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February 05, 2008

Off the cuff

I'm sitting around tonight, waiting for the election coverage to stay on broadcast television, reading about being undecided, and being mesmerized by the Google Maps/Twitter mashup. It's hypnotizing to watch the twits pop up, especially overseas, in languages that I can't understand, except for the interspersed names of various candidates.

Wisconsin's primary isn't for another two weeks, and I'm getting excited at the realization that our primary might still matter.

Also, Huckabee looks like the product of first cousins.

sarae at 08:31 PM |

February 06, 2008

Snow day!

In the past twenty-four hours, my fair city has had fifteen inches of snow dumped on it. There were snow days called, people left early and arrived late, and we're less than two inches away from the snowiest winter. The record: 76.1 inches, from 1978-79. And it's only the first week in February.

You would think that I would be sick of the snow by now, that I must be sick of it after today, having to shovel my car out so that I could drive home - only to get stuck getting into my parking lot at home. But no! I can't wait to see the snow tomorrow, bright and pristine and white in the sun - provided that it is sunny tomorrow. Apparently there's a chance for more flurries.

Although, I think I would be soured on this weather if I had been one of the hundreds of cars stuck for nine hours on the interstate.

sarae at 10:38 PM |

February 10, 2008

Disconnect

Today I saw a hot dog vendor selling in front of St Vinnie's. This is the second time I've ever seen an actual hot dog vendor in town. He had an awfully professional getup, so I wonder if he always sells in that area of town, and I just don't ever see him/it?

Despite a parking lot half-full of cars, I am confident when I say that I was the only person outside at Olbrich. It was 29 degrees out, and I did not go into the greenhouse/conservatory. I gingerly walked along the half-cleared paths. And took photos, all of which had over a foot of pristine snow in the background.

The garden grounds were covered with this immaculate snow, sliced along the pathways. (I should note: the paths were only half-cleared in that they had snow crunched down rendering them slippery, and ice on them in spots. The edging was beautiful.) Except for in some random spots when there would be a phantom set of footprints - only one, and in one direction - connecting a cluster of bushes and the path. It puzzled me more than it probably should. It still is.

I went to the Craftacular at High Noon and I knew it was a bad sign when I could park in the tiny lot. It's not that the wares were bad, it's just that they were all Valentine-themed, and there's only so many hearts and cupids I can stomach, no matter how ironically rendered. Also, I don't quite feel like buying repeat items - many of the vendors show up repeatedly, with very similar products. That said, there was one vendor with exceptionally awesome totes and I am kicking myself for not picking up a business card so that I can purchase one when I feel more flush with money. Alas.

I am still undecided as to whom I want as my Democratic candidate, but Obama's coming to town and I think I will go hear him speak. Clinton, however, seems to be passing by Madison so far. (Not surprising, however - a cursory search for information shows no Clinton events, even supporters-only, planned within an hour of here.) The only thing that I am completely set on is a desire for Huckabee to not be the Republican candidate. Do you think that McCain campaign would appreciate my willingness to campaign for him - but only to beat his fellow Republican? Twisted, I know.

It is February tenth. I think today is as good a day as any to start my Resolutions. I cannot bear to start them on January first, nor have I usually figured out what mine may be then.

sarae at 02:51 AM |

February 12, 2008

Checkmark

I've been very lazy lately. What is most irksome about laziness is how it lulls you in, until suddenly you realize that you haven't done anything for a week. Or you've procrastinated on things that have to be done for far longer than you are willing to admit to anyone. (Hence the vague-ness.) Visiting Olbrich this past weekend was the first step in forcing myself to do those "someday" things, even though it was only a half trip - I elected to save the trip to the greenhouse/conservatory for another day, as I needed to meet my mother for lunch.

Today at work I made a list of things that I should do tonight and then promptly did none of them, besides shopping at Walgreens for some pertinent items. Instead, after throwing dinner in the oven I got some spur of the moment cleaning bug and proceeded to clean my kitchen and bathroom. So, progress.

Tomorrow may involve more cleaning - the closet? the livingroom? - but I think that I am instead going to head to Obama's rally at the Kohl Center. The rumor is that he won't be speaking until the East Coast polls close at 8 cst, so I don't know what time I would elect to show up.

Unrelated: Madison is seven-tenths of an inch away from making this the snowiest winter ever. I would say that it's a lock, except that the snow was supposed to start at 3pm. And then the forecast was amended to 6pm. When that didn't happen, they decided to say that it would start at midnight. And still, there's nothing on the radar.

sarae at 12:46 AM |

February 26, 2008

The signs

On Sunday, I woke up still thrilled from the night before - more on that later. I went to see a movie, and then went shopping. From the moment that I got out of the movie, up until I went to sleep last night, I was thirsty.

On Sunday evening, after the movie, I took my first trip to the SuperTarget that opened last summer. While there, the display of orange juice was oddly appealing, and so I bought one. This was the first time I have purchased orange juice in over two years. I hate o.j.

Even later that night, I used the last bit of soap in my disposable container. Instead of refilling it like usual, I elected to fill up my sadlyprophetic Christmas present for the first time.

On Monday night, I climbed into bed and wrapped myself up in my blankets like I usually do. Within five minutes, I was roasting. When I hopped out to turn the thermostat down, I found that it was lower than it usually is.

And, yes. When I woke up Tuesday, I had a stuffy nose, a sore throat, and the realization that I should have put all these signs together a couple days ago. Crap.

sarae at 06:14 PM |