Monday November 3, 2008
Dear Blog
I voted early.
In Virginia, you may vote before the national designated day of Tuesday, November 3 if you so choose. As many as 33 States allow for this. Some require you to have a legitimate reason or excuse for doing so. Virginia does not .. although they do ask for one.
Btw, it is not classified as ‘early voting’. It is styled ‘absentee voting’.
Loudoun County had 2 places where you could cast an absentee vote. One was in Leesburg at the County Election Headquarters and the other was where I elected to go. My Daughter and I drove over to the Cascades Senior Center which is about 8 minutes from our abode. The day we chose was Wednesday, October 29. The voting times were 4 o’clock until 8 o’clock and we arrived at precisely 4 o’clock. There were already about 30 or so people lining up.
The voting procedure was a bit different than what I have, normally, experienced. In the past when I have voted, I walk over to Park View High School in Sterling Park and without much more than a 5 minute wait, I give my name .. show my Voter Card .. and take my ballot into a booth and vote.
Not so during this ‘absentee voting’ procedure.
When we entered the Senior Center, we lined up. Some people in line had forms that they were filling out. Others didn’t. I asked my daughter to go see if she could procure us our forms .. in the sake of saving time.
When my Daughter returned, she exclaimed that the old witch wouldn’t give her any forms. Since there were quite a few people around us that heard her – I rebuked her for her derogatory remark. Then, another woman agreed that the woman in charge of forms was nasty to her, as well.
Then, another man and woman agreed that the lady was hateful to them.
So, with a bit of anger that my Daughter was scolded for no good reason and the fact that I am a smart ass – I said aloud that I was going to give that lady a piece of my mind. Still another lady in line asked if I would do just that because she was chastised, too.
Soon, word had spread that I was going to stand up to that woman .. and people were giving me that affirmative look.
Then, I had no choice but to defend my compatriots when I reached the head of the line.
Just then, the forms lady began to speak. She said to listen up that she was only going to say this once and one time only. She said she was going to pass out the forms and we were to fill out certain portions which she started explaining. But we didn’t have the form to look at as she spoke and we all were puzzled. Then, the old witch (:lol:) in an exaggerated voice yelled that if the form wasn’t filled out completely and correctly when we got to the front of the line – that she was going to send us to the back of the line.
Now, I could not take anymore of her Military attitude nor could I wait to see her face to face. Besides, now the people near me are looking at me as if for leadership.
Even though I was 15-20 feet from her .. I took a deep breath and .. using my outside voice I began, I quite loudly said:
OH NO YOU AREN’T .. AND WE AREN’T TAKEN THAT CRAP FROM YOU !
In Virginia, you may vote before the national designated day of Tuesday, November 3 if you so choose. As many as 33 States allow for this. Some require you to have a legitimate reason or excuse for doing so. Virginia does not .. although they do ask for one.
Btw, it is not classified as ‘early voting’. It is styled ‘absentee voting’.
Loudoun County had 2 places where you could cast an absentee vote. One was in Leesburg at the County Election Headquarters and the other was where I elected to go. My Daughter and I drove over to the Cascades Senior Center which is about 8 minutes from our abode. The day we chose was Wednesday, October 29. The voting times were 4 o’clock until 8 o’clock and we arrived at precisely 4 o’clock. There were already about 30 or so people lining up.
The voting procedure was a bit different than what I have, normally, experienced. In the past when I have voted, I walk over to Park View High School in Sterling Park and without much more than a 5 minute wait, I give my name .. show my Voter Card .. and take my ballot into a booth and vote.
Not so during this ‘absentee voting’ procedure.
When we entered the Senior Center, we lined up. Some people in line had forms that they were filling out. Others didn’t. I asked my daughter to go see if she could procure us our forms .. in the sake of saving time.
When my Daughter returned, she exclaimed that the old witch wouldn’t give her any forms. Since there were quite a few people around us that heard her – I rebuked her for her derogatory remark. Then, another woman agreed that the woman in charge of forms was nasty to her, as well.
Then, another man and woman agreed that the lady was hateful to them.
So, with a bit of anger that my Daughter was scolded for no good reason and the fact that I am a smart ass – I said aloud that I was going to give that lady a piece of my mind. Still another lady in line asked if I would do just that because she was chastised, too.
Soon, word had spread that I was going to stand up to that woman .. and people were giving me that affirmative look.
Then, I had no choice but to defend my compatriots when I reached the head of the line.
Just then, the forms lady began to speak. She said to listen up that she was only going to say this once and one time only. She said she was going to pass out the forms and we were to fill out certain portions which she started explaining. But we didn’t have the form to look at as she spoke and we all were puzzled. Then, the old witch (:lol:) in an exaggerated voice yelled that if the form wasn’t filled out completely and correctly when we got to the front of the line – that she was going to send us to the back of the line.
Now, I could not take anymore of her Military attitude nor could I wait to see her face to face. Besides, now the people near me are looking at me as if for leadership.
Even though I was 15-20 feet from her .. I took a deep breath and .. using my outside voice I began, I quite loudly said:
OH NO YOU AREN’T .. AND WE AREN’T TAKEN THAT CRAP FROM YOU !
WE ARE ADULTS .. AND WE ARE HERE TO VOTE .. AND YOU ARE BEING PAID TO FACILITATE OUR WELL BEING !
AND FURTHERMORE, WHEN YOU SASS MY DAUGHTER – YOU HAVE MESSED WITH THE WRONG PERSON ! DO YOU HEAR ME ?
It was all I could do to not cuss .. but I knew it was best that I didn’t. Most everybody there was my age or older.
When I finished, everybody started clapping. Not just the 8-10 people near me .. and not just the 50 or so people in line .. but everybody that was in the Great Room where we all were. My back got patted numerous times, too.
Things changed dramatically after that. The lady passed out the forms and answered all the questions that all of us had. And we were then given a number (I was 28 .. my Daughter was 30) and asked to sit in the Day Area and wait for our number to be called.
When it was, we then went into another room and stated our name and address and showed pertinent ID. We, still, waited another 20-25 minutes before we, actually, voted.
At the time of actually voting, we were asked if we wanted to vote electronically or via a paper ballot. I chose paper ballot as did most folks.
I had, already, heard that some electronic machines were malfunctioning .. and I wanted a paper trail if there was any glitch.
After we voted, my Daughter and I left but I know at least 20 people either shook my hand or waved as they said “thank you, sir.”
I responded with “you are most certainly welcome.”
In this world, people must either lead, follow or get the hell out of the way.
I do not consider myself a leader .. but if a leader is needed and no one else does – I have no problem doing so.
Plus, I watched my Dad when I was a child. Whenever he felt wronged – he spoke up. Usually via his outside voice.
Like I told my Daughter: don’t go around yelling and pushing your agenda; that way when you need to – it works best.
Btw, .. whom did I vote for ?
I voted for change .. and I pray that my candidate comes through for us all.
These next 4 years will be the toughest our nation has faced in my lifetime.
* AND .. if you haven’t heard, yet: two Montreal, Canada radio DJs pulled a prank telephone call on Sarah Palin .. pretending to be France’s President, Nicolas Sarkozy.
And she fell for it; hook, line & sinker.
Listen to it by clicking here:
AND FURTHERMORE, WHEN YOU SASS MY DAUGHTER – YOU HAVE MESSED WITH THE WRONG PERSON ! DO YOU HEAR ME ?
It was all I could do to not cuss .. but I knew it was best that I didn’t. Most everybody there was my age or older.
When I finished, everybody started clapping. Not just the 8-10 people near me .. and not just the 50 or so people in line .. but everybody that was in the Great Room where we all were. My back got patted numerous times, too.
Things changed dramatically after that. The lady passed out the forms and answered all the questions that all of us had. And we were then given a number (I was 28 .. my Daughter was 30) and asked to sit in the Day Area and wait for our number to be called.
When it was, we then went into another room and stated our name and address and showed pertinent ID. We, still, waited another 20-25 minutes before we, actually, voted.
At the time of actually voting, we were asked if we wanted to vote electronically or via a paper ballot. I chose paper ballot as did most folks.
I had, already, heard that some electronic machines were malfunctioning .. and I wanted a paper trail if there was any glitch.
After we voted, my Daughter and I left but I know at least 20 people either shook my hand or waved as they said “thank you, sir.”
I responded with “you are most certainly welcome.”
In this world, people must either lead, follow or get the hell out of the way.
I do not consider myself a leader .. but if a leader is needed and no one else does – I have no problem doing so.
Plus, I watched my Dad when I was a child. Whenever he felt wronged – he spoke up. Usually via his outside voice.
Like I told my Daughter: don’t go around yelling and pushing your agenda; that way when you need to – it works best.
Btw, .. whom did I vote for ?
I voted for change .. and I pray that my candidate comes through for us all.
These next 4 years will be the toughest our nation has faced in my lifetime.
* AND .. if you haven’t heard, yet: two Montreal, Canada radio DJs pulled a prank telephone call on Sarah Palin .. pretending to be France’s President, Nicolas Sarkozy.
And she fell for it; hook, line & sinker.
Listen to it by clicking here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU7Mo8UJm-Y&feature=bzb302
The Washington Redskins .. host the Pittsburgh Steelers, tonight on Monday night at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.
I will edit this account tomorrow to include the results.
The Dallas Cowbabies lost to the New York Gi’nts, 35 – 14, on Sunday.
I pull for two teams each NFL week / the Washington Redskins AND whomever plays the Cowbabies.
In the best Division in the NFL (the NFC East) ..
The Gi'nts are 7 – 1 ..
while the Redskins are 6 - 2
and Cowbabies are 5 – 4
and the Iggles are 5 – 3.
The Redskins will now have their Bye week ..
and their next game is at FedEx Field, in Landover, Maryland ..
Sunday, November 16 at 8:30 PM verses the hated Dallas Crybabies.
The game will be televised by NBC and can be seen in the Washington market on channel 4. In Key West, it can viewed on NBC channel 8.
Baseball is, now, over for 2008:
The Philadelphia Phillies have beaten the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series, 4 games to 1.
The 5th and final game was interupted by rain and took more than 50 hours to complete. The Phillies won that contest, 4-3.
I should be satisfied that the World Series winner not only comes from the National League (where the Washington Nationals reside) but also from their Eastern Division, as well .. but I am not. I dislike the Philadelphia fans and besides, I am soon to be a Floridian.
Auto Racing:
Carl Edwards won NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series Race, Dickies 500 at Texas at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas on Sunday, November 2 at 2:30 PM and televised, nationally, by ABC.
Jeff Gordon finished 2nd and Jaime McMurray finished 3rd.
The Race was the 8th of 10 in what is being called the ‘Chase’ .. and equates to NASCAR’s Playoffs to Championship run.
Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin finished 6th, 16thand 17th respectively. The other JGR member who is slated to replace Tony Stewart, next year ( Joey Lagano ) finished 40th.
These 3 top Driver’s are currently ranked 10th, 9th and 12th in the ‘Chase’.
The next NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race will be the Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Speedway in Avondale, Arizona on Sunday, November 9 at 1:30 PM and televised, nationally, by ABC.
NHL:
The Washington Capitals have a record of 5 – 4 – 1 .. in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League after losing at the Buffalo Sabres, 5-0 on Saturday night.
Their next contest is Tuesday, November 4 at the Ottawa Senators.
NBA:
The Washington Bullets have a record of 0 – 2 in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association after losing 117 – 109 on Saturday night at the Detroit Pistons.
Their next contest is Wednesday, November 5 at the Milwaukee Bucks.
My dog, Rascal is, still, doing well on her Rimadyl medication.
Stimey, the cat is, also, well .. although he is not under medication. He just feels left out if I don’t mention him, too.
Today in Key West, the high air temperature is predicted to be 79 degrees with a overnight low of 72 degrees.
Today’s LoCo weather forecast calls for air temperatures of 59 degrees and with an overnight low of 45 degrees.
Okay, thanks for dropping by this Blog, today.
I hope to see you, tomorrow, for amateur Lyricist day ..
at this URL.
My time is, now, up .. I thank you for yours.
The Washington Redskins .. host the Pittsburgh Steelers, tonight on Monday night at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.
I will edit this account tomorrow to include the results.
The Dallas Cowbabies lost to the New York Gi’nts, 35 – 14, on Sunday.
I pull for two teams each NFL week / the Washington Redskins AND whomever plays the Cowbabies.
In the best Division in the NFL (the NFC East) ..
The Gi'nts are 7 – 1 ..
while the Redskins are 6 - 2
and Cowbabies are 5 – 4
and the Iggles are 5 – 3.
The Redskins will now have their Bye week ..
and their next game is at FedEx Field, in Landover, Maryland ..
Sunday, November 16 at 8:30 PM verses the hated Dallas Crybabies.
The game will be televised by NBC and can be seen in the Washington market on channel 4. In Key West, it can viewed on NBC channel 8.
Baseball is, now, over for 2008:
The Philadelphia Phillies have beaten the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series, 4 games to 1.
The 5th and final game was interupted by rain and took more than 50 hours to complete. The Phillies won that contest, 4-3.
I should be satisfied that the World Series winner not only comes from the National League (where the Washington Nationals reside) but also from their Eastern Division, as well .. but I am not. I dislike the Philadelphia fans and besides, I am soon to be a Floridian.
Auto Racing:
Carl Edwards won NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series Race, Dickies 500 at Texas at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas on Sunday, November 2 at 2:30 PM and televised, nationally, by ABC.
Jeff Gordon finished 2nd and Jaime McMurray finished 3rd.
The Race was the 8th of 10 in what is being called the ‘Chase’ .. and equates to NASCAR’s Playoffs to Championship run.
Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin finished 6th, 16thand 17th respectively. The other JGR member who is slated to replace Tony Stewart, next year ( Joey Lagano ) finished 40th.
These 3 top Driver’s are currently ranked 10th, 9th and 12th in the ‘Chase’.
The next NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race will be the Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Speedway in Avondale, Arizona on Sunday, November 9 at 1:30 PM and televised, nationally, by ABC.
NHL:
The Washington Capitals have a record of 5 – 4 – 1 .. in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League after losing at the Buffalo Sabres, 5-0 on Saturday night.
Their next contest is Tuesday, November 4 at the Ottawa Senators.
NBA:
The Washington Bullets have a record of 0 – 2 in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association after losing 117 – 109 on Saturday night at the Detroit Pistons.
Their next contest is Wednesday, November 5 at the Milwaukee Bucks.
My dog, Rascal is, still, doing well on her Rimadyl medication.
Stimey, the cat is, also, well .. although he is not under medication. He just feels left out if I don’t mention him, too.
Today in Key West, the high air temperature is predicted to be 79 degrees with a overnight low of 72 degrees.
Today’s LoCo weather forecast calls for air temperatures of 59 degrees and with an overnight low of 45 degrees.
Okay, thanks for dropping by this Blog, today.
I hope to see you, tomorrow, for amateur Lyricist day ..
at this URL.
My time is, now, up .. I thank you for yours.
LARRY..CURTIS..SPURLOCK
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