Calling all political geeks...

I have to say, after last night, I am truly inspired by this country. I am motivated by the number of people who turned out last night to express their opinions and cast their vote at caucus. I have long believed that the right to vote is one of the most sacred rights we possess as Americans - the ability to choose our leaders is the basic building blocks of our country and our elections are carried out in the manner our forefathers desinged for us.

I have been on a soapbox for years about this. I have encouraged people to vote, I have volunteered in voting precints, and I have provided resources about every candidate so that people can make informed choices about who they choose to lead us. I do this because, in addition to voter apathy, my second biggest pet peeve are the single issue voters - the ones that only vote Republican, for example, because they are anti-abortionists. It just drives me crazy because the election, a candidate, and their political platform represent so much more than that.

This election, the issue on everyone's mind is undoubtedly the war in Iraq. And, I love the fact that there are people who are motivated to express their opinions - who are voting in caucus - just to demonstrate that. I am so happy that there are candidates on both sides of the race that are inspiring America. People want this change and they're ready for it.

The saddest thing...

I was reading about Heath Ledger and his untimely death. And while this is sad, in and of itself, there is a group planning on protesting his funeral for filming "Brokeback Mountain." Their leader is Fred Phelps, their website is www.godhatesfags.com. The members of the Westboro Baptist Church intend on protesting this funeral because, according to them, homosexuality is the root of all evil and that anyone who condones homosexuality is on the straight path to hell.

What makes me laugh is the irony in their protest. They plan on protesting the funeral of someone who filmed a progressive movie, but didn't they get exactly what they wanted? He's dead, and in their narrow minds, he's already serving his sentence. The fact that they need to cause more grief among the people genuinely affected by this premature death doesn't make anyone more sympathetic to their cause.

This group, if you recall, also protests the funerals of soldiers who have died in Iraq. They protest that these soldiers are fighting for a nation that doesn't burn gay people at the stake.

While I support the right of free speech, I wish that there was something that could be done to control it. It makes me so sad to think that there are people who disrespect our nation so much they protest the funerals of popular culture icons and those who fight for their right to protest even protest at funerals.

Bragging Rights

We have entered the days of bragging rights.

Minnesotans love to boast about how they can withstand subzero temperatures just to get that look of disbelief out of anyone not from this state. But, to attain that badge of honor, the right to brag, we must suffer through several days of frigid weather. I'm not even sure if there's a word to describe how cold it is right now. So, we have entered the days of bragging rights. The time of year when every Minnesotan silently curses the fact that they live in this state. It would be below us to say it out loud. But we are proud that we can survive in these temperatures and we are proud to tell others that we live in a state where it gets too cold to snow.

However, I am a true Minnesotan and I have the ability to brag about the Winter of 1996 when the Governor shut the state down because it was too cold. He told all Minnesotans to stay indoors because it was unsafe to be outside for a prolonged period of time. I distinctly remember that day. I was shopping at the Mall of America, in true Minnesota fashion.

In actuality, you can't tell the difference between -4 and -35. It feels the same. Really cold. But, just like animals, we adapt to our environment. We know that we should wear a hat, gloves, a scarf and a heavy coat. And, we can make a fashion statement while doing it. And we know, without ever watching "A Christmas Story" that you should never stick your tongue on metal in this weather, much less touch it without a gloved hand. We are the state of electric car starters and electric blankets.

However, every year, there are those who, unfortunately lose their lives to the cold in the same way that heat waves cause death in other states. And it's always the same story. An intoxicated person tries to walk home from the bar and becomes disoriented and passes out in a ditch. Because, as we all know, alcohol makes you immune to the cold. And there is an odd combination created of alcohol, cold, and its effect on everyone who chooses to drink it. I remember in college, not only would I get intoxicated, but I would choose to walk home, many times alone. I also used to be baffled by the girls who would wear tiny tank tops under their North Face jackets to parties. I really can't tell you which act is more stupid. There was a saying at my college that a student wouldn't get up with an inch of snow on the ground to make it to class, but that they'd walk a mile in a foot of it for a beer. And this was pretty much true. Thankfully, we didn't lose anyone to this phenomenon while I was in college, but it happens every year, without fail.

I always attribute these days as the reason that Minnesotans take full advantage of the summertime. I think that, because we endure this cold for so long, we appreciate the summer all the more when it actually comes. We try and soak up as much warmth and sun as we can before we all return to hibernation, hoping it lasts us through April. The sunshine cures our Seasonal Affective Disorder, the official name for "Cabin Fever," which by this time of year, every Minnesotan has suffered at least one bout.

In any case, it becomes a game of how long you can stay inside. And, with no end in sight to our cold, we come to rely on the creature comforts, such as a heated garage, a furnace and a gas fireplace.

A fortune

In an effort to start our lives together, Jeff has officially given up his apartment and moved in with me. We get mail at the same address now and our names will appear on all the bills. However, what he failed to tell me is that he has collected a fortune of junk from his bachelor days...and I mean a "fortune" of junk.

For example, he has collected thousands of DVDs and has a plethora of sporting equipment. Apparently, he plays ALL the sports and must carry enough equipment to field a team of ten men at any point in time. He also has enough work-out clothes to suit up an entire football team for a week at camp. And don't even get me started on the amount of clothes and shoes he has. Let's just say it's a good thing my clothes are smaller in size and in number than his are, or otherwise we'd never fit in my townhouse.

But, this has allowed me a glimpse of Jeff that I otherwise wouldn't see. For example, I discovered that he would rather purchase new clothing than wash his currently owned shirts, socks, underwear, and t-shirts. I also found that he did absolutely no cooking based on the lack of dishes and cookware which were moved to my place. His other loves include television on DVD and thousands of books on writing screenplays. He has amassed a fortune in four categories: DVDs, literature, attire, and recreational tools.

The question is where to put it all.

My holiday resolution...

I am always amazed by the holiday season...everything looks so festive, and Christmas music is everywhere you go, it seems that one would be perpetually in a good mood, as if every mall you enter in to is a passport straight to Santa's workshop.

About eight years ago, I had shoulder surgery that left me in a sling over the Christmas holidays. And, as my unfortunate luck would have it, I repeated it this holiday season. However, it was the lack of my ability to use my right arm that has since prompted my resolution for the holiday season. It started the first winter I had my arm in a sling. I was traveling to New York to visit, and I had carried on my suitcase. And, as I struggled to place my luggage in the overhead compartment, I was pushed around by men in suits and other travelers, anxious to get to their seats. No one was offering to help me, until an elderly woman asked if she could. This woman was probably over eighty, but she was the only one who offered to help me. And that has stayed with me.

I am always amazed at the selfishness of other people during this time of year. Perhaps I notice it more, because this should be the season for giving and remembering to love thy neighbor. But, take away one arm, and you suddenly become increasingly aware of people's true nature. I think it's because you actually rely on others to help you out - hold open the door for you, for example.

It's my hope that people forget to help one another because they're so involved and concerned for their own families that they fail to notice those who really need help. I choose to look at it that way because it's just too depressing to see it the other way.

My holiday resolution, therefore, is to take notice of others around me. I want to give more of myself to other people and help where I know help is needed. Cousin Frankie told me that you always know the right thing to do. You always do. The problem becomes whether or not you choose to do the right thing. And I want to make a conscious effort to do that. I want to right the past wrongs in my life and give and receive forgiveness where it's been missing. I want to step into another person's shoes and appreciate life from their point of view.

Helen Keller said, "Be kind; for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle." And I'd like to remember that and help others along the way.

In the words of Frank Sinatra...

I was a first year law student when I met Jeff. I remember the very first time I ever talked to him and the very first minute he ever came across my radar. We were sitting in The Local, having drinks after our Civil Procedure mid-term. I remember that he intrigued me, but at the time, I was in another relationship and I don't know that I was in that state of mind, so to speak. But I do remember the day that I met him.

Over the course of the next several months, we developed a deep friendship and he became the person I wanted to talk to about every mundane thing in my life. And, I liked him so much. He was so easy to talk to, he had strong opinions, interesting ideas and thoughts...he was so smart and creative. Oh, and not to mention that I thought he was pretty cute too. And, just to keep it straight, I still think all these things about him.

In any case, one night, he called and asked to take me to a movie. I'd been sick, and he wanted to do something nice and keep me company on a Saturday night. In any case, by the end of the night, I knew I was in trouble because I'd absolutely fallen for him. Fortunately, the feeling was mutual. We started dating shortly thereafter. My mother will say that she knew all along that we'd get married. She bases this on the fact that, after Jeff and I started dating, I talked about him differently than I had about all my past boyfriends. But, my guess is that she and my father actually liked Jeff. They hadn't been in favor of my prior boyfriends.

While the road of our relationship hasn't always been smooth sailing, the happiest times of my life have been spent with him. The waves in our relationship have let us build a strong foundation and he has taught me the value of honesty, integrity and spontaneity.

In short, I am overjoyed that I get to spend the rest of my life with this amazing person. I am so excited to be a testament to his life.

In all my past relationships, I always thought that there was something better out there. Forever is such a hard notion for humans to comprehend and I couldn't ever imagine spending a lifetime with anyone. Perhaps that's why those relationships never lasted. In Jeff, I believe I have found someone who compliments my weaknesses with his strengths and I have never felt so loved, protected and cared for. And I know there's nothing better out there.

Words to live by...

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will.

You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time.

You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken.

You'll fight with your best friend.

You'll blame a new love for things an old one did.

You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love.

So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every minute you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.