I am woefully behind in all threads due to being very gray the past few days. i went to the ER on monday morning because i was in intense pain and the doctor was fearful that one or more of my cysts had twisted and burst. turns out that i was fine. however, i think this made the doctor realize just how much pain i'm in. i am now scheduled for surgery on tuesday. i go in to the hospital at 7 am.

so...please send as many vibes tuesday as you can. i am very nervous as this is the first surgery i've ever had in my life and it is the equivalent of having a c-section.

hope to be back to posting as soon as possible. keep it warm for me.

tiggy update: she made it through her surgery ok and will be in the hospital for another 2-3 days.

Hopefully, her sister might be taking her a laptop so she can check in herself, but I wanted to let the buffistas know she's ok and recovering.

DH would appreciate a little exam-ma this morning. He's heading in to take an actuarial exam--hopefully his last.

If he passes this, he becomes a Fellow with the Casualty Actuarial Society and I get something shiny.

Some of the attorneys in my office will be at polls in swing states to facilitate voting for people who are having problems. This just came from one of them:

Make History: Protect the 2004 election

Dear Friends,

It's time! Unless you voted early, this Tuesday, November 2, is your opportunity to make your voice heard at the ballot box. Know that your vote really counts.

Here are a few Election Day tips to help your voting experience go as smoothly as possible.

Bring a picture ID. Many states have new identification requirements this year, so play it safe by bringing your drivers license or other official ID if at all possible.

Go to the correct polling place. Many polling places have changed since the last election, and in some states, your provisional ballot will not be counted if you go to the wrong polling place. So check your polling place ahead of time by calling your local election office or reviewing your sample ballot.

Call 1-866-OUR VOTE if you experience or witness a voting emergency. Lawyers will be standing by to provide free, immediate, on-the-spot assistance.

Remember, you have the right to vote if you are in line before the polls close -- no matter how long it takes. There has never been a more important time to make sure that you vote and that your vote is counted.

My dog is not really back to herself yet. She has been a devoted friend and her doctor is very expensive so we would like her perk up by herself if at all possible.Thanks.

A request for job-ma, please. I'm going to be talking to a former boss about "something". Gainful employment would be keen.

Wow, that's some effective -ma, gang! I now have a decently-paying freelance editing gig. Hurrah!

As I have mentioned on occasion, I've been training for the Atlanta Half-Marathon all summer, to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. I think it's been good for me, and I know it's a good cause.

You can find out more information at [link] There you can contribute online. You'll also find more information about arthritis and Joints in Motion. You can also contribute by sending me a check made out to the Arthritis Foundation. If you want to send a check, send an e-mail to my profile addy, and I'll send you my address.

I know there are people on the board dealing with fibromyalgia and arthritis, and research money is important. I have arthritis myself, my sister has fibromyalgia and my mother and several relatives have fairly severe arthritis.

I'd appreciate anything you can contribute, including just a hearty dose of completing-the-half-marathon~ma on Thanksgiving.

A reminder to Seattleistes and other folks local to the area:

The kickoff event for Famous Flower of Serving Men is at Barnes and Noble, University Village, Seattle, this Saturday evening at half past seven.

Be there!

Attention CAistas:

I just got this email notice from Paper Or Plastic 2004, an organization getting the word out about voting options in California. If you live in one of the counties listed below, electronic voting will be your default choice, but you still have the right to ask for and receive a paper ballot instead.

Take note if you live in one of these counties, and pass the word to anyone you know in any of them.

from paperorplastic2004.org:

Ten California counties will use electronic voting machines on November 2nd, but these systems don't provide a voter-verified audit trail and they cannot be used in a meaningful recount. That's why Secretary of State Kevin Shelley gave voters a choice: on election day, voters can choose to forego an electronic ballot and instead vote on paper. However, election officials in at least three counties are instructing poll workers to keep this choice secret.

We fought hard to give voters the option to cast ballots that can be verified, audited, and recounted, but these officials are trying to keep the public in the dark. Help us inform California voters that they have this "paper or plastic" choice on election day.

California counties that use e-voting machines (* indicates counties that are keeping choice a secret)

• Alameda
  *Santa Clara
  *Orange
  Napa
  San Bernardino
  Merced
  Plumas
  Shasta
  Tehama
  Riverside