baracked

I totally want to give Barack Obama a hug right now.

This is the first election where I got to vote for someone I truly believed in, and it paid off. I've never been so proud or pleased to be a part of this country as I am today. To quote one of my favorte TV/movie characters, Malcolm Reynolds, "We have done the impossible, and that makes us mighty." George W. Bush has been in office the entire time I've been eligible to vote (despite my best efforts), and I've been disappointed in him since long before then. I am so, so grateful to see change coming, and I am so very excited for the future.

As a nation, we did something great today, something monumental and historical. Not only do we have our country's first African-American President-elect, but we also have a liberal candidate who won even though he didn't run a moderate campaign. Obama has proved once and for all it is not necessary to compromise your ideals in order to be elected. As my sister likes to tell me, ethics are sexy. More importantly, ethics, and the willingness to stick to them regardless of popularity, are the mark of an outstanding person.

Maybe one of the coolest things about this election is that it made me want to be a better person--to find out what I believe in, find out what is most important to me, and to do everything in my power to make it happen. To that end, I've recently made a personal decision to find a way to go back to school part-time (while working, of course) and get my license to teach high school English. I want to have some part in making a difference in peoples' lives. To put it briefly, I'm inspired.

My final words for tonight: Yes we did. Yes we can.

elect

EVERYONE GO VOTE.

Just got back from the polling place. When I got there at 7 a.m., there was a long line, but by the time I was done at 7:40 or so, there wasn't a line at all. So, no excuses. Get out, cast your vote, get a little red sticker.


They're not just stickers, people. They're badges of honor. They let everyone know you care about what happens in your city, your state, your nation, and the entire world. When I was a kid, I would go to the polling place with my parents and I was always proud and a little jealous when they got that sticker and put it on their coats. I've been eligible to vote for three elections now, but I've always voted absentee, and I'm always disappointed when they don't send out stickers along with absentee ballots. But I've got one now. It'll probably be stuck on my purse for a good long time.

Finally... that good news I mentioned last time? I finally got hired by the company I work for (as opposed to the temp agency). This means that I get benefits now. Pretty cool, no?

gauge

Before I forget to post for two weeks again...

Things are looking pretty good for the moment. I may have some really awesome news shortly, job-wise, but I'm going to hold off on saying anything for sure. I finished the first half of my mom's Christmas present, and I'm about 1/4 of the way done with my Dad's. I've cast on and started a present for one of my friends, but I'm going to have to start over again because it's turning out WAY too big. I'm not sure why... I swatched and everything. Possibly I've entered a twilight zone where none of my knitting comes out the size it's supposed to be.

Post-Christmas, I think I'm going to try and knit a sweater for myself. This one, specifically. I've been wanting a cardigan-type sweater for a while, but I can never find one I like when I'm out shopping. I think being a knitter has made me kind of picky.

Not much else to say at the moment. Halloween is coming and I don't have any plans set. I'll do a bit of traveling this weekend, but other than that, no big plans. Meanwhile, back to work/knitting.

frosting

I seem to remember a poem, though I'm too lazy to look it up--something about frost on the pumpkins--that seems appropriate for today. The weather is showing evidence of winter coming. I had to scrape my windshield for the first time this morning before I could drive home from work. Last night, as I was leaving, I looked up at a cold, clear moonlit sky and marvelled at the brightness, how much sharper the moon seems in late fall than it does in midsummer. Despite the threat of coming winter, the onset of allergies and flu season, the glimpses of sunlight that grow more brief and infrequent... I love this time of year.

Tonight: Banana bread, possibly visiting my aunt, definitely soup and grilled cheese for dinner. For now, sleep.

k2tog

Hi there. The scarf's finished. I still haven't done anything worthwhile with the pretty Misti Alpaca yarn, but I've started and finished a couple other projects (new mittens for me, a hat for my sister which I may have to rip out and start over again because it turned out HUGE), and I've got two other projects in progress for my parents for Christmas.

I've discovered that blogger only works intermittently on my computer at work, which is usually the only time I have energy or time to write (on my break, of course). Today I'm up early, so I have a few minutes to update. Yay me!

I used to love fall. Then I realized that many of the things I love about fall (trees, rain, etc.) set off my allergies. So lately I've been headachy, sneezy, tired, and stuffed up. I end up taking both over the counter Claritin (or the store brand, which is so much cheaper) and a decongestant in order to feel good some days. Also, I'm sad that I didn't get to go up north to see parents or friends during the peak of the fall colors. Too expensive, and I'm too busy lately. Besides, even if I do go to see them, I'm only awake part of the time that they are, and then I'm awake all night with nothing else to do. Or I switch my sleeping schedule around and end up being miserable at work for the next week because I'm exhausted. Blah.

I guess that's all for now. I'm headed down before work to see some friends tonight (so we can watch House, M.D. together). **waves** Bye now!