And what's with Minnesota?

The fact that there still is no end to the Franken-Coleman standoff since I 'disappeared' in January is quite apalling! Come on people, let's get on with it already!

Returned From the Abyss!

Wow! Yes I did fall off the face of the earth . . .and hopefully am now returning.

The day BEFORE the Inauguration, my work partner was heading out of the house on one of our many icy mornings, and fell--breaking her arm (and we all know that we try to break a fall with our dominant arm, right?!).

Anyway, the world went tilt on Inauguration Day, but not for all the reasons I expected! My partner-in-crime was in surgery as Obama was sharing his thoughts on what lay ahead--and was out for some time after. I was more than happy to pick up the pace to try filling in the gaps, but it has left me little time for much else beyond laundry & sleeping!

She is coming along well--now has the pins out, the cast off, and is actually starting to write with her dominant hand again! Yeah!! I'm beginning to see the end in sight of this siege--looking forward to a day off sometime soon. The auto-pilot mentality will likely start wearing off in the near future--and I'm thankful that I work with a great group of people (even more than usual!).

It was the day before the 'new era' when I posted last, and so much has happened. I am still in awe of my new President--and the fact that he can be articulate, energized, and a leader in such a dark time. Many of my first wins have happened--Guantanamo, CIA renditions, stem-cell prohibitions, gag-rules on birth control counseling . . . may it continue.

Caught an interview with a Obama staff member recently & when asked about health care he actually responded that there is another approach beyond either cutting benefits or raising taxes to pay for the existing (broken) system. I still have hope . .

I also still have hope that spring will come--which is has not, despite the calendar's version. This has been the coldest, darkest, dreariest winter for a very long time--and I am truly ready for it to be OVER!

So--I will try anew to be regular with some posts. Hope the last two months have treated you all well.

One Day Left!

Are you excited? Are you ready? Only 24 hrs to go!
I admit: I've dared to get excited--to get hopeful--to get ready for a change. Whatever lies ahead, it IS a step in the right direction. All of the Inaugural hype aside--this IS a time to celebrate, to come together.

We've not been successful in getting tomorrow declared a holiday at work, so I have no doubt that we will be grouped around our respective computers to listen/watch the live feeds available--I don't want to wait for the replays and analysis later in the day. But the evening will be a time of celebration as the next chapter begins! The embarrassment & shame of the last eight years will FINALLY be over! I'm ready...

25 days--can we just start now!?

With all of the frenzy over the weather, the holidays arriving, you look away and then look back: it's less than four weeks away until the Obama inauguration! 25 days!!
Information abounds about all of the new appointments, new faces, new influences on the soon-to-be Obama administration. I liked this link I found today as a quick reminder, overview for the whole team (even though there was music involved!); have a feeling that I'll return for a reminder here & there as things get 'underway'.
The annual poll 'who do you admire most' just conducted has Obama far ahead of any other (over 35%)--which is a great place to be starting a 'trial-by-fire' term. (First time since Eisenhower that an incoming president-elect filled that slot. Of note, GW Bush is 2nd (5%) & J McCain is 3rd (about 3%), and Sarah Palin is 2nd for most admired women (about 11%). Dang--still! Hillary, however, still reigns in the #1 spot--and has mostly maintained that spot for over fifteen years. Again, a good thing for the incoming administration that 'the public' starts with good thoughts at the beginning of what certainly will be a long slog.
I was reminded this week that not all of us were winners on the home front in November. My Arizona brother pointed out that even though collectively we all gain from Janet Napolitano moving to the Obama cabinet, the governor's seat will revert from blue to red at home; and Senator/candidate McCain had some coat tails at home which moved the state legislature to firmly red both houses. The Arizona flip flop from blue to red to blue over & over is not a new surprise, but it is disappointing that our national gain enhanced their loss at home.
In other national winner/loser catch up, however, we may have gotten a Christmas eve present from the Minnesota supreme court: it looks like Al Franken may really be 'the one', can you believe it? Although the certification of the election (which will surely have court battles to follow) is not expected until after New Years, Franken is now 46 votes ahead. So the 'unknown' senators are narrowing down.

Yes, We Did!

Wow! Just back from my week away--and just back to a computer. Was able to gather at a TV with good friends and a bottle of champagne Tuesday night, though! Hardly the words available to describe feelings--what a great thing to motivate people to be 'back to the streets'! Humbling, gratifying, hopeful, moving...

On the local front--we barely squeaked by on the Governor's race (but we made it!) and it looks like a 20-plus year gridlock on our County Commissioners is finally over--although one is still pretty close & not finalized. Looks like Al Franken is into recount-land--oh so close but may be losing.

The only major disappointment: what is with California and Prop 8?! (A friend said: maybe the newly chosen 'demon' has emerged...) All in all, though, much to be grateful for & celebration abounds.

November 4th

May the force be with us all . . .we'll know soon enough. Peace.

Escaping & Retreating

Wow, the countdown continues & the month is nearly over. Fall is definitely in the air & the days continue to get shorter. Unusual for us: we've had little rain for this season, & the clear days/nights make for cold temps & uncommon color all around.
Five days remaining until we know the outcome of the elections--we have some hotly contested ones locally, as well as the 'whole-world-is-watching' presidential race; so much is at stake. On the work front, he-who-shall-not-be-named has finally made the move--the coup has begun (otherwise described as careening down the ravine with a fully loaded bus without a driver..). I'm only adding that (major) fact to the economic & political stressors to set the scene: I'm outta here for almost a week!
My twice-a-year and much loved retreat at Warm Beach starts Thursday (evening, for me). Then on Sunday, I start a design class 'retreat' with a teacher I really enjoy, Reynola Pakusich, in nearby LaConner that goes through Wednesday evening. Fun town, great class, new friends.
Wow, six days of creating--I can hardly wait! It's a bit daunting to be 'away from home' for the November 5th returns when our whole future hangs in the balance. I'm sure we'll all be taking turns Tuesday night running back to the TVs in our rooms to follow the events (the 'rules' have already been provided: no politics! Right!).
Wishing calmer & saner times for all of us--with peace on all of our minds. I have no doubt there will be plenty to talk about after I'm back! Take care...may the force be with us all.

I Voted . . .

We don't have the benefit of going to the polls this year...all the ballots are mail in this time. I always look forward to the trip--place to see everyone, get a sense of how busy or not the day has been so far, etc.--and getting my sticker! Will have to 'award' myself this time. Mail-in ballots do give the advantage of open-book answers, though, so there is some benefit to that--less 'point-and-shoot' by many I think. Anyway--don't forget to do the same, whether it's November 5th or before...

Palin Pranks

Wow, less than two weeks to go & the pressure seems to be building. Or maybe it's just my internal pressure cooker with 'anxiety' on high--what will become of us November 4th? The electoral college projections now have Obama with a 2:1 lead but I can't quite adjust to the fact that we may actually win this thing.
So--with that in mind, I'm easily distracted into 'let's play with Sarah' land--it's just so easy! (I'm thinking the McCain campaign would have done better hiring Tina Fey for the last two months--she's better at Sarah than Sarah!) I'm amused at the flurry over the RNC spending $150 K to dress the 'hockey mom' for the road--and especially at McCain saying 'it's not important; we'll be donating the wardrobe to charity'. Somehow, I think a street person wouldn't view Sarah's ensembles as the best road gear available. (Are they thinking they will be museum pieces?!)
So with that little whirlwind in mind, I just LOVE this picture of Sarah in Nevada with her patriotic scarf; do you think she hasn't learned her animals yet? Come on people, this is truly embarrassing...even from the other side of the ticket! Gotta love it though! And if I were Sarah, I'd keep having fun while it lasts, because going home to her ever deepening quagmire must look pretty sobering. Troopergate is expanding, there's been some 'let's impeach' efforts, and now she's getting nailed for allowing the state of Alaska to pay for her kids' travels-along-with-mom.
So, meanwhile let's keep fighting the good fight--we can't let up now. EVERYONE has to vote. Estimates are this will be the highest voter turnout any of us will have experienced in our lifetime. Bring it on! I'm hoping I (and you) will sleep better come November 5th...

Some Encouraging News as the Countdown Continues...

Hey, I just checked a blog site that I haven't been to for awhile "Five Thirty Eight"--it was a Blog of Note in September & I visited then a few times. It's a pretty heady compilation of 'all' the polls, trends for this November's election--more than you ever care to know about the national, as well as some state info. (The 538 is the number of electoral votes available when electing the president, in case you'd forgotten as I did...)
Anyway--in September it was just after the GOP convention, and things were certainly trending into McCain/Palin land. Today, though, the numbers look much different--and for me, much better than I was currently feeling; definitely trending way up in Obama's favor. I know things can change alot in the days left ahead, but I find it encouraging. Take a look; I'm including it in my list of sites to follow (in the margin).
Also--I mentioned the Mudflats site right after the Palin bomb was dropped by McCain (i.e. "Mudflats: tiptoeing through the muck of Alaska politics"). I've continued to read regularly; he's (or I assume it's a 'he'...) such a great writer & it is worth some brief moments of comic relief (if not sadly ironic tales & factoids) while watching the Alaska experience up-close-and-personal not only in the Palin craze & the investigation on the home front, but also the Ted Stevens drama. So if you haven't yet, take a brief drive-by--the link is in the right margin.
The time is now for Obama--on to tomorrow night's debate...

Every vote will count--your future depends on it!

You may have already seen this--but was new to me last night.
Besides a great message, it's just plain fun to watch.
The final month countdown has begun . . .

Really Wish it Made Me Feel Better...

Joe Biden has been 'my guy' since I moved to Delaware the year he was elected to Congress. I've followed him all these years & was thrilled when he was Obama's choice. After watching the Couric interview with "her", I was sure last night was going to be a slaughter--and I was so ready for it!!!
Alas--although Joe didn't disappoint me, it was not the match I was hoping for. Who loaded SP's little memory/speaking banks in seven days? Although a less than lustrous performance, she held her own better than I would ever have guessed (despite those ridiculous winks Joe M. described so well!). And who has stolen all of her -ing endings?! It is NOT folksy--it just sounds ignorant! No one seems to care that she seldom answered the questions posed--and do we get it now that she's the little energy diva?!
OK--*sigh*--onto the next presidential debate...

From This Little Blue Corner of the Country

Wow! What a week that was--an exhilarating four days culminating in the mass of humanity at Mile High Stadium truly did the heart good; actually gives me reason to hope. It was such a great four days!!

And THEN--to have the McCain camp pull Palin out of the hat! It doesn't get much better than that! What can they be thinking?! I had much fun instantly finding plenty to read about her; here's one of my favorites so far; I think this (Alaska) guy's blog will be fun to follow as the campaign unfolds--and may be fun just in general. (See the Aug 29th post: What is McCain Thinking? for the quick version of who IS Sarah Palin.)

Eagleton comes to mind; I think the impulsive rush to find the woman's vote (ANY woman...) will surely backfire in the end for them. I find it encouraging--but then Jim reminds me that we reside in the Soviet of Puget Sound. THIS finds the decision highly offensive except that it's just such a joke. We'll see who's laughing by November...

She's a Winner After All

OK--we got through day two and I was not disappointed in Hillary's appearance. Despite many nay-sayers out there, I thought she was graceful, forceful, and delivered the most important message: we all have to stick together & hold the course. "Were you voting for me? or the issues we care about?"

As someone late to the Obama table, it felt right & enough--but I keep reading about others who are still unsatisfied. Hard to imagine how one could truly honor Hillary--and the great candidate she has been--and even think of voting for McCain!

And how about that Chelsea?! There's a future candidate in the making! You go girl!

Women's Equality Day 2008

Have to admit it...I didn't get a lot of Olympics time in, but I'm getting my daily dose from Denver 2008.

August 26th of each year is designated as Women's Equality Day. Instituted by Rep. Bella Abzug (one of my heroes) and first established in 1971, the day commemorates the passage of the 19th Constitutional Amendment, which gave U.S. women full voting rights in 1920. We should all be humbled by the event which is just 88 years ago--and we have miles to go before we sleep.

How fitting that two of my favorite women are most certainly at the top of the news review for this 48 hours: Michelle Obama & Hillary Clinton! I was really uplifted by Michelle's opening Monday night--felt like she nailed it. ("..make the choice out of hope, not fear") And what a contrast she is to the "Stepford Wife" that we will be seeing next week at the 'other' convention.

It would truly be a treat to have two very engaged, intelligent voices in the house of white, and the energy of a young family. Looking forward to Hillary's time tonight--am hopeful that she can continue to heal the wounds & move us to a much needed united front.

It was also wonderful to see Ted Kennedy for what must surely have been his last hurrah. He will be a part of the mosaic even to the end.

Is The Fat Lady Singing?

Wow...looking at the (incomplete) returns from the 'Potomic primary' today, and seems like this really might be it. Not even Valentine's Day & the frenzy is pretty much behind us. I'm having a bit of a hard time believing it...but I guess I can live with it. There will be plenty of time to debrief & analyze all of it, but for now--I still want to take a little time & do the 'wow--how did that happen, exactly?'

Meanwhile:
congratulations to Devin--a delegate to the County Caucus in April (elected at the Caucus on Saturday...).
Pats on the back to Nick for rejoining us with much welcomed pictures today (go, Nick!) Zack, welcome home soon!
And here's to hoping that all of the infirm workers of the world heal & return to their rightful location!

In case you've missed some of the recent blogs highlighted, check these three silly ones out: http://photowebs.blogspot.com/ (not sure why the too cutesy kid/dogs are there today--but I've really enjoyed their previous topics...)
http://foundinpockets.blogspot.com/ (not even sure why I like it...maybe from years of doing laundry?)
http://wichone.blogspot.com/ (in honor of Joe & Tom; took me a little while to figure out the site--then they made it easy once they became 'famous' and posted an explanation!)

(and PS on an unrelated topic--the fat lady was signing at the Grammy's the other night; now I LOVE Aretha, but come on: not the best apprearance in a gold strapless gown...!)

The Morning After

The nation is reflecting my tentative hope--and also my ambivalence!

Can I really dare to believe that someone I have some confidence in, faith in, likemindedness with, will actually make it out in November?

Is it possible that the 'other guys' are really gonna take back the party and step away from the fundamental, moralistic rhetoric? Almost too good to be true--except this is the morning after & it seems to be in-the-news and not just in my dreams.

For so long it's felt like we've been on this little island (almost falling off into the ocean) that is part of the disappearing thread of blue on either side of the country. That I'm on a bus that I have no similarity with my companion riders--and (worse yet!) with a crazed bus driver from a surrealistic world that I can't understand. But today it's starting to feel like there are little blue outcroppings all over the country--screaming to be heard. And there are many red outcroppings saying 'no more'. It's not quite a Tsunami--but it's enough for me today. I can keep going for a little while longer to see if the little sprout of hope actually takes root.

And it might be just in time--or even too late. Just heard a Terry Gross interview that chilled my blood (that was just starting to warm...). The newly unveiled Bush-Cheney budget has the largest military spending package since WWII--without including the 'extra' spending of the current war (just a small footnote, right?). We're talking in trillions of dollars here. Now I know that the 'proposed' budget is never what truly comes to pass, but we have ten more months to get through, and the 'legacy builders' most certainly will do their best to finish what they've started while we're all distracted with the November build up.

Today, though, I'm going to revel in Devin's (and his growing cohort's) heart-felt enthusiasm for just a little while longer--and feel encouraged. I will hope for the mobilization of every one of us that have felt paralyzed, or hopeless, or so isolated in our tiny blue worlds that we've stopped dreaming. I'm hoping for many more 'mornings after' like this one...it's a place to start.