CNN is explaining to me why it's not over in Texas, and that the large population centers are going for Obama. They have a magic screen for this, which is basically a really big iPhone screen.
Just thought I'd share.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Nailbiter in Texas
I just got home from caucusing - I was worried about being late as the time got close to 7; I needn't have worried. I didn't get home until 10PM.
Highlights and lowlights of the evening:
There's really only one lowlight, and that would be taking out a car's rear-view mirror as I crept through the tiny one-way street near my polling place, which was of course packed with cars and pedestrians. I stopped and left a note with my name and number (and an apology), but haven't heard anything yet.
I had to put up with some drunk students, I suppose that was something of a lowlight
Highlights
Highlights and lowlights of the evening:
There's really only one lowlight, and that would be taking out a car's rear-view mirror as I crept through the tiny one-way street near my polling place, which was of course packed with cars and pedestrians. I stopped and left a note with my name and number (and an apology), but haven't heard anything yet.
I had to put up with some drunk students, I suppose that was something of a lowlight
Highlights
- The large crowd
- The bulk of the crowd being Obama supporters
- Getting to do my civic duty by looking up voter ids (VUIDS)on my iPhone
- The lines I used to let folks know I'd look up their VUIDS, including, "Get out of line free, get your voter ID here!" and "I've got an iPhone and I'm not afraid to use it!"
- Lending my sweatshirt to a drunk student, thereby causing her to STFU about being cold
- The conversations with fellow line-standers, including what was probably the only other non-student there (it's what I get for living where I do).
- Seeing my friend Jana, who does not live near me, but was there with the press.
Totally Unscientific Observations on the Texas Primary, and Random Observations
Today's the big day - election day in Texas. This is very rarely a big day, but this year it is, and that in itself is exciting.
...
I've talked to a lot of people in the last week about who they're voting for. This is perhaps gauche - it's one of those things you're not supposed to ask. But I am nothing if not socially inappropriate.
I've talked to 2 undecideds, and lots of people voting for Obama, but only 4 people who were planning on voting for, or had voted for, Clinton. Even more striking, 2 of the 4 were Republicans, and they voted for Clinton with the express purpose of voting AGAINST Obama, since they felt he was a bigger threat. The guy I talked to today actually made me feel really good, because he was against Obama for much the same reason I'm for him - he said (and this is a paraphrase, but a close one), "You know, politicians say whatever on the campaign trial - but Obama scares me because I believe him when he speaks." I know Clinton still has sincere support in Austin - she was on The Daily Show last night, live! via Satellite! from Austin, Texas! (which, again, is cool in its own right) - and she wasn't by herself - so I'm still feeling pretty anxious about tonight, but cautiously optimistic.
...
I early voted last Friday, and I had to stand in line for about an hour to cast my vote. It was the last day of early voting, and it was also over the lunch hour, but still! An hour's line! To early vote! It feels...it feels like a democracy again. And that's such a heady feeling, I can't even tell you.
ps to Kevin - how's my punctuation?
...
I've talked to a lot of people in the last week about who they're voting for. This is perhaps gauche - it's one of those things you're not supposed to ask. But I am nothing if not socially inappropriate.
I've talked to 2 undecideds, and lots of people voting for Obama, but only 4 people who were planning on voting for, or had voted for, Clinton. Even more striking, 2 of the 4 were Republicans, and they voted for Clinton with the express purpose of voting AGAINST Obama, since they felt he was a bigger threat. The guy I talked to today actually made me feel really good, because he was against Obama for much the same reason I'm for him - he said (and this is a paraphrase, but a close one), "You know, politicians say whatever on the campaign trial - but Obama scares me because I believe him when he speaks." I know Clinton still has sincere support in Austin - she was on The Daily Show last night, live! via Satellite! from Austin, Texas! (which, again, is cool in its own right) - and she wasn't by herself - so I'm still feeling pretty anxious about tonight, but cautiously optimistic.
...
I early voted last Friday, and I had to stand in line for about an hour to cast my vote. It was the last day of early voting, and it was also over the lunch hour, but still! An hour's line! To early vote! It feels...it feels like a democracy again. And that's such a heady feeling, I can't even tell you.
ps to Kevin - how's my punctuation?
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Is It 2009 Yet?
A certain someone who shall remain nameless* pestered me about the dirth of posts up around here, so I thought I'd emerge momentarily to give the World at Large an update (because the World at Large cares so much, I'm sure).
So, anyway, let's see. I had a dream last night, but this one featured no hug-wanting gorillas. It was much sadder than that - I dreamed that it was the night of the Texas primary, and Obama lost, 47-53%. And then I realized it was my fault, because I volunteered to be a Precinct Captain, and have done absolutely nothing in that capacity.
So, yeah, I've been all swept up by Obamania. Though I don't think he's a god, oh no! Because I've seen the light, and I know god - or at least, I know the phone god made. And that is the iPhone, one of which I now have, and I pet it every day. And no, that does not mean Steve Jobs is god. He's more like Joseph Smith, I figure (or maybe Moses, if you're old-fashioned).
...
I've been mad-busy at work lately, regularly getting in before 8 and leaving 7ish (except for Mondays and Wednesdays, which is 2/5ths of the week, after all). Lots of work, but I'm having fun. Mostly.
Speaking of work, a co-worker of mine transitioned on the job in the last few weeks (in the MtoF way), and I must say, my company officially rocks. They immediately updated their anti-discrimination policy to include gender identity, they brought in some women from a local trans organization for a Q and A session, they changed her name everywhere - and my fellow co-workers have been totally supportive and accepting (we got her a card to welcome her back after her time off, and there were so many signatures we ran out of room).
...
I was quasi-sick for most of the week, with a cold-ish thing. It started over the weekend, and despite my concerted consumption of Airborne, Emergen-C, and even the occasional zinc lozenge, it's been hanging on. But I woke up this morning feeling noticably better, and have continued to feel good throughout the day. So I hope I'm through with the worst of it. But that and the aforementioned lots-of-work have conspired to keep me out of karate for most of the week. I taught Saturday and Monday, and haven't been back since. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to Saturday.
...
If you're not happy with my stretching-the-definition-of-occasional rate of posting, check out Graham's blog - http://morisey.typepad.com/my_weblog/ - mostly politics, some movies, occasional funny videos. His blog's smarter than mine, too.
*I'm not actually sure who it was, in fact, as she was only identified as Garin's mom. And last I checked, there are two of those. Though I have my suspicions...
So, anyway, let's see. I had a dream last night, but this one featured no hug-wanting gorillas. It was much sadder than that - I dreamed that it was the night of the Texas primary, and Obama lost, 47-53%. And then I realized it was my fault, because I volunteered to be a Precinct Captain, and have done absolutely nothing in that capacity.
So, yeah, I've been all swept up by Obamania. Though I don't think he's a god, oh no! Because I've seen the light, and I know god - or at least, I know the phone god made. And that is the iPhone, one of which I now have, and I pet it every day. And no, that does not mean Steve Jobs is god. He's more like Joseph Smith, I figure (or maybe Moses, if you're old-fashioned).
...
I've been mad-busy at work lately, regularly getting in before 8 and leaving 7ish (except for Mondays and Wednesdays, which is 2/5ths of the week, after all). Lots of work, but I'm having fun. Mostly.
Speaking of work, a co-worker of mine transitioned on the job in the last few weeks (in the MtoF way), and I must say, my company officially rocks. They immediately updated their anti-discrimination policy to include gender identity, they brought in some women from a local trans organization for a Q and A session, they changed her name everywhere - and my fellow co-workers have been totally supportive and accepting (we got her a card to welcome her back after her time off, and there were so many signatures we ran out of room).
...
I was quasi-sick for most of the week, with a cold-ish thing. It started over the weekend, and despite my concerted consumption of Airborne, Emergen-C, and even the occasional zinc lozenge, it's been hanging on. But I woke up this morning feeling noticably better, and have continued to feel good throughout the day. So I hope I'm through with the worst of it. But that and the aforementioned lots-of-work have conspired to keep me out of karate for most of the week. I taught Saturday and Monday, and haven't been back since. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to Saturday.
...
If you're not happy with my stretching-the-definition-of-occasional rate of posting, check out Graham's blog - http://morisey.typepad.com/my_weblog/ - mostly politics, some movies, occasional funny videos. His blog's smarter than mine, too.
*I'm not actually sure who it was, in fact, as she was only identified as Garin's mom. And last I checked, there are two of those. Though I have my suspicions...
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Dreamscapes
I had a lively night of dreams last night. I blame the Provigil, which I've been taking the full dosage of lately since I've been getting up extra early for work.
I won't bore you with the details, since dreams are frequently less entertaining in the retelling - but I will supply you with a cast of characters, roughly in order of appearance:
I won't bore you with the details, since dreams are frequently less entertaining in the retelling - but I will supply you with a cast of characters, roughly in order of appearance:
- A small, hug-wanting, talking gorilla.
- The two people who belonged to the gorilla (in a non-binding way)
- Various heist-bungling henchmen
- A very small, and very still, kitten
- My Nevada-mountain travelling mother (do they have mountains in Nevada?)
- My brother
- A Suspicious Character who had taken up with my mother
- Two small children who may or may not have been my nephews
Monday, January 21, 2008
Politics
Hello again. I'm writing a short post now, mainly because I just told a friend of mine about this blog, and I feel like he should have something fresh to read, if he so chooses. And it's been a while, so, you know, it's probably time.
I'm excited about the primary process going on right now (yes, another post not about MS or karate). I was primarily just amused when the Democrats started stirring right after the 2006 Congressional elections - amused because it seemed so clear to me that everybody was so antsy for 2008 that they just couldn't wait, they had to get started RIGHT NOW. But now that it IS 2008, I've decided it's late enough that I can start paying attention.
I'm supporting Obama, as people close to me undoubtedly know. I trust him instinctively, in a way I've never trusted a politician before. But even more than that, I'm so psyched that we're having a real election, with real Democratic candidates, and it's looking like whoever is the nominee has a good chance of winning. Things could change, the GOP could still take us down (much to the delight of my grandmother) - I feel anxious that this could still happen, and I don't want to get too optimistic lest I just end up disappointed. But it feels so refreshing that America is within reach of breaking free of the drudgery and constant disappointment that has been the last 8 years. It reminds me a little of the allegory of the cave - the version my college psychology honor society favored, with the guy who found the sun coming back to acclaim rather than murder. Yes, it's embarrassing (and kind of hilarious) that a college honor society would get the ending of the allegory of the cave so completely wrong - but I do like their version better, I have to admit.
Ok, now I have to get back to work.
I'm excited about the primary process going on right now (yes, another post not about MS or karate). I was primarily just amused when the Democrats started stirring right after the 2006 Congressional elections - amused because it seemed so clear to me that everybody was so antsy for 2008 that they just couldn't wait, they had to get started RIGHT NOW. But now that it IS 2008, I've decided it's late enough that I can start paying attention.
I'm supporting Obama, as people close to me undoubtedly know. I trust him instinctively, in a way I've never trusted a politician before. But even more than that, I'm so psyched that we're having a real election, with real Democratic candidates, and it's looking like whoever is the nominee has a good chance of winning. Things could change, the GOP could still take us down (much to the delight of my grandmother) - I feel anxious that this could still happen, and I don't want to get too optimistic lest I just end up disappointed. But it feels so refreshing that America is within reach of breaking free of the drudgery and constant disappointment that has been the last 8 years. It reminds me a little of the allegory of the cave - the version my college psychology honor society favored, with the guy who found the sun coming back to acclaim rather than murder. Yes, it's embarrassing (and kind of hilarious) that a college honor society would get the ending of the allegory of the cave so completely wrong - but I do like their version better, I have to admit.
Ok, now I have to get back to work.
Monday, December 24, 2007
I Heart Speed
One of the things you hear a lot about when you're becoming familiar with MS is that fatigue is one of the most debilitating aspects of the disease. The stories are true, as it turns out. There are days when I never quite seem to wake up. It's as if I get stuck in that just-woke-up-and-still-groggy phase of the day. Having enough sleep doesn't seem to matter - I can sleep for 8, 9, or 12 hours and still be stuck in that phase. As with so many neurological symptoms, we don't quite have a vocabulary to describe it. It's a feeling of being tired, yes, but it's not a normal feeling of being tired. There are at least two kinds - the "I want to go back to bed" kind and the "I'm plenty alert, it just takes way too much energy to lift my arm" kind. And there are nuances to both.
When I've talked about how it manifests with me to friends, they respond with alarm. What, it's a bad idea to rest my eyes when stopped in traffic? It's not as if I'm actually driving with my eyes closed (hardly ever).
Enter Provigil. My neurologist mentioned it to me as a possibility back in June, and said that if I decided I needed it I could just call it in, wouldn't need an appointment or anything. I resisted for half a year, but at my appointment a few days ago, I went ahead and asked for the prescription. I had more or less decided I wanted it a little while ago, but when I actually fell asleep at my desk the day before, that cinched it. Wow - what a difference it makes. I've been resistant because I don't like to rely on pharmaceuticals any more than I have to, and I worry about the long-term effects of medication. I'm all too aware that bombarding my body with strong chemicals is a risky proposition, even if they do make me feel better in the short-term.
I haven't lost that awareness, I've just given in. It really does make so many things much easier. Like staying alert while driving, for example. And getting through a day. And getting through a karate class. The second half of last week, I really felt like I was able to actually put some energy into my training, for the first time in I don't know how long.
The side effects aren't bad - dry mouth, a medicated feeling. I can tell I'm on something, and it does feel a little like speed. It's not clear to me whether I have more energy than I did when I was "normal" (not like I've ever been normal - but, you know, not diseased), or if I've just become so accustomed to dragging myself through every day that 'normalcy' now bears an uncanny resemblance to 'speed freak.'
Provigil is not habit-forming, which I take some solace in. From an objective viewpoint, I'd rather not take it. But from an experiential standpoint, it's quite wonderful. For the past 6 months or so I haven't wanted to do much of anything - a perfect vacation, to me, was to stay home on the couch. Except that too much of that inevitably left me feeling depressed. With Provigil I actually feel like going out, spending time with friends, experiencing more of the world. Small tasks like cleaning the kitchen (to say nothing of actually leaving the house) are no longer overwhelming.
So, here I am. I've resigned myself to taking Provigil, at least some of the time. At least I don't have to inject it, and I can skip a day without guilt - neither of which is true for my other drug, the "disease modifying drug" called Copaxone - which will do nothing for my symptoms, but may keep me out of a wheelchair in the long-term.
When I've talked about how it manifests with me to friends, they respond with alarm. What, it's a bad idea to rest my eyes when stopped in traffic? It's not as if I'm actually driving with my eyes closed (hardly ever).
Enter Provigil. My neurologist mentioned it to me as a possibility back in June, and said that if I decided I needed it I could just call it in, wouldn't need an appointment or anything. I resisted for half a year, but at my appointment a few days ago, I went ahead and asked for the prescription. I had more or less decided I wanted it a little while ago, but when I actually fell asleep at my desk the day before, that cinched it. Wow - what a difference it makes. I've been resistant because I don't like to rely on pharmaceuticals any more than I have to, and I worry about the long-term effects of medication. I'm all too aware that bombarding my body with strong chemicals is a risky proposition, even if they do make me feel better in the short-term.
I haven't lost that awareness, I've just given in. It really does make so many things much easier. Like staying alert while driving, for example. And getting through a day. And getting through a karate class. The second half of last week, I really felt like I was able to actually put some energy into my training, for the first time in I don't know how long.
The side effects aren't bad - dry mouth, a medicated feeling. I can tell I'm on something, and it does feel a little like speed. It's not clear to me whether I have more energy than I did when I was "normal" (not like I've ever been normal - but, you know, not diseased), or if I've just become so accustomed to dragging myself through every day that 'normalcy' now bears an uncanny resemblance to 'speed freak.'
Provigil is not habit-forming, which I take some solace in. From an objective viewpoint, I'd rather not take it. But from an experiential standpoint, it's quite wonderful. For the past 6 months or so I haven't wanted to do much of anything - a perfect vacation, to me, was to stay home on the couch. Except that too much of that inevitably left me feeling depressed. With Provigil I actually feel like going out, spending time with friends, experiencing more of the world. Small tasks like cleaning the kitchen (to say nothing of actually leaving the house) are no longer overwhelming.
So, here I am. I've resigned myself to taking Provigil, at least some of the time. At least I don't have to inject it, and I can skip a day without guilt - neither of which is true for my other drug, the "disease modifying drug" called Copaxone - which will do nothing for my symptoms, but may keep me out of a wheelchair in the long-term.
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