So That Happened

The California Anti-Texting Bill

Just so we are all clear about what we in California can and cannot do in the car when it comes to texting:

SB 28 Senate Bill - Bill Analysis

Wow, I didn't know about not being able to READ text messages!  I am going to presume this means no writing while at stoplights as well.

Many thanks to Heathyr for the link!

Um, YEAH.

Did anyone else watch last night's 20/20 besides me?  If you did, WE MUST DISCUSS.  Where to begin?

Do we start with the orgasmic births?  How about the serial surrogates?  We of course can't forget the breast-feeding older children segment, but the one that sticks out in my mind the most is the one about the fake babies because y'all?  That was some CRAZY TV right there.  Just...WOW.

Unnecessary

Today is Black Friday in the U.S. and if you're like me, you avoided the whole thing altogether and stayed home.  If you're not like me, you perhaps woke up extra early to get in line at places like Target or Best Buy; and if you're really not like me you have camped out since Tuesday and missed out on Thanksgiving-y things (not to mention the COMPLETELY AWESOME Rick Astley Thanksgiving Day Parade RickRoll which I might love a wee bit more than pecan pie) just to make sure you paid $50 for, I don't know, a Blu-Ray player.  Whatever floats your boat, is what I say.

That said, I truly hope none of you are like the people who trampled a Wal-Mart worker to death this morning.  Seriously, guys.  Come on.

Today's Stories of Note

For your Sunday reading:

- Economic Tough Times Hit Nevada Brothel

- Panda Bites Student Seeking a Hug

- Brenden Foster: 'I had a great time'

Go Westmont!

Soccer Team Helps Westmont College Rise from the Ashes 

This is a good read.  My dear friend Ninette is a Westmont College alum.  As you may know, Westmont suffered a terrible loss during last week's Tea Fire: several campus buildings were burned, including some of the faculty members' homes.  Dave Wolf, the soccer team's coach, was one of those people.  I had the great fortune of meeting him and his wife, Jill, at Ninette's wedding and you couldn't have met a nicer couple.  

I was thinking about the Wolfs last week, wondering if they were okay, and learning that they and their five kids lost their home made me so very sad.  However, now after having read the article, the family has the best outlook on things, and I know they will be fine.  I will be thinking of them as well as everyone else affected by the fires.

Dear Fires,

Please STOP.  And weather?  Please stop being such an enabler.

Thanks.

Sincerely,
All of California

Looking for a Good Cry?

Then read this:

A Butler Well Served by this Election

Don't forget your tissue.  Seriously.  Thanks to Uccellina for the heads-up on this article.

A Voting Snapshot

Unsurprisingly, Mr. Bear was more popular at the polling place than me.  

Wasn't last night something?  It was surreal and exciting and did I mention surreal?  I felt like I was watching a movie.  I laughed out loud early in the evening when CNN "beamed" people like correspondent Jessica Yellin and musician will.i.am into the Situation Room.  Come on, guys.  Holograms?  Really?  Because it wasn't enough to have the entire election team look like the Pre-Crime Unit from Minority Report with all of their hand-waving and screen-touching?  Sigh.  Poor Jessica Yellin looked straight up like Princess Leia: "Help me, Wolfie Wan Kenobi - you're my only hope!"  

Regardless of where you stand, you have to admit that bearing witness to the events of the evening was something you will never forget.  I know I won't.  I for one was impressed with both McCain's gracious concession speech and Obama's moving address.  So, kudos, Senator McCain, and congratulations, President-elect Obama.  

Now what?

I Foresee A Van Pelt-Great Pumpkin Ticket in 2012

Tired of all the election and politics talk?  So am I, which is why I was so delighted in discovering this page:

Peanuts Rocks the Vote

While I adore Linus, I wish Schroeder was on the candidates' list.  He's so introspective and brooding, which is how I like my musicians.  And what, no Franklin?

I Love Tim Gunn, Part Eleventy Zillion and Fifty

I usually refrain from getting political in this space - not because I don't have any opinions (I do), but there is just So Much Noise from all sides during this election that I choose not to add to the mix.  Not only that, I'm surrounded by the election at work and it's nice to give myself a break from it once in a while.

That said, please allow me to share this with you - the divine Tim Gunn speaking out against Proposition 8:

Vote No on Prop 8.  Please.  For you.  For me.  For my dear friend Frank, who is marrying his partner this weekend.  For everyone.

Thank you.