A Chill Wind, It Blows

Who knew that going into the third week of November you could have temperatures reaching into the 50s in Minnesota? For a time, it seemed as though perhaps winter would not come this year. And while this thought gave rise to fears about the phantom of global warming, it was still pleasant to be outside.

That fantasy was shattered today. Puddles left behind from yesterday's rain have turned to sheets of ice, which for the first time this season did not melt at high noon. Today was our first real taste of winter for the year, and judging from the forecast (a dubious source of information) it has finally settled in for a long stay.

Having grown up in Minnesota, you would think I would be used to this by now. In fact, there once was a time when I looked forward to the winter. It stood for good fun like sledding and throwing snow balls and drinking hot chocolate. And of course there was Christmas, who couldn't love that?

But now I look at the winter and all I can think about is my inability to enjoy the sun and cursing the wind as it cuts through you like an icy razor. In fact, we only get see the sun for about 9 hours in a day. Most of that time is spent behind a computer in a cubicle. No more shorts and sandals, now I must encase myself in bulky, thick pieces of cloth just to get from one warm building to another, shivering uncontrollably the whole way.

Perhaps it has been my past adventures that have turned me from my heritage Minnesota ways. I spent the better part of December last year basking under a glowing summer sun with the sound of the ocean waves crashing behind me. To lay out on a hot beach in the middle of December was nothing short of utter bliss. I enjoyed that. Perhaps too much.

I suppose, though, that it is only appropriate. Just as the coming of this past summer gave me a feeling of optimism and confidence, so must its passing dash my hopes and leave me with a lingering, though dull, sense of dread. I can already feel the chill...

A moment...

Let's break this down. The final tallies from yesterday's election are in. The Democrats have official secured a majority in the U.S. Senate, have more than a majority in the House, they gained on their majority in the Minnesota Senate and gained the majority in the Minnesota House. As delicious as this is, the whipped cream topping is the announcement that Donald Rumsfeld has finally resigned his incompetent ass. Considering the inexplicable surge of neocon support just two years ago, this is sweet vindication.

I'm giddy.

Results

(Yeah, this post may piss some of you off.)

The polls closed two and a half hours ago, and the results for many races are already in. While I am dissappointed in the decisions on propositions by some of our neighbors (shame on you Wisconsin), I am quite happy with the good people of Minnesota.

We kept Kennedy from taking a seat in the Senate, which pleases me more than anything. And by a very large margin. And since he gave up his seat in the House for the camapaign, here's hoping this is the last we see of Mark Kennedy. I think Senator Amy Klobuchar is going to be a good thing for Minnesota, and the country.

My hat off to our Independence candaidates: Tammy Lee who took 21% in a traditionally overwhelming Democratic district (meaning no disrespect to Ellison, but I liked Lee better) and Robert Fitzgerald (a Morris graduate!) who managed to get 3% of the vote working with a budget of only $6300. It would be nice to see a viable third party rise in power, and these are a couple candidates I'd really like to see again (especially Fitzgerald).

Still waiting to hear from other parts of the country, but so far things are shaping up. It's about time this country woke up.

The Daily Show Rocks - Midterm Elections

This was originally shown 4 years ago, and perhaps it was funnier then (the message is much less true this time around), but here is an entertaining little video about midterm elections.

Laugh About It, Shout About It, When You've Got to Choose...

Election Day tomorrow! I have my candidates picked out for Senate and US House and for once, am actually looking forward to voting for them. I don't know why, I just get a good vibe from them (which is more than I can say about people I have voted "for" in the past). I am also very anxious to see how these elections turn out on a national level. Will we finally see a turn from the past 6 years?

Now if only the Minnesota gubernatorial race didn't seem like such a no-win situation...