42 Days Until the Election

Or you can sit on chimneys/Put some fire up your ass/No need to know what you're doing or waiting for/But if anyone should ask/Tell them I've been licking coconut skins/And we've been hanging out/Tell them God just dropped by to forgive our sins/And relieve us our doubt.

Here in Las Cruces, New Mexico, it is hot. That thought probably consumes my brain at least eight hours of the day. There are also far too many chihuahuas that yip, jump at you and try to intimidate with their bulgy eyes; but despite the obnoxious dogs and heat, we are making progress.

I'm still very new to this. The office is full of full-time volunteers that have been here for months, working diligently all day, every day after having left their families in other states, all in the name of Barack Obama. We all sit around this table until painful hours in the morning; reading, entering data, eating fast food and gettin' all fired up. We have to get fired up 'cause Las Cruces county will decide the state of New Mexico, and Al Gore won New Mexico in 2000 by only 366 votes. So every last person matters and that's a pretty good feeling: knowing every door, every vote, every hunted down registration form may impact this.

My supporter housing is perfect, an elderly lady and her golden retriever and I have a comfortable bed for my six hours of sleep and I enjoy her company as much as I hope she enjoys mine. Yesterday I went to a hospice to register a woman to vote, in case she doesn't make it. I stood outside a high school today and hassled 18-year olds. The other day I outran a pit bull and met the nicest old Mexican man with a trucker hat who had never registered to vote. I spoke to an old woman who said she is voting for McCain 'cause he is old, and she is old and likes old people. Every day is a trip. I'm looking for a night job in the meantime, but Denny's wanted a resume, and another job wanted me to wear a black mini-skirt, so in the meantime I have come to love all the food other volunteers bring in for us.

There is a big sign in the office, "On November 5th, will you have done all you could do?" And if it keeps going like this, then I think we can all say yes to that question.

And, right now, Allison is playing the guitar and the office is singing "Let it Be". man oh man.

The office and everyone in their prime