The speed of information: zoom-zoom!

So, yesterday I was working out at the gym, listening to music on my nifty personal satellite radio and watching the TVs just for something to do. A local station ran a story about a political protest, 1000 Prairie View A&M students marching to vote in Waller County.

I thought it was a neat story, very inspiring and positive, so I went home and read a little more about it and did some slightly more in-depth research. I thought others should know, so I wrote a quick little piece.

Then, I posted it on dailykos (a liberal blog site) as a diary. People found it interesting...and started commenting. This piece started getting picked up and linked elsewhere.

First, on burnt orange report. And then on Texas Kaos. Both of these are Texas-based blogs, so it's very appropriate. But, somehow, this story had some legs, which I think is a good thing. It's a good, powerful story and I think those kids did a great thing. But, it's been odd today to watch my piece be picked up a bunch of places. It's now linked to from several national blogs, like one that's part of Time Magazine online. And then this afternoon by Politico.

I've had paid pieces published in national magazines before. But the time between writing, submitting, getting approval and receiving the magazine in the mail with my piece in it is many, many months. It's just been interesting for me to watch this story zing around in the space of a day. Some of it is uncredited, about which I care very little. The students are the story here. I'm thrilled by their efforts and their story should get out.

Early Voting

Well, early voting has started in Texas (runs February 19-29), so along with it come the calls. I was invited to a Bill Clinton rally today (at 9:45 pm...um, no thanks...I think I may be too old to even feign enthusiasm that late in the day), and have had calls in English and in Spanish reminding me to vote and suggesting which candidate to vote for. The score is Hillary robo-calls 4; Barack Obama calls 2. Add to that, one Rick Noriega call (he may be the kind of Democrat that can win state-wide in Texas, which is exciting).

I think early voting is great, but I don't like to do it. In Texas, anytime during the early voting run, you can go by centralized early voting spots and cast your ballot. It's often quick, very efficient, and it's easy. But still, I don't like to do it.

Why? Some of my earliest memories of elections are of Election Day. I would go with my mother and crawl around on the floor as she voted. In those days you went into a curtained booth and it had such an awe-inspiring feeling to be in the booth with her. I remember all the signs and the sheer pageantry of the occasion. I remember my mother sobbing great gusts of sadness when McGovern lost in 1972 (I was five years old). All of those memories are tied up in what I think of when I think of Election Day.

Now, as an adult, I love to take my card and participate in this great democratic opera along with everyone else. I know most of my poll workers, because they're my neighbors. I see the same poll workers year after year. So, I say hey, and I stand in line and chat with those in front and those behind. And I look at the posted numbers to see how many people have voted. I just love being a participant on THE DAY. I have voted early, and it's fine, but it just doesn't have the same solemnity or aura as voting on Election Day.

Kids today don't get election day off. They see participatory democracy at work in their schools, but it's hard for them to be as part of the voting experience as I was. When my kids were younger, they'd come with me, but now I usually go vote while they're in school.

So, this year for the primary and for the general, I'm considering voting early. My oldest son, at 10, is more interested in this election than he has been in any other. I want him to be able to go with me and vote. So, if I go early, we can go on a Saturday or another time and he can stand with me at the machine and together we can cast my ballot. Because I want him to have those same memories and that same sense of pride in the whole electoral process that I do.

That's why I may vote early.

Women I admire

When I was my oldest son's age (4th grade), I fell in love with the biography shelf at our school library. I LOVED those books and read them all (some over and over). I was particularly drawn to the biographies of women: Florence Nightingale, Helen Keller, Clara Barton, Harriet Tubman, Susan B. Anthony, Marie Curie and more.

For the most part, their growing-up stories seemed ordinary, but there was something inside each of them that led them to do extraordinary things. By and large, people told them they couldn't, but they found out that they could. I found, and still find, their stories inspirational.

So, I thought I'd make a list, off the top of my head, of women who have inspired me for one reason or another. I'm sure I'll forget someone, but I don't want it to be too thought-out. I'd love it if you'd add to my list in the comments about which are the women YOU would chose.

Jane Addams
Barbara Jordan (the voice)
Molly Ivins
Eleanor Roosevelt
Katharine Hepburn
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Rachel Carson
Jane Austen
Mata Hari

How to spot a mom at 30 yards

I cut my finger on a can of Spaghetti-os, so right now I'm sporting a bandaid.

A Blue's Clues bandaid.

My boys are long past the age of agreeing to wear such a bandage, but I'm not going to throw them out. So, until the box runs out, when necessary, I'll be showing off Blue and friends. Right now mine has Magenta, Shovel & Pail. It actually makes me feel quite nostalgic.