Like everyone else, I've been 'pestered' about my choice in candidates for the upcoming Presidential election since probably... 6 weeks after the previous election.  I had been not only tight-lipped, but down right refused to tell anyone my thoughts about them until I felt good and ready.  Well I finally feel good and ready. 

So who is it?  I was almost certain I would vote for Nader as recently as this morning, but I've been doing more reading and thinking about the matter.  Which aspect of my political and social identity would be given more credence when choosing my casting my vote?  Hillary because I'm a woman?  Barack because of his youthful drive and fresh face?  Nader because I want to show my Third Party support?  I had thought I was a Hillary supporter.  I remember the Clinton era well, despite my youth, and I still look back with great appreciation of the tasks accomplished in during those 8 years.  Yes I remember Hillary as well- intimidating, driven, crafty, intelligent- all of the qualities we need in a leader.  I admire her.  People alternate between chastising her for being too soft and sticking by Bill despite his infidelity, and calling her a hard-core ball-buster who isn't feminine enough- the fact that it appears so generally accepted that she can only be one or the other, and thus a woman can only be one or the other grates on me like little else does in this race.  Her negative qualities, are often those that are praised amongst men.  Today we have racism masquerading as National Security, and sexism masquerading as political strategy.  She is willful, and commanding, and I have no dout that she has the qualities to lead this Nation forward.

But my vote, sorry Ralph and Hillary, is for Barack Obama.  Is he young?  Is he less-experienced?  I've read his books and I've looked at his policy and voting history;  he and Hillary both have a stance on policy I greatly appreciate.  But Hillary is lacking the thing I feel we need most now as a country facing some of our darkest days- HOPE.  Barack seems to have more hope than all the other candidates combined. 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23330293
Even when the talk turns to issues of his safety.

Will he make mistakes?  Will he say/do things that I don't agree with?  Of course.  Nobody's perfect, and for that matter, nobody can even agree on what perfect is.  All I know is that we could all use some hope, and we are definitely due for a change.

Alright Mr. Obama, you've convinced me.  Let's hope you can convince the rest of the Country; good luck and God Bless.  We're going to need it.

Mind-set: awake What are Tags?: activism, barack obama, good news, linky link, politics

Larry Stewart has been in my journal a few other times- most noteably when he passed away earlier this year from cancer.

Who was Larry Stewart?  He was just a man who saw suffering in the world, and had felt great success in his life.  Larry was the Kansas City Secret Santa- for years Mr. Stewart anonymously handed out denominations of $100 or more to people who he simply thought could use it.  He's gone now, but his legacy continues because of his loving friends, and other people who were inspired by his generous spirit.  

Please think of Larry this year, and of the kind of man he was.  There aren't enough Larry Stewarts in the world- but I certainly know who I want to be when I grow up.  I want to be Larry Stewart, a man who was kind for the sake of kindness, and asked for nothing but kindness to others in return.

Merry Christmas everyone- wherever, whoever you are, I love you.

Mind-set: nostalgic What are Tags?: awesomeness, good news, linky link

Sometimes it feels as though there is nothing but awful, terrible, horrific things and really mean people (and evil harpies) in this world.  And then, sometimes, you come in to work after running around like a crazy person and read stories like these:

Mystery Santa hands out money.

Man thinks quickly and saves falling tolder.

Baby Okapi born at Ill. Zoo.  (OMG too much cute)

First loves reunite.

Firehouse saved from damage while hardworking firemen put out blaze across the street.


So while you're swearing at traffic, worrying about bills or the news, or stressing about any number of things, think of the non-homeless firemen, or maybe the very cute baby Okapi, and smile to yourself, because maybe, just maybe, the world will be alright.
~LINKS IN FIRST PART HAVE BEEN EDITED~

Mind-set: content What are Tags?: bad news, good news, linky link

Ick... yesterday started out great.  And I was even in a good mood at work... but unfortunately about 2 hours in I started to have hot and cold flashes,  get light headed, nausiated, and then physically ill a couple of times.   Today I have only thrown up once, but I have a fever and a bit of a rash (I'm assuming from the fever), and just... bleh.... =(  And- what's better, when I called in, my AMR was like "well, we had agreed that nobody was allowed to call in at all this week since three of our Assistant Managers are out."  WTF?  I mean, I'm all for having high standards about people calling in, but I WAS SICK AT WORK yesterday, and I haven't used a sick day in over three months, but I'm supposed to come in, and just be all gross and sick around paying customers because nobody thought that giving one guy vacation and two guys a week of out of town training DURING THE SAME WEEK, were a bad idea?


UPDATE- I am home, on the couch, with the two cats, because my AMR actually said "hey, you know what, we were only going to keep you till 4pm, and I'm here till then anyhow, I figure I'll just cover for you, cause this doesn't happen very often, and we really need you tomorrow.  Get better!"  I was like ... ?  Who are you and what have you done with my boss?  So- annoying, fever driven whininess aside, I am relaxing, and the Kinko's Gods smiled on me.  Thank god. 

Mind-set: sick Tunes: none What are Tags?: badness, good news, kinko's, rant, sick, victory!, weirdness