After much anticipation, here is the fam in costume.

I went to vote twice yesterday - I didn't vote twice don't worry - the first time was around 6:30am and the line was out the door down the block and around the corner. Needless to say, I didn't vote that time around. So I went to work and tried again at 1:45pm. I highly recommend the latter, no wait, I was in and out in five minutes. That was it, after listening to debates, campaign ads, SNL skits for what seemed like forever it was finally done...for me anyway.

That night I was keeping an eye on cnn and fox, trying to make sure I got both views. Obama and McCain were winning the states everyone expected them to win early on, no surprises. Then I saw that Pennsylvania was going to Obama, the tide was turning.

Jenn and I figured that it was going to take forever to find out who won, see election 2000, 2004. We decided to watch a Smallville episode we had tivo'd. That turned in to Jenn, myself, Austin and Taylor watching Smallville. They were pretty intrigued when they learned that it was about Superman when he was younger. After the show we put the kids to bed and flipped on CNN to see where the results were. That is when we heard the words "John McCain has conceded the election to Barack Obama". We looked at each other in shock, we thought that we were in for a long night.

We learned history had been made and couldn't pull our eyes from the TV from that point forward. We listened to McCain's speech, which was a gracious, humble one. I hope that he and Obama look to work together I think they could learn a lot from one another. Now on to Obama's speech. First, I could not believe how many folks filled Grant Park...Over 125,000 people!! His speech was touching, inspiring, encouraging and really gave me those feelings of hope. I must admit, I had tears in my eyes on several occasions. I never had feelings like that during any speech President Bush has made. I hope that the momentum he has gained translates into action in the White House.

That's that, remember where you were on this historic date.

I don't have many of those memories..The " where were you when..." Two I can think of are so negative - where I was when the OJ verdict came back or where I was on 9/11.

Taylor and her super awesome Hannah Montana cupcake cake.

Taylor opens presents from her buddies.

Ellie, Evan, Austin and Taylor

Read on for a couple pics.

I guess I'll have to work on getting everyone caught up. Soon, don't worry.

I think the 'play-out' game is one of the dumbest things ever implemented by the NCAA. I understand that they want to get another at-large from a big conference in the dance but it is a total slap in the face to those small schools that made great runs to earn their way in. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Hey congratulations you made it to the tourney....oh wait, not really, you get to play another game and if you win you play the best team in the country. I would be okay with the latter but not to have to win to get to that game.

One idea I heard on 610 am radio out here, from Kevin Keitzman whom I rarely agree with. was to have the last teams in as at large bids play-in. You could even have 4 of those games and reserve the 12 seed for those teams. Why not?!? Make those bubble teams earn it, then they can't bitch any more. Well, I am sure someone will have something to complain about.

Thoughts?

...comment on this post, and I will:
1. Tell you why I am friends with you.
2. Associate you with something - fandom, a song, a color, a photo, a word etc.
3. Tell you something I like about you.
4. Tell you a memory I have of you.
5. Ask something I've always wanted to know about you.
6. In return, you must post this to your own journal/blog.

My replies to the questions:
Brian
Q - did you love or hate living overseas?
A - There was not a whole lot about living overseas that I liked, so I lean towards hate for sure. I enjoyed the yearly ski trips and hanging out with the Clarks...that's about it.

Shane
Q - I've always wanted to know what it was like being Mr. Mom.
A - It was one of the best experiences of my life by a long shot. Returning to work was so hard after getting to spend every day with my kids for over a year. I would do it again in a heartbeat if we could afford it financially. There are days that it got tough but I would take the toughest day of that over working at any job I have ever had (except maybe the one I have now, because I really like my job).

1. Well, as you mentioned, we first met when my team stuck it to you my senior year in high school. Talking with you and your family definitely helped get me to Graceland...As for why we are still friends - because in as many ways that we are similar we are different in at least that many ways. I think that is pretty cool because I really enjoy hearing your take on things, even if I disagree (dubya)
2. A few things - you're hatred for Herm, Perservere and Perceptive Software(even if you have moved on)
3. Vegas baby...Hanging out with you and Alli, getting to know you both a little(or a lot) better - what a blast. Our deep conversation in the back of Crabbs' house(which later became my home for a semester)
4. Do you regret getting a tattoo? and if I can have two...When you lose some more on top, will you employ the comb-over technique? (you know it's coming bro)