Since I've been traveling:

I see the shapes,
I remember from maps.
I see the shoreline.
I see the whitecaps.
A baseball diamond, nice weather down there.
I see the school and the houses where the kids are.
Places to park by the factories and buildings.
Restaurants and bar for later in the evening.
Then we come to the farmlands, and the undeveloped areas.
And I have learned how these things work together.
I see the parkway that passes through them all.
And I have learned how to look at these things and I say,

I wouldnt live there if you paid me.
I couldnt live like that, no siree!
I couldnt do the things the way those people do.
I couldnt live there if you paid me to.

I guess its healthy, I guess the air is clean.
I guess those people have fun with their neighbors and friends.
Look at that kitchen and all of that food.
Look at them eat it guess it tastes real good.

They grow it in the farmlands
And they take it to the stores
They put it in the car trunk
And they bring it back home
And I say ...

I say, I wouldnt live there if you paid me.
I couldnt live like that, no siree!
I couldnt do the things the way those people do.
I wouldnt live there if you paid me to.

Im tired of looking out the windows of the airplane
Im tired of travelling, I want to be somewhere.
Its not even worth talking
About those people down there.

Goo goo ga ga ga
Goo goo ga ga ga

National Secrets For Clarz:

Normally, I wouldn't dream of writing about this online (it's so much better to gush in person/over the phone), but since we just can't seem to find time to talk, here's a short rundown!

The big secret is: I met someone! On the internet no less. I know, I know. He's too pretty for words, and he already calls me "lady". It's a little bit disgusting how much I like him. Especially since we've only known each other for um, a week. I'm still a little bit bewildered about all of it, to be honest, but I'm kind of just going with it. Nothing too serious has happened, and I'm still a little wary about the whole thing, since it hasn't been very long, but I have a good feeling about it.

Anway. I'm just excited and twitterpated. There is much more to tell but that'll have to wait for our next phone call :)

AMURICAAHH FUCK YEAH!

I fucking love this country. By which I mean: for once in my life I don't hate half the people who live in this god forsaken place.

Now, I am usually a cynical person when it comes to politics...I often doubt the abilities of the bigwigs to effect real, lasting change or to truly be concerned with those who actually live life in the face of their legislation. But I couldn't help but feel like a big pile of mush when I listened to Obama's acceptance speech last night. It's really no wonder the American people fell for him...he's just too pretty. And he talks real good too. I thought it was damn straight of him to emphasize how difficult the coming years will be, despite this initial victory. Even if he doesn't turn out to be the wunderkind he's being billed as, I think he's really the best suited candidate to take on the massive repairs this country will need to undergo during his term. He's still a politician, but I think he brings a freshness and an optimism to politics that is much needed at this point in history. Surprisingly, even McCain was on good behavior last night. As much as I despise the man, I was actually the tiniest bit impressed with his concession speech. I thought it was good of him to not just spit out a few words, but to actually congratulate Obama. Granted, it was probably a highly calculated move to keep him in the running for the next election, but it was still good of him. It was the first time I didn't want to leap through the TV screen and get him a stranglehold while he was speaking.

It was kind of incredible listening to the radio last night as state after state went blue. Even now, I still feel sort of like a deer caught in headlights - I'm stunned and amazed at not just Obama's victory, but how many people actually turned out to vote yesterday. As I talked to customers throughout the day, I could really sense how important this election was for so many people. I think that feeling permeated this election. I think there was a sense that this was our last chance for change; that if we want to see our country going in a different direction, we had to make it happen. And people turned out in record numbers, not just in the polling centers, but in early voting locations and in absentee ballots. And when I stepped up to place my vote, I also felt like my vote really mattered, delusion or not. Now I'm not sure what the next few years will hold for us, but even if Obama doesn't turn out to be the harbringer of change we would like him to be, at least we can credit him with sparking a fire underneath the American people to actually sit up and fucking DO SOMETHING. The Minnesota Public Radio Coverage said we had something like 80% voter turnout here in Minneapolis, which is *huge*, even in a state known for its high turnout records.

And I think it's really saying something that even this cynical, commie pinko voter over here got a little bleary eyed while watching the waves of blue votes come in last night.

Now the waiting begins. I wonder who Bush will pardon before he (metaphorically) croaks...

ONWARD.