Ooh, that's really annoying. I did that on my own at home for a while when I started temping -- got up at 7, showered and was ready to go when I called them at 8 -- but at least I was still at my house.

Indeed. That's why I took the day off today--I just didn't think it was worth it to run around like a maniac for an 8:30 AM show-up for something that might not pay off. But I think I might have just been bumped downwards at the temp agency for deciding to stay out for the day. hell, at least I called them.

It's the white collar equivalent of day laborers. Do they at least provide breakfast for you in the office? If not, they should change the name.

I think they give you coffee. There might be pastry. I don't know, I haven't had to do it before; for the 2+ months I've been working for them, they've given me consistent work all over the phone. This is the first time I haven't had a back-to-back gig. It kind of sucks. But at least the rent got paid.

Weren't they the ones who twigged immediately that someone was using ChiKat's cards fraudulently? Or was that Nordies?

Note to self: Always lock computer when you leave, especially if you leave before the guy who you exchange snarky instant messages with, because some people think it's funny to sneak the USB part of their wireless mouse into the back of your computer and take over your cursor.

Voting news for Ohioites:

In most elections, ''State Issue 1'' is something highly significant and its outcome closely watched. However, in Ohio today, Issue 1 doesn't count, literally.

That's because the issue, a referendum on changes in Ohio's Workers Compensation law, died in a legal challenge that determined the measure lacked sufficient valid signatures on petitions to put it before the voters. But that ruling didn't come until it was too late to remove Issue 1 from the ballot, both absentee and electronic.

So today, when you go into the voting booth, you will see Issue 1 on your ballot, even though it isn't a valid ballot issue anymore.

[link]

More voting news for Ohio, the funniest of which is from my district: [link]

Two Republican House members reportedly encountered difficulties at their respective polling stations. U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot was said to be turned away for not having proper identification, and Rep. Jean Schmidt could not get the scanner to accept her ballot.

My minion tells me that CNN is reporting voting delays in Colorado due to a...rogue squirrel.

It apparently chewed through the extension cord on which the whole polling place was operating.

The squirrel obviously wants to gay-marry.

The computer wouldn't let right-wing/Libertarian talk show host Neil Boortz vote this morning.

Squirrels are evil.

Note worth saying twice. Or possibly even once.

I find this oddly amusing.

At Engine House No. 52 on Woodbrook Avenue in Northwest Baltimore, volunteers had plugged all of the voting machines into a power strip, but when they added a clock to the line, it sparked a small fire. The flames were contained and the machines survived.