After Today You Won't Have to Read About the Election, OK?

So, I received a few emails from friends asking about the "Election Day Pie Tradition" in our family, and was kind of shocked to discover so many of you thought we threw pies at each other or something. I can kind of see how you might think Dave would be into that, but my mom? No. Francine "Please Use a Coaster" Carreira would not be down with pie throwing within a five mile radius of herself or her home.

The family pie tradition dates back to when I was a kid living in Fremont, and our polling place* was around the corner from a Marie Callender's, which was the pie place of choice in our family. Oh man, I could write an entire post about getting pies from there with my grandpa, and how he NEVER forgot to bring back the pie tin so we could save $.10 or whatever. That guy loved a good bargain...

Oh, sorry, back to the pie. Anyway, the local Marie Callender's gave out "free slice of pie" coupons at our polling place: you just had to present your little voting receipt or whatever. Pretty sweet deal: participate in the democratic process, eat some food. Very American, really. And very true to my family's nature. If there's anything that defines us, it's eating and then feeling superior to others.

*Did I mention the polling place in question was a FIRE STATION? With real live FIREFIGHTERS? Voting has never felt like a chore to this girl.

Oh God I Hope She Doesn't Write About Her Period Again

Hey, remember that time I regaled you with tales of cramps? Yeah. Well, Normal Christen is here, so we can go back to discussing my hair and drinking. Comforting, no?

Last night I was watching the Democratic National Convention and I momentarily flashed back to being 10 and annoyed when regular TV was pre-empted for all of the boring speeches and I knew Dukakis wasn't going to be president anyway, so why were we watching this stuff? Kind of funny what childhood stuff sticks and what doesn't. Anyway, I enjoy "the boring speeches" now and hearing Biden and Obama talk just got me all excited for the future because I am an optimist and idealist at heart. I got all fired up and wanted to yell out "Steve Holt!"* but refrained.

My conversation with Dad was cut short last night by the sounds of screams coming from a certain toddler who, from what I could gather, was refusing to put on his jammers and begin The Bedtime Routine. That aside, my dad sounds about a jabillion times better than he did a week ago and our whole family appreciates the concern and love you've been showing. Interweb, you're aces.

I'm on the hunt for black knee-high boots, ideally sexy enough to rock on the weekends, but classy enough that I could wear them to work, too. So if you see any could you let me know? Thanks.

Steve Holt!

*If you get that reference, please let me know so we can make out or something.