A Week in Review

It's Friday. That day of the week when I flatter myself by thinking that you are dying to know what's going on with me. Here it is - A Week in Review.

CNN
There was an election this week. I went to Barry and Melody's to watch the returns with them and Sierra, who turned 18 in October and voted for the first time. She was so excited. We had snacks enough for an army, and watched CNN. What a great news channel. The special effects are outstanding. They had holograms people, holograms! I don't know how to spell that word, and hope that a misspelling doesn't detract from the mind-blowing intensity of it all. They actually beamed a person into the studio from Grant's Park in Chicago to be interviewed by Anderson Cooper. We can't let this kind of technology fall into the wrong hands. Only CNN should be trusted with it. Those jokers at MSNBC would screw up the whole world.

One reporter was in charge of demographics. He had a giant board with a list of options including gender, age, race, income, education, etc., and then he'd hit a line and a pie chart popped up with the percentages of how those people voted. The category options were endless. He must have had have had more than 100 choices. Those who wear flannel, those who prefer Velcro straps to shoe laces. "Let's take a look at those who answer yes to the question, 'Would you like any sauces with that' at the Arby's drive thru." or “Do you dream of Anderson Cooper's icy blue eyes at night?" And of course, the ever present qualifier - do you prefer Coke over Pepsi? There was a line on that board for everyone, and that man sure had fun playing with it.

I had fun hanging out with the family, but at about 9:00 was getting sleepy. By that time the results were clear, and not wanting to drive too tired, I decided to go home. I heard the official announcement that Barack Obama won on NPR, and then was home in time to see the speeches. John McCain was gracious and classy. Obama was, well, Obama. Can you imagine being a part of that crowd in Chicago? Seeing them cry made me cry. What a remarkable night. I was kind of glad to be home alone then, and to just experience it without any distractions. I got out my journal and wrote down a few thoughts. After the speeches, it was time to turn off the TV. I didn’t want any more commentators or pundits, just to absorb what had happened all on my own.

A day off
I think I’ve mentioned before that the political atmosphere here in my corner of the COB gets pretty heated. These guys have strong opinions that they like to share very loudly, so I decided a long time ago that I didn’t want to be and work and around all of that the day after the election – regardless of who won. So I scheduled a day off, and it was wonderful! I needed a new windshield in my car – it had a crack – so I got my chore done first. How nice to have brand new glass! Free of nicks and rock chips that cause the sunlight to break into prisms of color and blind me. I can see the road so well now.

I met Marla about noon, and we went to Pei Wei for lunch. Their chicken lettuce wraps and ginger broccoli are to die for. And then we did a little shopping. I was home in time for some laying on my bed and reading, and a nap, which always happens when I lay on my bed and read, and then I still had an evening to kill. So, so nice! Working like I do I hardly ever have even a Saturday free, so it was nice to take a full day like that. I’ll have to do it more often.

Protestors
Working at the COB, I see my fair share of protestors marching around our building. It used to infuriate me, but over the years I’ve tried to develop a mentally healthier attitude. Me going home with knots in my stomach certainly wasn’t going to do any good. Today is one of those days. The protestors are gathering to share their feelings about the passage of Proposition 8 in California. I imagine the crowds will be large by the time I leave here this afternoon.

I don’t hold any bad feelings toward anyone. If anything, these protestors have more ground to stand on than those who stand out there and yell at people on their way to General Conference. At least there’s a reason for the anger this time. My own thoughts on the issue at hand – it’s always best to stick with the Prophet. If there’s anything I’ve learned from reading the Book of Mormon this year, it is that the prophets have always been right. So even though I can’t always reason out the gay marriage issue in my mind (that issue and others), I know that there is safety in listening to the prophet.

I guess that it’s for now. I read a good quote on the Writer’s Almanac today: "I only know that I will maintain what I believe to be true in my own universe, and as an individual I will give in to nothing." Albert Camus

Thanks, as always, for being an important part of my life, and for letting me carry on about me.

You are loved.