Tag: #2020Election

  • GO VOTE TOMORROW

    If you didn’t vote earlier, that is.

  • I Voted, Early

    I got out and voted early in NYC. It was a misty, overcast gray day in the City, and my guess is that was why my line wasn’t too long. Over the weekend, lines were waiting on average about two hours to vote. A neighborhood email newsletter I follow was saying that our preceint wait time was about an hour and a half. Not too bad, and to be honest, I really didn’t care if the line took four hours.

    We originally wanted to take the kid with us to vote, as we have done in the past, but she doesn’t do well waiting in a line longer than 10 minutes. The wife went on Tuesday, and I went on Wednesday.

    Start to finish, getting in line, to walking out the door after voting took 25 minutes. For my wife it took about 50. It was an efficient, well run enterprise. The easiest voting I have ever done.

    The only draw back was that I didn’t have a moment of catharsis on casting my vote, for a second time, against Trump. I had been looking forward to this moment for just about four years, but when it came, it felt more like I was just doing what had to be done. Like cleaning up after a messy child.

    I am glad I did it, voting early that is. Now, I just hope it works out.

  • Early Voting

    Today is my day. I got all my information, and I know where the polling place is. Just down the block from our building. it is a cold and overcast day, sporadic rain. There will be a line, but my guess is that it won’t be that bad.

    I say that because my wife voted last night. Our original plan had been to go as a family so our daughter could see democracy in action. But this time around democracy in action meant just about everyone was taking action, and the wait time over the weekend was close to two hours. That’s just too long for a five year old to spend in a line with nothing to do. When the wife went yesterday, the line took forty minutes to get through.

    Last time we voted in the neighborhood was back on election day 2016, and at 8am, there was no wait time, not even a line. We got in and out easily, maybe spending 15 minutes in the polling location.

    I’m excited about early voting today. I’m even excited about standing in line. I’m excited to take action and be a part of the process. I’m trying to stay positive today. Good things happen when people are involved.

  • Live Tweeting the Debate

    I am purposely taking today easy, and not doing anything other than the basics. That’s because there will a Rapture level dumpster fire trainwreck of a political debate tonight.

    Did you know that was happening tonight? We’re you aware?

    I’m going to make miso ramen for my family, buy a bottle of sake and bourbon, and yell at my tv for over an hour. You know, like our forefathers used to do.

    I will be on Twitter tonight (@mlgroff) making an occasional joke, and seeing what everyone else has to say.

    Most importantly, make your plan to vote.

  • What Have I Learned This Week?

    This has been a very political week for me, blog wise. I woke up this morning with the intention of not writing about anything political, and then I saw that Trump and the First Lady have tested positive for Covid.

    Proving that 2020 is the year when anything and everything will happen.

    But as it is Friday, maybe some self-reflection is needed.

    What have I learned this week?

    First, school teachers do not get the credit and pay that they deserve. I have said that many times before, but two weeks of home school/video chat has proved that to me, in a very crystal clear manner. I will commit now, and for the rest of my life, to ensure that teachers get the respect, pay and resources they need and deserve to do their jobs.

    Second, if doing the home school thing is my lot for the next eight months, then I have to come to terms that I will only have about an hour a day to write during the school week. And if I want more time, that will have to occur on nights and weekend. Just a fact.

    Third, as we enter October, I also have to come to terms that I will not being able to relax until the year 2020 is over. I thought 2016 was bad (except for the Cubs winning the World Series) and 2018 wasn’t a good year either. But, 2020 just won’t let up. The anxiety I have every day is relentless, and I don’t think I will be able to relax until the election is over, and a vaccine is out. I know there are a million other issues that 2020 has brought us, but I need those two things to happen.

    Here is to trying to have a good weekend…