Thank you so much for all the supportive mail and comments. I can't tell you how much I appreciate them all. I'm getting back into the swing of things, so I'll be answering all of them, but in the meantime, please know that I really appreciate you!
In important knitting news, I finished the Pooling Colors scarf last week. I think it's lovely. An interesting project, but not one I think I'll repeat. Lining the colors up was kind of a pain, and I was constantly tempted to rip out rows that didn't line up right. Not an appropriate project for a struggling OCD girl, apparently! :) I liked the stitch pattern very much, though, so I may make a solid-colored one for my m-i-l.
Since then, I've been working on my Cavendish throw from Jane Ellison's first Noro book, in Silk Garden. It's slow going, though--I forgot that this is why I don't make throws. I'd show you a picture, but it looks pretty much the same as in the months-old progress pic in my sidebar. So, you know, just click on that and imagine it has about twice as many rows now. :)
Also, in order to extricate myself from self-involvement, I decided a little community involvement was in order. I volunteered to help staff the legal hotline for Election Protection 2004. I did the training last night, and am studying my materials today. I am SO excited to be involved in this.
In 2000, I found I was really shocked by what I learned about how elections run in our country, and what people are willing to do to influence them. So shocked that I mostly sat in front of CNN shaking my head in disbelief at the situation in which we found ourselves. I had taken it on faith for so long that all citizens and officials respected elections the way I did--as the seminal sacrament of our democracy, the fount from which our pride in our system of government rightfully flowed. How naive.
One citizen=one vote. No more, no less. Is that too much to ask? I say no. And I'm doing something about it. (finally!)
Go out and vote on Tuesday. Put on your best suit, or your favorite outfit. Wear perfume and jewelry, and maybe a hat. This is a special occasion, don't doubt that for a moment. Enjoy it.
Before you go, find the Voters' Bill of Rights for your state, and read it. A complete listing of these can be found on the Election Protection 2004 site and on the site for the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. Each state has different rules about what identification is needed (if any) and how provisional votes are counted (if they are counted at all). Know the rules for your state, and you may be able to help another voter or poll worker with a question. That might mean one more qualified voter whose vote is counted--and one person closer to the goal of one citizen=one vote.
Know your rights as a voter:
You have the right to vote if you are in line before the polls close -- no matter how long it takes.
You have the right to request a new ballot if you make a mistake.
You have the right to ask questions. If you do not understand how the voting equipment works, just ask one of the poll workers. They are there to help!
Also, be sure you go to your designated polling place to vote--many states have rules in place that say votes cast in the wrong county or the wrong precinct DON'T COUNT at all. If you got a notice with your polling place on it in the mail--be sure to take it with you. If you can't find the notice, go online to find it here at mypollingplace.com. Type in your street address and zip code and you can see not only your polling place, but also the method of voting in place there (paper, electronic, optical scan, etc.) and how it works. You can even print out a map. Love that!
If you have moved recently but not re-registered with your new address, you'll probably have to go to the polling place for your OLD address. This affected my husband and me for the recall election here in California--we went to our "new" polling place and were not listed on the election rolls. We ended up voting on "provisional ballots"--which may or may not be counted according to local election laws.
Remember: You want your vote to COUNT. Going to the correct polling place is often the difference between having your vote count and not.
And finally, if you or your fellow voters have any problems on voting day, call 1-866-OUR-VOTE. If you see voters being intimidated or lied to, if you notice that members of any subgroup of voters (ethnic minorities, or persons with disabilities, for instance) are being disproportionately challenged at the polls, if your polling place is not open on time, or closes early, call 1-866-OUR-VOTE, and we can get someone out there to fix the problem right away.
YOU have the right to vote. America ROCKS!
