Life's Not Always About Food.

The other day Craig asked me if I would ever write about something not related to food on my blog. Well here it is: Like every other blogger in the blogosphere, I will put my 2 (10) cents in for voting. Mostly I'm just excited to exercise my democratic rights (also I haven't had time to go grocery shopping so there is no food to blog about anyway, and an as yet unsuccessful attempt at making a quiche).

I showed up at the polls at 8 a.m. this morning, and there was already a line. I am excited about the fact so many people are voting this year. I've heard projections that 70 percent of the eligible population will be casting their ballots--versus the usual 30 percent. Incredible. Now, I don't want to sway anyone to vote for a particular candidate for president (ahem, Barack Obama) or any of Nebraska's particularly attractive Democratic candidates for the House and the Senate (seriously, have you all seen Scott Kleeb and Jim Esch? Reason enough to vote right there. These guys are adorable--my dad is rolling out of his desk chair as we speak). Needless to say, I am looking forward to the end of this whole campaign thing, equally excited for new leadership and hopeful that our country can really turn a corner (and stop bullying people--just my opinion). And third, I'm having a spectacular day because when I got my oil changed at Jiffy Lube, they also vacuumed out my car--for free.

All the workers at the auto shop were encouraging every customer to vote, which for whatever reason, I found surprising and kind of moving. Our country is generally so complacent about these things, it's nice to see everybody getting involved. There was a father and son waiting in the lobby with me. The boy was about seven years old, and I gathered that he was getting out of school to go vote with his dad. He watched Barack vote on the Today Show and asked his dad if he thought Barack would vote for himself (drawing a chuckle or two from eavesdroppers such as myself). It's great to see parents teaching their kids the value of voting.

Warm fuzzy feelings all over today. And sincerely hoping to see Nebraska's second congressional district go blue. (Picture me grinning from ear to ear).