Election Day! Vote! Vote! Vote! November 4th

Although I am emotionally exhausted by all the political rhetoric over the last 20 months, I am thrilled that the candidates of this election have inspired so many people to become engaged in the political process. (Also, I am as excited as Neel Mehta is to see what will happen to the business-as-usual political process) and if this election will scare baby boomers out of their comfort zone in any way. Really, the combination of engaged young voters, and disengaged senior voters... suddenly, baby boomers don't have as much political power as they have held for years and anything could happen. Anything. I mean anything! Even to the point that I could even give ol' George W. some credit for Obama's success! (Credit via Don King. Thanks! Soccer Dad for the info!)

For the record, I will be voting for Obama. (Happy Birthday Mister Fob) and I would encourage everyone to do the same. Most because my birthday was last week, and it would be a wonderful gift to have someone I vote for win an election! (Especially since my vote is a throwaway vote.) I have not had a single person that I have voted for in the last three years win. I work in the most conservative City, and live in the most conservative county, which is in the most conservative state of these United States. I have absolutely no voice!

Regardless of who you vote for, after you vote, you deserve a treat; especially after dealing with 20 months of rhetoric (Edgy, it's almost done!) without letting it beat you down into an abyss of depression and catatonia. So, while wearing you "I Voted" sticker, treat yourself to:

• A free 12-ounce cup of brewed coffee at Starbucks;
• A free scoop of ice cream between 5 and 8 p.m. at participating Ben & Jerry's; or
• A free star-shaped donut with red, white and blue sprinkles at Krispy Kreme
  

So, go forth, and have a Happy Election Day!

Alternative Fuel Sources

I like to call myself an environmentalist. Unfortunately, living in Utah County, I can't do much about my feelings for environmental issues, I can't even recycle. Because of the limited environmental resources in my area, I am so excited to share with the internet the latest news about some exciting alternative fuel resources...

Just what you need when you are out in the woods: Scientists in (we believe) Singapore "soaked a piece of paper in a solution of copper chloride and sandwiched it between strips of magnesium and copper. This sandwich was then laminated between two sheets of transparent plastic. When a drop of urine is added to the paper through a slit in the plastic, a chemical reaction takes place that produces electricity. The prototype battery produced about 1.5 volts, the same as a standard AA battery, and runs for about 90 minutes. Researchers said the power, voltage, and lifetime of the battery can be improved by adjusting the geometry and materials used. Urine contains many ions (electrically charged atoms), which allows the electricity-producing chemical reaction to take place in the urine battery." "A Pee Powered Battery" (Treehugger.com)

I actually think this would be a good battery for survival kits. Or, just think of how long you could last on a camping trip with pee powered flashlights. This has got to be the best new idea out there for boy scout troops. My only hesitation would be, how sanitary can they make the pee-application-procedure? And if we utilized this source for say, cars, would there be a pee smell? Because I don't think I could travel very long in a car giving off pee-smelling emissions.

And on to our next story:

A former Canadian defence minister says be believes advanced technology from extraterrestrial civilizations offers the best hope to "save our planet" from the perils of climate change.

Paul Hellyer, 83, is calling for a public disclosure of alien technology obtained during alleged UFO crashes -- such as the mysterious 1947 incident in Roswell, New Mexico -- because he believes alien species can provide humanity with a viable alternative to fossil fuels... "Alien technology the best hope to 'save our planet'," (The Ottawa Citizen)

There are not enough words... wait, I do have some words. Isn't it typical of a politician to expect a win-win solution to fall from the heavens instead of financially supporting solutions that might annoy his constituents because they will have to make a major lifestyle changes? Well, I guess that's just my opinion.

Abet and Aid Punsters Day, November 8th

Abet and Aid Punsters Day

I'm not a very good punster, and because I am currently watching election results, my brain is busy trying to not create conspiracy theories about the Utah County voting machine glitch. (I know that logically Orrin Hatch and Chris Cannon would have probably still have won without the glitch, but if Republicans are stuffing the ballot box in Daggett County... )

But, when you are in the mood for a pun, if you aren't too depressed from the election results, check out this website for 200 of the funniest puns ever.

Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day, November 7th

Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day

I know that it is bitter to vote for a raise in taxes, but PLEASE, everyone who has the opportunity to vote yes on Proposition 3 (Salt Lake County residents) or yes on the Opinion Question (for Utah County residents) PLEASE VOTE YES.

We need these transit options. We have a major traffic problem in Utah County, (the Daily Herald reported that Utah County's traffic is the worst in the state), and the people who are doing the studies think that it will double in the next ten years and quadruple by 2030. And they are saying right now that unless this proposition and this opinion question pass there will be no money budgeted to fix the problem!!!! Can we say problem!

I am watching a Utah County TV program that is explaining the issues, and why urban sprawl is bad, and increases these problems, and I am getting scared. In fact, after watching this, I think that I might have to move back to Provo, perhaps right across the street from my office, because I don't need to be stuck in traffic four times as long as I have been this last year.

And, after watching this, I don't care any more if Orrin Hatch is re-elected, although, please while you are voting yes on three, please also vote for Pete Ashdown. The poor guy isn't going to win, but I would like him to take a significant bite out of the pompous ass. And I think that if by some weird off chance Pete Ashdown took out Orrin Hatch, that would be sweet.

So, looking at it all on election eve, it seems appropriate that we have a Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day on election day. Elections are nutty, and some losses will be bitter, some wins will taste sweet.

Well, did I beat that horse to death?