I Made A Difference ... not so much

I got up a few minutes early. If things went as planned, I would be voting as soon as the polls opened at Raymond Golf Course across the street. I went through my usual routine of exercise, walking Ykraps, coffee, and meditation. It was a glorious morning. It was clear and over 50 degrees. Most election days, for whatever the reason, are cool and rainy. Today’s high was expected to reach 74. 

After meditation I dressed for a run. Before setting out, I placed my driver’s license in my running pants pocket and put on my glasses. My plan was to run along Trabue & Hague making a voting pit stop at the golf course. I would arrive within minutes of the polls opening. I thought this would be a wise move.

 Well, imagine my dismay as I made my way across Trabue to the club house only to find the parking lot already full and a line wrapped halfway around the building. Are you frikin’ kidding me? I couldn’t believe it. I promptly turned around and kept running thinking that my new plan would be to return either at lunch or after work. I kept running along Trabue & then down Hague. It was much busier than it is on a Saturday or Sunday. I was even more cautious.

 My run was done in no time. My mind drifted everywhere but on my run. That always helps speed it up. I noticed that most of the red maple leaves on my curb trees dropped overnight. One of them in particular was almost completely covering a swath of my new grass. I’d address that later wanting to get as much of this Indian summer sunlight on it as possible. 

Back inside everyone was up and in good spirits. Mindy had my eggs all but ready. I was quite hungry. I also was sporting a runny nose. I was disturbed by the thought of coming down with yet another cold. If that were indeed the case, this would mark at least the 4^th one this year, and a couple of those hung on for several weeks. Mindy’s just starting to feel better from her most recent bout. Just before leaving, Mindy advised that the Pseudoephedrine was resting on top of her jewelry dresser should I want some. 

Soon Jacob & I were alone at home. Before heading up for the shower I tidied up the kitchen. Meanwhile, my nose continued to run/drip. So, just before jumping in the shower I popped one of Mindy’s Pseudoephedrine’s. I was ready for work by 7:50am. Because I didn’t feel 100% I balked at driving the BM’er. Jacob and I walked to the bus stop as usual and passed the football like always. I could feel the medicine beginning to dry me out. Cool! After the kids were on the bus I returned to the house where I fetched a rake to address the smothering pile of leaves on my new grass. I quickly raked the newly fallen leaves off the new grass and into the street. I put the rake away before heading off to work. 

As usual, I listened to NPR along my drive in. As one might guess, the day’s election was the big story, just as it’s been every day for the past few weeks. Most pundits were saying that Obama would runaway with it. To paraphrase them, there was little hope for McCain. We’d soon see.

 Work was busy. Turned out, many co-workers had similar stories to mine. Thought they’d get to the polls before work as soon as they opened only to find ridiculously long lines and traffic jams. I decided then that my goal would be to vote at lunch time. I didn’t want to risk the after work rush being just as bad as this AM’s.

 The Pseudoephedrine was working, but the side effect was a gigantic buzz! I felt as if I were on speed. I had no appetite at all. I left for the polls at 1pm. When I pulled into Raymond the lot was full once more. However, the course was opened, so I couldn’t tell how much of that traffic was there to vote or simply to golf. But at least there wasn’t a line outside. I spotted a neighbor or two there as well.

 Inside, a line was non-existent. I walked right up to the T-Z table and signed off on my entry. The older gentleman seemed a little confused but did his deed and issued me a small slip of paper with some gibberish written on it. My instructions were to hand that piece of paper over to a voting assistant who would guide me through the use of the polling machines. Our machines are computerized touch screens – very nice. I got the hang of it quickly and got started.

 I voted for several of the key state and local positions, including several judges who I admittedly had little real knowledge about. Many of the candidate last names are familiar, household names that have been around since I was a small boy. The candidates are either really old or passing the torch from generation to generation. J I was eager to cast my “NO” vote for the Ohio casino and a “Yes” to limit rates on Pay Day loans. I was also eager to encourage Hilliard schools to be more accountable with their dollars. I casted a “NO” vote for the operating levy. All totaled, I’ll bet there were 35 or more choices on the ballot. I found it surprising that they had the eight presidential candidates listed in random order. Barack was stuck in the middle of the pack while McCain was at the very bottom. Actually, I felt that boded better for McCain. Of the other six candidates listed, only Ralph Nader’s name was familiar.

 I left Raymond feeling at peace with my choices. Because I was across the street from home, I drove by the house before heading back to work. I didn’t stop so I’m not really sure why. The afternoon went well. I wore my “I Made A Difference” sticker proudly. I took notice of the lovely sunset around 5:15pm from my center’s many windows. I left work at 5:40pm destined for home. Mindy & I already agreed that she’d make Hamburger Helper, beef stroganoff. I hadn’t had that for years. 

I arrived home just before dark. I parked the Trooper at the curb to make driving the BM’er easier come Wednesday AM. After walking Ykraps I got the sprinkler going on my new grass & seed. The kids, meanwhile, were gone, off having dinner with Jimaken. I returned inside for some dinner, but it wasn’t quite ready. While playing on the PC, the kids returned from dinner. And speaking of dinner, ours was finally ready. The stroganoff was quite tasty. I ate two helpings. Afterwards, while Mindy was bathing the kids, I cut myself a piece of chocolate pie. It was good. 

After the kids were tucked into bed Mindy & I settled in to watch the early election returns. McCain was leading after two states reported – Vermont & Kentucky. That lead didn’t last. CNN had all but called the election around 830pm. Obama would be our next president. Like the night before, Mindy headed to bed just after 9:15pm. I stayed up a short while longer but soon joined her.