Wanna know a secret?

One that nobody else knows, not even Robert?

This is the first time I've ever voted for President.

I've been registered to vote for many years, and I've even voted several times, but I've always managed to forget, or be out of town, or cock it up somehow during presidential election years. Barack Obama has officially popped my presidential voting cherry.

Don't get me wrong; I have not always been a fan. At first, during primary season, I had serious reservations. I didn't buy it: the rhetoric, the idealism, the earnestness. It simply didn't matter what I thought, because I'm a registered independent, and we don't vote in primaries in CO. As the primaries wore on, though, I began to realize that Hillary Clinton was, in fact, a robot space alien fembot from planet Zorgon, and I began to root inwardly for this seemingly honest, articulate man from Chicagah. Then he won.

Remember when Lindsay Lohan was fun and cute? And acted in fun, cute movies? Funly? and Cutely? When did that change? When did she turn into the lesbian-of-convenience that we see before us now? I would argue that it was when made the cardinal foolish mistake of celebrity: believing your own publicist. Having a publicist is not a terrible idea; I wish I could afford somebody to go around and nudge public opinion in my direction, spinning things my way. But I would remain aware that I was paying this person, and their comments might not be entirely neutral. The second a celebrity forgets that, I believe they turn into Lindsay Lohan. that is what it seemed happened to Barack Obama after the primaries.

When he made some fool comments supporting the death penalty I brushed it off. But he started to seem too . . . slick? Too used-car salesman? I'm not sure how to put it. When he started rhetoricising the war in Iraq, couching his opposition in the need to put more troops in Afghanitan instead, I gave him a mulligan. You see, unlike some who use the name, I am truly pro-life. I oppose the death penalty. Life is sacred, all life, and it is not up to us to take it away. I am against all war, not just the idiot war that Crazy McCuckoobananas has gotten us into currently. War and killing are either wrong, or they aren't. This seemed to put me at some cross purposes with Barack Obama. Then, he made an appearance at Jesus Camp with McCain and The Purpose Driven Hobbit. "Marriage is between one man and one woman", he said. I felt like such an idiot. I had bought a lemon, just another smooth talking politician who will do anything to get elected, a Hillary Clinton, only better at it. So much for Democracy and idealism.

Lately, I have come down from that ledge a little bit. I considered voting for a third party candidate, but whom? Barr is ludicrous, Nader is irrelevant, and McKinney is immature. It has also helped that McCain has proven himself to be a senile, hot-tempered lunatic. This is not an invention of the press; it is recorded fact. Look at the video of him losing his marbles at the craps table and assaulting some random civilian. Read the account of him calling his wife a CUNT in front of reporters (imagine how he treats her when nobody's around). These are things the media doesn't even cover, possibly because it is would be impossible to be objective. Ultimately, look at the corrupt imbecile whom he has chosen for running mate.

At the same time, I have cooled down a little about Obama. His lucid and rational statements during the most recent debate have let me feel just a little more comfortable about voting for him, and at any rate it is a done deal now. The ballot is in the Colorado Election Comission's box, waiting to be counted. I suppose I can live with not getting married until someone a little more courageous comes along.

You guys alive?

Do we still write on here? I had this insane realization today that we actually have a blog together. I guess this is what happens when we all have lives. Vaisey, I hope your grandparents was just lovely with your long weekend. B, I enjoyed our convo while I was on the treadmill the other day (although everyone else around me prolly didn't).

Anyway, what's new with my life? Hard to say. Nothing really. Ummm...Jordan and I haven't talked for like 4 days. This is a big deal...almost a wonderfully big deal. Actually, it's not really a big deal at all. It's actually rather stupid that this comment even warrants the energy it takes me to push my fingers over the keys. I know I told you this B, but I have completely realized that God will never bring me the man that I deserve until I learn how to say no to the man that I don't. Whatever, this whole conversation is so overrated.

School is great. My sophomore are about to finish King Lear, and they'll be writing their first in-class essays on Friday. We start the Bible next...that should be interesting. My freshmen are creating their own epic heroes right now and writing their own epics. It's been interesting, but good. I "rented" out the computer lab all next week (we have 1/2 days everyday for parent-teacher conferences), and we're gonna go over MLA format and all that boring crap. Anyway, I just miss you guys and I wanted to know you still existed. I'm sorry this isn't more thoughtful or provoking. My mind is pretty much shot. I sat down on Sunday, waking up already feeling like crap, anticipating something close to a 4-page paper...it ended up as 11...second one in 7 weeks in a 100-level course. It's gonna be so great in December when I get my professional teaching license in the mail from the state of Colorado and it doesn't mean crap.

Oh...on a lighter note, I have offically been asked to prom like 47 times from the same boy. He's a junior. I'm his advisor in this 30-minute college prep class we have every two weeks, and his third period is next to mine. Today, he resorted to sending me love notes through the divider in the wall, and he made paper flowers for me. It's slightly hilarious, but, I mean, what do you do? I know he's joking, but he seriously just leaves his 3rd period and will come sit in my class...all of a sudden I'll look over, and I'm like, what the heck just happened? The teacher next to me isn't so bright...word on the street. Anyway, why don't guys my age act like that?