I was several minutes early and wore heels and something black that showed off plenty of leg because that’s what I do. PG was late by maybe 10-15 minutes and immediately went to the restroom upon arrival (which annoyed me). When he came to the table and we started talking, he kept shifting around in his seat and was clearly trying to sit in a way that would make him look cool, although he was obviously uncomfortable. Not to sound awful, but I believe that he thought I was gorgeous (he made several comments which led me to this conclusion) and also feel that it made him uncomfortable. We ordered drinks (wine for me and a mixed, girly cocktail for him), started talking, and I ended up going through my recent life story (the story of my son, job, life, etc.) and he kept remarking how incredible I was and that I was “such a strong woman.”

Anyway, he told me about working in DC at a think tank and then about his recent travels and his story about all of that was great, actually. And then he told me more about these two books he is currently writing on Pakistan and the Presidency in the United States and I realized that this guy is a mah-jor politico, which is great for the world I suppose, but something I am so not interested in, which means that even if we get along great, this relationship is doomed. When I was in my early 20s, I once dated a guy who was really into politics and I felt like I had to study the NYT before every date so I wouldn’t sound stupid. I now realize of course that just because I don’t care about politics, that certainly doesn’t mean I’m stupid; Politics simply aren’t an interest of mine and that’s ok. I also feel that plenty of guys (younger ones, especially) feel they have to talk about current events in order to prove that they’re real men and that drives me crazy.

But anyway, back to this story… So we have another drink and discuss science fiction books (a dorky indulgence of mine) and it’s time for me to go. We walk out together and down two blocks before I tell him that I’m getting into a cab. PG says he’s taking the subway to someplace where he can take the train to somewhere in New Jersey (clearly, I was sooo interested, right?). Anyway, we say goodbye and he goes in to grab my waist to pull me into him and kiss me, but I block it with my ninja-like reflexes, square off my shoulders, and instead grab his shoulders and plant an air-kiss a couple of inches away from his right cheek. Immediately after, I jump into a cab and head home to kiss someone else–my sweet, sleeping 5 year old.

The next day, he sends me a text and tell me that he’s going to read one of the sci. fi. authors I recommended (Samuel R. Delany) while he takes the train to DC. I tell him to read Babel 17 because I believed he would enjoy it and he says he will. After his weekend trip, PG send the following text message: “Finished [the book]….now I need to discuss the implications w you!”

I don’t respond as I’m not interested in further this relationship and figure that if he’s a smart guy, he’ll get the hint. But about a week or so later I get a long voicemail from him asking about going out again and rambling about the book, which I also do not respond to (because I know that with some guys, you give them an inch and they take a mile).

And here’s where things get a little strange: So a week or two after he leaves the voicemail, I get the following (long) text sent at 7:13pm: “So, casey, listen. I’m not giving up. We need to be friends. You are simply too fascinating to let you fall by the wayside. I’ve started dating someone fairly seriously, so it’s not about that. But the thought of not being able to get together every couple of months – to soak up your brilliance, good sense, sci fi knowledge, and the captivating stories of your life – is an inconceivable outcome!”

I read it to several girlfriends and my entire office, and decide to end this once and for all because, as he says, he isn’t giving up. So I respond the next day with: “We really don’t have that much in common at all – and as important as politics are, they aren’t interesting to me. I just don’t think we have enough to build a friendship on, and honestly, I’m already spread too thinly. Hope you have a good summer.”

Done, right? Right?! Nope. Three days later, at 11:23pm, he responds with this totally weird, WTF message: “As you wish. However, I’ve found that, as time passes, the universe tends to orient itself in my favor & my view is proven correct, whether it’s on the wearing of pocket squares or the collapse of the housing market. So the door is always open if circumstances change. Also, once the pakistan & presidency books are done, I may finally get around to writing my sci-fi project, so thanks for introducing me to delany.”

What?! Dude, “the universe tends to orient itself in my favor & my view is proven correct” – are you kidding me? As Chelsea Handler would say: What. A loser. Anyway, I see no point in responding so I’m not, but I do see several more oddballs my future if I continue to try to meet men only through these online dating sites… so I’m going to do something about it. I’m starting a Wingwoman Club. We’re going to go out, flirt with boys, and hopefully meet some real men along the way. More information about all of that soon, but can you believe this PG? Ugh, at least I stopped things right away. Remember that politico that Carrie Bradshaw dated who wanted to pee on her? Eww.

Let’s start with Michelle: comfortable, confident, and would you look at those toned arms! Wearing Jason Wu, her wedding ring, some simple earrings and not much else, Mrs. Obama looks perfectly at home on the cover of the world’s most influential fashion magazine.

What’s really great about this cover is that it has nothing to do with the fashion, but everything to do with the woman. The clothing is simply the backdrop and just becomes her. Even the headlines are appropriate, which is also something I feel hasn’t happened for awhile at Vogue.

See more images from the Annie Leibovitz-shoot done the Hay-Adams Hotel in DC last month, and read Andre Leon Tally‘s story Leading Lady now at Style.com

Yes, Michelle Obama wore a red and black dress by Narciso Rodriguez the day her husband won the presidential election. She’s worn Thakoon. She’s embellished her dresses with Erickson Beamon brooches. She wore a dress from White House | Black Market when she appeared on The View. She’s even worn leggings and owns a belt by Azzedine Alaïa. She also wears color.

And OMG, she wore a beaded lemongrass-colored Isabel Toledo frock the day of the inauguration and a pretty, prom-ish one-shoulder gown by Jason Wu for the inaugural balls. So, after all of that, Michelle Obama is fashion’s new savior – and of course she’ll be gracing the March 2009 cover of Vogue.

The thing is: Michelle is to the fashion industry what Barack is to the entire nation, and perhaps the world – she’s a symbol of hope; a symbol of change; a symbol away from the good ol’ boys – a step in a new direction.

About five years ago I decided to pour my heart and soul into the fashion industry even though it pays nothing and most people don’t respect it (or the people who work in it) at all. I have always believed that fashion holds tremendous power – that designers are artists in their own right, that publicists are creative individuals, that fashion assistants are some of the most passionate people I have ever met – that it is as powerful visually as it is in countless other ways. A dress is a dress, sure, but some dresses are much more than that.

While I do not believe that one person alone can save an entire nation, or even a single industry, I do believe that a single person can inspire infectious hope in others. So let Michelle Obama’s fashion choices inspire you not only to simply go out and buy green gloves from JCrew, but to forge ahead in a brand (ha ha) new direction.

This year’s election has sparked interest in many fashionable people including Pharrell Williams, Jay-Z, Russell Simmons, designers Maria Cornejo, Vera Wang, Alexander Wang, Charles Nolan, Tory Burch, Narciso Rodriguez, Zac Posen, Nanette Lepore, Tracy Reese, Lutz & Patmos, Juicy Couture, Rachel Roy, Rag and Bone, Derek Lam, Isaac Mizrahi, Diane von Furstenberg, Marc Jacobs, Proenza Schouler, Brian Reyes, Jeffery Costello and Robert Tagliapietra – and they’re all contributing their talents to the Obama campaign with ‘Runway to Change‘

Roy’s scarf is great (but I’m a total scarf-girl), Wang’s tank is uber cool (and it’s only $45), and Derek Lam’s tote ($75) does the best at making politics pretty. Really people, who needs the presidential debates when you can just go shopping?

I just wonder why Thakoon isn’t part of this since he’s dressing Michelle Obama left and right these days… (and thanks to my politically minded fashionable friend Brooke for pointing this out to me!)

And while I hated Bazaar’s American Dream story starring the horrible Tyra Banks, their latest (and very serious) political celebrity feature is nothing short of fabulous.

No longer in the big house, Bazaar puts Paris Hilton in the White Pink House. According to the mag, Paris has a supersize ego, is used to dealing with juicy scandals, and certainly understands out-of-control spending, so she’d be perfect as president. Read below for a selection of their Politically Incorrect article along with my much-needed comments:

Harper’s Bazaar: How would you describe your presidential style?

Paris Hilton: I pledge to support the American workforce by wearing only American designers: Calvin Klein between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Donna Karan the rest of the year. Unless I wake up and the day is screaming for me to put on a bikini for my fellow Americans. Country first.

Casey: Calvin Klein, Donna Karan? Great designers, yes, but those are the good ol’ boys of fashion. What about the small emerging American designers? You know Paris, Michelle Obama has rocked Thakoon at least twice now.

HB: Who will be your vice president?

PH: Rihanna, of course. She’s hot.

Casey: Rihanna is hot, no doubt, but seriously – what about the winner of your new MTV show? How will your new BFF feel when you drop her like she’s hot? I guess it doesn’t really matter. Maybe she could be an intern.

HB: How do you intend to redecorate the White House?

PH: In these trying economic times, I believe the White House should have a minimalist touch: open floor plan, glass and steel, throw pillows, and an infinity pool.

Casey: The infinity pool is a great addition. I also think that if you should have a rotating round bed installed and stripper poles placed in every room – you might want to beef up the camera surveillance as well.

HB: Please summarize your presidential platform.

PH: I will carry out a foreign-policy platform that will transform America’s role in the world to that of a proactive, not reactive, superpower that will use diplomacy and incentives to head off trouble in unstable regions before they unravel out of control. I will also be wearing platform shoes when I meet with foreign dignitaries to accentuate my well-toned calves.

Casey: I second the wearing of platforms.

HB: Who will you appoint to your cabinet posts?

PH: I won’t have a cabinet; I will have a closet. A giant walk-in closet with all styles of advisers, like Michael Kors, Kanye West, Diane von Furstenberg, Naughty by Nature, Stephen Hawking, Madonna, Karl Lagerfeld, and, of course, Tinkerbell.

Casey: OMG – what about Rachel Zoe?! I Die!!

HB: Who will you invite to stay overnight in the Lincoln Bedroom?

PH: I want to put an end to only large financial contributors, lobbyists, inside-the-Beltway fat cats, and corporate bigwigs getting to sleep in the Lincoln Bedroom. I will keep that room open only for people for whom it is too late to drive after attending one of my secret-underground-bunker-after-hours parties.

Casey: Come on Paris – you can tell us! Is it Benji? Who?

And if you haven’t seen her fabulous campaign video, please do so now and then vote below, bitches!

This weekend I was surrounded by boys who did little but talk about Sarah Palin (McCain’s newly appointed vice-presidential candidate), her kid with down syndrome, her pregnant 17-year-old daughter, and any possible conspiracy theory they could find online.

Fashion has also gone all political on me as well. The industry is all abuzz over Michelle Obama and her simply astonishing sense of fashion. Her favorite designer (and Chicago native) Maria Pinto has enjoyed quite a lot of coverage lately (including quite a write-up in The New York Times), but Thakoon hit a high note on Thursday, when Michelle wore a dress from his pre-spring 09 collection during the Democratic National Convention. She always wore some more brooches by Erickson Beamon.

And unfortunately, you know that Michelle Obama was the inspiration behind Harper’s Bazaar’s September spread of Tyra Banks posing as the first lady in their story ‘American Dream‘ – more like American nightmare, but whatever.

The thing is, I agree that Michelle Obama has a much better sense of style than those in political circles seem to have, but I also feel like the fashion industry is going crazy about it. Other fashion bloggers have written about the fact that she choose a dress by Thakoon, ‘fashion insider favorite’ like it’s the most telling thing in the world. Like, she’s so in, she’s the next Jackie-O, she’s gonna save our industry, etc… I think, ‘maybe she shops at Barneys’ or ‘maybe she has a stylist’.

Anyway, I guess I’d better get used to all of this political drama and talk ’cause it isn’t going away any time soon…