I like numbers like these

The election is over, the results are in (glares pointedly at Florida) and the numbers are good.  If you know me you know I generally don’t like numbers.  Or math, anyway.  For your edification, I share this.

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I voted, and so should you

Today is election day here in America.  If you have not yet voted the polls are open until 8:00pm local time.  I was heartened to see that my polls were not only busy, they were busy with people of every age, every color, and that the poll attendants had already run out of the “I Voted” stickers.  (I love those stickers.)

If you are voting in a swing state or a place where funny things sometimes happen at the polls (Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania come to mind) here is what you need to know about finding your polling place, necessary ID, reporting voting fraud, etc.

It is your duty as a citizen of this country to get out there and vote.  It is also, for some of us, a hard fought right.  Women got the right to vote in 1920, the year my grandmother was born.  For those of you paying attention, we’ll celebrate the centenary anniversary of that achievement 8 years from now.

Don’t sit this one out, get out there and make the most of that right.  VOTE.

The following was provided by Ultraviolet.org

What You Need to Know for Election Day, November 6, 2012

 How to find your polling place: 

Questions or problem at the polls?

  • Election Protection is a nonpartisan coalition of 150 organizations dedicated to making sure everyone can exercise their right to vote. If you have a problem at the polls on Election Day, or if you just need to find your polling place or have a question, you can call 1-866-OUR-VOTE, or download their smart phone app at the links above. 

What to bring to the polls:

Some states require specific forms a voter ID; some don’t. Here are a few resources to find out what you need to bring:

What’s on my ballot? 

  • Check out November6th.org to find out what’s on your ballot. Just enter your address, and you will be able to see what’s on your ballot, from ballot measures and local races to the national level. 

The resources above should answer most questions for most people. If you can’t find an answer online or with the apps provided, your best bet is to call 1-866-OUR-VOTE or your state election official.

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If you’re going to vote near closing time, bring a book and a bottle of water.  If you’re on the premises before they shut the doors then they have to let you vote.  Similarly, your employer has to allow you unpaid time to vote today.  Make time to do this.  It really is important, the future of our country is at stake.

Thank you in advance.

~Kelly

Points to the right side of the page –>

I added a new page to our site today.  It has pretty things on it, though I’m not terribly impressed with my photos.  You should check it out.  I’ve finally started making enough jewelry to sell.  No, I don’t have an Etsy shop.  Yet.  But I’m going in baby steps.

Email me or comment on the new page if you want to buy a pretty.

~Kelly

Surprise ending even surprised me

Well, I have heard the sorts of arguments made by this guy all too often, but I had heard that this video was worth watching because of the twist ending.  So I watched it, and I have to admit, I was absolutely surprised.  Pleasantly surprised.

-Geoff

The Seraphim Singers make the news and some more music

This link came to my attention today.  Jennifer Lester, the founding music director of The Seraphim Singers and a friend of mine, was interviewed about her 15 year tenure at the helm of Seraphim.  It’s a great read and I recommend it for you music nerds out there, and I know you’re out there.  Also, there’s a concert coming up.  More about that after the jump.

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Upper Crust and the political divide

The source of overpriced pizza for a vast swath of yuppies across Massachusetts has filed for Chapter  11 bankruptcy.   I suppose it was just a matter of time.  Now, for those of you with memory as good as mine*, that means that the company Kelly and I don’t like much anyway because of the way they treat their employees** is having yet more problems.

*That is code for my memory is actually pretty bad.  Awful, in fact.

**And their prices.  And their terrible tomato sauce.

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Clayton

That was the name of the black tailed prairie dog that I worked with for years in my museum job.  She passed away a few years ago at a good old age, but I still miss her.  She was a bit pudgy even by prairie dog standards, but she was a cute little thing.

She loved to snack on nuts of different types, she was always amusing on stage when taken out for educational programs for kids and adults alike, and she loved her chin scritches.  She was full of personality, quite content to tell you to bugger off when she didn’t want to be bothered, loved to make up her own comfy sleeping spaces, and was a little tyrant when she felt like it.  I learned a lot about prairie dogs because of her, so when I received the following email from the HSUS I knew that I needed to talk about it, and talk about Clayton, here.

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Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act

We’ve all seen the photos that float around on the internet.  They show soldiers in Afghanistan or Iraq with their German Shepherds curled up together after a long day of work.  The MP off duty with helmet for a pillow, her dog sitting dutifully by her side.

What you may not know is that the military currently classifies these animals as “equipment” and that when their working careers are over there is no guarantee that they’ll end up adopted or go home with their handlers.

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Black Cat Appreciation Month

No, not Black Cat Awareness Month, Black Cat Appreciation Month.  Just ask Geoff how much he likes the phrase “raising awareness“.  Go ahead ask him, I’ll wait.

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