What?!?!?

Okay, so perhaps deep down I knew this would happen. I mean, even on NPR I heard an insane amount of people discussing how they were voting for Bush because he is a "good Christian" (whatever that means..). And yes, Mitch Daniels, the new Republican governor-elect (the first Republican Indiana Governor in 16 years) did an excellent job of marketing. A bus tour to local small town festivals is a pretty smart way to connect with the "Everett Man" of Indiana. But despite all the glaring evidence of how this election would end up, I watched in horror into the wee hours of the night- hoping that some mistake would change the electoral numbers....I awoke this morning, dragging myself out of bed to get ready and dragging myself through this day.

Fortunately, I have some wonderful friends and I got to spend the emotional evening with them, drinking Newcastle, snacking away and laughing a lot! There were even a few Bush fans and we all managed to tease with good conscience and no hard feelings.

As Emily, one my close friends and one of last nights participants noted today: "Hopefully by the time our generation and our children compose the majority of voters and politicians, America will have stopped taking its fortune for granted." We truly are a fortunate country and I need to remind myself to not take for granted all the opportunities this country has offered me. However, I also think it is important for us all to be conscious that the opportunities and systems that may be right for us, may not be right for everyone else outside this country...

Now, I'll let it go and move forward with my family, friends, and fellow citizens. I will continue to have faith that those of us who are conscious of a broader world view will eventually shape this nation into one that I can confidently say I am proud of.

Do your civil duty!

Finally, that glorious day is here. Hopefully, it is glorious because it is our chance to get Bush out of the White House! Also, because frankly I am tired of the commercials, the rhetoric, the media coverage and the term "flip-flopping." I have to be honest, I do not feel 100% competent about my vote for John Kerry, but I do feel 100% confident that I want Bush out of office! I am glad that I will be gone for at least the first two years (if not longer) should Bush get reelected, but still I will be in Blair country, which isn't much better! No need to even look down that road yet...tonight I will join my friends with a cake, Ryan's favorite Dank-os, and some beer and watch the coverage....more than anything it will be a good opportunity to see some of those I do not see on a weekly basis, because with our luck the decision will not be official for some time. I'm off to stand in line for a couple hours! To all legal US voters-get to those polls!!!!!!

Hello Old Friend!

Wow, I knew it had been awhile but I didn't realize it had been over a month since I last posted on this blog! From reading the last post on 9/28, it is clear those crises are part of the reason for my absence, but not a valid excuse! October just seem to pass me by...my birthday came and went, along with a few other birthdays of friends and Lecia's wedding over this past weekend. I've written probably 10 entries in my head but have not managed to actually get them on here...The dust is beginning to settle with some of my cases and I am looking to the end of the year to transition out of my job and get on that plane to England! I'm off to a meeting now and feel like I am still recovering from the weekend (when will I learn, wine and rum don't mix!)...but I am documenting the promise to myself to pick up the writing again!