On NOT Crossing the Line in Georgia

This man,
lost the race today; Doug Erickson and his super forces (i.e. Jesus, Cornwall Church, the Diehl Fords) proved too powerful for young Jasper and his team of liberal visionaries. Figures were close- J Mac had just over 47% of the vote- so he's not exactly depressed. I called the MacSlarrows this afternoon and they seemed fine. They were eating and mentally preparing for tonight's Dixie Chicks concert; both Rachel and her older sister, Heather, are back in town for the event. The campaign is over; it must feel very surreal. My god, his face was on a bumbersticker and plastered all over stranger's yards.

The Campus Dems are pretty proud of themselves too. The way they're celebrating right now, one would think they were single handedly responsible for usurping the Republican majority in the House and Senate. Rumsfeld is out too and it's probably something they did. They phoned during and after my nap on Tuesday- for the last two weeks they've been merciless in their "Vote or Die" efforts. I heard they actually killed three kids this year using only five, round Campus Dem stickers and a Dan Carroll yard sign. I voted absentee in Washington because I had too much invested personally in Whatcom County. I'll vote in Iowa in 2008 and really make things happen.

Jayber Crow, a really REALLY good folk/country/alt band from the Twin Cities played for us last night at Bob's Underground Coffee House. I bought a CD of their live recordings. They've been touring the Midwest in their van for several years now and I spoke to them after the show about the likelihood of them driving West this spring. They said they would love to make the trip but they would need a place to stay. I offered them my parent's house and our shed for a concert venue. We shall see if anything comes of it. I gave them our home phone number and address as well as my parent's social security numbers. Ha. Not really. I actually downloaded Jayber Crow's "Oh My God When I Drop Dead" last April before my first EVER trip to Grinnell. I listened to it as I flew over Iowa, the place I knew would be my home away from my parent's home for the next four years. Their second to last song of the night was that one. It was incredible to hear it performed live.

Sure enough, next week I will be traveling to the School of the Americas (renamed the "Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation" in 2001) at Fort Benning, Georgia with 20 or so students from Grinnell PLUS an older woman- she has attended for the last nine years- that I sit next to every other day in Gender and Women's Studies. Last year, she was arrested for crossing "the line" and served six months in federal prison. I won't be crossing "the line" this year even though you get to sleep a lot in prison. We'll be driving down Thursday evening and we'll return before classes on Monday. The drive is about 18 hours.

I wrote a business profile for this week's issue of the Scarlet & Black. The RadioShack/Music Shop has been owned and operated by Vicky and Dave Elliott since 1978. It was a painfully uncomfortable interview. That's the last newspaper story I'm writing. Ever. I had two OTHER papers due this week and I haven't really slept. Sunday and Monday night I worked in the lounge to finish my work. Alicia left an entire bag of Honey Chex Mix on the kitchen table Monday night. Those little crackers were my saving grace.

Karen, the Custodian from Hell, pulled yet another monster move last weekend. The Campus Repubs posted signs in every bathroon stall on campus giving small pieces of information about every candidate in the Iowa election. Dylan, from Loose Second North, edited the poster in one bathroom on our floor with a "He doesn't like gay people" next to Carroll's summary. The next morning, Karen took it upon herself to add "Check your Bible, He doesn't hate the person, just the act" and left it up for everyone to read. We've decided not to report the incident but Adam thinks we should post one of those hot pink "Queer Safe Space" posters on her closet until things improve. Also, she almost threw away my new Starbucks mug that I left on the kitchen counter. I saved it, though.