Voting in Ohio
I don’t love politics. I never have and never will. What I don’t love is the lies and the way the campaign ads like to smear the candidates. Yet, what I also don’t like is the supporters who think they know everything and try to push their views on you.
I won’t say which candidate I prefer as president. Personally, I believe this choice is my own and doesn’t need to be shared with the world. This is why I got really annoyed when a supporter for the other candidate tried to push his views onto me at our common place of business.
Writing is my true love. Yet, this is not the only way in which I make a living. I also operate a small cleaning, painting and remodeling business. During one of my regular jobs, this contractor was hired to do some plumbing work for the owner of the house. He was there to put in an estimate to work.
While he was there, he began talking politics. He asked who I was voting for and then told me who I should vote for and why. If that wasn’t enough, he began pulling out election flyers out of a folder he had and stated he went to many local campaign rallies, along with his brother. His actions really annoyed me. This was a place of business, he had no reason to be discussing his views or pushing them onto me.
Yes, I care about America. I have my thoughts on who should be President. I hope my candidate wins because I believe he is the best choice. However, this is not something I will discuss at work. It isn’t something I will freely discuss with others. No, it isn’t because I am ashamed of my choice. It is because I have the right to keep my choice private. This is why the campaign sites give us privacy when we vote.
Yes, I am an Ohioan voter. I know how important my vote is. No, I won’t advertise that vote. But my vote will count and it will matter.
Review: Dexter - “Do the Wrong Thing”
Last week on Dexter we saw the resolution of several issues, but as this week’s episode, “Do the Wrong Thing” proves, these problems are not gone for good. The old tensions begin to flare up again and new ones build. And, perhaps most importantly, our loveable serial killer shows a side of himself that may be turn out to be his undoing.
Deborah has slowed down LaGuerta’s investigation into the Bay Harbor Butcher, but she refuses to let it go. Following more leads, LaGuerta is turning up new clues that may end up implicating Dexter in some of the old deaths. Quinn is getting slowly pushed into working with the Russian mob via bribes and threats and after a while has no choice but to cave in to their demands. Angel is losing his will to fight, looking at retirement from the police force. And Isaak makes moves from prison to get himself back into the game again.
While all these little things develop and unfold, Dexter goes on the hunt again. This time his target is Hannah, the girl he knows to be more than just an unwitting accomplice in the deaths of several people. After digging up more dirt on her, he is convinced that she has a much larger body count than he first realized. So she becomes the next person on his list of victims.
But things take a turn for the strange between Dexter and Hannah. While investigating her and trying to get solid information on her involvement in some mysterious deaths, Dexter is forced to get more familiar with his prey. When Hannah reveals more about who she truly is, we get a view into the similarities she shares with Dexter. Dexter, for his part, shows a new level of cruelty and sadism in the methods he uses to bring Hannah into his web. But when the time comes, Dexter is forced to make a decision about whether or not she belongs on his table.
As the season moves on, we see Dexter changing in many profound ways. He’s already given up his trophies, a symbol of separation from his killer nature. But this time around we see the opposite trend. His need for the kill is so intense that he is lying to his sister, taking chances that will come back to bite him in the ass and pursing his victim with a sense of desperation. Since the killing of Hannah doesn’t end up quite as he would have imagined, Dexter will surely be facing more complications in the near future.
While this episode felt like more of a pause in the story so that everyone could catch their breath, it does manage to develop several arcs and start a very interesting new one. Everyone involved has something to gain or lose (or both) and over the coming season we shall no doubt see them having to make tough decisions. Whether the writers will continue to dehumanize Dex even further remains to be seen, as does the possibility of his return to a more mild nature. Either way, one thing’s for certain - the rest of the season promises to be the best that Dexter has to offer.
What it is like to vote absentee
Whether or not the candidates I voted for win or lose, whether or not the proposed amendments to the constitution of the state of Minnesota are passed or not, there is one thing I know for sure about this Election Day: I was not at my polling place.
Say what?
Even though I was geared up to brave a line, then identify myself to the election judge who would have my last name before them, then go into the city council chambers of the Long Lake, MN, city hall, find a spot, fill out my ballot, and then hand it to another judge who would put it in their vote counter machine and accept a red “I Voted” sticker as I went out the door, none of these things happened for me this year. Personal circumstances dictated that I had to vote in advance. This entailed going up to Long Lake City Hall around nine in the morning and requesting an absentee ballot.
The first step entailed filling out a form where I had to put down my name, address, phone number, etc. The second step required the city clerk to explain what do with the absentee ballot once it was filled out: put it in a yellow envelope, and then put it in a white envelope I had to again fill my name, address, etc. out on as well as have someone who witnessed for me put down their name, address, etc.
Finally, there was yet another envelope to put the whole shebang in. Luckily, a couple relatives of mine had to vote early as well, so we had ventured to city hall in a group; witnesses would be no problem for any of us. Finally, the clerk explained we needed to keep the forms we filled out with our ballots once they were completed; she even gave us paper clips as well as pens before she ushered us into a nearby conference room where we wrapped our minds around our ballots.
Frankly, I wish the state of Minnesota would stop insisting voters have to fill out a little oval they park beside each candidate or proposal. I keep fearing some flinty-eyed election judge will toss my ballot aside because it was not filled out properly for some reason, reducing my vote to a piece of junk that only lawyers would argue over in court in case of a recount!
So while my relatives got their ballots filled out and slapped into all the envelopes in record time, I wound up playing Tail End Charlie. It did not help that I had not got much sleep the night before, either. I finally finished, though, and three votes were thus cast in advance of Election Day 2012.
Still, I confess I am a little sad I missed out on actually voting on the “day of decision” this year. As I said, I was ready for the lines and all that kind of jazz that is part of American democracy. But life dictated otherwise.
Review: Walking Dead - “The Killer Within”
This week’s episode of The Walking Dead, “The Killer Within” is the first time we get to watch both sides of the story going on at once. On one hand we have Rick and his prison crew dealing with some zombie complications and on the other we have the cast at Woodbury, enjoying some leisure time behind the safety of The Governor’s walls. Together, there is a great mix of both action and character development that ends on a note of tragedy.
Just when they think they have things under control, someone at the prison opens a gate and lets the zombie horde in. The same malicious individual also activates the prison’s generators and turns the alarms on, calling in walkers from miles around. Rick and the gang have their hands full when their previously peaceful haven ends up overrun and everyone is forced to flee for their lives.
In the process, the two inmates that were otherwise ostracized manage to prove their worth and will no doubt be putting their fortunes in with Rick in future episodes. In the end, however, the two new additions do nothing more than balance out two casualties - which I will not name as to not provide too much of a spoiler.
Meanwhile, in Woodbury, Andrea lets our favorite dagger-fisted redneck, Merle know where his brother Daryl was last scene, motivating him to want to go on a search and rescue mission. The Governor, however, isn’t too keen on the idea and tries to dissuade Merle in a way that almost seems like a threat.
This may be sowing the seeds of doubt in Merle’s head about whether The Governor is the man he thinks, though that remains to be seen. Michonne searches around and finds more clues as to what is really going on in Woodbury and decides she wants to get out of there as soon as possible. Andrea doesn’t look to be agreeing with her though and, with a little help from The Governor’s charm, may be sticking around a bit longer.
This episode bounced effortlessly between the two story arcs, creating a nice tension between the revelations at Woodbury and the quick, furious action in the prison. And even though some may be upset with the choice of who the writers decided to kill this time around, this necessary evil will serve to push the show along in new directions.
With four episodes down, the inevitable meet-up between The Governor’s mini-army and Rick’s prison-camped group is closing in. And with that, the confrontation that must happen between the ideals of the two self-appointed leaders. So far, so good, Walking Dead.
The Look
As the nation's fourth largest city for fashion design and apparel talent, a new show that encompasses this focus is airing in Seattle. The Look, a reality TV show, will feature 10 emerging Seattle fashion designers and their collections.
A winner will be announced the week of February 18-25 during King 5's Evening Magazine and will be rewarded $10,000 to expand their respective fashion business, a feature in 425 Magazine and the opportunity to showcase their winning five-piece collection in Neiman Marcus at The Shops at The Bravern in Bellevue.
The Look is currently seeking designers to feature on the show. Interested applicants should submit a completed application to The Look's design mentor and co-producer, Monir Zandghoreishi online or in person by November 9. Download your application here. Co-producer Rose Dennis will join Monir on the show as a member of The Look's judge panel.
King 5's Evening Magazine hosts will host the show, alongside a panel of expert fashion judges to critique the aspiring designers' collections. Connect with The Look on Twitter and Facebook for show updates and additional information.
Geiger Counter Readings in Seattle, WA on November 6, 2012
Geiger Counter Readings in Seattle, WA on November 6, 2012
Ambient office = .101 microsieverts per hour
Ambient outside = .070 microsieverts per hour
Soil exposed to rain = .080 microsieverts per hour
Granny Smith Apple from grocery store = .130 microsieverts per hour
Tap water = .067 microsieverts per hour
Filtered water = .063 microsieverts per hour
Geiger Counter Readings in Seattle, WA on November 5, 2012
Geiger Counter Readings in Seattle, WA on November 5, 2012
Ambient office = .056 microsieverts per hour
Ambient outside = .101 microsieverts per hour
Soil exposed to rain = .114 microsieverts per hour
Vine ripened tomato from grocery store = .074 microsieverts per hour
Tap water = .117 microsieverts per hour
Filtered water = .102 microsieverts per hour
Geiger Counter Readings in Seattle, WA on November 4, 2012
Geiger Counter Readings in Seattle, WA on November 4, 2012
Ambient office = .132 microsieverts per hour
Ambient outside = .084 microsieverts per hour
Soil exposed to rain = .091 microsieverts per hour
White Onion from grocery store = .089 microsieverts per hour
Tap water = .118 microsieverts per hour
Filtered water = .111 microsieverts per hour
Geiger Counter Readings in Seattle, WA on November 4, 2012
Geiger Counter Readings in Seattle, WA on November 4, 2012
Ambient office = .132 microsieverts per hour
Ambient outside = .084 microsieverts per hour
Soil exposed to rain = .091 microsieverts per hour
White Onion from grocery store = .089 microsieverts per hour
Tap water = .118 microsieverts per hour
Filtered water = .111 microsieverts per hour
Geiger Counter Readings in Seattle, WA on November 3, 2012
Geiger Counter Readings in Seattle, WA on November 3, 2012
Ambient office = .094 microsieverts per hour
Ambient outside = .094 microsieverts per hour
Soil exposed to rain = .106 microsieverts per hour
Pear from grocery store = .100 microsieverts per hour
Tap water = .119 microsieverts per hour
Filtered water = .086 microsieverts per hour
