Sprizee :: A simple girl replete with complications

Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.

I have this moving picture stuck in my head. Back in Oahu. At the hotel. A small child is holding their mother's hand, pulling her forward as fast as his legs will carry him with a very determined look in his eyes. The excitement is contagious. The mother giggles at her son's impatience and shuffles forward, faster. They're walking towards me and as we pass each other I glance back in an attempt to locate the destination.

Suddenly I understand. As I turn the corner, I spot the child tugging on a hotel staffer's leg. In his tiny hand I glimpse a whimsical portrait. The child thrusts the sketch forward and the staffer bends down to accept it with a hug. They exchange final goodbyes and then part. Once out of sight, the staffer stares at the unexpected gift in his hand with a huge smile on his face, then carefully tucks it in his breast pocket before continuing on his way. But the smile on his face remains long after.

Task list for next week.

• Eat dim sum (even though it will mostly likely make me feel lethargic and generally awful) because it is so delicious!
• Eat ceviche! 
• Read lots of books, or just one, or just part of one.  Depending on how things go. 
• Listen to TBTL, This American Life, and Speaking of Faith podcasts along with some awesome music pool/beachside while soaking up the sun. 
• Go on a hike. Or ten.
• Take some photos. 
• Swim with the fishes. (Not be murdered by a mobster, just to clarify.) 
• Get sand in my bikini. 
• Stop worrying that my toes haven't seen a fresh coat of polish in over 3 weeks.
• Visit Pearl Harbor.
• Get Lost!
• Eat a ridiculous amount of fresh pineapple.  
• Pick up a zip pack at Zippy's. 
• Track down Rainbow Drive Inn and eat some more. 
• Don't get sunburnt.  
• Jump up and down that Obama is the President Elect while vacationing in the state which he was born! 

I'm off to Oahu Monday. I feel like I'm forgetting something. Anyone, anyone? Bueller?

Black and white.

A friend of mine flew to Ohio last Friday to help get out the vote.  He's been texting updates from the road. So far...

• Sarah Palin's bus passes. Get in the car.  Bad Religion's "Sorrow" is playing on the radio. Hope.


• Biden stops by both campaign offices I'm working at but my canvasing partner insists we dine at a 200 year old pub.  Cool, until we realize we've just missed Joe.  


• Many die hard democrats have told me they will "not vote for the black guy".  The race factor was underestimated. I'm sure of it.

What do you say to something like that?  I texted him back, "Remind them he's half white!" Then The Dude steps up with a better tactic, "Suggest they only fill in half the circle for Obama when they go to vote." Really, there are folks out there, die hard democrats that won't vote for him simply because he's black? Wow, that makes me sad.