Local Flavor

Next to almost constant sunlight, the best thing about living in Colorado is the relatively mild weather. For example, I am sitting here on November 16 with my front door open to a 70-degree day. Down at the deli a few blocks away, three dogs, all Labradors, one black, one yellow, and one chocolate are tied to a tree, watching their masters intently as they sit on the porch and eat.

Drive Up Flu Shot

I did the drive up flu shot thing today. I went to my Kaiser office and drove up to a station of nurses, who asked me if I were allergic to eggs or flu shots. I said no, they stuck me with the needle, bandaged me up, and sent me on my way.

I didn't even have to take off my seat belt. I did anyway, just because it seemed, well, strange to be strapped in while some one was giving you a shot of something. It seemed very A Clockwork Orange to me.

There was a continuous line of cars, all packed with families. I was one of the few people who came alone. I had never done the drive up clinic before, so I was unprepared for the feeling it gave me. My heart was full to be part of a huge public health initiative (put on, of course, by an HMO, but hey, keeping costs down this way prevents people from getting sick). I felt like I was a part of the community, doing my part to make sure that the fewest number of people possible become sick from influenza this winter. It was such a contrast from the times I go in to get my shot in the doctor's office. There, I'm in a little room. It seems almost trivial to be getting a shot that way -- almost paranoid, almost selfish.

Getting the flu shot at the drive up clinic today make me feel like I feel when I'm voting. When I'm voting, I'm there with all my neighbors, making important decisions. It was the same exact feeling today.

Canvassing on Halloween

We have been giving out candy all night. The first family that came to the door gave us a "Yes on 3B" flier and asked us to vote for the schools. Later in the evening, an entire contingent of children wearing Obama for America buttons on their Spider Man, ghost, and skeleton costumes, came to the door.

I've never seen Halloween campaigning before. It just speaks to how important this election is to people. Nobody wants to take off even a kids' holiday because we need so much.

Happy St. Crispin's Day

For those of you who are not familiar with a) The Lives of the Saints, b) The works of Shakespeare, specifically Henry V, or c) The saga of the Ferragamo family, I am wishing you a Happy St. Crispin's Day because today, October 25 is Crispin and Crispinian, patron saints of shoemakers.

I celebrate Sts. Crispin and Crispinian religiously, every year. Celebrate with me. Go out an try on some shoes! I have already looked at several pairs of shoes online. They include Stella McCartney's "suedette" boots and a couple of numbers by Christian Louboutin. Love those red soles.

Later when we go out I will put on my black, suede boots. Mmm, mmm, mmm.

Cindy McCain Inspired Me to Go Dark

I just couldn't stand watching Mrs. McCain's hair any longer.

Bad Dream

The alarm went off this morning but I kept sleeping, though the radio was still playing. I was in that sleep/wake state that you have early in the morning when you really are not prepared to face the day -- sort of wishful sleeping.

I was still in that state when NPR began its story on the hypothetical Supreme Court case, McCain v. Obama. It is a project going at some university to help clarify election law in case of a 2000-esque result in the upcoming election. (I think that was what it was, I was asleep).

But as I lay there asleep, absorbing the story on the radio, I was convinced, CONVINCED, that it was the day after election day and we were still waiting for results. I really believed that. The weird thing about it was how it made me feel -- so scared and sad. Somehow deep in my sleep, I recognized all of those awful memories and feelings from 2000. The aftermath of that election was just the worst, most divisive time for our country, and even in my sleep I knew I didn't want to go through it again.

Vogue Calls Election For Obama

The November issue of Vogue arrived in my mailbox yesterday. On the cover there is a headline that says, "4 Generations of Biden Beauties: All the Vice President's Women."

There it is.