Are you as giddy as I am? I’m completely unable to focus on nearly any of my other obligations. I’ve been trying to verbalize my emotions, to write with intelligence, to sit and really justify my logic and emotions and I can’t.

I think I’ve come down with an Adult case of ADHD.

(I’m currently typing this as I run in place.)

(I’m kidding. But only slightly.)

I have to thank my friend Aimee for following up on my challenge that I issued here. Since I’ve failed miserably at MY OWN CHALLENGE, it’s time I start updating, even if I have to do is as I go.

Join the ride. I’m just going to create my very own “open spewith of mah own brain” right here. And by my own brain, I mean lots of links and reactions to what’s going on. I hope you find it entertaining. If you don’t, I’m sure I’ll mis-spell and probably incorrectly use punctuation and exclamation points (!!!) so you can always giggle at that.

On your mark.

Get set….

Oh! Wait, really quick, before I start (see? ADHD.. ohmygod.. shinnnyyyy thinnnggsss….) a picture from Halloween’s trick-or-treating. Fun? Hellzya.

Guess who had more fun on Friday night?

/////////////////  Live Blogging Updates Below ////////////////////////

1. The Economy
One of my main issues I wanted to tackle was the Economy. Since the recent admittance of Obama to “spread the wealth” something else came up just this weekend:

I’ll take your input on this one. Tell me I’m wrong. Tell me that’s wrong. Please?

I’ve heard clips of people praising Obama because they will no longer have to think about how to fill their gas tank or pay their mortgage. Unfortunately, you will. You still have the same responsibilities, we all do, that come with being an adult. I expect the same with either candidate.

2. Education.

I agree. We need a change here. I’m completely unwilling to place my child in a system built on “No Child Left Behind.” But I want the choice of where to place my child in a system that best suits their own needs. “John McCain will place parents and children at the center of the education process, empowering parents by greatly expanding the ability of parents to choose among schools for their children. *”  We don’t need more money in a failing school system but a complete transformation including choices, vouchers and charter schools. Competition drives the economy to better itself. Safeway lowers prices because Krogger is across the street outselling them. They best themselves for your business. Schools can and should be options to fit children’s needs. Some children won’t learn in a classroom setting while others will thrive with the peer competition and support. I’d like to make that choice myself, though. For my own child.

///////// November 4th /////////////

I voted. I voted and I want to finish posting my reasons why. Because in the end, we’re still going to sit and drink wine together. I just want to remember that I followed through with something today, something in the middle of every other thing. That I issued a challenge and I followed through, just like these fantastic people. Thank you for that.

Link Update: I’m following Dana’s Live Blog today. Quite possibly one of the very best vocal conservative women online.

Here’s a post about voting for McCain.

And, for those of you that don’t know this about me, I’m a complete Northern Exposure fan. So much so, that our little blog name, Flinger, comes from an episode of NX. (There’s a piece of Trivia for ya for another day.) So, with that bit of info, you’ll not be shocked when I do the aboslutely expected and include a bit from “Democracy In America” episode 15, Season 3:

Mr. Flinger and I have challenged each other to a duel. With the upcoming elections upon us (yes, yes, I know, we’re all very very tired of the talk) we decided to take the bull by the horn, so to speak. To grab the ass by the donkeysack, as it where.

Basically, we’re giving ourselves a college assignment and I hope you’ll join us.

The assignment is thus: (Always throw in “thus” when giving out assignments making yourself look smarter and more intelligent in the process.)

1. Pick five topics from both candidates that you feel strongly about. These MUST be able to be researched on the main ticket site and can be supported elsewhere. But basically, you’ll want to scour the McCain and Obama sites for topics and ideals.

2. Figure out where each candidate stands on those five topics.

3. Find supporting information.

4. Intelligently form a paragraph (or two) stating why you are choosing to vote the way you are.

Rules:

1. There is to be no name calling, no pushing in line, no grafiti of the parking lot.

2. Intelligent conversation only. Therefore, if you type in myspace language “U r a bitch because you r voting 4 McCain” we will point, laugh, and know you’re an idiot.

3. There are no winners. There are no losers.

4. I promise not to make us all sit together and sing “Kumbya Mylord” when this is over. But I do want to say that regardless of belief or personal preference, we can still drink beer together.

5. I don’t shoot moose.

No, wait, that’s not a rule. It’s just a fact.

So? You in? I’ll keep this entry as a sticky for two weeks. I’ll add my own discussion in the comments section as I get information. Feel free to post on your own site (Sign the linky!) or post in the comments here. My goal: I’m challenging myself to have an intelligent conversation with my husband and also you, my friends, (Yes, yes, I heard it.) that doesn’t end up in cussing and saying things like, “Um. BECAUSE.” Because.

<a href="http://mrs.flinger.us"><img src="http://mrs.flinger.us/images/challenge.gif"
border="0" /></a>

Put the link to your discussion here, not just to your main site so we can follow along with your arguments. Or post in the comments. Whatever you want. Ready! Set! GO!

I’m a little obsessed. And by a little obsessed I mean tuned in to The News 24/7 palpitating with each dramatic climb or drop of the market, watching twitter for latest information, basically becoming a human news ticker. “Market down! Market up! Bill didn’t pass! Bill being updated!” and on and on. It’s annoying my own self.

I’m having a hard time focusing on anything other than the Economy. On anything aside from “THE MARKET”. From anything aside from “THE GREAT GLOBAL MELTDOWN OF TWO THOUSAND AND EIGHT IN WHICH THE FLINGERS LOOSE THEIR HOUSE AND FORTUNE.” Because, if I’m honest, we are those people. We believed the nice Countrywide lady. We took a mortgage out with interest only on a 297K condo because the housing market in Seattle was so out of control, we couldn’t get a house. We were smart, really, not wanting to pay more than 300K for anything knowing we couldn’t afford it and yet? Here we are: 45K upside down on our teeny tiny condo praying that in 12 months everything will turn around because we are so totally fucked if it doesn’t. The ARM comes up in 12 months and our kids may be playing with sticks and beating each other with rocks at that time.

Or maybe they already do that but it will henceforth be known as “home.”

So I’m watching for selfish reasons. For concern. As a libertarian I despise all things Big Government. As a stupid idiot, who bought in a high market and will refinance in a low market, I’m giving myself an ulcer.

So forgive me if you come to my house for dinner and I sit with you at the table for two hours telling you why DEARGODWEAREALLGOINGDOWN. Which is what I did last night after fish tacos and two glasses of wine.

I’m really sorry about that conversation. And probably the lack of cumin, too.

And, as is custom when I’m all sorts of “I don’t know how to end this,” Look! My kids are cute!

Shizam!