This thing is awesome.

I think even more exciting than watching this whole election unfold is watching John King on CNN use the magic wall. The thing is amazing... touch screen... zooms in an out, can draw, has every statistic you'd want update real time at the touch of a button. He plays it like an instrument. I hope to have one of my very own someday.

The gospel according to John.

Yes, I love John Mayer.

Yes, some people think that's stupid.

But I think he posted an incredibly insightful thing on his blog last week. I think it frankly gets inside the minds of most people my age. (or his age... he's 5 years older).

I hope you just read it.

Starting this week...

I'm going to be on this more. I've said that a million times... but this time it will work. I SWEAR!

What inspired me to write today? Was bopping around to a few of my favorite sites online... came across a scrapbooker who made a minibook called "the book of truth". Contained self-portraits (i.e. pictures in a mirror) and some really honest journaling. I'm going to do this, I think. I used to write all kinds of essays and stuff when I was younger that were so cathartic. I don't write about that anymore... I just spin it all out at my husband. (Sorry, Brad!) So I'm going to write more. Essays... in art journals... just get my truth out there... world be damned. At least that's what I think today.

No pictures to go with this one, but I have some I want to add, including photos of my beautifully pregnant friends, and some cool photos from our state's primary. Stay tuned.

In 2008...

I will blog more.

Haha, I can't believe the last time I was on this thing was in October. But then again, the last few months have flown by so fast that I'm not really surprised. The promotion I talked about... well its consumed a lot of my time. Then there were the holidays. Then there were the caucuses. Then, well... there's life. Here's a short version of what's happened in the last few months...

--Wisconsin passed a budget... and I passed my first big test. It was basically the biggest political story of the year, after months of a deadlock, a last-minute deal was struck and somehow I made it through numerous stories unscathed. Bosses at work called it passing the final exam in the first week of class. I'm sure it could have used more work, but I was proud after 110+ hour weeks I was still standing.

--Halloween came and went in Madison... without incident. I was working, doing part of a new type of coverage we tried for the occasion. It turned out really cool, we thought, as a more in-depth look at the causes, effects, positives and negatives of the party. I didn't have a costume... but Brad "brought his sexy back." You'll have to see the picture.

--Rocked out with the Alarmists in Milwaukee!! So glad they did a show down here... those guys are going to be huge. Such great people... and we miss you Jorge and Jess!

--Gave thanks for family. Got to celebrate with both my and Brad's families. It was great to see them, because we hadn't seen them all in so long. Did the annual Thanksgiving-night bowling trip with my family, Uncle Brent bowled the best game of his life. Guess he's been practicing.

--Enjoyed the holiday season. We got our tree the day after Thanksgiving, which turned out to be brilliant because every Saturday of December was a snow/ice storm. Had a nice party with some of our friends, and Jason brought "Rock Band" which totally brought down the house. I think most everyone was there until early in the morning... just like the old days... except we were all playing drums instead of getting drunk. Our neighbors probably hate us.

--Got snowed in. Repeatedly. In one of the snowiest Decembers on record. It was cozy.

--Traveled like mad. To DeForest for Christmas eve mass... my parents were still here because of an ice storm the night before... then to Brad's parents for Xmas eve party... then to his Grandparents' in Portage for Christmas Day.... then back to Madison to pack. To Missouri day after Christmas... to Trav's house... next day to Mema's... next day to Grandmas... then stayed at Carols. SO VERY NICE to see my whole family again. Everyone has babies and they're beautiful... plus got to see Mary and Kristin which was awesome.

--SAW A PACKER GAME!! Which is the beginning of part 2 for the travels... Sunday the 30th we went to Lambeau for the game... which was the first I'd ever been to. Pat and Rob have 3rd Row Endzone tickets... fantastic. Got a lambeau leap right in our laps. Sat behind St. Vince. Go Pack Go!

--Got sick on New Years Eve. Really damn sick. Got the flu from my family in MO.

--Went to the Iowa Caucuses for work... i.e. travels pt. 3. Left New Years Day... still sick... but excited. Went to rallies for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, then to CBS Newspath headquarters in Des Moines which was unlike anything I'd seen. Next day, interviewed WI volunteers, including Olympic Gold Medalist Speed Skater Dan Jansen (possibly the nicest man alive). Then went to a Democratic Caucus... otherwise known as the craziest display of democracy you'll ever see in your life. Live shots and 14-16 hour days. An incredible experience and great way to start out Election Year 2008.

That's the brief rundown... glossing over the fact that the Badgers lost a bowl game and the Packers lost the NFC Championship. Very very busy, but that's life and overall I'm happy. This is going to be a huge blog... but I want to put some (late) goals for 2008. Hey, I was too sick for resolutions.

--Take more pictures
--Relax when the opportunity arises
--Be content with what I have
--Believe in myself
--Let creativity and personality shine through
--Learn to cook more healthy meals
--Do yoga more
--Gossip less
--Be patient, but strong.