Finally a Political Voice

I was watching CNN's* post debate discussion this evening and was struck by a realization...

But first, a little background. Five or six years ago, I decide to change my political affiliation from Democrat to Independent/Unaffiliated. People said it was foolish, since I would lose a chance to vote in primaries. However, I was disgusted with the political machinations of the Democrats and was tired of being associated with the party. (Friends who happen to be Democrats are fine, of course, it's the behavior encouraged by the party that I disliked.) So, I changed my affiliation. I said that instead of making a "protest vote," I would make my registration a protest.

Now, things have turned on their head. I've always been a proponent for a multi-party political system (yes, there are nominally more than two parties, but we all know it's Dems vs. Reps) but have been told it's pretty much impossible at this point. Tonight, listening to the pundits, I suddenly realized that we ARE moving away from the two party system, in a way that's even better than having three or more major parties. I, as an Independent, have become part of a nebulous third group that defies stereotyping. We don't have many representatives in Senate, and we're not going to have an Independent president, but we ARE a force to be considered and reckoned with. There are enough of us that politicians are starting to have to pay attention to what concerns us (or at least pretend to). Pundits are biting their nails trying to figure out "what will the Independents do?"

I, who have never felt like I had a voice in politics, feel like someone's listening. Maybe I and my fellow Independents might actually change things around here.

MORE ISSUES! LESS MUDSLINGING!

* PS - CNN deliberately avoided "The Spin Room," saying "what's the point?" Bravo, CNN! Thanks for realizing how stupid it is to hear partisans parrot their party's talking points.

New Arrival

My couch came yesterday! (Cat provided for scale.)
Pretty nifty, isn't it?

The network adapter for the TiVo also arrived yesterday, and my wonderful brother helped me set it up. I'm sure I could have figured it out myself, but he was happy to do it for me and I was entertaining him and his fiancee with a story. So I can record TV again! Yay!

Thought of the Day

"Life is pain, highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something."

- The Man in Black, The Princess Bride

A Roll of Thunder in the Distance

The National Novel Writing Month Approacheth

Beware!

Turtlesque

When I was a kid, I read a lot. I recognize now that it was to escape. I slowed down the pace of my reading when I started building a life that included entertainment with friends and family as well as the obligations of living (vacuuming, cooking dinner, emptying the cat box, etc).
The last few weeks, I've regressed. I not only read at night (which means I'm sliding on some of my obligations of living), but also in the morning, before work. This morning, I seriously considered taking a mental health day and just reading all day, but I promised to do a jobsite walk this afternoon. Plus, I'd rather really get away if I'm going to take time off work.
I'm uncertain if I should cut myself some slack and just move through the phase without the self-flagellation or if I'm being self-indulgent to do so. If I were to just apply a little discipline, would it help? We'll see.

It's very much like having a recalcitrant child, but without the extra cost of food, schoolbooks, and clothes.

Later: Jeri (in the comments) put it best when she describes reading as "an inexpensive mental vacation."

You all will be pleased to learn that tonight I finished the book I was reading - Young Miles (a compilation of The Warrior's Apprentice, "The Mountains of Mourning", and The Vor Game) by Lois McMaster Bujold - and am moving on (in the absence of the next Miles book, which I will be purchasing momentarily from Amazon) to The Mislaid Magician, or Ten Years After by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer.

Even Later: There, the remainder of the Miles series has been ordered, mostly through Amazon, but a couple from Paperback Swap. [cue evil chuckle] While I'm waiting, I'll decimate my "to read" list as well as I am able. :)

Conference Download

I meant to post a download of some of the interesting stuff I learned at the conference that ate my weekend, but forgot my notes at work. So, here's at least one link to get you started:

Worldchanging.com -- "a venue to find, discuss and imagine the world's most innovative solutions to the planet's most pressing problems." One of the guys who started this site spoke to us on Friday morning. He was very impassioned, and had some great links (that I hope to include here tomorrow).

Arup.com -- The best talk (in my opinion) was the final one by Gary Lawrence of Arup. I loved the global thinking he brought to each of the issues he talked about. I wouldn't mind working for them except they don't have a Denver office. Maybe I can convince them to open one. ;)

TiVo Blues

The TiFaux that my brother gave/lent me a few years ago crapped out recently, and in a fortuitous turn of events, some friends were giving up cable for a while and so gave/lent me their TiVo. Unfortunately, I don't have a telephone land line (cancelled it for economics) and that's the primary way it gets info and the way they used it. There is a "connect to home network" option, but requires a USB adaptor that works with this system. I'm not even sure if what I have IS a home network.

I'm sure my brother and BIL will help me, but it's frustrating. I want to plug it in and just have it work!

In fact, I have that desire about other parts of my life too. Why can't anything be easy these days?

Later: I was right, they both helped me figure out what to buy and where to buy it. Now I have to wait for it to come in the mail. Argh! The Waiting! ;)

Buzz buzz

Jeez, I'm getting really crappy at keeping up the blog.
Here's a rundown of the things that have kept me busy:
- Sunday: Went to see Burn After Reading. Funny and weird. Aileen, Brian will love this. Make sure he sees it. The acting is superb and Brad Pitt is hilarious. There's one scene where he's trying to be intimidating, so he narrows his eyes threateningly, but it comes off as just SO funny. I love that part. John Malkovich is a perfect foil for him, being actually intimidating (as he can do so well). Anyway, I enjoyed it.
- Monday: Heroes premiere. YAYAYAYAYAY! It was good. All the characters are mixed around in a new way and some of their motivations have changed, but all believably. That's one of the things I like best about the show. The characters evolve. Anything can happen, but generally in a believable way. And there's a little bit of good and bad in everyone. It's such a good show (beginning of the second season notwithstanding).
- Tuesday: My friend, Lisa, is going "home" to take care of her ailing dad, so her friends put together a little going away night out. It was lots of fun, mainly because Lisa is such a funny, intelligent, and insightful woman. The really neat thing is that we are fast friends after only meeting a handful of times. I hope to see her around here sometimes. (Mental note: send her a link.)
- Wednesday: Went out with Stacey and JR for drinks at Steuben's (because they have yummy mixed drinks, like the Dark and Stormy). Turns out they also have yummy Trout Almandine, which was served with greenbeans, potato slices, and sliced grapes. I was surprised by the addition of the grapes, but it was really good! Having them sliced was a great way to make it blend more with the other flavors. So, bravo, Steuben's.

And here's what's going to make me busy for the next two/three days:
I'm going to my first work-related conference, the AIA Colorado 2008 Design Conference. It should be a good opportunity to feel more like an architect than a construction manager, do a little networking, and maybe catch up on some friends I haven't seen in a while. It's not far away, just in Vail, but I'm hoping to have a bit of a vacation/escape. We'll see. From the schedule, it seems like a time intensive event.
I'll try and post while I'm there, so you'll get to hear all the hijinx I'm up to, but we'll see what the online services are. :/

Take care of the place while I'm gone and don't worry about getting the chocolate stains out of the new chair, it's chocolate colored. ;)