Today was a pretty big day, as not only was it Election Day; not only was it my first time voting for a Democrat for president; not only was I able to vote for an African-American; not only was it my first time voting in Virginia; but it was also my first time involving Nrrd Boy in the process.
We've been talking about it a lot recently; about how there's a very important job that several people want, and that every 18 or older gets to help decide who gets the job. And with the massive amount of racial diversity he's been exposed to since moving here, he's very excited by the idea that someone who looks a little different than him will possibly now become President. And he loved the idea of accompanying me this morning and "helping" me vote.
So I woke up at 5 a.m., hoping to get ready a bit, wake him up at 5:30-ish, then walk down to our local community center/polling place that opens at 6 a.m., do my duty, then get him to school, and hit the Metro, with minimal disruption to my schedule.
Yeah, that didn't happen.
We got there just before 6 a.m., and there was already a line of more than 150 people stretched throughout the Lake Anne Plaza parking lot. Young, old, parents with kids, adults in suits, some in sweats, every color and walk-of-life you could imagine; and they were all in a rather jovial mood considering they had all been hoping to be in-and-out in a few minutes. But as that was obviously not going to happen, people were having a pretty good time talking and joking with each other, as a handfull of GOP and Democratic volunteers walked up and down the lines handing out sample ballots.
Just over 90 minutes later, Nrrd Boy and I made our way to our little cardboard polling booth, and I let him hold the pen with me as we filled in the oval for Obama and Biden. And even though we were just two people in a sea of voters there; in one of many polling places across Reston; in one of many towns across Fairfax County; in one of many counties through Virginia; in one of many states throughout the U.S.; I felt rather optimistic. Not just because of Obama's message of change and optimism, but also because of Nrrd Boy's enthusiasm and interest, and what that could mean for the future.
So it's going to be tough in places, and a lot different from my first four months in Virginia, in which I was without wife and child.
But we've had a great first five days, though, thanks to keeping very busy with school and work. And weekends will be a cinch, because of all the great things to do around here for free (or close to it) in the DC area. We started off the day finding a toy suit of armor on the local Freecycle list (which everyone should join their local chapter), picked it up, and spent the next several hours modeling in it, and fighting invisible dragons, wyrms, and griffons.
Then we went to the 2008 Asian Festival, which was a 3-minute walk from our house, and spent the next three hours wandering through an awesome selection of almost any and every Asian food you can think of, watched a traditional Chinese Lion Dance, ate several different foods, including entire fried fish, watched a kung fu exhibit, then stumbled home, and are now going through the pre-nightime motions.
Nrrd Boy's not having any behavioral issues with being separated from Nrrd Mom yet, although I'm sure it'll happen once in a while, but I figure if I can keep him busy and engaged as much as possible, it'll help ease things until we're all reunited down the road.
And I'm happy Nrrd Mom is enjoying herself back in Twin Falls with her friends and garden. She really, really missed them.
So after a week with Nrrd Grandma, while Nrrd Mom and I were away in NYC, 3 1/2-year-old Nrrd Boy has now started a song which may be the coolest thing I've ever heard.
I LOVE MUD
Mud, mud, I love mud.
I'm absolutely, positively, wild about mud!
I can't go around it, I've gotta go through it.
Beautiful, fabulous, super-duper mud!
I need to get recorded audio or video of it, because it's so, so funny.
Stumbled upon VectorMagic today, and the results are fucking stunning.
Man, such a great dog. I really kind of hope we don't find the owners.
A very affordable blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that's rather full bodied, with hints of dark chocolate, rich black fruit & oak, with a nice berry finish.
Uses a screw-top, which I'm liking more and more these days. Good stuff.
I'm doing this partially to start talking about and recommending great wines I've found at our favorite local wine shop, but also to keep track of my favorites so I can look back and remember the names.
I really only drink reds, with cabernet savignon being my favorite. So here's the three I've enjoyed the most recently:
The Black Chook Shiraz Viognier 2004 - A nice dark, dense cherry taste with a hint of viognier. A really amazing aftertaste.
Novelty Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 - Very rich blackberry and chocolate flavors, with a hint of oak.
Each bottle was less than $20, and I would have gladly paid twice for them.
For anyone in Idaho, our favorite shops is Rudy's A Cook's Paradise, and the owner, Tom, has an incredible knowledge of every wine, beer, and food item known to man.
So Nrrd Mom and I finally saw this a couple nights ago, and Holy Shit!, what a great film! Christian Bale stole the show, despite strong performances from Hugh Jackman and Michael Cane. Beautifully shot, and the plot really kept you guessing until the very end. Christopher Nolan, I forgive you for Batman Begins!
And Scarlett J. in a corset. Wooooo!
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Smylie said:
Yeah, (un)fortunately, we found his owners yesterday. Awesome dog, though. read more
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jenblossom said:
Yum.I love red wine. A couple of my favorites these days are Kermit Lynch Cotes du Rhone and Joel Gott... read more
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dietsch said:
http://dietsch.vox.com/library/post/big-wheelin.html read more
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