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I have a 13-year-old daughter who is involved in a competitive cheer program. This means that her gym and its squads do not have a team or organization to cheer on at sporting events; instead, they practice and build a routine for 6 months in preparation for a 5 month competition season. This past weekend, we had one of the biggies in the comp. season, held in Las Vegas. (And if y'all don't behave, I'll link to the video of her squad's first performance - you have been warned.) What this means is that I have not looked at a television in six days. Today was the first day I turned on the dumb thing. My internet browsing has been limited to Google Wave, TC diaries, Facebook, and email.
The TV hasn't been on (and frankly, this to me is a gooooood thing!). My husband ended my reprieve this morning - but what a great return-to-reality thing to see - the signing of the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell! I've never loved getting misty that early in the morning quite so much.
And I missed the entire buildup - on Saturday, while I was spectating a cheer competition from 8:00 - 5:00 (ironically, in Harry Reid's home state!), the Senate did the right thing. Saturday night, we totally broke curfew because I had a spectacular connection for us to see Phantom and then get a backstage tour afterwards (well and truly amazing, AND we all got to meet The Phantom!). I was also incommunicado on Sunday, with more of the same, plus a bonus wicked headache, the result of smoke/loud music/flashing lights/screaming people/far too much Justin Bieber music overload.
My kid's squad did win their division, making them national champs for this particular organization. I'm a very proud mama!
Monday was spent in the car (which is where we became aware that Southern California is having a bit of a rain issue) and then recovering from that very stressful, soggy drive home.
Yesterday, in between dealing with the five new rain-related leaks that have sprung up on the first floor of my 2 story home (oh, those repairs are going to be UGLY!) I had a successful phone interview, which led to a callback and set up for today's face to face interview, which I'm cautiously optimistic about. I'm not going to say much about this as it's just too potentially heartbreaking. It was roughly 2 years ago that my former employer laid me off 9 days before Christmas, and I'm not emotionally capable of getting my hopes up. Cautiously optimistic is all I'm allowing myself.
However, I will allow myself sheer, unadulterated delight and glee at the repeal of DADT. Seeing the picture of Harry Reid giving Dan Choi his West Point ring back made me weepy in such a very good way. Not even the stupid, mean, petty antics of the Republicans can bring me down. Frankly, I expect nothing more from them. The right side won. Which is all that matters.
Today's politics have provided icing on the cake with the passage of START and the 9/11 Responders healthcare bill. AND burgeoning public awareness of the utter, rank hypocrisy that runs rampant in the Republican party. If I get nothing more for Christmas, I hope I get the continuation of this trend. It's what this country needs, more than anything. AWARENESS of the con that is the Republican party.
Thanks for letting me ramble. My brain's blown after the job interview and the harrowing traffic to get to and from. I'm amazed I can do anything more than naval contemplation. Now, without further ado, here are tonight's Top Comment nominees!
from ban nock
from frankenoid, responding to an inquiry about what's the big deal with DK4
From Eddie C, who has sunset appreciation:
Alright, lineatus is getting into the act.
From Ed Tracey:
In the front-page story about the GOP blocking aid to the 9/11 responders - which was later overcome and passed -
GrannyOPhilly passed along this tweet from PaulaInTulsaOK: "1000+ 9/11 first responders dead in last 9 years. Tom Coburn & GOP have higher body count than Al Qaeda."
From sardonyx:
zonk takes the long view.
CupofTea has a reality-based comment.
Sharoney says we need to celebrate. (Okay, there was more to it than that.)
From your humble diarist:
I found that this comment by wyvern and the subsequent discussion regarding the politics of the 9/11 healthcare bill to be very interesting. It's from DrSteveB's diary.
David Waldman's explanation as to why filibuster reform still matters really appealed to the political geek in me. I think it's beneficial reading, particularly in this age of disenchantment with politics and Dems.
It's been awhile since I nominated something by JekyllnHyde, and I'm delighted to break that streak by including this comment, which soooo sums up Joe Miller's toddleresque behavior over the AK Senate election.
Top Mojo excluding search-identifiable tip jars, first diary comments, Cheers and Jeers, and Mojo Friday:
1) It seems Kos has his mind made up by FishOutofWater — 174
2) Not a chance by ontheleftcoast — 165
3) When Obama asked Clinton to help plead with us. I by Engine 08 — 163
4) Count me in that crowd by HiddenHistories — 140
5) I'll hope you reconsider by Dallasdoc — 122
6) Yikes by cartwrightdale — 115
7) I have stopped reading them too.. by JWC — 109
8) What an awful story by beltane — 108
9) The ticker is fantastic. by lineatus — 108
10) Now watch... by cartwrightdale — 106
11) Pathetic, isn't it? by QuestionAuthority — 103
12) I really like the ticker idea also. by mrsgoo — 88
13) Prisons for Profit by MarciaJ720 — 87
14) I think you missed the point that by rdpch — 87
15) I think the real problem is that by Bouwerie Boy — 84
16) There are dozens of actions Obama's Labor Dept by YucatanMan — 84
17) I like yours the best. by Annalize5 — 80
18) You're right, QuestionAuthority by RJDixon74135 — 79
19) McConnell is ANGERED by procedural TRICKS! by Inland — 75
20) This is a big f------- deal! by bethcf4p — 74
21) The stain on our democracy grows. by bigchin — 73
22) Three Jobs? by Chgo Jim — 73
23) I like that by dc 20005 — 70
24) I'll never forget the time by kestrel9000 — 68
25) I would say by DWG — 68
26) The rule of law is dead by heart of a quince — 65
27) And thank YOU, Senator by kestrel9000 — 65
28) The objector? by zenbassoon — 63
29) It is starting to feel like a science fiction by DWG — 63
30) having spent time as an IT project manager by hpchicago — 60
31) I'll keep looking by LaFeminista — 60
Top Mojo with No Exclusions:
1) Tip Jar by cartwrightdale — 576
2) Tip Jar by DarkSyde — 458
3) Being a union memeber raised my living standard by Lefty Coaster — 381
4) Tip Jar by Karl Trautman — 318
5) Tip Jar its 1am finished work by LaFeminista — 312
6) Tip Jar by Free Chicken and Beer — 255
7) Tip Jar by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand — 220
8) Tip Jar by ThisIsMyTime — 208
9) Tips for Captain Kangaroo by MinistryOfTruth — 187
10) It seems Kos has his mind made up by FishOutofWater — 174
11) Tip Jar by Chacounne — 173
12) Tip Jar by Clarknt67 — 168
13) I just like the video. by Colorado is the Shiznit — 166
14) Not a chance by ontheleftcoast — 165
15) When Obama asked Clinton to help plead with us. I by Engine 08 — 163
16) Tip Jar by Eclectablog — 162
17) Tip Jar by TomP — 162
18) Count me in that crowd by HiddenHistories — 140
19) Tip Jar by Adept2u — 136
20) Tip Jar by LodinLepp — 123
21) I'll hope you reconsider by Dallasdoc — 123
22) Tip Jar by Magnifico — 123
23) Yikes by cartwrightdale — 115
24) Tip Jar by DrSteveB — 113
25) I have stopped reading them too.. by JWC — 109
26) The ticker is fantastic. by lineatus — 108
27) What an awful story by beltane — 108
28) Now watch... by cartwrightdale — 106
29) Tip Jar by hepshiba — 106
30) Pathetic, isn't it? by QuestionAuthority — 103
31) Tip Jar by Cenk Uygur — 103