Jack-O-Lantern & Halloween photos

Not sure what to say about this...

Just over one week...

Next week is the election.  Those of you who have cable/satellite/local TV must be delighted to be near the end of the protracted campaign season.  Yesterday I watched the Redskins game with a friend and was amazed at the number of ads for various CA propositions and offices.

With one final week to go, I thought this op/ed piece from the NYT was well-timed.  Why can't we create a simpler ballot process?  It's insane.

Choctoberfest

Photos from the Cruise

We went on a 3-day cruise to Ensenada last week. My parents came out and joined us. None of us had cruised before and we were a little unsure what to expect. It was WONDERFUL! We're already looking forward to our next cruise. We just can't decide between Alaska, Hawaii, or the Caribbean.

Here are a few photos of the trip...

Death, War and Families

This morning before 6AM my 11-year old came to our bed crying.  Hard.  Balling really.
He had waken from a bad dream. 

In his dream, our country had gone to war and needed soldiers.  His mother and I did not have to go, because we were parents and our national leaders somehow recognized we had more important responsibilities.

However, he was so shaken because his grandparents had been drafted and one of them was killed in the war.  He was near tears all morning until he left for school.

This made me think about the thousands of Americans, and tens-of-thousands of Iraqi's who have died over the past five years in this awful war.

According to the DoD, over 30,000 Americans have died in Iraq since 3/19/03, and nearly half of them in combat.

I've been opposed to this war since well before t began.  However, this morning I was struck anew by the incredible sacrifice of these 30,000 fellow citizens.  Each of them has left parents, children, siblings, and friends waking at night with tears imagining the life that could have been.

Hurricane Norbert is making our

Hurricane Norbert is making our first night at sea a bit tough. :-

Randy Travis

We saw Randy Travis at Smothers Theater last night at Pepperdine. He put on a terrific show blending some of his oldies, with a few newer cuts. It was a blast. Even Michelle liked it!

We leave in a few hours for a cruise to Ensenada with my parents. Should be a kick!

The Obligatory Malibu Seafood Photo

The clams at Malibu seafood in prep for the cruise.

Further along with Ms. Palin

Boy, am I conflicted about Sarah Palin.  There are so many things I love about her.  But, holy cow, did she do poorly in her recent interviews with Gibson and Couric.  If you are a serious-minded person, this interview will drive you crazy.

If you're not so serious, take a look at this one...

Either way...she's got a long way to go before tomorrow's debate with Joe Biden.  BTW - here's some good advice for Mr. Biden.