Vote Tuesday

Vote Tuesday. That is about the most important thing I am going to say here, so I might as well get it out of the way. Whether you are Democrat, Republican, Independent, etc., one of the most important acts as a citizen of this great nation is to cast your vote in an election. Most people are sick of this campaign, myself included. This is the longest campaign that I can remember. We’ve went from a promise of “no negative campaigning” on both sides, to vicious attacks on both sides. Each side has gaffed several times, and both candidates have shined several times.

I have went back and forth several times during this whole ordeal. McCain and Obama both have their pros and cons, but the question you need to answer is which individual will be the best for the country and your family. Even if you don’t care about the political process, you care about your family. The individuals that we choose to elect should be working for us to make our communities and nation a better place, not for their own self serving interests.

Now it’s time to seal the deal. People have no room to complain about health care, education, jobs, etc. if they do not vote. I’ve made my decision, and I’m going to be one of the first people in line on Tuesday. I want our country to be a stronger place. Lord only knows we have been through so much the last decade….

It is up to you. Vote Tuesday.

Wal-Mart Freakshow

I had quite an interesting experience last Saturday night while in the checkout line @ Wal-Mart. I’m not sure if I have some kind of aura around me that attracts nutbag people, but it must have been really strong. We had made it all the way through the store without any sort of incident, which is a record for me, and proceeded to the checkout. This is going to sound silly, but I have a method when cashing out – look for the least crazy person working the register. I suggested that we go to this relatively normal looking guy’s line, and in fact I even said, “He doesn’t look too crazy..”.

So all of my items are on the belt, and the scanning begins. He said hello, which was nice…but I could tell he was a chatty person. I thought to myself, “Uh oh…here we go.” Sure enough..when he rang up my chocolate soy milk he said, “Oh you like chocolate soy milk? Me too.” Now this is a simple statement, but in my case simple statements are always followed by some kind of freakish story or commentary….

…and why should this time be any different.

“I don’t have any problems drinking it…”, he said. “…except for one time…I believe it was in October of 1995 to be exact. I drank it before I started running in 8th grade gym class, and I just ate a big lunch too….”

So let me stop right here for a moment. I obviously know what is coming, and the thought of listening to the rest of the story makes me never want to drink any kind of chocolate liquid again. At one point I turned to look at Tina, who is staring back at me blankly…probably thinking the same thing I am.

“….and that wasn’t a good thing. I think I made it only a few laps before I had to go throw up, and it wasn’t a pretty sight.”

I can’t even remember what I replied. Most likely it was some kind of half smile/laugh with a touch of horror in my eyes. Luckily I didn’t have many items or God knows how long the story would have continued.

Just goes to show you…even the person that appears to be the most normal….probably isn’t.