(no subject)

There's a motorcycle rally going on in my town right now. I'm trying and failing to come up with what one does during such an event (besides vrooming through town loudly). I mean, do they have workshops about motorcycle grease or something?

The used bookstore I want to bring some books to (if they accept them) is right by this venue.

Really what I want to do is work on my plan for the WIP, but my 3-year-old is having random, lack-of-sleep-induced meltdowns, and the baby is having more reflux, arching his back so much I can barely hold on to him, etc. He is so tense he can stand up and support his own weight. I have him on my lap and the laptop propped on my bed, and I'm typing with one hand. I know, I should give up and admit defeat. I haven't had enough sleep in so long you could use the bags under my eyes as hammocks. He's got to be tired, too. He's finally starting to relax, just in time for the three-year-old to start playing him songs on the recorder.

Actually, I'm open to tips for dealing with silent reflux. The best solution is prilosec, but for that I need a prescription, and our health insurance won't kick in until next month. (Don't ask--I don't have enough $^&*%&^* keys to adequately describe how I feel about that. It's being a hard move in sooo many ways.)

Whoever thinks stay-at-home moms have all this extra time to write because they're "not working" is welcome to take over my job for a day (or even three hours).

Okay, I'm going to brave the bikers for the bookstore, because no one is resting. Too bad we can't walk/take a bus. I need to walk more!! It's hard to have to drive everywhere.

An open post to strangers at my door

I have nothing against you. It's lovely that you want to inspect my house for termites, share your favorite scripture, give me local election literature, etc. I'm sure you are dear people, every one. But could you please not ring the doorbell just as my children who never sleep are FINALLY drifting off in a nap, and so am I? Please??

The only exception I'll welcome is the mailman with my last box of books that appears to be missing, which I fear will never come.

Fifteen minutes. That's it. That's all the nap my baby has had today, and now he's up again. And so am I. Arg.

presidential debate #1

Well, it seems that every time I try to mention anything political, it doesn't go well, but at this point if you don't notice there's an election coming up, you're ignoring the dinosaur in the dining room. I enjoyed the opportunity to listen to the debate tonight, and was impressed by how civilly and respectfully Obama and McCain discussed their views on the issues, at least the parts I heard. I also am grateful to live in a time when it is possible to hold that debate with those candidates where they did. It has nothing to do with the issues at hand or why I plan to vote the way I do. I'm just glad I live in a day when a non-white person or a woman can be a serious potential leader of this nation. Enough people have suffered to bring this possibility to pass; I wish they could see this day.

Anyhow, while I may have been on the fence in every other election, I am and have always been clear on this one. It's not often that I have heard promises from a politician and then seen them follow through. I lived in the state where one of those men was senator, and my children directly benefited from his plan to expand health care to more children. The first time I ever wrote to an elected official was upon the advent of the Iraq war; my elected officials represented my views in congress. I've lived outside the US and can tell you first hand how little our allies think of our warmongering practices of the past eight years. Our credibility has been hurt, and the world is a much more dangerous place. Back to health care, I've spent many years in the US with no or substandard health insurance. Outside the US, I've participated in national health care plans that had less waiting time and far greater health care quality than what I've gotten in the States. I have a hard time buying into a system where some people are allowed to take their sick children to the doctor, and others aren't. Believe it or not, everyone benefits from a healthy society, and such a thing is possible.

It's likely that whoever is elected will make some mistakes. They are smart men, but they aren't all-knowing. I'm sure they'll try their best to do the best job they can. They love this country, but there are some massive problems to solve. They won't be able to do all of it. But I'm pretty clear on who I think has the clearest vision and is the best bet for getting America back on track in difficult times.