Dear New Orleans

I am sorry I have been away for so long. I didn't realize how I missed you until I came back for a visit. I've missed you oodles and lots.

Many thanks to the lovely Miss Layla. Thanks for insisting that I not grab the best shrimp po' boy that I have had in 10 years as take out but sit down and enjoy the evening. Excellent call...nearly as excellent at the sazeracs and the conversation.

I have learned my lesson...I will not allow myself to go so long without a visit.

Love,

Jules

Today...

...would have been my dad's 65th birthday. The world is a far worse place because he isn't in it.

Hot, Molten Week of Crazy

Now is the time of year where I pay for moving just far enough away from home that it makes sense for me to drive home for the holidays. If the weather cooperates...My mom has already said she will put the kibosh on my commute home for Thanksgiving if the weather is bad...my travels will go a little something like this.

Tuesday...Drive the 5-6 hours from Cleveland to Oak Hill with detour for lunch with Josh.

Wednesday...Putz around my hometown, dump cup of "Girlie" coffee on my dad's grave per my own tradition and try to avoid scene like last year, procure a new WVU T-shirt as I am swimming in mine, and hang out with my family while keeping my "No, I don't want a piece of (Insert Treat Here)" reflexes in full effect.

Thursday...Help with Turkey Day festivities, have dinner, drive the hopefully 4.5-5 hours from Oak Hill to Cleveland, sleep.

Friday...Pack for wedding and weeks worth of business meetings, take cab to airport, fly to New Orleans via Houston (Pray for Upgrade), track down shrimp po' boy, spend night in the French Quarter!

Saturday...Go to Cafe du Monde for breakfast, check out of "free" hotel, jaunt across town to wedding hotel with PF, Jeannine's wedding!

Sunday...Get all cobwebs cleared...walk around NOLA, take cab to airport, fly to Nashville via Houston (Pray for Upgrade), check in to The Gaylord, pass out from exhaustion!

Monday-Friday...endure Management Training Program, remind myself that this is for the good of my career, play well with others and be optimistic, turn 34.

Glamorous...huh?

Dear Target...

I believe that we have a situation here. I think our relationship may be a wee bit unhealthy for one of us. Now in all fairness to you; we are no where near the abusive relationship that I am currently in with my country...but it isn't good.

I would very much like one of the economists that is saying that consumer spending is down to follow me in your well lit aisles. There is no downward trending there...just good old fashioned purchasing of goods. Plus, since I am taking a break from using the credit cards...it is all cash all the time.

Did I need a cowl neck sweater? Maybe? Did I need two of them is very similar shades of green? Probably not...but they were only $16.99. I really didn't need the $12.99 fleece jacket...but come on $12.99 and it can be added to the clothes that actually fit me category (the shrinking amazon thing is a pain...shrinking good...nothing that fits bad). A girl can never have too many pair of socks; especially when she travels as much as I do. Since the weather has decided to be fall like, I really did need a pair of running/training pants. I needed gum. I needed a Venti Skinny Vanilla Latte. I believe that there is a pattern here.

I did, however, need a new pair of black boots. Apparently, my feet are shrinking. I have no idea what the hell that is all about. Seeing as how the boots that I really desire are ten times as much as the ones I bought from you...I'm really truly ahead of the game. Plus, they are fierce and will assist me in much ass kicking.

Target...I know that I will never be able to break up with you. I doubt that we could even survive a break...I wouldn't do well. Could you help me out in some way? Could you at least put the things that I decide that I need on sale? Quit pandering to the kids and their parents...they will never love you like I do.

Regards,
Jules

I Got My Vote On

I went and voted yesterday! Since my job is steadily becoming my life, I am out of town on Tuesday. This was the first year that I have lived in Ohio that you could "early vote". I'm still trying to figure out why I could only vote downtown at the Board of Elections...but maybe that is a kink that they will work out for the next time.

I will say this although it took me two and a half hours to vote...I never stood in one place for longer than about ten minutes. When I got in line...the line was about two city blocks long...it was really moving to see this many people participating. It was a veritable Beneton ad...White, Black Latino, Asian, men, women, young, and old. I was very excited to see as many young voters as I did...as they tend to get a bad wrap for not showing up.

I stood in line with the very lovely Miss Maxine. She was in her Sunday finest with her daughter and granddaughter...three generations in line to vote. Talking with Miss Maxine was the highlight of my day. She was so exited to vote that she kept dabbing at her eyes as we talking about the meaning of this particular election. This was a woman who was born before women had the right to vote, who was charged a poll tax in more than one election, and lived to see the day when she could vote for a president that looked like her. I'm glad that she got to see that day as well.

The worker from the Board of Elections said that they had already early voted some 60,000 people and that they were expecting another 5,000-6,000 yesterday. As I dropped my ballot in the box I gave a kiss for luck and asked the election gods to please make sure that it counted. I have my "I voted today" sticker on a piece of wax paper so that I can wear it on Tuesday, even though I won't be at home.