I'm Grateful Too

Today I am grateful that my vote counted. KT was so grateful, she sent me this virtual cake. She is also happy/grateful that my vote counted because:

1. She doesn't have to listen to me wonder what in the world Sherrie Swensen is doing with my vote, and
2. She doesn't have to put up with my complaints about how Salt Lake County denied my vote, for the next 4 years.
   

As a side note, I wonder if how I voted affected whether it counted or not. I mean, who knows the process for these things. I imagine a table in a room where a person goes through the pile of provisional votes and reads them to a representative from each party who then make arguments on the validity of the vote until they reach a decision. Passionate arguments would be made by each side until justice and democracy prevail. I'm sure there would be some sort of gavel banging to make it official. Unfortunately, it is probably much less dramatic than that. It's not like Utah is a swing state. They just pile the votes from all the "official" red bags (more about my encounter with the red bags here) on a table and make sure the paperwork appears valid and nobody used crayons to fill in the bubbles. Either way, democracy in action is something to be grateful for, even a couple of weeks late.

the soccer slash pta slash mom slash potential vice president

The other night me and my sister were talking politics. We couldn't help but laugh as we listed all of the things she has in common with vp candidate Sarah Palin (PTA, kids, soccer, mini-van). Well, her girls suddenly became very, very interested. Elise then spoke up and said, "Mom, don't get any big ideas."

Because of this discussion we had to watch the debate. I was uncomfortable as Governor Palin continued to use colloquialisms to convey her "straight talk." I also wished that we were playing some sort of drinking game (non-alcoholic, of course) for how many times she said "maverick" and how many times Senator Biden said, "those are the facts" (19 but who's counting?).

In summary? It was like watching my sister, an extremely educated woman (she does have her masters degree - which is currently being held up by a magnet on her fridge)/PTA mom debate a senator with 35 years experience. I love my sister, but I think I have to vote for the Senator.

*I wish Tina Fey would have shown up to do the debate instead of Governor Palin - then it really would have been interesting.