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!

"There's a bad moon on the rise.."

Why is it that full moon always seem to bring out the wackiness in people??? Let me tell you, you may not notice it in your day-to-day, but when you are a social worker it definitely becomes apparent. When you are a social worker who works with a lot of erratic male adolescents, it become even more glaringly (or should I say, glowingly) apparent. I will not go on about the paperwork involved, how I haven't been able to get it done due to crisis after crisis or any other of the goings on of my crazy day today, I will just leave it at this: Damn, I need a drink and cigarette! What I am I going to do when I quit!?!?!? (smoking, that is).

Last stops along the Midwestern way

I had to go to Bloomington today to coordinate a multi-media presentation I am working on with one of my fellas (fellas = clients). It seems like they have done so much to that town since I left oh so long ago (December of 1999)...But,yes, even quaint, historic college towns can be corrupted and likely overrun with strip malls, too. It was a great day to be driving around though! The hints of fall are coming into the air and the sun was shining. I don't what it is, but I can feel it in my bones. As soon as the first hints of Fall hit, I am made aware of it with all of my senses...the smell in the air, that crisp, slightly cool feeling on skin..okay, that's only two out of five...and reading this text my writing once again sounds cliche. But, being in Bloomington adds to those feelings of fall somehow. I think it's the nostalgia of my first couple years on that beautiful campus. Fortunately, my fella was patient with me (and I bought him ice cream) to take him around campus and down a little (appropriate content only) trip down memory lane. Hopefully, I'll make it down there at least once more before I move to England...and hopefully get a little hiking in that time.

No Bullshittin'! I mean it this time.

Yes, no more "I have to do a little bit of this, little bit of that.."! I am actually done and it is in the mail!!! I have my documents verified, incredibly complimentary reccomendations, personal statement complete and it's all in the mail for a measily $17.95. GSCC here I come!

Do you want me to strip for you???

Well, ol' W. just keeps trying, doesn't he? My mother and I discovered this morning as we attempted to fly home from Florida (And no, we were not directly effected by the hurricanes- although many of my family on the gulf side were.) that they now not only want you to remove your shoes when going through security, they now want you to strip down and do a little dance. Ooh, you like that do you???. . . Not at all!!! I felt completely uncomfortable and very pissed off. The lady gave me shit because I didn't have my legs spread wide enough for her as she stuck her "metal detector" between them...Truth of the matter is I happen to have thick thighs and she did not need to be getting that close to my crotch, thank you very much! Then she proceeded to pad me down all around my torso including the lining of my bra! I mean come on, just ask me to take off my shirt. This was a total invasion of privacy and completely absurd, especially given I was dressed minimally for the early morning flight with just a t-shirt, shorts and none of the usual jewelry or flair. I really don't think all this Big Brother shit is necessary...I mean do you think those evil terrorists are always going to be seeking a plane to do their dirty work? Is that old man in a wheel chair really all that much of a threat? Or that stressed out mom and her toddler? Let's be sensible, now! As, my mother said, they'll probably lay off after the election.
Well, hopefully I won't have to fly to Florida for the holidays this winter! That way I won't have to worry about it until I fly over seas to live for two years...They'll love me then!

Damn those hurricanes!

Headed to Florida at the end of the week....It looks like Ivan is going for the gulf/panhandle area of Florida right now, but whose to say? That could all change quickly! Being a "midwesterner" originally from Florida, I don't think these land-locked folks get it when they joke about all of Florida being wiped out! That's basically my entire family you're talking about! It looks like most of my folks won't be to heavily effected, though some on the gulf side might just miss it. I guess we'll find out when we fly in Thursday for a weekend of baby shower madness!

And I thought I was done with the hard part!

Well, looks like I have a little more work to do on my GSCC before I can actually claim it is done! Three more little essays/personal statements to be exact! But, hopefully, with some guidance, I will have it in the mail to TTM by next Friday. Once it is actually in the mail it will all be downhill from there!

A weekend celebrating the fruits of our labors

Ah, Labor day. All I can say is I'm glad this weekend is just about over! While fun, having my brother, sister-in-law and kids in town for the Labor Day weekend, plus, getting wasted two nights in a row with various work colleagues and good friends....was a little much. I am getting too old to drink cocktail after cocktail and survive the next day happily. But over all, it was a memorable weekend (to say the least).