The Obamas Go To Washington

Goodbye Hawaii. Goodbye Chicago. Hello Washington, D.C.

Sidenote: There's a debate going on in one of the threads about Michelle Obama's appearance. Normally, I stay out of such fracas because I honestly don't think its relevant. She's First Lady, not a beauty contestant. But to toss in my two cents -- stop. Nothing good will come of this. I don't like it when people reduce Michelle O. to her body parts and lust all over her. I don't like it when people talk like she's the Queen of Sheba. I don't like it when people accuse her of looking mannish. I goof on how much like Michelle because I do, genuinely, like her and find her fascinating. But there's no need to cut each other over this issue of "beauty" and its many definitions.

So just stop. It's not her job to be pretty. I enjoy that she likes to dress with some flare. I enjoy that she has taken to her role as aspirational figure well. But this isn't America's Next Top Model. This shouldn't be an argument at all because her looks are immaterial to what she truly represents --

The first black First Lady. That pretty much beats beauty queen hands down. If she wears cool clothes on top of that, that's all just extra nuts and syrup on the Sundae.

That said, Daddy/Daughters time! (At the zoo Dec. 30 in Honolulu!) We black folks need our paternal therapy via pictures of Barack hugging his kids. You don't know how happy this makes people feel. Seriously. Black women alone are OD'ing on this right now. It's like the Snickers Bar of Hope. Hug your kids, people!

Christmas In Hawaii: The Obamas Say Goodbye to "Toot"

On Tuesday, President-Elect Barack Obama, his wife Michelle, his sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, and several other friends and family members attended a ceremony in honor of Obama and Soetoro-Ng's grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, whom they called Toot.

After a service at the First Unitarian Church, her ashes were scattered at a seaside memorial in Honolulu. (Photos from Associated Press and Reuters)

More Obama In Hawaii, Now Shirtless

I was going to bury this because it feels so odd to ogle the president, but ... eh, screw it. Shirtless pics are going up top!

He played some golf too. (And yes, I got all ninty-billion of your notes and emails about Obama being shirtless! Yes! I got them ALL!!!)

This is going to be the most awkwardly sexy four-to-eight years ever. Also, are we joining the rest of the world in shirtless world leaders? If so, Hopey McChangey's abs kicks Putin's abs ass. And all disputes between our two countries should be settle with ab-offs.

But, back to serious business now. Nothing to see here! Move along! Enjoy the golfing pictures. Aren't they great? What? No, I don't want to discuss the shirtless pictures. YES, I'm aware I posted them. They're from TMZ and he's allegedly doing the laundry on his washboard abs, they joked. (Shirtless tip from Gawker, of course.)

They were taken along with several others of the family at the vacation home by gossip site Bauer-Griffin. It was a nightmare just to view the few pictures I did on their blog, (the site is all kinds of not working today), but it's worth it. There are tons of pictures on there. Although, if both the Washington Press corps and the paparazzi are all going to stalk the Obamas at once this is going to be an odd presidency.

Obama In Hawaii

Sen. Barack Obama went home to his native Hawaii this weekend to visit his ailing grandmother. News reports said he wanted to see her because he was unable to rush home to see his mother when she was dying. The candidate did not want to miss the chance to see his grandmother in spite of the hectic campaign.

Obama's grandmother raised him while his mother was busy working oversees. Obama was there for her on Friday and returned to the trail on Saturday. Here are some pictures of the recent trip, his reception in Hawaii and of Obama and his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, pictured above with her husband, Stanley.

Going for a walk around the old neighborhood with the Secret Service.

Howard and Doredda Richmond wait with flowers for Obama.

And Janet Coelho holds the board for a board game 'Farolitos Journey' as a gift for Obama.

And returning back to the 48 Saturday morning to head off to a rally in Nevada. Obama told reporters he isn't sure if his grandmother will live to see the election.

Pictures in Hawaii from The Associated Press; family photos from the Obama campaign.