A Little Post-Election Day Break

Last night was a long night. Why I’m up now at 5:30 in the morning, I have no idea…considering the fact that I just got to bed a couple of hours ago you’d think I’d be clinging to sleep. Guess not. Oh well. It was a crazy night. Congratulations to those who won and condolences to those who didn’t.

Whichever side you ended up on, I think we all need a little relief from the stuff. And so I present you with this.

Perhaps you have already seen it. Maybe you haven’t. Either way I hope it gives you a laugh. This has to be the worst commercial in the history of television. As if this product wasn’t already leading the way in the Hall of Shame of consumer items, these folks have taken it to an entirely different level by meshing it with the worst song in the history of radio! Bravo, Snuggie. You have officially secured your place in the history books. The bar has been raised – err, well, lowered really for all who will follow you. Well done.

Hmm, it’s kinda chilly in here while I’m typing this and you know, it would be nice if this blanket over me had a little more flexibility. Wonder if they’ll ever come up with something like that. Oh wait.. 😉

Election Day

It has finally arrived. After months of campaigning, positioning, mudslinging, and all the rest – it’s the day of reckoning for candidates across the United States. Along with that it’s a day that will shape much more than just the roll calls in various chambers and title placards that will sit on desks. Entire policies and initiatives hang in the balance, as well as the livelihoods of countless individuals whose jobs are tied to the various candidates. It’s a big day.

And so, you should vote. I’m not going to get into *who* I feel you should vote for here. While I do have a vested interest in politics (and this election) I am about as close to politically neutral as you’re going to find. To me, it’s the issues and the agendas of the candidates and not the party. I know I am probably in the minority in that regard but that’s fine with me. It’s always fun to watch both sides ramp up their efforts and see what the different candidates have to say about each other. Unfortunately it often leads to some really negative exchanges and as most people who know me already know, I’m not a big fan of confrontation and I’m not a big fan of negativity. So, despite the fact that I do have a vested interest in politics I try to stay out of the political ‘scene’ as much as possible. However, that being said I will most definitely be making my selections at my local polling place in a few hours.

It’s our civic duty to vote, people. Countless people have DIED over the years so that we could have the opportunity to make our voices heard. At the same time it’s your responsibility (and mine) to learn enough about the candidates to make an educated decision.

So why vote? For starters, as far as I’m concerned you forfeit your right to complain if you don’t. Not that you necessarily *should* complain otherwise but you know what I mean 🙂 I have a hard time listening to people who don’t vote complain in the years following an election. Also, vote because you should want to have a say in what happens to you and your family. There are some big issues out there – again I’m not going to get into them here for fear of this being viewed as a partisan post. But if you have paid any attention to happenings in government you know that whether it’s local or national, there are things that affect you or will affect you that are at stake with this election. So vote. Have your say in things. (This isn’t preaching by the way. I’ll be honest I’ve missed an election or two myself in the past, so it’s as much a reminder to me as it is to everyone else out there.)

Finally, I will close with a personal story that gives me all of the motivation I ever need to keep voting. A big detracting factor for people in every election is the concern that ‘My vote doesn’t count.’ Well for the record I think it’s understandable that folks feel that way. I used to feel that way too. But here’s the thing. You’re vote does count. If everyone had that attitude, no one would get elected. One year, my Dad was running for Village Board in the town where I grew up. Small town. We’re certainly not talking about hundreds of thousands of people here or anything, but it was for the Board and it was a big deal in town as these are the positions that can really shape communities and their futures. I think it was either Dad’s second or third time around after holding the seat for several previous years, and the election was going to be a close one. It just had that feel. Well I was away at the time and for some reason I believe my Mom wasn’t going to be there that day either. So we both voted absentee for my Dad. (Mom or Dad – if I’m telling this story wrong please correct me!) Folks, it turns out those two absentee votes were essentially the difference in that election for my Dad. I don’t think he won by more than just those two votes. He won though and I distinctly recall the feeling of knowing that if I hadn’t sent in that ballot, he would have lost. I’ll never forget that part. Talk about empowering.

And so your vote counts, my friends. Regardless of the size of the race, nature of the race, pre-election poll numbers – whatever. Your vote counts. Go to the polling places today. It’s your right. It’s your responsibility. Make yourself heard. Vote.

Good luck to all of the candidates today.

Another Halloween is in the books…

…and the candy industry is alive and well! Seriously, if anyone knows the amount of candy given out nationwide on Halloween I’d like to know what that is. Man, the dentists have to love November checkups. Talk about hitting the jackpot.

It really is amazing to me how much candy kids get (and then subsequently eat) every year for Halloween. I remember getting home and then immediately dumping out the entire night’s contents on the living room floor with my sister when I was a kid. Of course then there was the obligatory ‘Mine are better’ taunting that would ensue. Plus, some wheeling and dealing between us to secure what we felt was the very best candy that the neighborhood had to offer that night. We hit it hard. We ate a lot of candy. Really I’m just glad to still have teeth after all of that.

Which brings me to the present day and my children. They scored big time this week. First, my youngest son brought home bags (yes that was the plural form of ‘bag’) of candy from school. Then they pulled in the out of town loot from Grandma & Grandpa, who were kind enough to spend some time with us here this weekend. Then they went for Round 3 at the outdoor mall, where the store employees stood at their respective doorways handing out even more of the sweet stuff. Finally the main event tonight where they picked up the actual Trick or Treat haul – for good measure really, at that point. But it was candy, so therefore it was by nature, good.

Here’s a look at the goofballs, doing their thing this afternoon:

I had the opportunity to do something really cool this evening. I mentioned it a few days ago. Riverside Community Church hosted its annual ‘Fear Factors’ event at Dream Center Peoria. Picture an entire gymnasium filled with games, face painting, balloons…just a smörgåsbord of fun stuff for kids. Oh, and candy too. The goal was to collect 1,000 pounds of it to pass out to all of the kids attending the event. Half a ton! Anyway I got to run one of the games…and I had to smile when I found out my assignment 🙂

For those of you who don’t know, I cannot stand flying. Least favorite thing it the world to do. Only fitting that my game was ‘Plane-o-Phobia’ 😉 Had a blast with it – fear of flying and irony aside. Seeing kids smile has to be right up there on the list of things that are great in life. Last year approximately 1,000 kids came through. It’s safe to say that happened again. Amazing. So very cool. I can’t express how awesome it is to see kids happy. After having my two, I’ve never looked at the world the same way. Kids rock. So cool to have been able to be a part of tonight’s event. God is good!

Awakeness

Yes, it’s before 7am on a weekend morning where the kids are not here and there is the rare opportunity to sleep in…and I’m up. Gotta love it. The reason? Click here.

Now for the record, I have nothing wrong with these things. They’re completely harmless. During a nice summer afternoon – they’re actually quite lovely to have around. But it’s 40. And it’s early. And let me tell ya, they’re on a roll out there. They seem to be getting louder by the minute! It almost sounds like someone is actually playing these things as instruments 😉 Ah well. So be it. Guess I’ll just jump back in bed and enjoy the ‘concert’..  🙂

Foods You Know You Shouldn’t Eat But Yet You Eat Anyway #97

The frozen pizza.

Have you ever looked at how many calories and grams of sodium are packed into one of these things?! Scary…and to make matters worse I eat the whole thing every time I make one. Hmm. Good thing I had that fresh fruit smoothie for breakfast. Nothing like life balancing itself out 😉  Now, time to go polish off those last two pieces..