Friday Five

Non sequitor: Just finished watching "Never Been Kissed". Lovely little movie. Drew Barrymore. *sigh*

So. Friday Five:

1. Are you superstitious?

No.

2. What extremes have you heard of someone going to in the name of superstition?

Um...I watch "Monk" -- does that count?

We're just a bunch of pragmatists, over here in the Hutchison-Stith-Vitale-Hotchkiss family.

3. Believer or not, what's your favorite superstition?

I'm not sure what my favorite is. I can tell you my least favorite: the black cat thing.

4. Do you believe in luck? If yes, do you have a lucky number/article of clothing/ritual?

I dunno. Maybe my truck is lucky. I love it and it never lets me down. As long as I have my truck around, I feel safe. Although "safe" for me probably equates to..."independent".

YMMV. Literally. ;-)

5. Do you believe in astrology? Why or why not?

*stifle*

*guffaw*

No. You know the calender's all mixed up, right?

I don't believe in astrology.

*chuckle*

How Intensely Clever


Israeli police are to hang bags of pig lard on buses and in other public places to deter would-be Muslim suicide bombers, Israeli media have reported.

Suicide bombing 'pig fat threat'

Press Goes After Bush's Military "Service"

Press Briefing 02/10/04

Paying VERY Close Attention

Well, I've gotten my appointment notice and training schedule for the California primary. I will be an assistant System Inspector for my precinct -- the system inspectors are the ones who'll be responsible for the electronic voting systems.

Basically, because of this new technology introduction, the old minimum of three: one inspector, one assistant inspector, and one clerk, is now replaced with system inspector and assistant, precinct inspector and assistant, and one clerk. You can't have less than 3 people running a voting place, legally. Now, we're not going to be able to do it with less than 4 or 5, logistically.

That's neither here nor there.

What's here and there is that I solemnly promise the following:

I will pay very close attention to this training session;
I will raise a fuss over any technology glossing-over I might see;
If I spot any voting irregularities in this primary or the presidential election (at which time I fully expect to be an inspector or an assistant inspector again) I will not only be on that irregularity like the biggest, meanest bitch bulldog you've ever seen, I'll take photos. Color. And give them to the press. And post them here, there, and everywhere.

And that, my friends, you can take to the bank, deposit, and write a check against. Guaranteed.

M&B, I might like to borrow your digital camera for the primary.

Raspberry Vest Lying Fallow

Ah, I'll come back to it. The pattern is just too pretty.

Picture the first: long shot.

Picture the second: close up on front and front side panel patterns.

Green Raglan

Green Raglan's been getting a lot of work this weekend!

It's been a week since these two photos were taken, and I'm knitting...eh...about one more inch, and then planning to knit 3 or 4 more inches and side-slit them on both sides, for a raglan tunic. I'm not sure if that'll be back and forth or with a steek.

Naturally, when these photos were taken, I had just put the sweater back on its needle after having it on a ribbon so I could try it on.

Seems to fit well...I increased about 6 inches ONLY IN THE FRONT not long after joining v-neck, for my...ahem rather ample bust. Then decreased correspondingly, so the dang thing wouldn't feel like a tent at my waist. Very experimental. We'll see how it looks when all is said and done.

Long shot.

Close up on raglan increases.

California Caucuses TODAY

Sunday, February 08, 2004.

You can look up your congressional district at http://www.house.gov using your zipcode.

You can then look up your caucus location at http://www.ca-dem.org/caucuses.php

You do NOT need to be registered to vote to walk in the door. You can fill out a registration form on-site.

Each candidate has a different caucus location. You can show up at the location of someone you're considering as a candidate, talk to supporters, and decide whether or not to join in with their support.

The doors shut and the caucus starts at 3 p.m. You don't have to stay for the whole thing, you can vote and leave.



From the Democratic Party's Caucus FAQ:

WHAT TIME DO THE CAUCUSES START?
For each presidential candidate in each of California’s 53 congressional districts doors open by 2:00pm and the Caucus begins at 3:00pm. You must arrive by 3pm to participate in the caucus.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
All caucuses are open to registered Democrats, campaign supporters and the media. People residing in that CD may also register to vote on-site.

WHO CAN VOTE?
Any registered Democrat who resides in the Congressional District in which the caucus is being held and signs a pledge of support for that particular presidential candidate by 3:00pm may participate as a voter. Democrats go to the caucus of the presidential candidate they are supporting, and therefore cannot attend more then one caucus.

CAN PEOPLE REGISTER / RE-REGISTER TO VOTE AT THE CAUCUS?
Yes. Each caucus should have voter registration cards available.

MUST I STAY UNTIL THE END OF THE CAUCUS?
No. Voters are not required to stay during the entire Caucus. As soon as the doors open and registration begins, a person can register, vote, and leave.

WHO RUNS THE CAUCUSES?
The presidential campaigns run their own caucuses under uniform guidelines set by the Democratic Party and the Delegate Selection Plan.