So I was just perusing the internet and came across a fun little book game and thought I would try it out!  (read:  massive dorkiness to follow.  be prepared.)

Basically, the point of the game is to take a book, any book, and let it fall open on a random page.  Then read a pre-determined number of lines (lines 7-12, for example).  Post these lines as a "teaser" for the book, a literary appetizer.  A small helping of fresh out of the oven bruschetta, if you will.  

Doesn't that sound absolutely delectable??  Here, I'll go first.  

From my current read: Peace Like A River by Leif Enger

p. 56  lines 7-12

"'Of course not.  I know it happened.  It just shouldn't have.  Don't you see that?'

'No,' Swede replied.

But I saw what he meant, or I would eventually.  Davy wanted life to be something you did on your own; the whole idea of a protective, fatherly God annoyed him."

Actually, I'm still on p. 38 myself, so this little exercise has served as a bit of a teaser for me as well.  Ooooh!  I can't wait to get to p. 56 so I can find out what they are talking about and why!  Perhaps I will get there this afternoon, during the hours upon hours of free time on my hands these days.

For now, I sit at Peet's Coffee and Tea in swanky Lake Oswego, waiting for 1:30 to roll around so I can go to the district office and register to substitute.  For the record, this will be my fifth district with whom I have offered my services.  Up until yesterday that number was stuck at three.  Three districts and only two jobs in the past month: one half day in a high school "Future Focus" class (in which I spoke about grande themes such as out-sourcing and globalization to a room full of blank faces) and a full day in a middle school "Keys to Music" class teaching keyboarding to sixth graders.  So now I am adding two more districts to the mix, in a desperate attempt to nearly double my odds.  Hey, it's worth a try, even if it means having to drive 45 minutes to a school on the other side of town.  

Meanwhile, I will be drinking copious amounts of tea and flying through two books and countless newspapers a week in a vague attempt at maintaining some degree of mental stimulation, while simultaneously creating the facade of an intelligent, worthy individual with worldly perspectives and an unnatural love of... wait, youtube videos?  Damn it.  My cover is blown.  

Now back to those titillating clips highlighting John McCain's anger issues...

Polit[ick!]s

Perhaps it is a bit overly dramatic of me to say, but let me just state, for the record:

If McCain/Palin win the election come November, I will be moving to Canada.  Seriously.  

I hear Vancouver is beautiful, quite progressive actually.  And let's not forget the federal health care (yes please!).  Yes, it's official.  If this country is swept away by an aging, obviously incompetent Republican and his busty no-brain side-kick, I will a) throw a conniption fit b) cry c)begin packing d)cry some more.  

Having come to this conclusion some time ago, I was shocked to discover that (gasp!) I was not the only one!!!  There are others who foresee a life in that great northern frontier!  Only, whereas I simply talk about the prospect to friends and write about it on here, my blog, they lift their voices to the heavens and SING, baby!  And oh, it is beautiful. 

The fact that this dire predicament is a rather substantial possibility is all the more worrisome.  Perhaps this explains why I felt so depressed after the VP debate this past week.  Like millions of Americans around the country, I so desperately wanted Palin to fall on her condescending little face and prove to the world what a fake she really is.  Unfortunately, that didn't happen.  She was well put together, gave a strong delivery, and somehow managed to formulate semi-complete sentences.  This in and of itself was an immense accomplishment.  Granted, if I heard the words "Maverick" or "Energy Policy" one more time I thought my head was going to explode.  Question dodging aside, as a debater, she scored top marks.  

Palin-bashing aside, my general disgust for politics was revived this past week, what with the "bipartisan" bail-out, McCain's grandiose decision to put his campaign on hold (talk about "gotcha" journalism-- how about "gotcha" politics, Johnny?), and the countless mis-statements from BOTH parties during the debates.  A couple of things that I wish they would get straight, once and for all:

1.  Obama/Biden:  the Iraqis do not have a $79 Billion surplus so STOP throwing that figure around like it's your last lifeline to the candidacy!  Just get it straight:  by now, it's probably closer to $60 Billion.  Doesn't quite have the same dramatic effect as the former, but still gets the point across, I think.  (not to mention it's TRUE!)

2.  McCain/Palin:  Obama did NOT vote againt spending for the troops!!  He voted no because of the TIMELINE, damnit!  How many times do we have to explain this one to you?  McCain did the EXACT SAME THING!  He chose not to vote for a spending bill for the troops because it contained a timeline, just as Obama chose not to vote for a spending bill for the troops because it did not contain a timeline.  Get it?  Good.   

3.  McCain:  There's no point trying to deny your closeness to George W.  (both in your personal life and in voting record).  Hell, when Bush heard the news about the devastation of  Hurricane Katrina, he immediately jetted off, not to New Orleans, but to YOUR Birthday Party, for God's sake!  Now that's commitment, my friend.  Besides, there's no covering up your average of voting with Bushy 90% of the time over the course of the past 8 years.  

4.  This last one is for all of ya:  please, please!  Stop quoting the other out of context, spinning whatever they say in a way that supports whatever point you are making, whether it is accurate or not.  I mean come on, Obama!  I thought you were supposed to be all about a "new" type of politics.  For the most part, I say you've done a fine job breaking out of the mold.  Unfortunately, the closer we come to Nov. 4th, the sloppier you're getting at holding true to your word.