I had no idea it was aThing. Like 50 seniors who all knew each other, a bunch of moms with littles and 10 or so grad school ageish folks working the free wifi. Wild.

I love getting glimpses like that into routines I had no idea existed.

Sara, I'm so glad your parents' visit went well. One of these days I'll get to meet them, and tell them that they raised a helluva daughter. (Not that the affirmation is needed, but I want to tell them.)

ION, it seems I will be doing business with the City of Las Cruces.

I now share a cubicle wall with someone new, but who works for a different division. So far there's been a lot of sneezing, coughing, burping, and worst of all, audible smartphone notifications. I will go introduce myself when he sounds less contagious.

I worry about that, but then -- stuff *has* changed under Pres. Obama, despite all the obstructionism and racism. I believe things will change under HRC as well.

Look at the courts alone this past year. They're starting to roll back some of the most, uh, deplorable actions taken by some states to restrict voting, gerrymander districts, hamper abortion and marriage rights. Under HRC, that continues.

Look at the policy choices in housing, the environment, labor and employment rights, gay and transgender rights that are being put in motion by executive agencies. Under HRC, that continues.

The Republicans in the House and Senate will do everything they can to obstruct progress on these and a range of other issues, as will some states. But there are areas that even if they held the power in statehouses and Congress, can still be moved forward and have a real impact.

And if the Senate or House flip, even more space opens up, particularly in the window between now and 2018. A lot can happen, will they nil they.

And really, if Congress does what McCain and McConnell are threatening and refuses to consider a Hillary-nominated SCOTUS candidate, shit will get real.

And if the Senate or House flip

Right now Princeton Consortium is giving 84% odds that the Senate will flip. That would be AMAZING.

Also, under HRC, we get the first woman POTUS. Representation matters. All the black kids who got to see a POTUS who looked like them, for 8 years. The effect of that is enormous. And now little girls will get that. Our great-niece will grow up in a country that has always had at least 1 woman POTUS. Seeing that for 8 years (I'm an optimist) is going to be tremendous.

Fingers crossed on the senate flip.

And really, if Congress does what McCain and McConnell are threatening and refuses to consider a Hillary-nominated SCOTUS candidate, shit will get real.

No shit. This BS "oh but it's an ELECTION YEAR" is one thing...but if Hilary is elected I hope Obama pulls the current nom and says "Oh just you wait...she's nominating someone SUPER LEFTY"

It is not out of the realm of possibility that both chambers flip, especially if DJT continues his slash and burn campaigning. That would be amazing; flip side, no one has any excuses as to why shit doesn't get done. I'm side-eyeing Congress in particular.

I just saw an interview with some people in Pennsylvania. One person for HRC, 2 for Stein, and one guy who's Trump all the way but he's not gonna bother voting because the whole thing's rigged.

Sounds like you might end up meeting them sooner, Maria!