Election Clock Is Ticking

The election is just 10 very, very short days away. Most of you folks reading this tend to be on my side, that i, to replace Bush. Even more of you very few readers share my mindset of Vote Kerry!
But time is ticking. You all have a few Republican friends. Folks who are so hell bent on the terror and security issue that they can’t see anything else. Terror is one thing, for sure, but so is leadership and frankly Bush has let us down.

Take some time to share these links with friends, family, alumni, coworkers whoever you may think is tilting towards Bush or better yet, hovering around undecided. He is currently trending towards a 48% to 49% approval rating, which is just barely enough for Kerry to win without a replay of the courts and the 2000 elections.

100 Reasons and an opinion

Win Back Respect

Do you belong to Netflix? Do you have a Blockbuster membership? How about inviting a few undecideds over to watch Going Up River or Farenheit 9/11. Get some doubt in those undecide’s heads.

Months ago on this blog, I said my job was convince five voters to vote against Bush. I have done that. And I know that two of those voters are working on convincing a few of their own. Momentum happens by talking about. You can do it. In the days ahead share a resource or two and work to change some minds.

Let’s get President Bush out of Washington and return him to his quiet little ranch in Crawford, Texas.

Friday Fives

Friday Fives

1 You’re making a CD mix titled, “The Soundtrack of My Life.” Which songs would you include, and why?
“Rosalita” by Springsteen, “Lethal Injection” by Slim Cessna, “Gloria” by Van Morrison, “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” by Hank Williams, “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey, “You Never Even Call Me By My Name” by John Conelly, “Sweet Home Chicago” by The Blues Brothers, “The Harder They Fall” by Jimmy Cliff, “He Stopped Loving Her Today” by George Jones, and “Time Bomb” by The Old 97s. Each of these songs has a poignant moment – work, school, Army or friendship – tied to them and hearing them brings a full playback of times past.

2. What is your favorite song right now? Two years ago? In college?
I can’t stop singing “I Hope That I Don’t Fall in Love With You ” by Tom Waits, so I guess right now that is my favorite song. Two years ago? “Lonesome Day” by Springsteen. In college, it was “Psycho Killer” by the Talking Heads .

3. You’re feeling down, sad, lonely, frustrated, angry … which song[s] do you play to help yourself feel better?
“On The Road Again” by Willie Nelson, anything by The Blues Brothers or The Old 97s and of course, Springsteen’s “Rosalita” – any live version that lasts about 10 minutes of feel good rock and roll.

4. Do you watch any of the competitive reality TV shows Why/why not? Do you have a favorite to win any one of the competitions?
Only “Last Comic Standing,” which NBC, in its wisdom this year, cancelled before revealing the winner. How lame is that?

5. Do most of your friends generally share your taste in music?
Most of my friends either hate or just barely tolerate Springsteen. Lono likes Dylan, perhaps more than me and Ed and I have a deep affinity for old, old school country music. But generally my tastes are all my own. But that won’t stop me from foisting them upon you, so beware.

Friday Fives

Friday Fives

1. Seeing: What’s the most beautiful piece of artwork that you’ve ever
seen in person? Where was it, and when? Why does it stand out in your
mind?

I can’t remember the exact name of the piece, but it is a piece of Spanish conquistador art from South America at the Denver Art museum. It is a scene of a Spanish priest getting blessed by the Virgin Mary and surrounded by native “heathens.” The colors are so vivid and it is so telling about the total naivete and ego of the Europeans to think that their mission in the New World was a mission imposed by God. It is very telling

2. If you were one of the muppets, which one would you be and why?
Grover is my fav. He is old school and part of the original pack of the beloved Henson clan. He isn’t a marquee star, like Kermit or Miss Piggy and he has been edged out by Elmo on the sesame Street Walk of Fame, but that just makes me love him even more. For more on Grover go here. (longish read to tooooooo funny.)

3. Hearing: How would you describe the sound of your voice? When it’s
played back for you, do you like the sound of it? Do you feel that
your voice is similar to anyone else’s?

It frightens me. It is higher pitched than I hear it in my head. I talk to fast and am too chatty. When I hear a voicemail or some other recording of me, I am usually surprised at how much I just ramble on and on and on when I talk.

4. Touching: Would you consider yourself a “touchy-feely” person, or
do you prefer staying within your own personal “zone” most of the
time? Do you often give/receive hugs, offer handshakes, or greet
others with a kiss on the cheek?

I hang around with a crowd of huggers and touchy feely affection. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. I rarely give lots of hugs to strangers, in the elevator for example, but I am not totally against it. Watch out, here I come.

5. Smelling: Do you wear perfume/cologne? What kind? Do you have a
particular favorite? What fragrances do you tend to prefer?

Just some basic aftershave. No big smell goody stuff. Why do you ask? Is there something you are telling me?

An Election Update

Gallup Poll:(CNN/USA Today Poll (one of the most quoted polls, tends to guide momentum.))

Likely Voters (LV) Without Nader

Kerry 50

Bush 48

Likely Voters (LV) (with Nader)

Bush 48
Kerry 49

Who won the 2nd debate?

Kerry 45
Bush 30

More polling news:

Reuters/Zobgy :

Bush 44 (LV)

Kerry 47 (LV)

ABC/Washington Post

Bush 50 (LV)

Kerry 46(LV)

Rasmussen (a nightly poll based on three day rolling average.)

Bush 49(LV)

Kerry 45.4(LV)

And as always:

Electoral Vote: A constantly updated tally of statewide polling.

If Kerry can solidify Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, this thing will be well in hand, without Florida, but that is, as President Bush might say, “Hard work;” there is still much work to be done.
And that will come down to voter registration and Get Out The Vote (GOTV) efforts in the battleground states.

Patriot Friday Extra!

Everybody, Sing along:

Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore

� John Prine

While digesting Reader’s Digest
In the back of a dirty book store,
A plastic flag, with gum on the back,
Fell out on the floor.
Well, I picked it up and I ran outside
Slapped it on my window shield,
And if I could see old Betsy Ross
I’d tell her how good I feel.

Chorus:
But your flag decal won’t get you
Into Heaven any more.
They’re already overcrowded
From your dirty little war.
Now Jesus don’t like killin’
No matter what the reason’s for,
And your flag decal won’t get you
Into Heaven any more.

Well, I went to the bank this morning
And the cashier he said to me,
“If you join the Christmas club
We’ll give you ten of them flags for free.”
Well, I didn’t mess around a bit
I took him up on what he said.
And I stuck them stickers all over my car
And one on my wife’s forehead.

Repeat Chorus:

Well, I got my window shield so filled
With flags I couldn’t see.
So, I ran the car upside a curb
And right into a tree.
By the time they got a doctor down
I was already dead.
And I’ll never understand why the man
Standing in the Pearly Gates said…

“But your flag decal won’t get you
Into Heaven any more.
We’re already overcrowded
From your dirty little war.
Now Jesus don’t like killin’
No matter what the reason’s for,
And your flag decal won’t get you
Into Heaven any more.”

Friday Fives

Friday Fives

1. What are your favorite ways to relax and unwind?
Pass the bong! No, I am kidding. Me and gonj seemed to have parted ways, but not for lack of trying. Actually, reading, vegging in front of the tube. Taking a long walk and cooking up some complicated comfort food.

2. What do you do the moment you get home from work/school/errands?
Pass the bong! No, again, I kid. I kid because I am stoned. Honestly? Just some good sit down time on the john with a book and surrounded by non-judging pets. They understand the constraints of an annoying commute and working in a building with public bathrooms.

3. What are your favorite aromatherapeutic smells?
Vanilla, raspberry and hot black tea. mmmmmmmm

4. Do you feel more relaxed with a group of friends or hanging out by yourself?
That varies. I am quite fine by myself but get batty if I am not refilled with the energy from friends now and again. Lots and lots and lots of parties and gatherings in a row makes me nervous, yet I can’t go full Unabomber and live like a hermit in the woods. At least not yet. Now, get out of here and close the door behind you . . .

5. What is something that you feel is relaxing but most people don’t?
Writing – spending a lot of time in front of the word processor and doing meaningless journaling or composition. And related, I suppose, messing with my computer, upgrading, hacking, tricking out programs and such. Great fun.

Add your comments/answers below by clicking the comment link.

New From Bloomies

You can now get the next new Nextel phone for just $700.00, from the good folks at Russell Simmons Phat Farm, and available only at Bloomingdales.. I may be off base here, a but a diamond studded pink phone is just a bit over the top.

Politics, an update

I have been remiss in posting about politics. Don’t read that an non interest on my part. I have politic you three or four readers to death. And rather than plaster you all with tons and tons of links, lemme just point you in the direction I have been headed as we head down to the last three weeks of this election.
Anything that I may add to a discussion of politics, democrats, local, state or national elections and issues, I general find at the listed sites below. Rather than reguritating what a I find, take a bit perhaps and go here:

Dkos Polls, news, diaries, tidbits and even some worthless gossip. If it is being talked about, it will be here.

My DD A precursor to Dkos, along the same lines and deep with content.

Altercation NYU Professor Eric Alterman is an MSNBC talking head and ofen referred to as the anti-pundit. His books are wise beyond the years and his loathing of Ann Coulter and most political group-think is refreshing. He also wrote a great biography of Springsteen, so add respected Rock journalist to his resume.

Josh Marshall The master, usually days ahead of the news curve.

Salon’s Political War Room Blog

And, as an added bonus, I like the front page of AM760 radio (Air America) in Denver for its countdown to the election clock.

I generally spend most of my day at these sites, bouncing back and forth and looking for new gossip and tidbits. If you have undecided voters, if you have conservative or GOP friends sitting on the fence and looking for reasons to vote for Kerry and not for Bush, lots and lots of argument winning ammo can be found.

Friday Fives

Friday Fives

1. We are deep in the trenches of the political season, with congressmen, senators, presidents, oh my. Last week, we talked a bit about the “what-if” vision for your city, if you were mayor. Taking a step back to the bigger picture, what five things do you look for before you cast your ballot? What does it take for a Democrat, a Republican, a Libertarian, a Green Party candidate to get your vote?
I want candidates to be pretty liberal in social policy and pretty fiscally prudent. Balanced budgets and limited unfunded mandates passed down to the states are important. I agree with fairly centrist Democratic principles of strong relationships with our allies and being a wise and careful steward of our land, air and resources. Honesty and integrity and the ability to get past memorized talking points and a willingness to get “off message” to address issues or answer a question is also refreshing in a candidate.

2. The Grammy’s were just given out and HBO, with their stable of Sopranos and hot city ladies lunching in the city, clean up. On the other, Salon.com gave out their first annual “Buffy” awards to television shows that didn’t get an awards but deserve one. What teevee shows, movies, albums, books and performers that were given an award in the last year deserve more attention, by blog readers or the public in general. (Short version of this question: Who was robbed?)
I love The Wire on HBO, the show that no one watches. It gets no respect and is much better than anything on the networks or other cable offerings. In fact, I am a Sunday HBO whore and will watch anything they put before me. Musically, I wish there were some sort of award category for “best acoustic cover.” Back in the gleeful days of the past, I used to love digging around Napster and Audio Galaxy for charming, unheard gems of unreleased live acoustic recordings – stuff you can’t find in any record stores. Really great raw and intimate music that deserves to be recognized. Books: Calvin Trillin is a great writer and has been noticeably absent during this campaign. He has been robbed by ignoring his sharp wit and keen observation. And Harper’s Magazine should receive the Pulitzer Prize every month for its amazing writing. Not a magazine of pictures, gossip and make up tips, Harper’s is a reader’s magazine and always forces me to come away with a new awareness of some social issue or world view.

3. In five bullet points or less – explain NASCAR to me. I still don’t get it. (And I work for a certain cellular company with a vested interest in the race, where it is a career expectation!)

A NASCAR Haiku:
Cars travel in circles.
Crowds waiting for crashes.
Lots of Bar-B-Que is served.

4. Career advice: Name five annoying things your coworkers do around the office/shop. How do you deal with that?
1. Whenever an errant burp erupts, I try to insert an excuse me, to help train the loud burper.

2. I try very hard to avoid office related gossip and chatter. The less I need to hear about coworkers sleeping with coworkers and who is out to get who, the easier the work place is.

3. I am also really annoying in the office. I talk too loud, I tend to butt into conversations and when staring at the computer screen on some complicated project, I tend to pick my nose (unfortunately, this also happens when reading or watching television. ) I think I should go under hypnosis.

4. I hate bad office parking lot parking. Jeesh, how difficult is it to be able to put a car carefully within the lines! And turn that radio down, we don’t care what you are listening to. And it isn’t as cool as what I am listening to anyway.

5. Talking on the cell phone in the bathroom. This could easily be one of the most annoying of office coworkers habits. What is so important in you life that must be address while sitting upon the ‘loo? Really, people, you are not impressing anyone with this particular multitasking skill.

5. It’s a rainy autumn weekend ahead. That means cocoa, a DVD or two and perhaps a blankie. I always get nostaligic this time of year for old movies, television and food. And I have a few new books to read. What are you favorite ways to spend a rainy day?
I have some bread baking to do this weekend. I will perfect it! And I think I am going to make some soup and read my new book: Cryptonomicon. Maybe this weekend’s dark damp weather will be just the thing for me to do a ton of laundry and actually take the time to fold and put the clothes away!

Add your comments/answers below by clicking the comment link.

Special bonus request this week. Click on the contact link in the upper right hand side of the web page and send me a question or two for the next Friday Fives. >