fib a bit and say that she did. On the census? No! was my answer. This is the census! If there’s one thing we’re not going to lie on, it’s the Census.

I’ll let the NPR story give you the rest of the info. Sure, they only talk to a few folks, and sure – a large percentage of Williamsburg’s population is made up of Hasidic Jews who are just as much to blame for not filling out their Census forms. The thing is, I’m not sure why the people of Willliamsburg – or anywhere, for that matter – can’t just fill out a quick form, pure and simple. Or really, if you’d rather, I’ll do it for you.

In this case, we hardly need to even ask "What Would Obama Do?" because the guy is the one who's asking practically asking you to fill out the form. But that's not the point. The point is that he would fill out the Census without even thinking about it because it's his civil duty, and it's just what you do.

So come on guys, do the damn thing and fill out that census!

WWOD: The ShamWow Incident

You might remember that WWOD is the section of The Katie Girls where we think about past decisions we've made and put them beneath a cute, oversized, vintage magnifying glass to see how they would compare with the decisions of our (well, my) Commander in Chief. Here's the latest dilemma that left us thinking, "What Would Obama Do?"

Issue # 2: The ShamWow Incident

Just recently, I was having dinner (and drinks) with some friends. Said friends had brought along a ShamWow and we had spent the evening demonstrating its power by repeatedly mopping up the table with the ShamWow, and ringing it out. Any and everything that was on that table was now in the ShamWow...water, tequila, salsa, and whatever else you typically find on the table of a Mexican restaurant in Brooklyn.

Around this time, a bet was brought up. Should the ShamWow be rung out into a glass, and should the contents of that glass be drunken by someone, that someone would recieve $23. Seeing as this is a recession and seeing that I just really like gross stuff, I decided to drink the ShamWow water. For the most part, it tasted just fine. Maybe a little mineral-y, but not too bad.

It wasn't until the next morning when I realized the physical price I would pay might outshine the $23. I was on the subway, heading to work like a normal person, when I became overheated and fainted on the subway. On the subway! I then came to, got off at the next stop, grabbed a cab home, and spent the rest of the day with a weird, out of the ordinary bellyache. Was the public embarrassment and missed day of work worth the $23 I earned the night before? I'd like to think so.

But what would Obama do? Would he drink the ShamWow and risk his health for $23? In this case, I doubt it. Obams definitely seems like the type to want to have a laugh and some fun every now and again, but risking your health, especially as a public figure? Doubtful.

WWOD: Round One

Like us, you're probably a big fan of President Obama. Unlike us, you probably don't obsess over his smile, his clothes or even his thoughts.

But in reality, there's a lot we could all learn from this man. No matter what he came across on the campaign trail, and no matter what he's already dealt with in the early days of his historical presidency, the man has kept almost unnaturally calm. (There have been countless articles and even parodies already about the way he handles himself.) We will be addressing the man and his manner in a section we like to call What Would Obama Do, because when we get stuck with a problem, instead of solving it ourselves, we're really wondering, WWOD?

Issue No. 1: Talking About Yourself

Over the past few months Robin began working on a series of projects, namely this blog and a line of hair accessories (more to be revealed in posts to come). She failed to mention them to most of her friends because it made her uncomfortable. She's aware that her friends are interested in what's going on in her life, but she gets out-of-control shy and doesn't like to talk about herself.

So what did Robin do? She didn't tell half of her friends about the projects. Then they were confused about why they didn't know about said projects, and she had to explain, "No, no, no — it really isn't you, it's me. I get weird and shy and uncomfortable and sometimes hate drawing attention to myself. You know?"

But sometimes they didn't know.

Which brings us to our point: what would Obama do? Since he's a lefty, and lefties tend to be more cautious and inhibited, we think he would be somewhat hesitant about talking about himself, but then again - he had to make it to the top somehow, right? Maybe he's not shy, but rather just hesitant to gloat. We think he would casually bring his acheivement up in a conversation (perhaps over dinner?), and everything would be ok and right and normal in the world.

That's just the kind of guy he is.