One more concern

With 17% of precincts reporting, those 'For' are leading those 'Against' on Proposition 8, a proposed ban on gay marriage, in California. Here's hoping that as more precincts report, the ban will fail.

I have a restored faith in America, I have to admit

It just feels so good to have Obama as President-Elect.

It feels good to be an American tonight.

I think Obama's speech

was excellent, too. He spoke to just about every person, every group, Americans and beyond, especially the part that America is not the strength of its arms or the scale of its wealth, but the power of its ideals.

His anecdote about the 106-year-old woman was well spoken. His inspiring talk of hard work and sacrifice gives hope. Wow, the man can speak. Now let's see if he can run a country--he's got a lot of work to do, or more properly we have a lot of work to do.

For text of the speech as prepared, see the Wall Street Journal's transcript.

I find it telling

that when McCain was talking about Obama, his supporters booed, but when Obama talked about McCain, his supporters cheered.

Anyone else notice that?

Of course, McCain clearly didn't approve of the booing, because he's a classy guy. In other days I might have voted for him--certainly against George W. Bush.

Kudos to John McCain for a wonderful concession speech

I am so pleased that Barack Obama will be our next president. McCain's concession speech was very classy, too. Although my state, Kentucky, was the first race to be called, and for McCain, my county went for Obama by 52%.

Of course, McConnell kept his his seat, and I would have like to have seen his defeat.

For a transcript of McCain's speech, try the Turner Report.

That's nice that her wishes will be recorded, even if because of a technicality

Hawaii officials to count Obama grandmother's absentee ballot

Although the law would normally require that an absentee ballot cast by someone who dies before election day to be discarded, Kevin Cronin, the Hawaii elections chief, confirmed that it would still be counted, as the elections office did not receive a list of deceased residents - which included Dunham's name - from the state department of health before Tuesday.

Keeping up with the election results online

PS A someone without cable TV and questionable broadcast reception, thank you MSNBC for broadcasting live via the Internet. :)

Okay

even as a child I didn't really ask for gifts at Christmas because, well, I thought it somewhat presumptuous and frankly was much more passive than I am now (and that's saying a lot). But if you don't ask, you don't receive, so here is my list of things I'd like for Christmas/Solstice/Yule. :) Best colours for the bathroom or kitchen are black, grey, or purple. Best for the bedroom are either lavender, grey, or purple. (PS I don't really expect total strangers to send me things. But if you're a friend or member of my family and are thinking, what could she possibly want, here's a wish list. And it's my own reminder about things I need.)

1. Cookware (doesn't have to be expensive, but I only have a 1.5 quart saucepan, a small frying pan, and a larger shallow oval pan to cook with). Do you know how difficult it is to cook pasta in a tiny saucepan?
2. Wooden spoon. Hey, it's cheap but necessary.
3. Pyrex liquid measuring cup. I've been using a gravy separator for years. I have no idea why I have a gravy separator when I don't have the other basics.
4. Towels and washcloths. I have one of each. Really.
5. Thick queen-sized sheets. I have one set, which are in sad repair from the springs of the old mattress.
6. A decent digital camera that actually takes sharp pictures.

I'll get around to getting them eventually, but if you're feeling generous.... :)

I voted!

(okay, I really tried to get a sharp picture and just couldn't get the camera to focus well enough on the sticker, but there it is, anyway)

There was no line for my precinct, as per usual, but the other precinct that also votes at the Eagle Creek library was out the door and maybe thirty people beyond that. A lot of people had brought their kids with them, which was nice.

I did pretty well until I got to the soil conservation board. I mean, how much do you hear about that sort of race?

But we have a couple of very hotly contested races: Obama-McCain of course, and Lunsford-McConnell. McConnell is one, if not the, most powerful Republican in the Senate and has been in office for over 20 years. Lunsford does have a few drawbacks, but the Republicans attacked him over stupid things, at least from what I saw, like having homes in other states (he lives primarily in Louisville, though). I saw one of their ads and it was attacking him on it, and the very document they had circled on it also listed his Louisville address. Sheesh. You think they could do better than that.

I'm curious as to how things will turn out tonight. I'm taking a friend or two to the polls at 3 this afternoon. Their precinct tends to be pretty crowded. There was a mayoral (yes, mayoral--not presidential) race where we got stuck at the polls for something like three hours there. We're trying to go before people head out from work this time.

Remember, be sure to vote!

Get ready, set, go!

My voting precinct is small and includes mostly just my apartments and some townhomes, a population that doesn't NORMALLY vote. Of course, this is no normal election. So, just in case I get trapped in line:

1) Bathroom (check)
2) Comfortable shoes (check)
3) Taken medicine (check)
4) Eaten something (check)

Can't really get any caffeine (although Starbucks is apparently giving out cofee to those who have voted, in a possible legal violation). [Check out Krispy Kreme and Ben & Jerry's for general election day freebies as well]. :)

But otherwise I think I'm ready to hit the voting machine.

Oh, and it was so sad that Obama's grandmother died so soon before the election. I wish she'd been able to see the outcome, whatever it may be.

Whatever else you do today, and however you do it, be sure to VOTE! and exercise your right as an American. (Oh, and if you're not an American, be sure to watch the candidates duke it out as the rest of the world waits to see how bone-headed/smart we are.)