Shopping: Though it's somewhat hard to believe, Xmas buying season is not too far off. I myself have traditionally did my catalog shopping around the second week of November, which is quickly approaching. Thus, it is not surprising that there were various little gifts at the Walgreens that I stopped by yesterday. It didn't have what I wanted per se, but I wound up spending around $30 anyway -- life is like that sometimes, isn't it?
[I particularly liked the magnetic dart board in a tube, getting one for myself and one as a present for an upcoming birthday. My landlord will appreciate the magnetic part, given my aim. I didn't pick one up, but they also had miniature versions of those running water/stone desktop relaxation things. Our economy would collapse if we only bought things we truly needed. ]
Eating: I find Chinese food to be a good deal both for lunch and dinner. Not only is it a good food for delivery ($10 will give you dinner for one, $20 and change, dinner for three), but it's just a good deal period. Not only is there various vegetarian options (especially tossing in shrimp), you get a lot for your money. I find fast food hamburger places rather ridiculous for any number of reasons, but the food/cash ratio alone counsels other options, including Chinese (or pizza or whatever).
I stopped at a favorite spot for lunch today and looked on as a older businessman type (turned out to be a lawyer) amused himself. Another guy at the takeout place said he looked like Dick Cheney, and there was a resemblance. Anyway, he asks if there were any hungry man specials, vegetarian. Then, he asks if the place takes food stamps. And, finally if they could reserve a table for him, since he had to step out for a minute. Not surprisingly, he had to talk on his cell phone as well.
When I grow up, I want to be just like him ... you know, with a better sense of humor, and more cell phone etiquette. Or, make enough so that my sense of humor is more appreciated. Money helps even the most deluded sorts to be quite funny and their point of view accepted with little challenge ... or so, it sometimes seems.
Political News: Some accounts suggest that George Bush will win the popular vote, but lose the electoral vote (the same was said in October, 2000). This might finally lead to electoral college reform and will do, but it is quite distressing. Where exactly are these idiots? The accounts suggest Kerry will receive narrower wins in certain states, while Bush will get stronger wins in others, but Kerry would pick up some votes in enough key states to win it all.
If Kerry will pick up said votes, why will he still lose them in other states, including states that went to Bush in 2000? Is the fact that non-swing states (like my own NY) don't have to deal with those stupid campaign commercials have something to do with it?* Is the President's record so good that red state votes will go out of their way to vote for him to such a degree that his numbers will rise up? Oh well, I assume there are reasons, though I honestly don't care enough to study poll analysis (inexact for various reasons,) enough to determine them, but it does seem just a tad crazy. Anyway, I wonder if Tim Russert will be up there with his little electoral vote blackboard again this year.
Oh, and if Kerry does win, want to bet the press will be a bit harder on him, to prove they aren't total incompetents? Always the case -- fighting the last war.
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* A recent one involves wolves, which Sen. Kerry apparently allowed to threaten our sheep, or something. The ad notes he cut funding "after the first terrorist attack" (the one in 1993), not mentioning that President Bush's new CIA director would have cut funding more. So, that would make who weak on terror? Hmm. Oh, and that the funding was for something not being used anyway. It has the required scary voiceover and images, apropos for the Halloween season [Kerry will be Frankenstein, Bush will be either Beavis or Jonathan Winters]. Full of crap too, but that's another matter.