For Cripes' sake.

Why does everyone automatically assume I'm voting for Obama? Seriously?

This is something that is coming from both political sides. From Republicans, "I know you are going to vote for Obama, but..." or "I just don't understand how you can vote for Obama..."

And then equally as aggravating, from the Democrats, "Thank goodness for Obama, right?" and "At least we've known who we were going to vote for from the beginning..."

I'm getting a little fed up, honestly.

I know it may seem ridiculous but I still don't know how I will cast my vote come November. I know where I stand on the issues but I'm not in agreement 100% with either of the candidates. I need to hear more from them than the tedious celebrity gossip fest that has been going on so far. I need more so I can make a decision based on reason instead of rhetoric.

Hopefully, that will start now that the pageantry is over.

Today's Sentence - 9/5

Why does it always have to come back to autism?

Well, I watched.

Since Hillary dropped out of the race, I really had no idea which way I was going to vote. And though I found the Sarah Palin choice curious, I wanted to hear what she had to say before immediately writing her off. You know, as opposed to just reading what US Weekly and the National Enquirer had to say. So when I saw her speaking at the Republican National Convention on the gym TV this morning, I immediately plugged my headphones in, ready to listen.

I don't know why I bothered. I wasn't impressed.

For someone who came out against rhetoric, she certainly had more splash than substance in her own speech. And for someone who talked about how inappropriate it was to target her children, she certainly had no problems parading them up on stage as her own political props.

Maybe it's time to move to Germany. Oh wait. I did that already.

Um, remember that part about kids being off-limits?

The lovely and talented Miss Kimbaland linked to my post about feeling like a sexist concern Gov. Sarah Palin (thanks, Kimba!). I still feel the same way. I decided to console myself by purchasing a "Hooters" t-shirt on the Internet. Might as well embrace it.

But, OMIGOD, the whole circus around her daughter's recently announced pregnancy? This shit is playing like an episode of Desperate Housewives. All we need is a trashy looking Southern prostitute (gender optional), a midget and a ball gag to have ourselves some truly decadent entertainment.

Months ago, a friend of mine said that she would never vote for McCain because of a joke he made about Janet Reno being Chelsea Clinton's father at some public event 10 years ago. I can see why that wouldn't play. But that same friend is now completely enthralled with this Bristol Palin pregnancy blow-out. She even went so far as to call her a little slut. And ironically, she really doesn't see why everyone's obsession with Bristol Palin's reproductive organs is just as inappropriate. Even when you point out why it is. Funny how party lines can change things. And the Internet isn't being any kinder. I guess when you smell blood in the water, it doesn't matter whether you are a Republican or a Democrat.

Ignoring the politics, here we have a 17 year old girl whose sex life is now making the front page of newspapers. It's not right. So, please, let's we, as voters, Americans and decent people, let this one alone. Dislike Palin for her policies or personal values. Vote your conscience. But let's leave her daughter, who didn't ask to be the potential VP's kid, and her personal business out of it. And that includes whether Bristol is also the mother to Trig. It has nothing to do with Palin as a politician or a mother. It has nothing to do with us. Let's get beyond this so we can pay attention to what's really important -- an election that has the potential to change the course of history.


P.S. Kimba, I guess you could call me an independent. But in the past, my votes have generally gone towards liberal bed-wetting Democrats. They probably will this time, too. But I happily embrace the opportunity to listen and learn more about all the candidates. If only to get fodder for this blog.

Trucks!

Parents will often be the first to tell you that you should procreate because you get to view the world through innocent eyes. It's so much fun! There's so much to re-learn! And hey, you get to play with Legos again! Or some other such brand of bullshit. It's often true but people get way too sanctimonious about it. Most of the time, if the conversation heads into that direction, that's the point where I either grab some Jim Beam or daze off into space.

But as I said, it is often true.

Yesterday, I walked outside to find two of my tires totally flattened. Usually, this would have given me the opportunity to display my She-Ra like tire-changing skills. You know, flex my muscles for the man. But this car has those auto-fill tires. You know, so you never wake up and find your two tires flattened. But I digress.

There was nothing to do but call a tow truck. And you know, there is just nothing more annoying that being at the whim of a tow truck driver. And as I ranted and raved and got myself worked up in a tizzy about the tow truck company that was going to gauge me $75 since I opted to pay $500 for a tire refilling system that didn't work, my son just watched me curiously.

But when the tow truck finally arrived? Oh my gosh, you would have thought that I had planned the most awesome play date ever. Munchkin was thrilled with the whole process. And when the tow truck driver allowed Munchkin to push the button on the remote to pull up the car onto the bed and then drive in the cab? I think I might have just been made mother of the year.

It's funny how his reaction made a totally irritating situation so entertaining. Hopefully he can do something equally as cute when it comes time to pay for the two new tires.

I feel pretty, oh-so-pretty. I feel pretty and witty and gay!

A few days ago, one of the Rear D soldiers stopped me to tell me I looked very nice. I was kind of floored by it -- I'm just not the type of girl that your average 20 year old stops to compliment. You know, I'm old and I have my large post-baby ass to contend with. So I did a mental checklist:

• Bra on? Check.
• Boob appropriately checked into bra? Check.
• Nipples in non-cold, locked-down position? Check.
  
• Bra type that supports against stripper-like jiggling? Check.
• Butt crack safely stowed in jeans? Check.

So I dismissed it. Probably just an ass-kisser. But then about 5 minutes later, a friend of my husband's complimented me, too. Told me my eyes shined. And as he said it, another person, a spouse, concurred. At this point, I wasn't taking any chances. I ran to the restroom to look at myself and figure out what the hell was going on.

There I was, reflected in the mirror. I was wearing my usual uniform of jeans, t-shirt and sneakers. My make-up was the old regular routine -- a little mascara and chapstick. So what was all the fuss about?

Wait. I forgot. I did do something different. I wore earrings. That's it. And I didn't even really put them on. I threw them on as a joke to entertain Munchkin as I sorted through my jewelry box and the piles of crap I never wear earlier that morning.

Earrings, people. Who'd a thunk it? Someone remind me of this next time I start obsessing over whether or not it's time to buy a pair of Spanx. It's always the little things.

The deployment blahs.

I'm in 'em. Nothing particularly set it off. But I'm having trouble filling time. I don't really want to see people if I don't have to. And I just feel bored, bored, bored.

Any recommendations? Rewatching all four seasons of "House, MD," though reinvigorating my love for Greg House, didn't do the trick this time.

I was fired. Well, sorta.

About 8 months ago, I took on a new client. It really was a stupid move on my part. They required too much time at specific hours, lots of edits and the pay sucked donkey butt.

So why did I take the job? Everyone's talk about a sucky economy made me think that a long-term prospect that would offer me a specific number of hours per month and direct deposit was a good thing. Friends, I thought I had found myself that mythical cushion, which is nearly impossible to find in the freelancing world.

And there's a good reason why. It doesn't really exist. Turns out small companies, no matter how many hours they may promise you, aren't immune to the economy either. So facing their own business woes, they offered me an ultimatum this week. Up my hours significantly -- basically becoming a full-time employee without actually becoming one -- or go away.

I chose to go away. And it's amazing. I don't think I realized how much I was letting the economy, or more precisely the rumors about said economy, bully me until that moment. But when I was shown a door, I took it gladly.

And you know what? I found something else to replace it the next day. Something that had I chosen not to pick up this client, I would have had time to pitch months ago.

It pays not to let yourself be too scared.

Apparently, I'm a sexist.

Like many, I was very surprised by the Sarah Palin pick. But the more that I read about her, the more she seems like the kind of maverick that would complement McCain. Plus, it would also revitalize the campaign, which can't hurt.

But here's the thing. And I have a very hard time admitting it. But here goes.

Palin has a four-month-old Down's Syndrome child. The right is positioning this as a sign that Palin can put her money where her mouth is when it comes to pro-life policy (never mind that it was a *choice* that could equally stand up in a pro-choice context). They are saying this is a good thing. And while I applaud Palin for opting to keep a special needs child, I can't help but wonder how it will affect her duties as VP.

If I think the best of Palin, then I know that when her child needs her, that child will come first. And a child with Down's Syndrome is going to need her often. There are going to be doctor's appointments, tests, all manner of complications that could happen at any time. And given her son's young age, it is very unclear what those needs may be and how much time they will require. And of course, whether they will occur when it is convenient for the country.

At some point, I think that Palin will be put in a position where she has to choose between her child and the American people. Not only it is an unfair choice to put upon her but also unfair to that child and the people she was chosen to represent.

Of course, any pundit out there will say, "Would you say the same about a father who had a special needs child?" And I will tell you honestly -- a child with Down's Syndrome at 4 months of age? Yes. Yes, I would have concerns. I see it the same way I would a VP with severe health issues. (And in fact, after Elizabeth Edwards was diagnosed with cancer, I almost got slapped for telling someone that I thought that perhaps it would prove too much of a distraction for a leader of the free world).

Frankly, I just think it is just too hard to stay focused when there are so many unknowns, so many potential problems that take the VP's head away from where it needs to be -- on our country.

So, apparently I'm sexist. And since it's out there now, don't be surprised if I slap you on the ass and tell you to get me a beer.

(P.S. Now they are speculating that the baby isn't even Palin's. Oh vey).