Boyfriend and I are spending the day together.

If we live to see our anniversary (tomorrow), I'll let you know how that goes as well. 

Before I begin, let me briefly discuss how wonderful of a girlfriend I am. Wednesday is my "day off," in this sense of the word, "day off" means the day when I don't have classes, but get caught up on the pile of work that has somehow amassed since Monday. It's also my day to sleep in a re-charge, since I probably haven't slept for more than 3 or 4 hours a night since the previous Wednesday. Wednesdays are amazing. Wednesdays are mine. This morning, I drove out to Ranson at 8:30 so boyfriend could take his car in to the shop. Since he has no transportation, or work today, he is here until we can go get his car. He likes ESPN, I like reading the British classics to the tune of MTV and VH1. You can see where the problems lie. 

However, I'm a great girlfriend and since our anniversary is tomorrow, I will read my British classics to the tune of some thing on MTV that is for current college football players entering the draft. It reminds me of the auctioning off of race horses, actually. 

Let's see...last night was the State of the Nation. I'm not sure what the difference is between the State of the Nation and the State of the Union, but, I am fairly certain Nancy Pelosi was wearing a pea-green Snuggie, a few shades darker than the green one advertised on the commercial. New goal: become Speaker of the House so I, too, can get a custom-made Snuggie and have it be totally acceptable on national television. 

I didn't catch the whole thing, I watched long enough to get excited about the promised education plan and scan the room for people falling asleep. We, then, went to Tony's for Fat Tuesday cheese fries to serve as a post-pancake supper dessert. My Lenten sacrifice to give up fast food and eat one fruit and one veggie each day is totally necessary now. 

Life is starting to calm down, so I'm embracing it...not entirely sure how long it'll last. 

Why I don't like Northern Virginia - an anticipation manifesto

My beloved MacBook (Compy for short) has been shedding plastic edging for a while now. I just found out that my AppleCare protection plan is still good right as a large bit of plastic edging peeled off. So I bit the bullet and made a Genius Bar appointment for this evening. 

One problem: the closest Apple Store is in Tyson's Corner. Which is...McLean, Va...which is...Northern Virginia. 

I lived in Northern Virginia in the summer of 2007, in a lovely apartment on George Mason University's campus. I worked at Wolf Trap. I rode the metro to DC. I liked the DC access and my internship. Life would have been nice, had I not been in the most expensive, pretentious part of the country. NoVa thinks it should be its own state. I say...succeed from the union and be your own country! 

Never have I ever been treated so poorly in my entire life. Never had I ever been so looked down upon for trying to save money (minimum wage anyone?!). I was so tired of upwardly-mobile, young Americans at the end of the summer, I vowed never to return. 

Too bad it's a great area for performing arts, Barack Obama and the closest Apple Store. (First line of business when I win the lottery: open an Apple Store in Shepherdstown)

My reasons for all this hater-ade follow. 

1. An area can easily be upwardly mobile without being pretentious and asshole-y. Come visit Shepherdstown sometime. 

1a. This being said, I'm so down with organic food, hybrid cars, and iPhones, but I'm also poor. Giant brand products from Martin's are fine by me. 

2. NoVa claims to be super-duper green. So, USE YOUR FABULOUS PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM. MetroRail busses get you to the metro station which will get you to your DC job just as fast as your car...and they're electric and cut down on dirty emissions. 

3. Tyson's Corner is the circle of Hell Dante forgot to write about. Too.Many.Shoppers.

4. I honestly thought Wolf Trap was an hour away from my apartment in Fairfax until I left late one night after a concert. I got home in a half an hour.

5. I lost count of the number of people who scoffed when I said I was from (and love) West Virginia. Even more people scoffed when I said I want to teach. As in: "you only want to live in West Virginia and teach for the rest of your life." Yes. I only want to educate and enrich the next generation of Americans. That is all. 

Every time I go back, I hope Northern Virginia will change my mind, provide me with a wonderful experience and make me love it like its residents do. 

I am, however, not optimistic. But...I really want Compy fixed while my AppleCare plan still exists. 

Yes I can!

I got a new president yesterday. I didn't go to DC or brave the cold for my cause. I did that in Manassas and, the way I see it, there were probably three people for the one spot I took up in Manassas that didn't get to hear him talk on Election Eve, it was a public service. That and, there was classwork involved and I was given the chance to watch the events with a friend who typically defines himself as conservative, even though he voted for Obama. We had a great political chat, about Bush's faults and good qualities and we both teared up during all of the inaugural events on television. 

Then I read this...and the flood gates in my eyes exploded. From the outgoing firrst daughters to the incoming first daughters. It makes me want to hang out with Sasha and Malia Obama MORE, if I get to slide down the banister of the solarium! 

To continue with the excitement of this week. My coffee creamer was chunky (buh) and I don't have a sub job again. I'll be reading Moll Flanders all day and planning a trip with my room mate back into DC (she survived the crowds yesterday and got some great photos!) to see Frank Warren of PostSecret fame at George Washington University. Right. Well, the only exciting part of that was Frank Warren, most of the rest basically set backs. 

I want to do something good for someone. Yesterday's inauguration address and talking to my friend made me realize that instead of complaining for the past eight years, I should have been doing something. Instead of complaining about a lack of money, I should volunteer my spare time and not be so concerned about it. So, maybe I'll do something. I'm not sure what yet. But, I'll do something. Well, that and, if President Obama really wants to do something to change the education plan in this country, he should put in a coffee budget for teachers and substitute teachers. Maybe a bit more for substitute teachers to make up for the less-money, more-obnoxious part of the job description. 

Just some thoughts. And now, there ain't no party like a Moll Flanders party, cause a Moll Flanders party don't stop! 

My Ravens lost...but I get a new president tomorrow!

I was raised a half-hour outside of Baltimore. My parents and I bought seasons tickets when we moved to Maryland because, in our family, we love football and didn't know anyone when we moved. Win or lose, I love the Ravens. (It's easier when they win). This fact as also automatically programmed me to hate, loathe, despise the Pittsburgh Steelers. Especially when they destroy one of my players. Regardless. I wasn't expecting them to get all that far anyway. But, really, did the AFC Championships have to come down to a Steelers/Ravens game? 

Boyfriend loves the Steelers. It's really unfortunate. Someone at the game we went to in December asked if my father told me not to date filth. Another said that our union must be God at work. It's so true, but unless you've ever lived in Baltimore or been a Pittsburgh fan you really don't understand. 

So. My team lost. I'll be watching the Super Bowl for the commercials and the excuse to eat my weight in chicken wings and chips and dip. There is always a silver lining. 

I'm getting a new president tomorrow!

Yes. I'm treating this as a personal victory. Yes. I truly believe my e-mails that come to me from the campaign 

website are really from Michelle and Barack Obama because their names are in the "from" line. No. I'm not trying to go to DC tomorrow. But, yes. I am excited. 

I'm a celebrity! I was interviewed for the local paper in Shepherdstown about my excitement. Everyone at my church knows about great-grandmother's donkey lapel pins. Thanks, president-elect Obama! 

I'm hoping it will keep snowing, so I won't have to worry about classes tomorrow and having to go home to watch the events on television and then driving back to campus and parking my car on west campus and having to walk 834902385098 miles in the snow to my class.

What? I can be that lazy. It's more of a safety issue than anything else. I'm clumsy and the residents don't have to shovel the sidewalk area in front of their houses if they don't want to. 

I'm looking forward to it. I'm ecstatic. George W. Bush's farewell address made me cry, and I read Obama's letter to his daughters in Parade immediately after. I was a sobby train-wreck, similar to how I was watching the DNC this year. 

It's snowing, though, so I'm going to leave now and do what I do best on a snow day...read and knit. 

"Have they ever met the Bush family?"

Since my family moved to Texas, you wouldn't believe how many times I've been asked the question: 

"Have they ever met the Bush family?!" 

Honestly? That's like asking someone who lives in California if they've ever met Brangelina or TomKat. 

I always respond the same way. Texas is a big state and the Bush family is just one family there and even though my parents do live in Houston, no, they have never met George H.W. and Barbara. 

However, as I write this, my parents are sitting on an airplane from Houston to Baltimore, hobnobbing and sharing peanuts with Bush 41 and the former first lady. 

Ok, I may have lied about the peanuts and the hobnobbing...but my parents have some regular American royalty on their flight. (If my son was president, I'd demand he send Air Force One when I went to visit for Christmas) Dad called me a few hours ago for our pre-flight chat. He said George Bush was in the front row of the airplane. 

"The smarter?" I said, dumbfounded. 

"Yeah, with Barbara," dad said, like he was telling me it was raining.

"No he's not. There's no way. Dub-yuh doesn't send Air Force One to get him? 

"Guess not. Bad economy."

"You're lying." 

"Not this time, I'm not."

"Get me an autograph for proof then."

"I'll see what I can do. There's Secret Service in front of me, but he's a bit slow these days, I'll try and catch him when the plane lands."

"I wouldn't say catch in association with a former president, just walk briskly, please. Just make sure you tell him the story about when he was elected and you came home from work with a stuffed elephant for me that you told me to name George." 

So, apparently, my parents didn't get their first class upgrade, because the seats were needed for all the Secret Service agents on the flight and everyone was walking on the plane with huge WTFs painted on their foreheads whispering to each other. Should my father successfully catch said former president without being arrested by the Secret Service, I'll scan some sort of proof. 

So, anyone here from California??

Manassas Madness

See these people? These are my friends (I'm the doofy looking one holding the sign). We made a trek to Manassas, Va. last night for Obama's last rally of his campaign. It was a rough road and my poor little vocal chords are paying for it today, but I'm so glad we were crazy enough to attempt this. 

Basically, we set out around 4:00, because Brian (tall guy in the back) used to live in Manassas and knows the ins and outs of NoVa traffic. (I do too, I just pretend that part of the country doesn't exist) Smooth sailing until exactly twelve miles away from the site of the rally. We sat in traffic for two hours waiting to go twelve miles. Between mumblings of how much I hate Northern Virginia and yelps of, "can we drive? YES WE CAN!" we weaved our way to Manassas. The cops there failed to mention anything about parking and I was lucky to have a friend in Manassas from my Wolf Trap intern days last summer. She let us park at her house and walk to the fair grounds. 

From there, we proceeded to fight our way to a place where we couldn't really see unless we were on Adam's shoulders and the junior senator was an hour and a half late. He blamed Dulles, too, which is nice because I blame Dulles for most of the problems in my life even if the area isn't at fault. He did his campaign bit, told us a story and talked for a little about how John McCain has been an excellent opponent and was classy enough to offer condolences about Obama's grandmother. He got the crowd all riled up one more time and headed back to Chicago to be with his family. 

I couldn't believe I was standing amongst the crowd that attended Obama's last rally in his campaign less than 24 hours before one of the most historic elections this country has seen. It was a truly incredible thing. 

One more thing before I leave you for coffee and democracy (Go vote today, kiddies): 

Have you ever seen somewhere near 80,000 people in one place? It's a pretty incredible thing. You don't see race or income or gender...you just see people. Neat, huh? 

Happy (hopefully) Election Day. Whatever choice you make, make it for the right reasons. 

Abandon Ship!

Before I start, my mind was just put at ease. I heard a rumor not too long ago that Shepherdstown doesn't really recycle. That the waste management sends out recycling bins to give off the illusion of recycling, but that the truck takes the items to the same dump as my Thursday trash pick up. 

I have good news, though. I just saw the recycling truck and it was definitely one of those jobs that sorts through the different types and they left a few of my neighbors items. Why bother doing that if the waste doesn't really go to a recycling center? Good job, Apple Valley Waste Management. 

Anyway, I abandoned NaBloPoMo for one very important reason. I would rather have a blog of substance rather than a blog that is updated quickly at 11:30 at night when I don't have much to say. My blogs on dating and voting, I liked those. I'm very interested in what is going on right now. The state of the world is a big pile of negative energy right now. I'm interested in that. You're interested in that, not what I ate for dinner last Friday (pasta). 

Not to say this is going to turn into something neo-political, current-event bashing blog. I like fluffy stuff, like the weather and my house. Those things will be in here. 

There will just be substance, things you're interested in and, hopefully, things that will make you laugh. Keep reading, 'it's getting better all the time...'

Thanks! 

V-O-T-E

The NaBloPoMo theme for October is vote, and I just watched the last presidential debate (thanks, DVR), so...now a rant. 

Many states' voter registration deadlines have already passed, but you can find out here when your deadline is coming up, and the other laws regarding your state and how to make a change this November. Lucky you, Connecticut, you have until November 3 to register to vote, so no excuses. Maine, they're even more lax on you, you can register to vote on election day. That Web site also lists the laws pertaining to absentee ballots, if you're not currently in your state and won't be on November 4. Ever heard of early voting? Click on the words early vote to see if your state participates. This makes it easier for people who may be traveling or out-of-state on election day. College kids? Take your laundry home, get a meal cooked by mom (or dad) and cast a ballot if your state is on Rock the Vote's list.

Look, I don't care how you do it, who you do it for or what your reasons are. I just want you to vote. If you haven't, check out Barack Obama and John McCain's Web sites and read into the issues that matter to you most. The campaign slogans and ads won't get you anywhere as far as being an educated voter is concerned, but both of those Web sites break down the candidate's take on an issue by topic and everyone has issues that matter to them. 

In this country, voting has really come a long way. In 1776, most of the people I know wouldn't have been going to the polls in November. The privilege was only given to white, property owning, Protestant males who were over the age of 21. In 1830, states dropped the religion and property ownership aspect of the law, but only my while, male friends could speak their mind every four years. The 15th Amendment happened in 1870, giving African American males the right, nation wide (still, had it been me, I would have been bugging my male friends to cast a vote for me). In 1920, we passed the 19th Amendment, a woman's right to vote, and in 1947 Native Americans could hit the polls. Now, all of us, 21 and older are pulling levers and bubbling in bubbles and hanging our chads. 

1971? Big deal. The U.S. decided that if you could go to war and die for your country, you could help choose your Commander-in-Chief at 18. 

It's important, and for most of us, that right has not always been there. This country was founded when colonists sought to escape a monarchy and royal blood. We formed a system that allows us, as citizens, to help choose who makes our decisions and represents us on a global scale. (Though, the electoral college still blows my pretty little mind, I'm working on it) Bi-partisan may not be the best way to go and I'm pretty sure you have to be insane to run for president, but the point is, we have a choice that a lot of people don't have. 

If nothing else, don't listen to me, listen to third debate moderator, Bob Schieffer's mom - "Go vote, it'll make you feel big and strong." (Plus, when you need to complain about something after November 4th, you'll have a right to...) 

Seriously...you have a little under a month to get your political rear in gear. 

Thanks for reading.