ION: the senate recount in Minnesota is underway. We use optical scanned ballots, so if someone put in any extra marks or crossed out a choice, the machine popped it out as questionable.

They found one ballot where someone had marked a vote for Franken, but also filled in the space (but not the oval) for write-in with "Lizard People."

One of the people commenting on an article about the recount wrote:

As a member of the "nut job cult" that believes that Lizard people rule the earth I am deeply offended by your article. Kiss my tail.

I'm not sending any hugs through the interweb nor am I telling anyone that I love them and want to hear from them in whatever shape or form. The person to whom this is not aimed knows who they are. Or arent? I don't know, I'm confused.

Sorry about the startup, Karl.

As a member of the "nut job cult" that believes that Lizard people rule the earth I am deeply offended by your article. Kiss my tail.

BWAH

{{{Karl}}}

I've been meh on my own workplace many times in the past, but it's got to be noted that the benefits and job security are both great. And, as more and more departments have their education and research divisions mount big complex websites, there are always a couple dozen IT positions open (literally; 31 as of this minute, I just checked).

Also, {{{Karl}}}

And, I'm a localista. Ping me if you want to meet up for lunch and sympathy.

Crap, Karl. I'm so very sorry that you're dealing with this situation. Sending vibes that a wonderful position lands in your lap quickly.

And on that same note - you know, I really want to see Good Things happen to Good People WAAAAY more often. This Bad Things happening to Very Good People is b.s. I'm definitely not in favor of it.

Seriously, guys, is one kind of drugstore hair color better than another? I'm thinking semipermanent because I don't know what the hell I'm doing.

Sorry, Ginger! I must've assumed that someone else answered you on this. I'm far from an expert but I would suggest going with one of the boxes that specify it's for root matching purposes. If you're just wanting to blend in your roots with the rest of your hair until you can see your regular guy again, that's my suggestion. I think Clairol and L'Oreal both make them and I've used both without problems.

In the Minnesota senate race, the names of rejected absentee ballot voters has been released by a judge, and Franken's team is contacting those people to let them know.

This is causing all sorts of recriminations and finger pointing and whining about "But it's a secret ballot!!!"

I just posted my response in the stat's largest newspaper, I hope it's well thought out.

Is this too wordy?

The judge released the names of the people who cast the rejected absentee ballots, not the ballot itself. It's a fine line, but a solid one. The "secret ballot" refers to the ballot itself.

In other words, what and who you voted for is secret, not the fact that you voted. The fact that you voted, or attempted to vote, is public to prevent duplication and to allow for verification.

Releasing the names of the voters whose absentee ballots were rejected does not benefit Franken's people more than Coleman's.

When either side informs the absentee voters that they were not counted, they do not know if those voters will vote for their candidate, they are just hoping the odds will be in their favor.

In excellent news, Tom got an job offer! At the Other University in town. He also had a great interview today (at a different place)

Wooot!!! Missed this news. Congrats Tom. Is he going to take it? To be decided? Are you guys celebrating this weekend?

Hippo birdies, Sparky!

What everbody else said, Steph. You have to do what you need to do, but not out of some perception of being "tiresome" here.

(((Karl))) Layoffs suck.

Congratulations and a big woot! for Tom!

And happy, happy, happy birthday to Sparky, who deserves all good things on her day (and every day).

{{{Karl}}}

{{{Tep}}}

That's all I've got, aside from way too much snow for November 21.

Happy birthday, Sparky!

Yay for car-having Joe!

Steph, feel free to whine all you want. FWIW, I didn't feel anything but, "Damn. Hope you're feeling better soon!"

My internal girly bits are still a little sore today. I am working from home today, yay. Also, I got the letter yesterday that I passed my portfolio! I knew I had, but still nice to see it in black and white. I am totally done on Dec. 3. SO FRIGGIN' EXCITED!

Also working on my final project for my YA class. Check out my work in progress blog (especially if you're a fan o' the graphic novel): [link]

You have to pick a book and then suggest 10 books you'd like if you liked that book. I'm doing an epidemic/apocalypse theme (book x is Y the Last Man).

Happy Birthday, Sparky! Don't know how I missed that.