Giving Up

Lent begins tomorrow. This got me thinking about how people feel the need to give stuff up in order to be considered "good". In my quest for self-improvement, I have given up 2 things that were part of my daily, if not weekly, life - Starbucks and Booze. And it's not even as if I had a horrible drink at Starbucks, like a venti mocha with whipped cream or something. For me, it was always a decaf tall non-fat no-whip no-foam hate the foam, think it's just one more way for a big company to scrimp on milk mocha. But nonetheless, drinking water is better than any kind of coffee and thus it's better just to not have it. I've also caught an exaggerated amount of flack for not drinking anymore. It's insanely hard to avoid the booze and everyone from best friends to waitresses give me a sideways glance when I order a club soda with lime. You don't need booze to have a good time.

BUT. The thing is that I feel like I've been "good" to give up "bad" things. I wish I could moderate myself and allow a skinny mocha every now and again and perhaps one or two glasses of wine. I suppose I just have a taste for "bad" stuff - which is problem thinking in itself. A mocha or a cooler on occasion isn't "bad", it's ensuring quality of life. Just like sometimes a girl has to go and spend some money on clothes or shoes or bags or a haircut in order to make life a bit more exciting. So I'm going to try to stop thinking of myself as "bad", but rather will work on moderation.

And why is there so much "bad" stuff out there? At what point in our history did we suddenly become OK with shitty food and drink and other assorted nasty consumables? Where did the change come? Has there been a cultural shift towards sloth and gluttony? I thought those kind of changes took centuries, not decades. Humans spent literally EONS being healthy, living without cheeseburgers and crap fried in oils and ice cream with added fat. This makes no sense to me.

But you know what? People who celebrate Lent know that God knows that they're not perfect. I just found out today that even though you may give up chocolate, alcohol, sex, shopping or other "bad" stuff in the hopes that you'll break the habit, God says you can be fat, filthy, well-dressed and satisfied on Sundays. God teaches moderation. Good for him.

The West Wing taught me that it's bad luck to toast with water. So with my club soda, I heartily toast a happy, moderate, no-self-deprecating Lenten season to all who celebrate. And I wish for all of us to be just a little more in love with ourselves.

In other news...
How ridiculous was the Supreme Court of Canada nominee-questioning exercise? The guy used all the key phrases:"not an activist", "courts don't make the law", "I'll interpret the law"... for crying out loud, we're being put on the path to Americanism. As far as I'm concerned, that's all this little experiment served to do. There hasn't been much uptake of the story and that's because nobody cares. We don't have the same problem with the SPC that the 'Murricans have with SCOTUS. Bah.

If you're politically inclined and don't read The Hill Times, you should. Google it.

Tralalalala, that's it.

Other People's Blogs

I admit it, I'm nosy about other blogs. This voyeuristic tendency to go and read other people's thoughts, even though they are complete strangers, somehow makes a connection between reader and diarist that transcends time and space. The weird part is that only one person knows of the connection - unless the reader leaves a comment which I don't on a regular basis. As an online diarist, I am constantly amazed that people who read my blog think to leave comments. At that point, there's a two-way connection instead of the one way street that is reading someone else's blog.

Other people write seriously about their own lives. I've read weight loss blogs, love life blogs, everyday life blogs, "hey look at me and my pet" blogs, welcome-to-my-fetish blogs....it's a crazy blogging world out there. I was just looking at this girl's blog and she posted an MSN/AOL/Instant Messenger conversation between her and her boyfriend, pressuring him for a date as to when they would get married. He was plainly saying he wasn't ready, he's only 23, and at least he's self-aware enough to do so. So they broke up. Right there in that conversation! Posted on her blog! They got back together a few weeks later, but if I were him, I'd be SUPER pissed about having a very emotional conversation posted on the 'net. Leaving aside that the conversation should've happened in person, or at least over the phone, it's incredibly personal and I felt like I was invading his privacy more than hers.

End result? I need to stop reading random blogs. It freaks me out a bit too much.

In Other News...
I don't have much more to say.

Oh, to respond to Lucky's comment about whether heartbreak music or heartbreak came first (out of the movie High Fidelity - everyone should see it. Awesome.) I would think that heartbreak came first. People write music about their experiences, so clearly the experience would have to precede the music. In my experience, break-ups don't happen because of a song. As for whether music makes a perosn sad or if an already sad person gravitates toward sad music...I don't know. If I'm not feeling so hot, I'm probably more likely to listen to something melancholy, but I also will put on angry or more upbeat music. Totally depends. But the sad comes first. If I'm generally happy and a sad song comes on, I may feel a bit winsome for a moment or two, but music doesn't derail happiness for me.

It's Friday. Rejoice!

I Don't Watch TV on Mondays.

Tuesday is my TV night. Gilmore Girls, followed by House. However, I was informed last night that House was on at 8pm. And a new episode! And what an episode it was. Hugh Laurie is my newest secret boyfriend. Forget the other young guys, Hugh Laurie is where it's at.

Anyway, at the end of the show, there was this song that I immediately fell in love with. It turns out I'm a sucker for heart-wrenching, haunting acoustic tunes that put the listener into an immediate depression about the state of their love lives and make one reflect on all past bad boyfriends who would've been lovers for life if not for their fatal flaw of a) not living up to their potential, b) not being over their ex, c) still being with the ex, d) emotionally unavailable in some other way, etc, etc, etc. So, obviously, I went looking for the song immediately. It's called "Desire" by Ryan Adams (not Bryan) and it's terrif. Even reading the lyrics make me feel slightly blue, so of course I'll reproduce them here for YOU! that rhymed! Did you notice? It totally rhymed!

Two hearts fading, like a flower.
And all this waiting, for the power.
For some answer, to this fire.
Sinking slowly. The water’s higher.
Desire

With no secrets. No obsession.
This time I'm speeding with no direction.
Without a reason. What is this fire?
Burning slowly. My one and only.
Desire

You know me. You don't mind waiting.
You just can't show me, but God I'm praying,
That you'll find me, and that you'll see me,
That you run and never tire.
Desire
(from 2002 CD, "Demolition")

I'm thinking, in order to avoid this sort of thing, I should not watch TV on Mondays.

In Other News...
I have new pants on today. Yay!

I have a copy of the "Fraser Forum", the publication of the Fraser Institute. You know who works there? Mike Harris. So clearly, I will read through this magazine (the headline of which is "Priorities for a New Government: Federal Medicine for Medicare, Repositioning Canadian-American Relations, Child Care Choices and other Crap" - that last part was me) and report on it faithfully. Heh. On the cover, there is a very attractive white woman who is meant to be a new mother with a cute white baby.

Obvious Conclusion: Conservatives don't live in the real Canada.

K, I have some stuff to do. Adios!

Tralalalala, that's it.

Crrrrrrush!

My first crush was on a girl. It was on Adrienne Arsenault who was Head Girl at St. Clements when I started there in Grade 3. At the closing ceremony the whole graduating class sang "Wild World" by Cat Stevens. I'll never forget it.

Anyhoo, Adrienne is now a big time reporter at the CBC and she won an award. Yay Adrienne!

Awards are nice.

And who am I crushing on right now, you ask? About 50 people. I have a harem of secret boyfriends.

Hey Now.

This is interesting...

He couldn't find anyone else?

To Do List

I am a list-y person. I make lists. I get this from my mother, and my pal Laura constantly makes fun of my lists, but then goes and makes them herself. A good list makes life so much easier.

Today's To-Do List:

1. Deal with Global Warming.
I am enjoying the warmer winter as much as the next guy who's not a fan of the season, but seriously - there is something really wrong. I would call myself a practical environmentalist*. So when I arrived this morning, I was given a task that could have implications for how we deal with climate change. I was having a garbage morning, and so after seeing some super cute photos of an adorable one year old, changing the course of our response to climate change was just the ticket. The letter that was part of the package said, "Debate Over. It's Time to Save the Planet". I wonder if Mr. Harper and Ms. Ambrose are listening...

2. Go to a meeting about some kind of partridge.
The possibilities for fun are ENDLESS. I'm sure it will be about saving the bird and thus item #2 goes hand in hand with item #1.

3. Complete House Question.
This HAS to be done! I've been procrastinating too long.

4. Phone Laura for lunch.
It's Wednesday! *ties string around finger so as not to forget*

5. Michael Wilson
Today I'm going to try to not freak out too hard about Michael Wilson possibly being the next Ambassador to the US. It's ironic that Harper would choose a guy who brought IN the GST to be the most high profile appointee of this Administration. I mean, considering that Harper wants to CUT the GST...this shows a lack of commitment to me. Harper is obviously willing to throw out his ideals for patronage, and this culture of entitlement has obviously permeated ALL parties. I have no faith. I think I need to spend some time in the depths of federal political despair before figuring out what should be done next. I don't think I even have any solid ideas right now. Sigh.

6. Try not to swear as much.
My mum complimented me on my blog with the caveat that I swear too much. Therefore, I will try to not cuss. Let's see how long it lasts...ready, set, GO!

*Practical environmentalism = being protective of and concerned about the environment to a large extent personally but also realizing that the majority of the population doesn't want to relieve their dependence on fossil fuels. Understanding that this is an uphill battle, it means being supportive of solutions that are long-term and practical in nature so as to achieve larger goals.

In Other News...
My kid didn't make me a valentine yesterday and I was crushed. I got offered some chocolate kisses yesterday not the dirty kind. Phooey! and didn't accept because my pants were too big and that was nice. However, I arrived at the office this morning to find a lovely wee giftie, of the e-mail sort, from a dear man who made me feel better. Oh, and did you know that Valentine's Day isn't a made-up holiday? It's history actually goes back thousands of years. I learned that on Gilmore Girls last night and we all know that Rory doesn't lie.

The Olympics have really geared up. Our Hockey Chix are really going at it YAY! and I have to give a slap on the back to Beckie Scott. The girl really came through with her partner in yesterday's cross-country and got a silver. Atta girl!

In men's figure staking (not finger painting!), Canadian men are lost in the wilderness. Although I think this new cat, Shawn Sawyer, could really be something one day, I'm terribly disappointed in Jeffrey Buttle (choker) and Emmanuel Sandhu. The latter is such a head case and is so ridiculously inconsistent I don't know how e gets on the team anymore. Where are our Kurt Brownings and Elvis Stojkos?

In skiing, my pal Bode was DQ'd and thus some other American won the combined. I'm so diappointed for Bode. He was doing so well. I just love him because he's such a nice combination of country and rock 'n roll. He's not one of those frozen Norwegians who dno't smile. He's got character!

Re: The Western Standard Cartoon Debacle:

I'm getting very tired of having to walk on eggshells around fundamentalists. I don't care if you're Muslim, Christian or MARTIAN, I cannot abide fundamentalism. Reactivity does not promote being taken seriously, people. In this particular case - If you want to change how people view your religion and the people who practice it, then do it peacefully, STOP KILLING OTHER PEOPLE and freaking out like you've just spent a month on meth. Don't burn flags - it's disrespectful and two wrongs don't make a right. Don't cause others to worry about their security - you know how much YOU don't like being insecure. Don't shout and wave guns in the street - that's how people get killed and those images on TV just make you seem C. R. A. Z. Y. And no one pays attention to crazy people.

What are the other ways of protesting, you ask? Write pointed letters to the editor of papers who published the cartoons. They'll get published. Demand the firing of the artist. Don't complain to your government, rather meet with the Ambassador in your country and express your disappointment. There's a system in place for this sort of thing - use it. But remember that we have freedom of the press here and we value it.

While on the topic of fundamentalism, I should say a few words about other kinds. Fundamentalism of all kinds seeks to do one thing - change the system to their advantage without the consent of the citizenry. Look at the US - Evangelicals are 70 million down there - hardly a majority. Yet these fundamentalists have had huge influence on everything from foreign policy and judicial appointees to marriage to death support to what age kids can start having sex with each other.

Forcing opinions on others is BAD. Progress is GOOD.

Tralalalala, that's it.

Detail-Oriented

I gave myself several treats this weekend. On Saturday morning, I went and got a manicure. I've never had one before, so this was a new experience. If I won the lottery and had $22 to spend each week on a manicure, I would. In fact, I'd spend it every day. A long time I ago I either read or heard that people look at other people's fingernails to determine if the lookee knows how to take care of details. If that's true then you would all judge me the most detailed person in the world. Heh.

In other detail news, I was with Big G on Saturday night and took care of the little things for him - washed his head, moisturized his poor self and generally administered excellent sisterly nursing care. If it weren't for the poop, I could see myself as a nurse.

All the kidlets and I went to see Curious George on Sunday. It was too cute. I now cannot decide if I want a) a baby panda, b) a baby giraffe, c) a koala bear, d) a baby polar bear or e) a baby monkey to come and live with me in my house. If I had it my way, I'd have a menagerie!

The Olympics are making me emotional. When Jen Heil won the gold, I was so personally invested in the situation. It's not like I know her or something, but I had invested a good 2 hours of prime Saturday time watching her ski and felt that a gold medal was a just reward for both of us. I also wept a little for Beckie Scott and Cindy Klassen. Pull it together for the next one, girls. You're forgiven-like-Perdita.

Turns out that the French guy who won the men's downhill (so. exciting!!!) is from this tiny little town called Morillon that I visited when I was in France many moons ago. Thus, we have a personal connection. I was sad about Bode Miller not winning anything in the downhill, mostly because he's country-like-McConaughey-and-lives-in-an-RV-even-in-Torino.

Oh, and the American guy, Chad (rolleyes) something-or-other who won the cross-country or snow-shoeing or whatever? HOTT. Even if he didn't know the words to his own national anthem.

The Canadian hockey chix (I think they'd like to be called chix with an "x". If you've ever read Microserfs by Douglas Coupland, you'll know why) are kicking bum and catching flak for not letting other teams score. WTF. Winning is where it's at. People who think it's unsportsmanlike to play as well as you possibly can should seriously re-think what SPORTS are. I have a tiny girl crush on Cassie Campbell. Her hair is really extraordinary.

What's that? Politics, you say?
I got nothin'. The Feds are morons and I can't comment.

Musica!

I'll never forget the little man in Acapulco who would yell "MUSICA!" and then all of a sudden, music would play. He was the fun director or something, and he was adorable. Musica was a must, considering we stayed at the aptly named Copacabana resort. Skiddly as Acapulco was, I'd totally go back.

Anyhoo, my dear girl Heather (incidentally whom I went to Acapulco with) gave me a Rob Thomas CD all the way from London (italics hers) for Christmas (I gave her Khiel's products) and on it is this heavy track called Dear Joan. It's seriously intense, and has a stalker element, but it speaks to me. Ah, failed relationships...grab a listen if you ever get a chance.

Oh, and remember how in my first post I said that the Coldplay tune Fix You needed more listening? Well. That song got me through a serious attack of the vapours and I love it. One of the best tunes from 2005, easily.

Other tunes I loved in 2005:
Lonely No More - Rob Thomas (quelle surprise!)
All These Things That I've Done - The Killers (memories of Fenelon Falls and early morning Tim's...)
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own - U2. Shaddup, Dave.
Behind These Hazel Eyes - Kelly Clarkson. I know. I never thought so either.
Fix You - Coldplay. As above.
The Blowers Daughter - Damian Rice. This tune is So. Haunting.
We Belong Together - Mariah Carey. I just love this song. And the guy in the video is the same guy who is in the Killers' video for Mr. Brightside. He's ugly-hot.

Lalalallalala...that's it.

Arrogance.

Yes, Minister, it's arrogant. You cannot possibly call it anything else.

Argh!

There's something wrong with this guy in his head.

Mad as Hell and Not Going to Take It Anymore

This whole David Emerson really gets my goat.

Everyone knows the backstory, but in a nutshell, the guy staunchly defended the Liberal platform in the last election, got elected and then turned Conservative for a Cabinet post. And not just any Cabinet post, but International Trade - a step up from his former post in the Martin Cabinet as Minister of Industry.

So I was reading the Toronto Star this morning I heartily read the Star. Uncle Bob is a big shot editor there and he's nice. So I read. and lo, there's a story by Jim Travers about how there was a negotiated, behind the scenes settlement for the Softwood Lumber issue that was NOT signed or released before the election for political reasons. Emerson apparently had suggested it not be released due to the electoral calendar and that it would be a win for the Liberals when they were returned to office.

2 Things:
1. The Liberals didn't get returned to office. Therefore, the mediocrity of the masses theory will mean that Stephen Harper and surprise! David Emerson will get the credit for the win and, perhaps more importantly...
2. Travers reports that it's a multi-billion dollar settlement. Signing the damn thing and beginning it's implementation would've been a) a win for the Libs (with the possible result being more seats in rural/northern Ontario and BC) and b) a win for the thousands of people who have been put out of work by this crisis and the companies, more of which are folding with each passing month.

The whole thing makes me want to yak.

In Other News...

I got 10 hours of sleep last night thank you Ny-Quil! and am rrrrrarrrrin' to go!

I have a long to-do list and instead of plodding through it, I stare at it, hoping it will miraculously go away. Fat Chance.

I think everyone in Southern Ontario should have a look at the Places to Grow plan, produced by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal. It's really a piece of genius, folks.

I found out this morning that the Toronto Public Library System is one-third again the size of the Library system in Queens, NY, which is the busiest system in the world. With 99 branches, the TPL is the largest on the planet. Isn't that neat?! I think they need more money ot have beeter operating hours.

I also found out last night that TTC fares are going up across the board due to a $16M shortfall. I think the Premier should find the $16M, give it to them as added gas tax money and call it a day and not force Torontonians to pay more for shoddy service. It would be a nice thing to do. If you can give drivers HOV lanes, you can come up with $16 mil for those of us who toil in transit every day, all in the name of cleaner air. We're holding up our end, Big D, you do your part.

Lalalalalala, I think that's it.

The Beginning

I have to say that I'm generally not a fan of beginnings.
This "why?" of this statement clearly requires a list, so here it is...

1. Beginning a new relationship
You have to get to know a whole new person, and that person has to get to know you. Everyone finds their quirks embarassing or awkward, and the fact that I don't like olives much can be a deal breaker - as in, "oh, she's picky" or something when really, I'm not picky, I just don't like olives. You have to meet the friends, the family and get the once over by the new person's dog or cat or squirrel or whatever. You have to show the new person where you put your drinking glasses and where the cutlery is and where the extra TP is stored. You have to say "mi casa es su casa" or something equally lame. You have to tell the new person which side of the bed you sleep on, and hope it meshes with them. You have to figure out how you're going to sit when watching movies from now on.

Relationships are lovely, but the beginning part blows. The butterflies, the waiting on the phone...feh.

2. Kid beginnings
The Kid got on the Yonge bus by himself this morning out of sheer necessity. He did a fantastic job and I'm glad I can trust him, but it was terrifying and now I'm thinking this is beginning of the rest of my life where eventually babysitters won't be required and in a few years I can leave him for a weekend.

Point is that he's at the beginning of being an adolescent and that's scary.

3. Job beginnings
You know that awkward first few weeks when you're on your best behaviour, trying to prove your competence when really you have no idea what's going on? That sucks. Oh, and the getting to know people in the office part. Ugh.

4. New government beginnings
The pundits call it a honeymoon, but for the Harper crew, I think it's more of a divorce from real Canadian centrism. They're all fired up for the first 100 days, which is when they think they can do the most without consequences, and all hell is going to break loose. I dread it.

That's pretty much it for now, but suffice it to say, I don't like beginnings. I like being comfortably enmeshed in the middle of something.

In Other News...
My voice has returned. Yay!

I am excited about my lunch. Yay!

It's cold outside. Boo!

But at least it's sunny. Yay!

I think everyone should look at Natalie Dee's drawings. Go to www.nataliedee.com and check her out. My favourites so far are "boxes for dummies" and "owl-pelican-chicken" (for bird flu enthusiasts).

I Don't Have a Voice

Literally and Figuratively.

Literally:
I seem to have laryngitis. Not being able to talk is a bad thing in my profession. However, due to my health craze, I'm certain that this could've changed into something more painful and intense, but has not due to my well-hydrated and healthily-fed self. Fingers remain crossed as I cannot afford to take a sick day.

Figuratively:
Stephen Harper is now officially Prime Minister. He put an unelected person in at Public Works (oh, the irony...) and a man who just was elected as a Liberal and then decided he liked Conservatives better in at International Trade. This man is the face of our country on trade matters, people. Think softwood. Think BSE. Border control. Ugh.

Harris Conservatives have done well for themselves (Finance and Treasury Board) in this cabinet and it just goes to show that the Liberal campaign ads suggesting that a Stephen Harper government would be just like the CSR weren't wrong. Two guys who led the Ontario budget into deficit and then said there was no such thing are now in charge of Canada's purse strings. Lovely.

Centrist and left-of-Centre Canadians (who make up a big majority) will have no voice in this parliament. Harper will use policy statements and non-legislative tools to push his agenda. I was hoping for a glimmer of hope in this cabinet. What I got was a lens to the future. And it is dark.

In Other News...

Yay Steelers! I'm so glad they won. I have a theory - you have to root for the team that beat your team, and since the Steelers beat my Broncs, I was on board with the Terrible Towel Train! how's that for alliteration.

A Big Shout Out...

To everyone who has helped me in so many different ways during this time.

To David, Mark, Liz and Laura - thank you for taking the Kid on so many fun adventures while I've been needed elsewhere. I do not know how I can ever repay your graciousness.

To Cam & Terry - for checking in all the time and for entertaining me.

To Alison - for being a rock. I adore you.

To Dave - for being there when I've called for you. You've never disappointed.

I love you all.

Breaking News!

PEOPLE! I just read that my pal Aaron Sorkin hopefully he's still on shroomies! is coming back to write the episode of The West Wing that will deal with Leo having taken a big dirt nap. I don't have info as to whether or not Leo will swim with the fishes in the episode, though.

I'm sad about John Spencer being dead. I totally thought he and that cute little blonde girl were going to hook up. Now that would've been something to see.

In other news...
There is a lobbyist who constantly calls. I'm sick of it and wish he'd leave me alone. I can do no more for his client who would be better off without him, frankly and am tired of saying the same thing over and over again.

I still want to see "Derailed". I know. Shocker. I haven't seen it yet. Mark Darcy has yet to redeem himself in my estimation - how can one have respect for someone who chooses movies based on reviews and then bails when he doesn't think he'll like it? I thus become more Elizabeth Bennet-like every day.Except in reverse. I become more prejudiced as time goes on vis a vis Mark Darcy instead of the proper way. Feh.

At lunch we were talking about Valentine's Day, and I said that I think we should distribute cards at the office. Especially those fun Anne Taintor ones (note to self: don't forget to pick up an Anne Taintor 2006 daybook) or the Law and Order ones. Then someone asked if I celebrated Valentine's Day in my real life. My response: "I would!". Everyone laughed and I got a bit depressed.

It smells like rataouille in the office because someone had it for lunch. It reminds me of when my dad used to make rataouille for dinner. Now, I never liked the zucchini part, but was totally on board with the cheese and tomato and onion part, and now all I can think of is how I wish Dad was around to make me rataouille again. 7 years on the 7th. That must mean something. This time I'd eat the zucchini.

Sadness...dit-moi. Q'est-ce-que tu veut chercher...

And Now, For Something Different...

In these days of a bit of a lull in Canadian politics (well, at least until the new crew is sworn in), my thoughts have turned to their natural state of wondering what the heck is going on south of the border. My fascination with American politics remains a priority in my off-work hours and I like dreaming about a future where there is a nice, Martin Sheen-esque Democrat in the White House and a nice, Pierre Trudeau-esque PM at 24 Sussex Drive. Bring on the Philosopher Kings, I say.

Alas, seeing as how Frank McKenna has exited the Liberal Leadership race (my little heart is broken, friends), I cannot imagine my dream coming true in the near future, unless there is a person out there from whom we have not yet heard, but I believe the era of the American philosopher President is close at hand. Why, you ask? Because after the utter silliness of the era from 1980-92, and 98-2006, it's high time.

My vote goes to Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico. Governors win the Oval Office, Senators do not. It's time for the Democrats to understand this and stop making Senators their nominees. Executive experience is what is needed, not legislative.

Governor Bill (the name has a nice ring to, don't you think? Hee!) has had a pretty spectacular career. Not only was he UN Ambassador and Secretary of Energy, he has legislative experience in 14 years in Congress, all places that he has successfully pushed energy reforms and foreign policy expertise. In his home state in New Mexico (not only a swing state, but a western swing state, natch) he has produced balanced budgets, tax cuts, has pulled jobs in with an expansion in the aerospace sector and has made health and education huge priorities. He has introduced a comprehensive ethics package and enjoys a 64% approval rating.

Governor Bill, since he told the DLC that he would be seeking the nomination, has received over $8 million in contributions from a huge variety of sectors and people. As an example, he has contributions from environmentalists and defense contractors alike. The man is a real uniter, people. He's the horse to back in this race.

Maybe he'll choose Mark Warner as his running mate. Or Evan Bayh. Either one would work for me.

In any event, I think we're going to see a Democratic upsurge in the mid-terms. The State of the Union speech last night was useless and it seems like the 'Murricans are coming around.