Swing state

The outcome of the Presidential election in Virginia is up in the air and it's made living here this last month almost intolerable. Coupled with the fact that we're so close to DC and in a swing state, the election has been everywhere: people trying to talk up one guy over another, signs all over the place, messages left on the answering machine while we're at work... And of course people at work are another story, as everyone has their pet issue that they're sure the next President will make his #1 priority.

I've been lobbied so much for and against certain candidates that it almost makes my head spin. And it's divisive enough that I've passed more than one yard with both a McCain and an Obama sign in it.

I was out walking Lucy several weeks ago and literally passed four different people who were going door-to-door campaigning (the northern part of VA is mostly liberal, so they were all out for Obama). I applaud their fortitude and enthusiasm, but don't bug me when I'm trying to watch football on a Sunday, ok? And don't leave crap hanging on my door or send me junk mail either. Your "clever" t-shirts and bumper stickers knocking the candidates insult me and your rhetoric about how the sky will fall if someone loses makes me roll my eyes. Enough, already!

One of our friends got so sick of people coming to the door in support of the candidates that she put a sign out front that said, "don't bother knocking--we've already voted." (In Virginia, it's really easy to vote absentee and a lot of people did, including Chad.) Why didn't I think of that?

Regardless of who wins--and I do have a preference--I am most excited for Election Day to be o-v-e-r. When I voted this morning at 7 a.m., I closed the book on the whole thing.

Now, if I can only get past Inauguration Day.