i demand a recount

I lost the Halloween costume contest at work. Apparently my handmade winged ensemble, though comparable to the Victory of Samothrace, cannot compete with a dog wearing a crown and a king's robe.

For reference, here's Victory of Samothrace and my competition

vs.

And of course, at my work, the dog took home the crown.

We also had a pumpkin carving competition.
It was a close race between

and .

But in the end, Kerry took it. (Don't hate me; I voted for Bush on this one. Don't worry, it won't happen again!)

A small, personal victory: I applied for a job. Not that I'll get it. Not that things won't work out here. But I did it. I gave myself an option.

crystal ball

I finally stepped outside of my petty problems. I immersed myself in my roommate's sister's wedding (with a little cookie baking on the side).

I've been trying to force my future. I've been trying to predict what lies ahead.

And as I watched two loving parents walk their young daughter down the aisle, I was reminded of how uncertain the future remains. Will they make it? Will they beat the odds against them? I hope so.

Then, this morning, my lizzy lou sent me a picture that brought my thoughts together nicely.

If you believe that your destiny is decided, then most likely, it's decided. If you believe that nothing is decided, then most likely, nothing is decided. —Yoko, xxxHolic

blindness for sore eyes

Heavy. The load feels heavy. The world feels heavy.
The big events crush me.
The many little ones cripple me.
What gets me by is holding on to the random little nothings.
They're slipping through my fingers.
My grasp is weak.
My spirit is tired.
I'm begging for the world to stop, for time to halt, just for a moment, just so I can get my bearings.

And I feel so petty.
My worries are so small, so insignificant.
And yet there is little more substantive in my life, so my little worries cast enveloping shadows.
My world is small. My thoughts revolve around me. Selfish.
I worry. I sabotage my efforts. I sabotage others efforts to help me.

All this to say, I'm a little down today as I was yesterday as I probably will be tomorrow.

american tv

Text message from a friend:

Oh my god. They r showin the fifth wheel on national tv. Never thought I would see tt show again after leavin us. – mayb I will have hope for tradin spaces.

The Fifth Wheel? Good grief, that crap couldn’t get a legitimate time spot on a network in the United States and that’s the show the suits who control Singaporean TV chose to bring over. Sigh.

mock debate

ring, ring
KERRY: (picks up phone) This is John.
BUSH: Hiya there, Johnny, how ya doin'?
KERRY: Fine, thank you. I hope you and Laura are well.
BUSH: Just dandy, thanks. Hey, look, about this debate thing tomorrow…
KERRY: I thought our people had worked out all of those details already.
BUSH: Well, yeah, they have. It's just, um, whadda planning on wearing?
KERRY: Excuse me?
BUSH: It's just I can't decide. I've been staring into my closet, and I just can't seem to make up my mind. Everything just goes kinda blurry like, ya know?
KERRY: Actually, no, I don't believe I'm following you. (pause) Have you asked Laura or your daughters help?
BUSH: Naw, the gals are out shoppin' and stuff.
KERRY: Alright, maybe we can help each other out on this. We'll both wear black suits and white shirts. Now, as for the ties, my aids say metallic colors are in style, but I did want to wear one and it clash with yours. I have both a red one and a blue one. I was going to wear the red tie and then if you showed up wearing a red tie, I would change mine to the blue. Instead, I'll send the blue one to you.
BUSH: Well that's mighty kind of you, Johnny, but I was hankerin' to wear a red tie. The red tie is a bit stronger and authoritative and stuff.
KERRY: Well, how about if after this debate we trade, and I'll wear the blue tie next week. And we can even wear those little American flag pins on our left lapels.
BUSH: Geez. That sounds peachy, Johnny. And, no offense, but this is the debate that I least need the red tie. I'm my best and strongest when it comes to this international stuff. Like, I was just talkin' wid Putin earlier today—he's such a good guy that Putin. I'll get him to come around one day.
KERRY: Right, good to know. Look, if there's nothing else—
BUSH: Naw, nothin' else, 'cept what shoes you plannin' on wearin'?