The Last 36 Hours

Election day was an exciting day. Regardless of whom won, history was made. In many ways. Record number of voters went to the polls, record number of people registered to vote. Record number of people became involved the campaign(s) they felt closely reflected their view point(s).

Election judges gave many, many hours of their time getting ready for the election, setting up the polls and helping voters during the election. Poll watchers ensuring that election laws and regulations were followed so voters could exercise their right to vote and challenged things they felt interfered with a person's right to vote. November 4, 2008, and the days leading up to it, was truly a time to remember.

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Aside from voting this election, I participated at the polls as a poll watcher. Yes, you can call me "Officer Froggie" if you wish. It was an amazing experience. It gave me a lot of insight into the election day process and a fresh perspective on the politics behind the event. All the things you "think" would never happen, do actually happen.

It was an amazing experience and can't wait to do it again.

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Instead of recapping the whole day I'll try to hit the highlights. . .

* It's a LONG day. There is no other way to put it. When you dedicate your time to an election (whether it be as an election judge, poll watcher, part of a political group, etc) you are dedicating so much of your time and yourself.

* Opening the Polls is time consuming

- Setting up the voting booths and related equipment.
- Signing off on opening totals/checking opening totals
- Ensuring there is enough parking and signage indicating where the polling place is.
- Checking to make sure there isn't a policy or procedure that has been missed.
- Oh, did I mention this all takes place about an half hour/hour before the poll opens (yes, that means at the bright and early hour of 5/5:30AM)

* Once the Polls are Open

- Lines, lines AND more lines.
- No ID Required - Elections judges aren't allowed to ask someone for their id as part of election day registration process (unless it explicitly says "Check ID" on that person's registration card). All they need to do is make sure the signature on the card matches the signature they sign that day.
- Voter Relations - A variety of problems arise during the day. A majority of them deal with someone not showing as registered, someone is showing invalid and as a result can only vote in the federal election or someone goes to the wrong polling place or didn't register at their new address in time.


* Closing the Polls

- Once the polls are officially closed and the last voter has voted there is a lot to do pack everything up. It takes about an hour to get everything all done and packed up.
- Ensuring the machines scanning/recording the ballots match the number of ballots that were given out by election judges. Matching up the voter registration cards that were pulled from the record books.
- More policies and procedures
- More sign off to ensure the integrity of the information being submitted to the election commission.
- Breaking down the voting booths and voting equipment.

There is much, much more I could write about the experience, but I honestly don't have the time to do so. However, I will say, once again, that it was an amazing experience and I look forward to participating in many more elections to come.

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Other Things Worth Mentioning (all based upon my opinion):

Best Response Given By A Voter Once Told Where Their Correct Polling Place Was -

"Yeah, I know where it is. . . It's by the jail."

Best News Store Posted Online -

Pregnant Woman Goes Into Labor In Voting Line And She Comes Back To Vote Anyway...

Passive Campaigning inside the polling site -

I was amazed that one voters was miffed at me when I asked them to take off a candidate button because you could not have any campaign materials within 100 feet of the polling place. (I am completely serious about this people)

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Waiting for the Returns

Where's the party?

Once the polls were closed, we had shut down our polling place and the polls results are delivered to the election commission one thing is left ... wait for the returns of other polling locations to come back and for winners to be declared.

I had two election night gathering I was invited too. The first one was a big party with a bunch of people I didn't know. It was thrown by the organization from whom I represented at the polls that day. After dropping off my copies of the ballot tapes I joined the fun. Well, that was my intention. After making my way around the room and of course grabbing a bite to eat I realized I really wanted to be at party number two instead of party number one. Don't get me wrong, it was all exciting and great to be in a big room of people you know supported the candidate(s) you did. It was exciting that there was news media there covering an event you were at, but it lacked the really fun and excitement of the evening as party number would provide.

Party number two was with my peeps. We didn't watch the traditional news media report the returns (that is what the internet is for). Instead we made election night fun by watching Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert go at it during Comedy Central's "Indecision 2008: America's Choice." Here's a little taste of what we watched:



Funny news reporting, friends to make you laugh even more than you already were and the anticipation of the results - who could ask for more!?

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In the end the big race of the night was called around 10PM CST (11 EST)

Here are the respective concession and victory speeches. . .


John McCain's Concession Speech



Barak Obama's Victory Speech




I think both individuals did an excellent job in their speeches and conveying to all that it's now time to look to the future.


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Coming full circle -

My election day/night/morning ended for me around the same time it started - just about 24 hours later. I took today off of work because I knew I'd need to catch up on my sleep (and boy did I ever).

When I finally woke I took advantage of the wonderful weather we are having (thank you global warming). I also took the time to look at the outcome of the other races I was interested in. I was pleased with some of the results and others not so much - but that is life.

If I've learned anything from this it's that we as a country can make a different - regardless of whether or not the candidate you support wins or loses. I've learned that corruption does really does exists in the places we don't want to believe it does. I've learned to listen to those that don't agree with me with the intention to understand them better - not to try to persuade them into believing as I do.

On that note, I must run. Until later . . . Ta! Ta!

Off to the Polls

I am impressed if you are able to concentrate on anything else other than the election today.

There will be no knitting in my world today - especially today.

If you haven't voted already, make sure your voice is heard. . . today is the day!

If For No Other Reason. . .

If I haven't made it clear already, to me exercising your right to vote is extremely important in ANY election; ANY year. This is not only a right, it is a responsibility. That said, I think it's even more important this year to exercise this RIGHT; this RESPONSIBILITY.

Starbucks seems to feel the same way. So much so that they are giving all those that vote a free, tall cup of coffee . . . If having your voice heard isn't enough to get you to vote, maybe a free cup of coffee will give you that extra push!



Make sure your voice is heard!

Jam Packed Wrap-Up

It would not be a Sunday evening without 800 things on my mind and a 1000 things to do before the work week starts . . . and of course what am I am doing? Blogging. . . Duh!

Halloween 2008 was fun. My work costume was once again my "Boo" t-shirt and this year I added a purple wig. Actually several people said I looked good with long, purple hair. Hmmm . . . I have been debating whether or not to go back to my natural hair color. Maybe I should go purple instead. (And yes, there was a non-work costume as well)

My pumpkin did not turn out too bad considering it was the first time in years I have carved a pumpkin AND that I have absolutely no artist ability what-so-ever.

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The HFCS Challenge began yesterday and so far so good. I actually had the opportunity to use the eating out loophole however, I did not take advantage of it, I was completely conscious of what I was eating/drinking. So much that I skipped having a Pomegranate Martini (a fave of mine) because it contained pomegranate juice which I would bet dollars to donuts had HFCS in it. Additionally I gave up partaking in a Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich (another fave) even though I was not even at my own home and a sample of the Ginger Pumpkin bunt cake (which could very possibly have had sugar in it, but I did not want to bother the workers at the shop)they had out at another place I was at this weekend. Lastly, I discovered Uncle Ben's puts the forbidden additive in their flavored rice products.

It's going to be a LONG month, but I am truly committed to doing this right. My hope is that if I can cut out a lot of crap during the next 30 days I will be able to continue to do so beyond November 30th. Just another step towards improving myself (cheesy I know, but true). I was out with a friend this weekend who said they wouldn't tell if I cheated. My response to them was, "Yeah, I know, but I would know and that is what matters." We are of course the ones who have to live with the truth of our actions regardless of what we profess to others, right!?
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I saw the movie "W." this weekend. Good movie. Not outstanding, but definitely insightful. I won't get into the details because I don't want to spoil the movie for anyone who hasn't seen it. What I will say is that it very interesting to see how all the events of his life more than likely influenced his first term. I say "more than likely" because I'm sure there was a lot of creative license used to make the movie a good fit for Hollywood.
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The Bears BARELY won. However, both TCU and the Bears won this weekend so it was a good weekend for football.
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My mom and I went to a yarn shop near where she lives and she picked out sock yarn for her birthday socks. Actually, she picked out yarn for two pairs of socks. This is what she picked out:

On Line SuperSocke 100 (Superwash)

AND

Zitron Avanti

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The baby blanket, which is now known to most as the "Huge-Ass Baby Blanket," is almost finished. Just to give you an idea of how large it is, I laid it out on my over-sized ottoman this weekend and it basically covered it. That means it's about 45"W x 30"D - all presuming I castoff where I am at the moment. I have not made a decision about how long I would like for it to be. I did transfer the blanket from the circular needles I've been using to the straight needles I originally started with. I did this mainly because when I am ready to start working on it again I will be able to drape it over my legs so I can keep warm. Yes, now that it is colder on a consistent basis, blanket knitting is once again welcomed because I can stay nice and warm in the process. Try having a blanket draped over your legs in 70/80 degree weather - not comfortable.
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Lastly, my Brangelina hat is a hit. I've worn it out several time and each time I do I get many compliments on it. At least half a dozen people I know have asked me to make them one. Oh, and it's comfy and warm too.

That's all for now. Until later. . . BB!

"No Matter Where You Go, There You Are."

The origin of this is interesting. According to one site, this quote comes from Confucius whereas Christianitytoday.com points the origin of this quote to a biblical connections. There is even a Alternative/Folk song by Luka Bloom called "No Matter Where You Go, There You Are."

And that is just the beginning. . . regardless of its origin, the interruption of this quote can be different from person-to-person. For example take this Blogger's reference and interruption of this quote: Keen: Yin Yan Power. This particular blogger sees this quote talking about where one is in their life and where they are going. When I first heard this quote it was referring to people realizing that they are responsible for their conduct around coworkers even if they are outside of the workplace.

November 4th is approaching fast! It's hard to believe in less than two weeks the fate of Barak Obama and John McCain will be sealed. In the meantime, it's not too late to create these puppets and teach your kids about politics:

* Barak Obama Puppet

* John McCain Puppet

Unfortunately there is not a Joe Biden and Sarah Palin pattern.

Since I am very tired this particular evening that will be it for today. I'll be back again soon. Until then remember . . . "No matter where you go, there you are."

Ciao!

"We Don't Own The Edison Company"

LOL! Just reading the title line makes me laugh. When I was a child my father would say this to me all the time because I would leave my room and not turn off the light. If I had a dollar for each time he said that to me I would have been rich - seriously!


This weekend went by in a flash, again. I was more productive vs prior weekends. I got some projects done around the house that have been lingering. This included organizing my yarn stash. Most of the knitters I know say my stash is nothing. Compared to theirs they are correct. However, for me it is a lot. There are those with container after container after container of yarn. (These are the people you see the day after Christmas at Target hoarding all the storage containers that are on sale. No, they do not have THAT many ornaments; it is really for all their yarn.) Others "store" (more like hide) it in a closet - several of them to be exact. Most interesting place I have heard of someone storing yarn is in a liquor cabinet. Here's a look at my stash:

This Is My Yarn Stash

My Brangelina Hat is finished. It is a quick knit! Just as warm and cozy as my friend's hat. Since one cannot have too many hats I will definitely be making another soon.




Yarn was not the only thing that got cleaned out and organized this weekend. My car did as well. Yep, it was my semi-annual car cleaning. It was nice to rid of all the extra crap that was piling up. It was exciting to find all the shoes I have been missing. The DVD of my first jump was amongst the "other stuff" I found while cleaning out the car. People have a hard time believing I have not watched it yet. I got it so I could mark the event, but it is not something I am running to watch. I am weird about watching myself on a recording. Maybe after I stop jumping then I will - as a reminder of how much fun it is. Until then, I can experience it firsthand.

I am happy to report that the Bears played really well yesterday and won over the Vikings 48- 41. There were some beautiful plays on the Bears part. The point spread was a little too close for my liking (especially since they lost the week before to the Falcons at the very end of the game). A friend of mine was in from out-of-town so we got some eats at a sports bar nearby and watched the game. Recently I realized how much I enjoy watching football. In college if the Frogs were at home there was no question whether or not I would be at the game. I don't know why my interest faded for a few years there.

Kathy G Report


Last week I said I would talk more about Kathy Griffin's show that I saw Tuesday night so here it goes: Best stand-up show I've ever seen. It was even better than watching "My Life on the D List." (Which I find hilarious!) I do have to add that getting to sit main floor, center and close enough to actually be able to make out her face, vs just a speck of a person, was well worth stalking the Ticket Master website just before tickets went on sale. There were parts of the show here and there that were a bit slow, but it did not phase me at all. Her take on Sarah Palin was classic. Her rant about the whole election was great as well. Overall, it was worth every dime spent - and then more.

The next day I, along with millions of others, saw another stand-up comedy routine known as the presidential debate. Unfortunately, I did not find it as funny and ended-up turning it off 30 minutes into the show.

I have had some interesting conversations with others about the election. Many I know are scared about our choices. They truly feel more than ever that it is not a matter of whom is best suited for the position, but more like whom is the lesser of the two evils. We have a lot of serious issues facing our country - I do not envy whomever wins.

That's all I have time for tonight. Until later. . . Ciao!

The First Pictures are In!

WooHoo! I just checked my e-mail and the first pictures are in from the family reunion this weekend. They are awesome! It reminded me that I have a bunch of photos to download myself on my "free" time.

Ok, that's all. . .you can go back to what you were doing.

Keeping a Pulse on the Upcoming Election

Projections as to who the next President will be are being made constantly by many different web sites. Here are two that I think are good sources:

FiveThirtyEight

7-11.com

I'm thinking the 7-11 site is the best one to follow!

Equals

I am not expressing my political opinion in this post necessarily; just merely passing along something that others may deem humorous. . .

FW: Forward this!

I got this today from my mother of all people . . .