Great: polling places are closing across the eastern US and the "instant results" are coming in. Talk about incentive for the far western state voters to rush to the polls! I thought there was going to be withholding of the results of eastern states until all the western states closed the polls.
Guess not. So, I either take the publicized elections results and figure my vote doesn't count, or I rush to the polls before they close so my one vote makes a difference? Somehow, I don't think either scenario is going to happen, but no one thought Eli Manning could get out of the mosh pit Sunday and complete the pass he wanted to throw to a receiver who caught it with his helmet.
I completed my absentee ballot and sent it to the county for processing the day after I received it in January. Sure, it fell apart when I opened it, but I figured that was to facilitate the counting process. Little did I know that the ballot was defective because that notice wasn’t sent out until 2 weeks after I had returned my ballot. Anyone who had not completed the ballot had to contact the registrar of voters and request a replacement ballot, and that's as likely to happen as people lining up and demanding to serve jury duty.
I also did not figure out to merely connect the two halves of the line indicating my choice with one single stroke of my black ink pen: to be sure it was easy to read, I colored in the line! Now the public is told that the ballots were going to be counted by machines that only read one firm line and only if that single line is in black ink! However, since so many people did as I did, the ballots are going to have to be hand counted or thrown out, and I think that's still illegal.
None of this was made clear in the media until today because the county is using paper ballots this year, rather than the machines, confusing the hell out of senior citizens who have finally figured out voting by machine. Someone decided that the voting machines can be compromised, as was alleged about a decade ago, so we’re back to paper ballots that are machine-scored for those voters who followed directions, and hand scored for any of us who filled in the line, rather than simply connecting it.
I can't wait to see the results of this election fiasco!
PS: It's just after 9 pm and the CA election has already been called! Wow, the paper ballots must be more efficient than I thought as the polls closed a mere hour ago. And how 'bout all those absentee ballots? They've all been scored, too?
Must be; the pundits are predicting who's going to drop out of the race, as well as how many "committed" delegates now belong to each candidate. Isn't it exciting?
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
My Two Cents
In CA and other “Super Tuesday” states, hundreds of thousands of absentee voters cast ballots that no longer have value as the candidates for whom they voted have withdrawn their candidacy.
It's fairly obvious that the people no longer select the candidates as the political machines make the selection by manipulating and maneuvering the system to achieve their pre-determined outcomes, but if we're going to pretend the people do have a say, all people should have the same say.
Thus, the US should have a national pre-election to select candidates to run for office. Every registered voter votes on the same day to select from the field of potentials the top 3 candidates in each recognized party, who then stand for election and campaign. Once the campaign is complete (45 days max for this process), another national election will be held and the highest vote-getter is elected President, while the runner-up becomes the vice president—regardless of party affiliation.
Of course, this would assure that we, the people, select the president and vice-president, and I'm not sure the politicians are ready for that to happen ... .
Changing gears, I admire that Adnan, the 'razzi-boy, sat through a one-on-one interview and issued the call for help for Britney. His responses were carefully neutral with one exception: he made it clear that there are people in Britney’s inner circle who do not have her best interests guiding their decision-making process. He also said that her parents are not the enemy, but the sycophants who feed off her are suspect.
The interviewer tried to insinuate that Adnan was “betraying” Britney, but I saw it as a willingness to take action when no one else would. And isn't that the goal of a new TV show? Intervention by those who care when an individual is unable to see themselves on a path to personal destruction.
His gamble paid off as Britney’s family came to her aid, removed her from the toxic environment of her BH home, and signed her into a hospital for diagnosis and treatment. The protection order against her long-time agent and alleged friend speaks volumes as her family struggles to gain control over a situation that has gone terribly wrong on so many fronts.
Finally, the Super Bowl was a good football game, with the outcome undecided until the last 30 seconds. Eli Manning is not a great quarterback, and Tom Brady played like a first-year rookie, but the Giants defense made Brady wish he had stayed home, while the Giants offense made Manning look far better than he often is.
The game highlight, of course, is Belichick leaving the field of battle before the final snap of the ball. It’s been said he’s a poor loser, but I think we can just leave it at “he’s a loser” after that decision.
It's fairly obvious that the people no longer select the candidates as the political machines make the selection by manipulating and maneuvering the system to achieve their pre-determined outcomes, but if we're going to pretend the people do have a say, all people should have the same say.
Thus, the US should have a national pre-election to select candidates to run for office. Every registered voter votes on the same day to select from the field of potentials the top 3 candidates in each recognized party, who then stand for election and campaign. Once the campaign is complete (45 days max for this process), another national election will be held and the highest vote-getter is elected President, while the runner-up becomes the vice president—regardless of party affiliation.
Of course, this would assure that we, the people, select the president and vice-president, and I'm not sure the politicians are ready for that to happen ... .
Changing gears, I admire that Adnan, the 'razzi-boy, sat through a one-on-one interview and issued the call for help for Britney. His responses were carefully neutral with one exception: he made it clear that there are people in Britney’s inner circle who do not have her best interests guiding their decision-making process. He also said that her parents are not the enemy, but the sycophants who feed off her are suspect.
The interviewer tried to insinuate that Adnan was “betraying” Britney, but I saw it as a willingness to take action when no one else would. And isn't that the goal of a new TV show? Intervention by those who care when an individual is unable to see themselves on a path to personal destruction.
His gamble paid off as Britney’s family came to her aid, removed her from the toxic environment of her BH home, and signed her into a hospital for diagnosis and treatment. The protection order against her long-time agent and alleged friend speaks volumes as her family struggles to gain control over a situation that has gone terribly wrong on so many fronts.
Finally, the Super Bowl was a good football game, with the outcome undecided until the last 30 seconds. Eli Manning is not a great quarterback, and Tom Brady played like a first-year rookie, but the Giants defense made Brady wish he had stayed home, while the Giants offense made Manning look far better than he often is.
The game highlight, of course, is Belichick leaving the field of battle before the final snap of the ball. It’s been said he’s a poor loser, but I think we can just leave it at “he’s a loser” after that decision.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Life Study
The news report didn't clarify who conducted the study, how many subjects were included, how long the study took, or how much it cost ... but the results are so incredibly obvious that it's what I've always called a no-duh!
The study concludes that people in the early 40s are, for the most part, depressed. No duh!
You wanna know why? Here's my take:
The idealism of youth has melded with the realism of adulthood, and it's hard to accept that not all dreams come true, not all decisions are beneficial, not all aspirations are reached -- and the clock is ticking. There comes the day when the reality check occurs and each individual has either to accept what is or change it -- or have the wisdom to accept that what is is what's going to be.
Hence, the flurry of "late in life" children; the plethora of divorce; the torrent of job change; the ego-purchase of the sports' car; the therapeutic affair; the cosmetic plastic surgery. The list of symptoms is endless, but the syndrome is as old as time.
One day we realize we are no longer young, but we hope we're not yet too old to still have a life before we die. Today's society says "50 is the new 40," but it doesn't change the truth that there is a line we inevitably cross between "young" and "old," and when we come to it at whatever age is currently fashionable, it provides us with head-on contact with our mortality.
If I'm going to do it, I'd better do it before it's too late drives most of what happens in the 40s. If I go for it and it doesn't work out, how depressing; if I don't go for it and spend the rest of my life regretting the shoulda/ woulda/ coulda, how depressing; if I accept the status quo and just continue one day at a time, how depressing.
If, however, I accept that what I've done is what I've done, it's working out pretty well for me, and I'm going to stay steady on course--how fortuitous and how rare.
That's life.
The study concludes that people in the early 40s are, for the most part, depressed. No duh!
You wanna know why? Here's my take:
The idealism of youth has melded with the realism of adulthood, and it's hard to accept that not all dreams come true, not all decisions are beneficial, not all aspirations are reached -- and the clock is ticking. There comes the day when the reality check occurs and each individual has either to accept what is or change it -- or have the wisdom to accept that what is is what's going to be.
Hence, the flurry of "late in life" children; the plethora of divorce; the torrent of job change; the ego-purchase of the sports' car; the therapeutic affair; the cosmetic plastic surgery. The list of symptoms is endless, but the syndrome is as old as time.
One day we realize we are no longer young, but we hope we're not yet too old to still have a life before we die. Today's society says "50 is the new 40," but it doesn't change the truth that there is a line we inevitably cross between "young" and "old," and when we come to it at whatever age is currently fashionable, it provides us with head-on contact with our mortality.
If I'm going to do it, I'd better do it before it's too late drives most of what happens in the 40s. If I go for it and it doesn't work out, how depressing; if I don't go for it and spend the rest of my life regretting the shoulda/ woulda/ coulda, how depressing; if I accept the status quo and just continue one day at a time, how depressing.
If, however, I accept that what I've done is what I've done, it's working out pretty well for me, and I'm going to stay steady on course--how fortuitous and how rare.
That's life.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Winter Weather
Desert dwellers are funny about winter weather: they don't want it to rain or be cold, but want more water for the landscaping, the fountain, the swimming pool, and the spa tub at their seasonal condo than is consumed by the average home in the east during an entire year. It irritates me that the news commentators always apologize for the rain when it finally arrives during the tourist season, and then warn residents about the draught once the tourists depart.
The desert needs rain, not tourists, but we try to accommodate both.
After a slow start to the winter, the rain began in earnest yesterday afternoon, falling in wind-driven sheets throughout the night and scarring Mia into staying inside, curled up with my couch afghan. She came into the bedroom a half dozen times during the night to bark her disapproval at the winds and the wetness before finally settling down about 3 AM. I'm not sure what she expects me to do about it being cold and wet outside when she has to pee, but I get up each time she comes to get me--just in case it's the boogeyman she's barking at "this time."
Later this morning, a friend (playing hookey from school today) called to see if I'd join her for a late b'fast, which I was happy to do. On the drive to Denny's, I basked in a brilliant double rainbow that looked to be between the highway and my home. It was still shining brightly after finishing b'fast, and I wished I had brought along my camera, which usually is in the car--but not this morning.
Arriving home, I saw an empty paper plate on the kitchen floor, my first clue that Mia enjoyed the 6 fresh biscuits I made early this morning. I left them on a covered plate on the kitchen counter to enjoy with a hot bowl of soup at dinner, but Mia evidently thought she should enjoy the fruits of my labor. I chastised her, but you never know with a dog whether they're thinking "oh, sorry" or "too bad: you snooze, you lose!"
I made another batch of biscuits for my soup supper.
I'm working on another afghan, using up yarn I bought a while back. Of course, I don't remember the original intent for the yarn, so I've had to create a plan, then buy more yarn to make it happen. My goal is to empty the closet in the guest room as it has way too many skeins (both new and already used) of yarn to justify buying more. I also have a plan for the "not much left" skeins, a patchwork afghan. I made a huge patchwork blanket for my brother's 5-0 birthday a couple of years ago, and another one for my g'son that I sent off a couple of weeks ago, but there is still one heck of a lot of yarn! I'm going to keep knitting and crocheting until the supply dwindles.
And then I better start on the embroidery projects ...
The desert needs rain, not tourists, but we try to accommodate both.
After a slow start to the winter, the rain began in earnest yesterday afternoon, falling in wind-driven sheets throughout the night and scarring Mia into staying inside, curled up with my couch afghan. She came into the bedroom a half dozen times during the night to bark her disapproval at the winds and the wetness before finally settling down about 3 AM. I'm not sure what she expects me to do about it being cold and wet outside when she has to pee, but I get up each time she comes to get me--just in case it's the boogeyman she's barking at "this time."
Later this morning, a friend (playing hookey from school today) called to see if I'd join her for a late b'fast, which I was happy to do. On the drive to Denny's, I basked in a brilliant double rainbow that looked to be between the highway and my home. It was still shining brightly after finishing b'fast, and I wished I had brought along my camera, which usually is in the car--but not this morning.
Arriving home, I saw an empty paper plate on the kitchen floor, my first clue that Mia enjoyed the 6 fresh biscuits I made early this morning. I left them on a covered plate on the kitchen counter to enjoy with a hot bowl of soup at dinner, but Mia evidently thought she should enjoy the fruits of my labor. I chastised her, but you never know with a dog whether they're thinking "oh, sorry" or "too bad: you snooze, you lose!"
I made another batch of biscuits for my soup supper.
I'm working on another afghan, using up yarn I bought a while back. Of course, I don't remember the original intent for the yarn, so I've had to create a plan, then buy more yarn to make it happen. My goal is to empty the closet in the guest room as it has way too many skeins (both new and already used) of yarn to justify buying more. I also have a plan for the "not much left" skeins, a patchwork afghan. I made a huge patchwork blanket for my brother's 5-0 birthday a couple of years ago, and another one for my g'son that I sent off a couple of weeks ago, but there is still one heck of a lot of yarn! I'm going to keep knitting and crocheting until the supply dwindles.
And then I better start on the embroidery projects ...
Thursday, January 24, 2008
The Hesitant Housekeeper
When a person comes across a body, regardless of who it is, where it is, or whether you think it's alive or dead, it's react first--think second. Evidently, the housekeeper and/or the masseuse decided that something other than saving his life took precendence when they found Heath Ledger "cold and unresponsive" on his bed.
Rather than hitting 9-1-1 on the cell phone they picked up in the actor's bedroom, they called a friend--an actress--and asked her what to do. She said she'd call private security to come check the situation. The security personnel arrived at the apartment about the same time the medics arrived, but the news didn't say who finally called for help!
Once the 9-1-1 call was made, the medics arrived within 3 minutes.
It appears that there is a lag of almost 45 minutes between finding Ledger "cold and unresponsive" and the medics' arrival. The housekeeper says she heard him snoring, then he wasn't; thus, the time of death is ... let's see, somewhere in the 45-minute range between finding his body and the paramedics arriving on the scene?
Your first duty is to dial 9-1-1, then the friend, private security, agent, publicist, whatever. Not calling 9-1-1 first could very well be the difference between life and death when a person is "cold and unresponsive," and it appears that may be the case in this situation.
If I were Heath Ledger's family, I'd be insisting on investigating the 2 people who first found him unresponsive and failed to call for help immediately. As a parent, I'd want my son's life saved first, before ANY other phone calls are made!
Rather than hitting 9-1-1 on the cell phone they picked up in the actor's bedroom, they called a friend--an actress--and asked her what to do. She said she'd call private security to come check the situation. The security personnel arrived at the apartment about the same time the medics arrived, but the news didn't say who finally called for help!
Once the 9-1-1 call was made, the medics arrived within 3 minutes.
It appears that there is a lag of almost 45 minutes between finding Ledger "cold and unresponsive" and the medics' arrival. The housekeeper says she heard him snoring, then he wasn't; thus, the time of death is ... let's see, somewhere in the 45-minute range between finding his body and the paramedics arriving on the scene?
Your first duty is to dial 9-1-1, then the friend, private security, agent, publicist, whatever. Not calling 9-1-1 first could very well be the difference between life and death when a person is "cold and unresponsive," and it appears that may be the case in this situation.
If I were Heath Ledger's family, I'd be insisting on investigating the 2 people who first found him unresponsive and failed to call for help immediately. As a parent, I'd want my son's life saved first, before ANY other phone calls are made!
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