good, bad and stubborn, stubborn, stubborn

Continuing what seems to be a trend, after a fairly unproductive weekend, I got a shit-ton of stuff done yesterday.  I guess I should just face it, no matter what I think of Saturday and Sunday, Monday is really my getting stuff done day.  All laundry is done, I got a bunch of new jewelry made--not as much as I wanted because the muscle movement needed to wrap wire turned out to be fairly painful on my scabby tattoo.  Talked to my mom who recc'ed some movies, as she does, and did not sound at all thrilled that I got another tattoo, as she also does. Finished and uploaded a website for work.  Cleaned my room and put away the clean laundry.  Watched Scrubs.

This morning I stopped at the good store to stock up on snacky and lunch-like things for work.  I got whole grain rye crackers and hummus instead of potato chips and mayo-dip.  Am feeling superior about my recent eating habits.  Now if I can just remember to drink a river's worth of water today I should be in excellent shape.

My mood so far is far cry from yesterday's hormonal destructomatic.  I updated my Pandora station and it is giving me all love right now.  So barring any work absurdity (which is always imminent) I should be a-okay today. (And if I can manage to continue to ignore the cold, beating wind and dreary grey. Go away, winter!  I don't want you!)

And now for something completely different:

Why I will vote Ralph, an essay by Miss Adventures in the 37206

Ralph Nader has tossed his hat in the presidential ring again.  I am not ashamed to say that I voted for him twice before and if he comes up with the cash and is on the ballot again, I will cast a third vote for him. I can already hear all my friends, the good Democrats among them anyway, declaring that I am either throwing away my vote, or worse that I am damaging the party's chance of winning.  So let me explain, right here, why no matter how strong the argument, I can't be swayed from my opinion.

I love my country and to some extent I love the political process here.  But I am very much and idealist. Obama's idealism does appeal to me, as do his emotional speeches.  However, the political process here has become very limited by the strict two party system, choked with party platforms that I am not wholly behind.  Both parties I find crooked and not representative of your average American.  So while the Green Party does not necessarily entirely represent my beliefs, the idea of a system containing more parties/points of view is so important to me that I will back it every time.

Politics are incredibly corrupt in this country.  Perhaps it's necessary to get things done because of the size of the country.  I don't know.  I do know that I am more interested in what is good for the American people, the average worker, the new immigrant, the elderly, than for corporations and already rich white guys.  From my point of view, Nader speaks more to that than any of the other current candidates.  He is driven, he does have an agenda, but I hear in his words that he cares more about individuals than about money and power.

It's an exciting time to be alive.  I am genuinely thrilled by the prospect of our first female or black president. However, neither candidate has in any way shown me that if elected they will really change our country (more than the obvious advancement for women's rights or racial equality).  As I said, I am an idealist.  I want change.  Academically I have a strong education in movements of extreme change.  Revolutions.  France.  America.  The former Soviet bloc countries. It does seem impossible and potentially dangerous in modern day America, but we need change, we need to shake things up.  I declare myself completely unsatisfied with the current party choices, with the current party system, with the way things have been done in the last 25+ years, with the way beloved country is slowly being driven into the ground.

My voice is small in this huge nation, but it still works.  All I can do is use it to say, no I don't want this, I want something different.  Right now, Nader is my choice for that.  Ron Paul is that man for many people, and I respect that.  I encourage it, in the sense that I hope people will stand behind someone they feel really represents their beliefs, ideals and needs.  If Obama or Clinton is that person for you, great!

I know the potential consequences of my decision and I stubbornly stand behind it.  If you're interested, there is a great interview with Nader here.   I'd like to definitively say that this isn't an arguable point for me.  If you feel differently than I do, I fully support you in that, so please respect my choice.  My mind can't be changed.  If you know me at all, you know how stubborn I can be.

And hey, no matter what you think, go vote, it's the loudest voice you have, no matter how you use it.

And in the vein of every single little thing in this entire post, here is a song for you--

Colorshow

The Avett Brothers