A humble and gracious 'Thank You' to all that have served our country.
Some folks that I know that have served:
Dad (Air Force, Viet Nam)
Grandpa A (Navy, WWI, aboard the Arizona)
JZ (Army, Viet Nam)
Cousin Mike (Navy)
Amen and Godspeed to all those serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and other postings around the globe. May you return safely to those you love and the country that loves you.
(feel free to post Veterans you know in the comments -- I'll add them to my prayers tonight!)
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
A Rant.
I've talked about this subject before but apparently I am not talking enough about it. What is it, you ask? What could be so compelling that Athena needs to revisit the subject?
Urine on the Toilet Seat.
As some of you are aware, I drink a whole lot of water every day. I'm not really a pop drinker, like iced tea in the summer but really, it is water for me all day long. After work ... well, that's another story ;)
With my many many many glasses of water all day long, I, inevitably, need to use the restroom. On not one, not two but THREE separate occasions in three SEPARATE restrooms I sat down in someone else's urine.
For the men that read this blog that are baffled by this phenomenon in the women's restroom, please allow me to explain. Men, you are equipped, properly, for aim. Women -- not so much. Some women (apparently yesterday was three different women) don't like to sit on the toilet seat ("too germy" or something), so they 'hover' as they pee. While hovering, given that they are not 'built' to aim, invariably the seat is covered with urine. Now, instead of say, covering the seat with TP before they sit, or perhaps even being a nice person and wiping up her urine residue, these women leave it.
Yes, leave the urine coated seat for 'someone else' -- namely me -- to deal with and discover.
The main problem with this is that these hoverers (as I shall call them), apparently drink a lot of water too, as their urine is nearly clear and cannot be detected by normal observation. It is only by the placement of my ass on said toilet seats that I discover two things: 1) I am sitting in someone else's urine and 2) it is too late to do anything about it.
Upon leaving the restroom I am in a foul, foul mood but nothing like three different times in three different restrooms to bring me nearly to murderous rage.
I do not know why women hover, I do not know why these women do not wipe up after themselves but one thing is clear: I am fucking sick of having an assfull of someone else's piss.
Thank you for listening to my rant.
Urine on the Toilet Seat.
As some of you are aware, I drink a whole lot of water every day. I'm not really a pop drinker, like iced tea in the summer but really, it is water for me all day long. After work ... well, that's another story ;)
With my many many many glasses of water all day long, I, inevitably, need to use the restroom. On not one, not two but THREE separate occasions in three SEPARATE restrooms I sat down in someone else's urine.
For the men that read this blog that are baffled by this phenomenon in the women's restroom, please allow me to explain. Men, you are equipped, properly, for aim. Women -- not so much. Some women (apparently yesterday was three different women) don't like to sit on the toilet seat ("too germy" or something), so they 'hover' as they pee. While hovering, given that they are not 'built' to aim, invariably the seat is covered with urine. Now, instead of say, covering the seat with TP before they sit, or perhaps even being a nice person and wiping up her urine residue, these women leave it.
Yes, leave the urine coated seat for 'someone else' -- namely me -- to deal with and discover.
The main problem with this is that these hoverers (as I shall call them), apparently drink a lot of water too, as their urine is nearly clear and cannot be detected by normal observation. It is only by the placement of my ass on said toilet seats that I discover two things: 1) I am sitting in someone else's urine and 2) it is too late to do anything about it.
Upon leaving the restroom I am in a foul, foul mood but nothing like three different times in three different restrooms to bring me nearly to murderous rage.
I do not know why women hover, I do not know why these women do not wipe up after themselves but one thing is clear: I am fucking sick of having an assfull of someone else's piss.
Thank you for listening to my rant.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Wow.
Really, that's all I have to say. It was quite a night here in DC, with horns honking and people laughing and partying well into the night. I was awake until well after 1 a.m., listening to the talking heads, Obama's speech over and over and just crying tears of joy.
I don't ever remember an election like this. I hope I never remember another election that *wasn't* like this ...
I forgot to mention something yesterday ...
In the afternoon my coworker and I were able to explore DC a bit before the conference truly kicked off. As a result, we ended up walking around DC a bit, walking by the Capitol and I was able to see the Library of Congress for the first time.
I do not need to tell you it is cool. Cool isn't a good enough word. Spectacular isn't even close. Unbelievable is getting there but still isn't enough. As I walked the halls that so many before me had, and as I saw the 'original' Library of Congress, also known as Thomas Jefferson's personal library, I teared up. It was phenomenal and moving, and I stand in awe. One of the exhibitions was the making of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution/Bill of Rights. It was phenomenal and amazing to be within inches of some of the greatest instruments of liberty ever written.
More tomorrow ...
I don't ever remember an election like this. I hope I never remember another election that *wasn't* like this ...
I forgot to mention something yesterday ...
In the afternoon my coworker and I were able to explore DC a bit before the conference truly kicked off. As a result, we ended up walking around DC a bit, walking by the Capitol and I was able to see the Library of Congress for the first time.
I do not need to tell you it is cool. Cool isn't a good enough word. Spectacular isn't even close. Unbelievable is getting there but still isn't enough. As I walked the halls that so many before me had, and as I saw the 'original' Library of Congress, also known as Thomas Jefferson's personal library, I teared up. It was phenomenal and moving, and I stand in awe. One of the exhibitions was the making of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution/Bill of Rights. It was phenomenal and amazing to be within inches of some of the greatest instruments of liberty ever written.
More tomorrow ...
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Am crying tears of joy ...
I am so proud to be a supporter of Barack Obama ---
Managed to crash the DCCC party tonight at my hotel and took some pics via my cell phone. A passing car was just honking in celebration of the victory ...
OMG, I have cried tears of joy since they called FL for Obama ... and now it appears that Indiana will go blue.
I have never, ever been so proud. I cannot keep the tears from flowing.
Boo hoo'ing in DC, Athena
Managed to crash the DCCC party tonight at my hotel and took some pics via my cell phone. A passing car was just honking in celebration of the victory ...
OMG, I have cried tears of joy since they called FL for Obama ... and now it appears that Indiana will go blue.
I have never, ever been so proud. I cannot keep the tears from flowing.
Boo hoo'ing in DC, Athena
HOLY CRAP ...
Managed to crash the DCCC party ... saw Steny Hoyer, Chuck Schumer and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi speak ...
and joined in the celebration as FL was called for Obama --
Our Next President
OMG, I am so overwelmed. I teared up as Obama was named President. Amen.
XOXO, Athena
and joined in the celebration as FL was called for Obama --
Our Next President
OMG, I am so overwelmed. I teared up as Obama was named President. Amen.
XOXO, Athena
Oh, and the DNCC is having their party here
The Democratic National Congressional Committee is having their shindig at my hotel tonight. If you see a reporter 'live from the DNCC' please note that I am in that hotel. I hope to see some people tonight ....
Too Cool!
Too Cool!
I saw Barack Obama's Motorcade!!!
Swoon, swoon, double swoon ....
So there I was, chilling out at Indianapolis International Airport, waiting for my flight to DC when I look up to see a large motorcade entering the airport jetway area ...
It was BARACK OBAMA!!!
I was able to see his plane with the big 'Change' logo on the side ...
OMG, I was/am on a political high!!!
Now I am in DC and believe you me, there is plenty of tshirts, buttons and other political stuff for the junkie like me here. I may well come back with quite a few goodies.
So there I was, chilling out at Indianapolis International Airport, waiting for my flight to DC when I look up to see a large motorcade entering the airport jetway area ...
It was BARACK OBAMA!!!
I was able to see his plane with the big 'Change' logo on the side ...
OMG, I was/am on a political high!!!
Now I am in DC and believe you me, there is plenty of tshirts, buttons and other political stuff for the junkie like me here. I may well come back with quite a few goodies.
I got up at 5:00 this morning.
Yes, readers, it was only by sheer force of will that I climbed out of my warm, soft, comfy, wonderful bed this morning to get ready.
I knew that I was headed to the airport this morning at ten when Sister was to pick me up. Given that I did not vote early (I wanted to avoid a three hour wait in line on Saturday/Sunday), I knew that my only option was this morning before I took off for DC.
So I crawled out of bed, wondered if I had lost my mind and promptly hit the shower. After a few minutes of water pressure steadily waking me up, I got moving and got ready for the day. Yes, dressed for my travel today ... and out the door by 5:30.
My neighbors were leaving at the exact same time for the exact same purpose and we arrived at the polls within seconds of each other. We were approximately 13, 14, 15 in line ... and by 6 a.m., there was at least 75 people behind us in line. Yes, it stretched down the block and was turning the corner before the polls opened.
Do I need to even mention that this phenomenon brings me untold joy? I could've wept at the sight of my fellow Americans taking their responsibility so seriously. The political junkie in me desperately hopes this is not a one-time event, that Americans will continue their commitment to the political process and show up in record numbers at EACH election.
By the time I reached the front of the line, I was voter number 23 in my precinct (two precincts were at my polling site and I chose the wrong line at first). It took me nearly 25 minutes to vote.
As I walked out, the line still stretched to the end of the block, wrapping around the corner.
I drove away, carefully avoiding the many cars pulling into the parking lot and I smiled. Democracy in Action is a beautiful thing.
I knew that I was headed to the airport this morning at ten when Sister was to pick me up. Given that I did not vote early (I wanted to avoid a three hour wait in line on Saturday/Sunday), I knew that my only option was this morning before I took off for DC.
So I crawled out of bed, wondered if I had lost my mind and promptly hit the shower. After a few minutes of water pressure steadily waking me up, I got moving and got ready for the day. Yes, dressed for my travel today ... and out the door by 5:30.
My neighbors were leaving at the exact same time for the exact same purpose and we arrived at the polls within seconds of each other. We were approximately 13, 14, 15 in line ... and by 6 a.m., there was at least 75 people behind us in line. Yes, it stretched down the block and was turning the corner before the polls opened.
Do I need to even mention that this phenomenon brings me untold joy? I could've wept at the sight of my fellow Americans taking their responsibility so seriously. The political junkie in me desperately hopes this is not a one-time event, that Americans will continue their commitment to the political process and show up in record numbers at EACH election.
By the time I reached the front of the line, I was voter number 23 in my precinct (two precincts were at my polling site and I chose the wrong line at first). It took me nearly 25 minutes to vote.
As I walked out, the line still stretched to the end of the block, wrapping around the corner.
I drove away, carefully avoiding the many cars pulling into the parking lot and I smiled. Democracy in Action is a beautiful thing.
Monday, November 3, 2008
From Yahoo News -- GO INDIANA!!!!
Clues to election result could come early
By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent John Whitesides, Political Correspondent – Mon Nov 3, 3:39 am ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Some of the earliest returns in Tuesday's U.S. presidential election could provide big clues about the outcome.
Trends in the race between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain could become clear soon after the first polls begin to close at 6 p.m. EST in Indiana.
Obama and McCain are locked in a surprisingly tight duel in Indiana, a Midwestern state that has voted Republican in every White House race since 1964. A breakthrough win for Obama, or even a neck-and-neck struggle, would be an encouraging sign of broad strength for the senator from neighboring Illinois.
But if McCain appears to be cruising to a relatively easy win in Indiana it could signal trouble for Obama, who is challenging McCain in about a dozen states won in 2004 by Republican President George W. Bush.
The first public sign of Democrat John Kerry's loss in 2004 came from a worse-than-expected 20-point blowout in Indiana.
"If Obama wins Indiana, the election is over," Democratic consultant Doug Schoen said. "Even if it's close, within 2 or 3 points, it probably suggests a big Obama win nationally. If it's more than 4 points for McCain, it's going to be wait and see for a while."
The next round of tests is at 7 p.m. EST when voting ends in Georgia, parts of Florida and the battleground state of Virginia -- another place where Democrats have not won a presidential vote since 1964 but have made gains in recent statewide races.
"If Obama wins Virginia by a decisive margin, it's a pretty strong suggestion he's going to win the election," Schoen said. "If McCain wins by more than a few points that could suggest movement toward him."
At 7:30 p.m. EST, polls close in the states of Ohio and North Carolina.
By 8 p.m. EST, all polls in Florida will be closed. Florida's 27 electoral votes and Ohio's 20 electoral votes are two of the biggest prizes still up for grabs on Tuesday.
MCCAIN MUST WIN THEM ALL
McCain, an Arizona senator who faces a perilous path to gaining the 270 electoral votes he needs to win, essentially has to carry all of those early battleground states to have a realistic chance.
A setback in any would increase pressure on McCain to make up for the loss with an upset of Obama in Pennsylvania, which Democrats have taken in the past four presidential elections. Voting in Pennsylvania, which has 21 electoral votes, also ends at 8 p.m. EST.
The presidential race is not the only battle with an early bellwether. The first returns could offer hints about the fight for control of the U.S. Senate as well.
Democrats are expected to dramatically boost their narrow 51-49 control on Tuesday but need to pick up nine seats to reach a 60-seat majority that would give them the muscle to defeat Republican procedural hurdles.
The first crucial Senate showdown is in Kentucky, where Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell is in a tough fight for re-election and, like Indiana, polls begin to close at 6 p.m. EST.
"Indiana offers an early tip about the presidential race, and Kentucky will do the same for the Senate," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University poll.
"If McConnell wins Kentucky, there is no way the Democrats get to 60," Brown said. "We're going to know two things fairly early -- whether it's a presidential blowout and whether the Democrats have any shot at 60 seats. Those are two big questions."
(Editing by Bill Trott)
(colors by Athena ... hopeful that Indiana will finally be a blue state!)
By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent John Whitesides, Political Correspondent – Mon Nov 3, 3:39 am ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Some of the earliest returns in Tuesday's U.S. presidential election could provide big clues about the outcome.
Trends in the race between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain could become clear soon after the first polls begin to close at 6 p.m. EST in Indiana.
Obama and McCain are locked in a surprisingly tight duel in Indiana, a Midwestern state that has voted Republican in every White House race since 1964. A breakthrough win for Obama, or even a neck-and-neck struggle, would be an encouraging sign of broad strength for the senator from neighboring Illinois.
But if McCain appears to be cruising to a relatively easy win in Indiana it could signal trouble for Obama, who is challenging McCain in about a dozen states won in 2004 by Republican President George W. Bush.
The first public sign of Democrat John Kerry's loss in 2004 came from a worse-than-expected 20-point blowout in Indiana.
"If Obama wins Indiana, the election is over," Democratic consultant Doug Schoen said. "Even if it's close, within 2 or 3 points, it probably suggests a big Obama win nationally. If it's more than 4 points for McCain, it's going to be wait and see for a while."
The next round of tests is at 7 p.m. EST when voting ends in Georgia, parts of Florida and the battleground state of Virginia -- another place where Democrats have not won a presidential vote since 1964 but have made gains in recent statewide races.
"If Obama wins Virginia by a decisive margin, it's a pretty strong suggestion he's going to win the election," Schoen said. "If McCain wins by more than a few points that could suggest movement toward him."
At 7:30 p.m. EST, polls close in the states of Ohio and North Carolina.
By 8 p.m. EST, all polls in Florida will be closed. Florida's 27 electoral votes and Ohio's 20 electoral votes are two of the biggest prizes still up for grabs on Tuesday.
MCCAIN MUST WIN THEM ALL
McCain, an Arizona senator who faces a perilous path to gaining the 270 electoral votes he needs to win, essentially has to carry all of those early battleground states to have a realistic chance.
A setback in any would increase pressure on McCain to make up for the loss with an upset of Obama in Pennsylvania, which Democrats have taken in the past four presidential elections. Voting in Pennsylvania, which has 21 electoral votes, also ends at 8 p.m. EST.
The presidential race is not the only battle with an early bellwether. The first returns could offer hints about the fight for control of the U.S. Senate as well.
Democrats are expected to dramatically boost their narrow 51-49 control on Tuesday but need to pick up nine seats to reach a 60-seat majority that would give them the muscle to defeat Republican procedural hurdles.
The first crucial Senate showdown is in Kentucky, where Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell is in a tough fight for re-election and, like Indiana, polls begin to close at 6 p.m. EST.
"Indiana offers an early tip about the presidential race, and Kentucky will do the same for the Senate," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University poll.
"If McConnell wins Kentucky, there is no way the Democrats get to 60," Brown said. "We're going to know two things fairly early -- whether it's a presidential blowout and whether the Democrats have any shot at 60 seats. Those are two big questions."
(Editing by Bill Trott)
(colors by Athena ... hopeful that Indiana will finally be a blue state!)
Tomorrow is THE DAY.
Vote, people, VOTE.
As most of you are aware, I'm a complete political junkie. Love CNN, love CSPAN (yes, tell no one), love politics in general. I've worked on campaigns, both in volunteer capacity and in an actual role. I've voted in every election.
I have LOVED Indiana's role in this election. Never, ever, ever before have I felt that Indiana actually mattered to anyone of national political stature and yet, this year, we have been a part of an onslaught of visits and campaign offices. Love Love Love It.
Obviously you know who I'm voting for this year -- it's not a well kept secret :)
Tomorrow I fly out to Washington, DC for a conference for several days. I'll be watching the election returns just steps from Capitol Hill ... and if you hear screaming in Indiana, just know it is your friend Athena and her whoops of joy as Indiana goes D for the first time since 1964.
As most of you are aware, I'm a complete political junkie. Love CNN, love CSPAN (yes, tell no one), love politics in general. I've worked on campaigns, both in volunteer capacity and in an actual role. I've voted in every election.
I have LOVED Indiana's role in this election. Never, ever, ever before have I felt that Indiana actually mattered to anyone of national political stature and yet, this year, we have been a part of an onslaught of visits and campaign offices. Love Love Love It.
Obviously you know who I'm voting for this year -- it's not a well kept secret :)
Tomorrow I fly out to Washington, DC for a conference for several days. I'll be watching the election returns just steps from Capitol Hill ... and if you hear screaming in Indiana, just know it is your friend Athena and her whoops of joy as Indiana goes D for the first time since 1964.
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