Blue Monday

I mean the color, not the sentiment, and in this case, I guess it was a Tuesday. What a day (or, uh, two) to not post, eh? It was, in a word, quite surreal. This is the first time in my voting history that I’ve seen the electoral map more blue than red, and I like to think it wasn’t because everyone suddenly decided to come over to the dark side. My hope is that we may have found someone who can bring us all a little closer to purple. Time will tell.

I have been, for the record, impressed and humbled by the graciousness of those who supported McCain, and I was most impressed by McCain himself. I wish we’d seen more of that on the campaign trail; perhaps if we had, things could have turned out quite differently — or at least not been quite so ugly. I like the guy. I didn’t love his campaign.

At any rate, I look forward to the coming months/years and hope that everyone remembers that although Obama has tremendous potential, he is not Jesus Christ himself, and I don’t think he’s going to accomplish much unless we’re all willing to make serious sacrifices and exercise a little patience. The time of being selfish and expecting the government to take care of us is over, I’m afraid, although I’m not so sure that’s a bad thing.

On the flip side, I’m more than a little disgusted by the McCain campaign’s (not the man himself) incessant pummeling of Sarah Palin. Look, I was never that impressed with her either, but to see her so ruthlessly filleted and served up for supper like a tuna steak isn’t necessarily what anyone needs, now or ever. Besides, nothing infuriates me more than passing the buck. Did she go rogue? Maybe, but that’s as much the campaign’s fault — if not more — as it is hers. Take some damn responsibility, especially seeing as she may be the future of the party. And no, I don’t think she was ready — that doesn’t mean she won’t ever be — but what kind of dumbass couldn’t figure that one out? Again, YOUR FAULT, CAMPAIGN MANAGERS.

Ultimately, however, I have never been so pleased after an election. I am — dare I say it — hopeful and optimistic about the future. And, as most people with small kids are saying, my daughter will never know a world without a black president, and her world will be a very different, more open place. I’m thankful for that. And that moment is one that I — or anyone else, I imagine will not forget.

Anyway! Onward! I stayed up so late watching the returns and speeches and endless analysis on Tuesday night that I fell asleep sitting in front of my computer late yesterday, and when the phone rang, I had one of those moments when I neither knew where I was, nor what time it was. My first thought was how panicked I was that it was morning already, and oh my God, I wasn’t ready for MORNING. And wait, why was I looking at a laptop and wearing my glasses? It was 5 p.m., and I’d been asleep for 10 minutes. Thank God I wasn’t in an office.

Man, I’m not going to adjust well to the sleep deprivation of early parenthood. I’m bound for bouts of narcolepsy in inappropriate places.

Rapidly switching gears, you know how there are some words that seem like they should mean something other than their definition? Nonplussed is one that comes to mind, and it’s a major hot button for me. It SEEMS like it should mean “unaffected”, but instead, it means quite the opposite — it’s “bewildered”! I know!

I wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve seen it misused. I’d … well, I wouldn’t have to keep searching for a tenant, that’s what. (Hate. This. Process.)

Words that seem much more regal than they are for me include sartorial (really? relating to clothes? HOW LAME), avuncular (seriously, you need a WORD for that?) and noisome (WHY ARE YOU NOT NOISE-RELATED?).

The English language is so bizarre. And nonplussing. Or if you prefer, nonplusing.

I think it’s time for some Hostess cupcakes.

Have a great weekend!

*New Order

22 comments November 6th, 2008