Oopsies 12:53 AM

If I found myself in such a predicament of having this body I had to get rid of, I would call:

My Hubby – he’s level-headed, intelligent and supportive (even if he might disapprove or have a few choice words about the situation). And could take it to his grave without ever telling another person.

He comes from good stock, so I’d also reach out to his parents. They are the type to take care of their own – his mother is very much a mother hen and would do whatever it takes to protect her chicks. And they aren’t afraid to get dirty.

And he must have a good judge of character, because I wouldn’t hesitate to call Hubby’s best friend (our long-time friend) because he’s of the same upbringing of doing what it takes to help out a friend (usually just in return for a handle of Crown, but perhaps this favor would require two) and can keep it to himself.

My Littlest Brother –The Black Sheep of the family. As such, he has had his share of run-ins with the law, so can’t judge. Also, he probably knows someone who knows how to do it properly. I’m just saying, he runs in that kind of circle. Well, maybe not quite that kind of circle, but all of those circles are kind of intertwined, right?

I’m not sure I would call Niki, because she’s got a duty and taken an oath, right? And I wouldn’t want to put her in that situation. Or is the oath of “do no harm” a medical thing and the duty to uphold the law is if you are an officer of the law? And maybe it only counts in the state where she practices, so since she’s all the way up in NC and I’m down here in GA, we might not have a problem after all? Or, at the very least I could call her with some hypothetical questions about “my friend” that finds herself in this predicament and I’m sure she’d help me out.

Runeth over 1:06 AM

We had a run-off election this week, so I didn't dare miss my opportunity to flash Megs my boob, er, sticker shot! I had a lot of look going on that day - I was clearly feeling vibrant.

They were kind enough to hand out stickers to my kids, too!

Election Results, by Pen 9:30 AM

To recap, I’m a registered Independent who has now officially voted three different ways for President in an election: Republican, Democrat, and Throw-Away (hey, I was 18). In this race, I began as an on-the-fencer and evolved from a brief Obama voter into a full-fledged NObama/McCain supporter. I never expected for a moment that the Repubs would win, although I will admit to a few brief, wayward fantasies. The fact of the matter is that although I certainly didn’t agree with all of his proposed policies, and I was a little skeptical of his reaching-across-the-aisle wishy-washiness, I truly respected John McCain as a candidate and as a truly great American by the end of the race. I’d cast my vote for him all over again. As such, it doesn’t really matter, and though I felt completely glum about it yesterday, I woke up today feeling slightly less miffed and am ready to recap my thoughts on…

The Election:

1. Nearly everyone and everything I voted for lost. With the exception of those offices where there was only one candidate, or those offices where there were three winners, my ballot was pretty much a dud. It doesn’t make me feel real good.
2. And if I lived in California, I would never have voted to ban gay marriage, and well, that wouldn’t have been effective, either. Downright depressing.
3. However, I was very proud this time to have fully done my research on every office I voted for, rather than a few shameful willy-nilly votes on ballots past. I only left one position blank, because I really couldn’t find any information on either person… It was for the local Soil/Water Conservation Department Supervisor, to which I was kind of like, why is this on the ballot? anyway.
4. My state, intriguingly, held out gray as the longest, until (I think) it was finally declared blue. Called that one, even though we apparently haven’t voted blue since Carter. To which I say, Exactly.
5. So, Obama. My original, brief, and theoretical vote for him stemmed from my prediction of national mood. It would have been ugly if he didn’t win. Really ugly.
6. Instead, the general national mood is now intensely positive, empowered, optimistic, etc. And I really do think that’s a good thing. America needs a big dose of that at this moment in time, truly.
7. However, put quite simply: I can’t say I fully get it. I can wrap my head around certain aspects of this victory, obviously, such as the historic and symbolic significance of the first black President, as well as the power of a party to rally and after the last two disappointing elections, push their decision through and even make it a landslide. Really, I get that; I voted Kerry in the last election to no avail, I was right there with you.
8. But my mind cannot block out the Dark Side. The shadows. In my attempt to make the most responsible, fully informed decision in this Presidential race, there was quite a bit about the Obama campaign that bothered me. Disturbed me, even.
9. And above all in this election, it really bothered me that the mainstream media (MSM) failed to apply equal scrutiny to the Democratic campaign, and specifically Obama as a candidate. No candidate should be painted by the MSM as a saint. For heaven’s sake, white, black, purple with green polka dots, we are talking about politicians here. I still feel like so much was brushed under the rug, which leaves me feeling even more skeptical, distrustful, and disappointed in the MSM, who as much as possible should serve as our watchdog over pushing their own agenda. If the MSM had at the very least brought some of the darker accusations surrounding Obama to the headlines and investigated those claims, proving them to be true or false, one way or the other, I would have felt much more comfortable with the course and outcome of this election. At least we would all be informed of more than the cost of Sarah Palin’s wardrobe.
10. Finally, and I say this less as a disappointed, this-time Republican voter than an individual who was born inherently skeptical of Rock Stars, who (usually to my detriment, socially speaking) refuses on principle to rally around the charismatic-types: I’m nervous. I know I might feel differently if our new President’s agenda fully matched my own ideals, but as it stands, I don’t believe in political magic wands. Charisma, to me, is a surface attribute only, not fully reflective of a person’s character and abilities. I need more, to be sold. I’m not close-minded, I can be persuaded. But I need more.

Well, we’re here now. So: Impress me. Go ahead, I’m ready to see what you’ve got.

To end on a more positive note, I am looking forward to having a President who inspires people, even children!—remember when kids would say they wanted to be President when they grew up? We could see that again. Also, a President whom other nations respect, who will maybe not make the US look foolish. And a President who can string together a proper sentence. It will be nice not to cringe when the man speaks, preemptively mortified on his behalf.

Who knows, maybe at the end of 4 or 8 years, our nation really will be all the better. I know a lot of you truly think so, and I do sincerely hope you’re right.

It was last Wednesday, but still 11:45 AM

Rock It. Check It. Just Do It. 6:55 AM

Vote, people.

Today is ELECTION DAY.

Whatever your party affiliation - or even if your party affiliation is "Yes, I like to" - get out and vote. Whether you want to say "yes we can" or "you betcha" - it's your right to do it. Pachyderm or pack mule, get on your feet and make your way to the polling place. It's time for change - whatever you think that means...a changing of the guard, a changing of the party in control, a changing of the name that comes after President. And you need to help usher in that change. Be a maverick. Be an agent of change. Please, please, please - exercise your right.

If you're waffling, watch this scene from Iron-Jawed Angels, HBO's film about the women's suffrage movement. If it doesn't make you want to go out and vote, I don't know WTF will.

It's your voice. Use it.