Election Day

I had another post all ready to go but I figured there was no getting around the fact that all anyone would care to talk, read, or think about is the election. Diosa texted me at oh-dark-thirty and Bookgirl called before I'd finished my first cup of morning coffee.

Now, I'm in California and The Dol (D.O.L. or Daughter of Liberty) got me to sign up for permanent absentee ballot, so I've got just the slightest sense of all-dressed-up-with-nowhere-to-go, what with having voted weeks ago and all. But today is the day and even if I feel a bit like I opened my Christmas presents on Thanksgiving, I can't help but be caught up with the rest of you in the spirit of the season. 

Mr. Poppins already warned me that he was planning on watching all-election-coverage-all-the-time tonight, which to my mind is a lot like watching a three-days-out hurricane approach in slow motion. Probably not as exciting or neatly packaged as the post-hurricane coverage, but there's always that chance you'll get to see something in real time that will just make it all worth while. I'm more the ti-vo-the-coverage-and-wait-for-The-Dol-to-call-with-news-I-can-fast-forward-to type.

I don't know when it happened exactly, but somewhere along the way watching network news started to feel a lot like watching Springer to me: frustrating and dirty.

I don't think Mr. Poppins was asking my opinion, though, so here's hoping something shocking happens. I mean, if I'm going to feel like I'm watching Springer, I might as well get a little sensationalism for my bother.

But here's what I am looking forward to watching: Obama's Acceptance Speech, Obama's Inaugural Address, Obama's State of the Union Addresses, and pretty much anything else he wants to say from now until 8 years from now when he welcomes the next Democratic President of the United States.

Also, if Michelle Obama wants to do one of those Christmas specials where she tells us all about the theme of their Christmas tree or, you know, outlines her plan to end world hunger, I'm up for that, too. There's something about that woman's eyebrow raise that just makes me want a WWMOD bracelet.

The thing about Michelle Obama is that she has a certain unflappable dignity that we haven't seen in a First Lady in a long time. A very long time. Definitely since pre-Nancy, which is as far back as I can remember. And, yes, I'm including Hillary, because she ranged from padded-head-band wearing (not dignified) to HBIC but seldom stopped at unflappable. She just didn't have that Mary Poppins-in-charge-thing that Michelle has.

Now the kids, that's something else entirely. I'm really looking forward to little kids in the White House. If antics don't ensue, I'll be disappointed. Maybe not a full-on food fight or crayoning a historic portrait with a mustache, but something hilarious and inopportune.

Quite frankly, I'm one of those parents who totally gets a kick out of watching other people's kids make themselves, ahem, memorable. My kid does it all the time, so it's not like I think if your kid does it, I think it makes me better than you. Nah. More like I just want to see you dragged down to my level.

Anyway, today's a big day. I imagine productivity will be way down in every office in the country. And pizza delivery orders will be up, so try to get your order in early, people.

Comments

[Diosa]

I'm so excited. I'm not going to be able to sleep until they call it. And call me lost, but I thought the point of the absentee ballot was for people who were out of the state they were registered in, not for people to vote early. Is that just a CA thing?

[Polly Poppins]

Diosa, I think it is a California thing (permanent absentee ballot) but that doesn't mean it isn't a thing in other states, too. It's awesome.

[J]

I absentee voted 4 years ago since I was pregnant and due right around the election. It was strange, in some regards, to vote in person this morning. But I did it and I'm proudly wearing my sticker!

Go Barack!

ps. I'm with Mr. Poppins...no sleep til its called!

[court]

i voted after my second class and luckily the rain let up and the lines weren't too long. and now, i've been antsy all day (the free coffee from starbucks could be attributing). people keeping telling me it's in my favor, but i won't trust anything until i see it. i've been told to calm down and smoke a bowl. i'm sure there are other methods to calming the body down then substance abuse. yoga helps, would have gone today if it wasn't for my online chem quiz.

this was my first presidential election but my second time voting. and when i casted my vote for obama, a weird feeling came over me. i really felt like i was a part of history and for the first time felt like an "american." i had been analyzing each candidate for the past few months and am proud to say that I feel like an informed voter.

kudos to the dol for letting me borrow a shirt and for getting me involved with this election.