Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Like Looking in a Mirror . . .













I know I just posted a whole bunch of stuff, but I wanted to quickly point out the many things Obama has in common with Blago:

1. They both frown when they're trying to look serious
2. They are both Democrats
3. They are both high-ranking politicians from Illinois
4. They both live in Chicago
5. They both have no morals

They're like twins!

Reason to Rejoice


The state of Illinois is in a state of rejoicing today. Businesses have been putting signs in their windows and everyone has been talking about yesterday's events with a smile on their face. "Finally!" is the word most commonly used in conversation. The allegations against him have been piling up--even the IRS and the U.S. Postal Service are waiting in line to take a swing at him. I'd like to think that I'm not typically a vengeful person, but after seeing what Blago has done to the people and history of this state . . . well, let's just say that I was VERY happy yesterday. I was beginning to fear that the man was invincible and that there really was no justice in the world, but an early morning raid on the governor's house changed my whole outlook on the situation. All of Illinois is breathing a collective sigh of relief. Last I heard, Blago's approval rating was at 6%--but isn't that usually the margin of error? I think the only person who approved of him was himself--and his wife (who will probably also be arrested in the near future).

It's funny to see Barack Obama scrambling like crazy to distance himself from Blago, but, hmmmmm, they look pretty chummy to me. What do you think?





On the news they've been talking about how corruption has been a mark of Illinois governors since the 1920s--but it actually goes clear back to the 1840s: Thomas Ford. My favorite comment I saw yesterday on the news stories was: "Hey Rod, 1982 called and they want their hairstyle back." :-)

But anyway, it is FREEZING here! Last night when I left the library board meeting, there was a freezing rain storm outside. There was a sheet of ice covering my car, and the problem with freezing rain is that it pelts and stings you while you're trying to dig out a hole from which to see through your windshield. Then by the time you've scraped off your windows, another layer of ice has formed where you started. The board meeting was very funny. My competitor didn't show up, but I know it's not Stanley Thayne because they said it is a girl. The thing my competition has going for her is that everyone knows her and she's lived in Athens for a few years, so we'll see what the board decides. They told me that they would let me buy the spot on the board--like Obama's senate seat :-)

Tomorrow I get to go home for a few days!!!! I can't wait to see everyone. I'll be doing three book signings:
  • Saturday, December 13, 2:00-4:00 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 1770 Red Cliffs Drive, St. George, Utah
  • Monday, December 15, 5:00-7:00 p.m., Sundancer Books, Springdale, Utah
  • Tuesday, December 16, 4:00-7:00 p.m., Brigham Young University Bookstore, Provo, Utah

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

BOO-YA!!!!!!!!!

Mwwwaaaahahahahahaaaaa! FINALLY, some justice! The big news this morning--not just in Illinois, but all over the country--is that Governor Blagojevich was arrested by FBI officials this morning. Hallelujah! Hooooooooray! They finally built up enough evidence to bust him. The funniest thing is that the final straw for him was trying to sell Barack Obama's senate seat. So, they've got him on trying to sell the senate seat, taking campaign money in return for political appointments, and doing some under-the-table dealing with the Chicago Tribune which declared bankruptcy yesterday. I'm watching CNN right now, and they're talking about how the former governor of Illinois is currently in prison--and now this. The reporter said, "What's going on in Illinois?" Hello!!! Corruption!! And people elected someone from this state to be President? But anyway, the FBI people snuck into Blago's house in Chicago this morning and arrested him. Hahahahahaha. His web of corruption is ridiculously complex, and hopefully everything will start coming out now. Unfortunately this is just a few weeks too late to stop the closure of the historic sites, but maybe, hopefully, things can get cleaned up. This is definitely the best news to come out of Illinois for a very long time.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Pet Parenthood

Just like people children, pet children sometimes need to go to the doctor. I am slightly traumatized after our first vet visit with Lily today (Lily is too). Just like most people children, most pet children do not enjoy doctor visits--especially shots. Lily has been sneezing a lot, and she started shooting out these rather large discolored boogies. So, it was off to the vet this morning. Luckily Greg was able to take us! Lily cried all the way to the vet, then she got really mad when the vet assistant stuck a thermometer up her bum to take her temperature (you can't blame her for being mad about that one). It turns out that she has an upper respiratory infection and a fever, so she got two shots (she did not like that part either), and the vet gave us some antibiotics to give her for the next few days. So that was traumatic enough, but then there was this cute little dog sitting in the front of the vet's office. She was shaking and looked very scared, and she looked at Greg and me with her huge doggie eyes. Her owners were petting her, but she was obviously quite distraught. I said, "Oh it's okay sweetie. Don't be scared." Turns out she had reason to be scared. She looked like she'd had quite a rough time--she'd had a stroke and had probably been hit by a car. When the lady owner took off the doggie's collar and the man owner who looked like he had been crying said, "I guess she won't be needing that anymore," Greg and I knew that the doggie was going to be put to sleep :-( It was so sad!!! I am now a totally traumatized pet parent.

Luckily Lily survived the scary vet visit, but she cried all the way home. I think she was afraid that we were taking her to some new strange place since the last time she was in the car was when we brought her home from the APL. So she seemed quite relieved when we got home. We were afraid that she would be mad at us, but she has actually been as cute and cuddly as ever. She likes to curl up right next to my face when I'm on the bed, and she'll lick my nose. She already seems to be feeling a little better. As you can see from the picture above, she's back to her old tricks like trying to climb the Christmas tree and open the presents.

The Spikes were very worried about their little kitty sister when we got home. I took her into our bedroom and shut the door, but Big Spike was outside of the door whining. So I let him in, and he jumped up on the bed and was sniffing Lily all over. Then he started to lick her face, and he's been playing with her all evening. The children are all curled up watching Monday Night Football right now.

I found out yesterday that I'm going to have some competition for the spot on the Athens library board of trustees! I guess that there is only one vacant spot, and someone else besides me was nominated for it. So, tomorrow I have to go to the Athens library board of trustees meeting and try to charm them with my love of books. The competitor is going to be there too, and after the board members meet both of us, they will choose between us. I think it's terribly funny that I am involved in this! I didn't try to be involved--it just kind of fell into my lap :-) I've decided that if my competition is someone really nice, like a cute older lady, I will tell them that they can just have the spot. But if it is someone like Stanley Thayne (maybe it will be Stanley Thayne? Since he seems to enjoy beating me at everything?), I will fight to the death for the spot :-) I have a feeling that tomorrow's library board meeting will be pretty funny, so I'll be sure to tell you all about it.