thanks, but no thanks, giving.

A shout out to my friend B from whom I lifted that description of the recent holiday.

I felt the text messages of giving thanks roll in and watched the lovely array of political perspectives stream past. "Thingstaken", "Un-turkey day", inscriptions of gratitude, and the classic greeting were all observed. The wonderful family with whom I spent my time off of work and I had a brief discussion of the merits of such a celebration; at one point without realizing it was impolite to do so I said "Well, I guess it sounds better than 'Thanks for keeping us from having to dig up and consume our recently dead friends since we don't really know how to survive in this area of the world.'" Everybody laughed, albeit uncomfortably. We all agreed that it isn't a Fall or harvest-based festival that's bad, it's the particular form it takes in this country.

To catch up: I spent the first week of November helping to run a canvass out of Plymouth Meeting, PA (just outside of Philly). It had been a while since my job had required me to lose that much sleep, I managed to get soft in a mere three months since USAS work ceased. Who knew? But thanks to the miracle power of sugar-free Red Bull, an astoundingly horrific war, a skillful permanent canvass that knew our turf well, and the jaw-dropping stupidity of Republican operatives to the extent of arresting doughnut-wielding seniors, we are finally rid of Rick Santorum. What a lovely moment that was, to hear a vanload of frostbitten doorknockers proclaim "Santorum lost!" while I received their walk sheets at the UFCW hall. I know it's a little late to be basking in that particular afterglow, but considering I was assigned to a district where our endorsed candidate lost by 3,000 votes on a night where everything else was comin' up roses, I cling to the little things. For this round I was also asked to hire 500 people on two weeks' notice, and I think I managed to do it. Well, that is, to advertise enough positions. It couldn't happen in a vacuum, but it was nice to know I did my part. Through Craigslist and Facebook, moreover.

In all of my newly found-and-lost-again spare time, I've been supporting the USAS web stuff, the CISPES web redesign, and providing general tech support to any and all of my movement buddies with no budgets and big issues. The CISPES site is launched amd I really like it, so take a look!

This holiday has been facilitated greatly by my pals B, Sha and my housemate/pal Lelia. Unfortunately it has been an uneasy time, and I'm not just talking about discomfort from overeating. As the song goes, I will survive. I'm sad to say that it feels more like that than I'd have wanted.

I've booked my winter trip! I'll be arriving in the Bay for a whole week and a half at the end of this year. I'm counting down the days, as much as I love DC -- sometimes I need a vacation. Look for me, write me, otherwise communicate if you're around and wanna meet up.