So yesterday was Super-Duper-Tsumani Fat Tuesday. The main results I cared about were for the presidential primaries. But I also cared about a bag I was bidding for on eBay. It was a black leather Kenneth Cole bag. Not too big, not too small. Practical yet Stylish. The perfect commuting bag.
Hey, a president is only going to last for 4-8 years. A good leather bag can work for two terms and more!
Anyway, I had been the lead bidder for several days at a bargain of $15. My max bid was set to $20. Unfortunately, I was going to be at a Chicago Dramatists meeting when the auction actually finished. This is important because there are eBay lurkers. (I know because I have been one.) These people wait to place their bids until an auction is almost over because it makes it less likely that someone else will be able to outbid them. Not wanting to lose my bag to lurkers and being willing to pay more than $20, I decided to up my maximum bid to $40. But here's the thing. I forgot to do that.
As I was getting eveything ready to leave work and head to the meeting, I forgot to up my bid. I didn't realize until I was at the theatre and couldn't do anything about it.
I hoped for the best. I still had a few dollars of buffer. It could be okay. Kenneth Cole isn't as highly lurked as, say, Coach. I paid attention to the election returns when I got home last night and didn't even check eBay. This morning, however, I checked.
I lost. But the worst thing about it is that lost by $3.65. A measly $3.65. Had I just remembered to up my bid...
But I can't think that way. I'll just drive myself crazy with it. I try to convince myself that having a higher maximum bid would have just driven the lurkers to outbid me higher. I keep telling myself that.
Now I need to seek a new bag. Another instance of affordable quality. Not to big, not too small. Practical yet Stylish. The perfect commuting bag. Don't even try to outbid me unless you want to go high.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Vote like the Future Depends on It
I'm not going to post political commentary. I feel strongly about my convictions, but I know that others feel strongly about theirs. Since this is a journal not a political blog, I will keep my specific opinions to myself. I'm having a writing exercise, not a debate.
Here is what I will say: vote. But I ask even more of you. Vote responsibly.
Too many people don't vote, particularly in primaries. But additionally, many people who do vote don't know who the hell they are voting for. A friend recently said that in elections he votes "for all Democrats, except for judges for who he looks for the one's with the Irish names." He's an intelligent guy, yet I still think he was only half joking.
A lot of people like to vote by party. In America today the parties are so polarized that this technique can provide broad assurances of certain leanings. However, particularly if this is your technique, please vote in the primary. There are many gray areas in those leanings. Find the person who best embodies your priorities and your beliefs. Choose the one that you most want to shape your future and your children's future. And I'm not just talking about the president here. On a day to day basis an alderman may have a lot more impact on your life.
Of course, voting responsibly is hard. It usually requires reading. It also helps to view or listen to a few debates, which are not as mindlessly entertaining as other reality TV options. Voting responsibly is hard, but it is our responsibility in order to live in a free society. Oh, sure civil liberties have been receding since 9/11, but that's nothing compared to true totalitarian and extremist rule. We're lucky folks here in America. All that is asked is that you occasionally make some choices about the leadership.
I say this is important for all levels, not just for President, but it is of course imperative to make an informed choice for the leader of our country. I used to be naive about this. I figured that the laws were made in Congress leaving the president largely as a figurehead. But now I know better. I know better, which is why I care a lot about this election. I am optimistic about its potential, and I fear for its outcome.
I've never been so passionate about an election (or about a particular candidate). I have a lot of new perspective on the impacts that our leaders can have. I'm also getting married this year, which makes the future seem so much more important...for our life together and the lives of any children that we may have.
I feel strongly about my choice. I'm surer of my vote this morning than of any vote I've cast before. I understand that some (many) people may have other choices. That is their right. But what I fear are the people who may be making choices based on soundbites and prejudice (either for or against). I want people to know what they are getting us into.
I am nervous, but I'm hopeful. I'll wait until the returns to declare fear or joy.
Have a super Tuesday!
Here is what I will say: vote. But I ask even more of you. Vote responsibly.
Too many people don't vote, particularly in primaries. But additionally, many people who do vote don't know who the hell they are voting for. A friend recently said that in elections he votes "for all Democrats, except for judges for who he looks for the one's with the Irish names." He's an intelligent guy, yet I still think he was only half joking.
A lot of people like to vote by party. In America today the parties are so polarized that this technique can provide broad assurances of certain leanings. However, particularly if this is your technique, please vote in the primary. There are many gray areas in those leanings. Find the person who best embodies your priorities and your beliefs. Choose the one that you most want to shape your future and your children's future. And I'm not just talking about the president here. On a day to day basis an alderman may have a lot more impact on your life.
Of course, voting responsibly is hard. It usually requires reading. It also helps to view or listen to a few debates, which are not as mindlessly entertaining as other reality TV options. Voting responsibly is hard, but it is our responsibility in order to live in a free society. Oh, sure civil liberties have been receding since 9/11, but that's nothing compared to true totalitarian and extremist rule. We're lucky folks here in America. All that is asked is that you occasionally make some choices about the leadership.
I say this is important for all levels, not just for President, but it is of course imperative to make an informed choice for the leader of our country. I used to be naive about this. I figured that the laws were made in Congress leaving the president largely as a figurehead. But now I know better. I know better, which is why I care a lot about this election. I am optimistic about its potential, and I fear for its outcome.
I've never been so passionate about an election (or about a particular candidate). I have a lot of new perspective on the impacts that our leaders can have. I'm also getting married this year, which makes the future seem so much more important...for our life together and the lives of any children that we may have.
I feel strongly about my choice. I'm surer of my vote this morning than of any vote I've cast before. I understand that some (many) people may have other choices. That is their right. But what I fear are the people who may be making choices based on soundbites and prejudice (either for or against). I want people to know what they are getting us into.
I am nervous, but I'm hopeful. I'll wait until the returns to declare fear or joy.
Have a super Tuesday!
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