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Today we head to LA for the weekend to visit Heather and Alex, my best friends from Highschool. I am feeling much better, thankfully. Jenna is feeling better, too, but still has a pretty nasty cough, and sometimes sounds like a dying cat when she talks (in the cutest way possible!)

Speaking of dying cats, Washington State went crazy yesterday, I think! Still no final word about Murray vs Rossi, but it's looking like Murray will win! And, according to the ballot tracker, my ballot hasn't even been counted yet…sooooo…yeah. BUT, I'm pretty amazed that 1100 and 1105 didn't win. Really? I thought, if anyone, WA would approve this one. For those who aren't familiar, this is the Inititiave that would stop liquor sales from going to the state, and would instead expand hard liquor sales to private companies, and make the state's duty ENFORCEMENT of liquor laws. From what I gathered about this Initiative, then, was that the benefits would be: cheaper liquor for consumers, a liquor program not monopolized by the state, more enforcement on businesses selling to minors, etc. The negatives are that the state would not receive the mark-up that they currently put on liquor sales, and that the cost of employing enforcement officers would increase. I can see reasons to vote either way on this initiative, but I thought that WA state voters would easily approve this initiative. The other initiative I thought WA voters would easily approve was 1098, which created a state income tax (which WA currently doesn't have) to tax the wealthiest residents and put that money to education and health care, while also lowering taxes for small business. Again, I can see reasons for voting either way on this initiative as well, but I thought WA voters would approve it, though it lost by a fair amount. Looking at the Initiatives, I think they all ended up going in the opposite direction that I thought they would go in. You'll notice I haven't told you how I voted. NONYADAMN BUSINESS! Overall, I'm pretty disappointed, but I think that it is probably a good thing that Republicans have the House, Democrates have the Senate, and Obama is in office. I am hoping that this way, we'll be able to accomplish more (for a list of things already accomplished, do some research….). Of course, this is optimism, and it all comes down to whether or not compromise can and does happen. I sincerely hope it does.

On a different note, last night's dance lesson was a lot of fun. I felt better about it (and better in general) than last week. Afterwards we got Rancho Bravo for dinner and Molly Moons for dessert. Olive Oil Ice Cream was delicious, but it was best because it was mixed with the Salted Caramel, which provided enough contrast.

Also, maybe it's this red cup from Starbucks. Or the tingling in my throat & nose, the residue of a cold. Maybe it's the darkening days, but I'm getting ready for the holidays! It's probably just Hallmark & Target's evil influence on consumers, but it puts me in a jollier mood.

That will all be thrown away in a about 12 hours though, when we arrive in 70 degree Los Angeles. Yes, California, the state of even more liberal liberals, not-quite-entirely-legal-to-everyone marijuana, Disneyland, and Hollywood. I am so excited to see Heather & Alex, but disappointed Nicoliosis isn't able to come. This will be a nice break, though. I need a vacation!