It Does a Body Good

I'm not talking about milk either. Blech. I hate milk. I'm talking about *SURPRISE!* voting. :)

Rick had to vote early as he will be heading back to Houston on Monday so after changing my mind several times I finally decided that it would be ok if I voted early. I put on my VOTE (Declare Yourself) t-shirt and I went along with him. I felt guilty driving to the polling place on a Friday, as if I were committing some cardinal sin, but once we pulled into our parking spot and took our place in line I was so excited that I couldn't even stand still. "It's like Christmas!" I told Rick in a whispered yell. "Calm down", he said. "Oh I can't", I said. The woman two people behind us laughed out loud. For twenty minutes I wiggled and twitched with nervous excitement until finally it was my turn.
And then...in a matter of about three minutes it was all over. In that time I did manage to vote for someone from every availble party on the ballot. I even voted for a libertarian. But it all happened so fast! Standing outside waiting for Rick to finish up I turned to the door guy and announced "that was anti-climactic!", I hoped for some kind of reassurance but he just shrugged at me. Leaving city hall and driving to wal-mart I felt bad that I hadn't waited for Tuesday but after about 2 minutes of pouting my excitement was renewed when I imagined watching CNN until the wee hours of the morning on the coming Tuesday/Wednesday and everything was better. I do sort of feel like I opened my best present four days before Christmas but that frequently happens around here anyway so I guess it isn't that big of a departure.
You're probably thinking I'm silly but I think everyone should feel just a little bit excited when they cast their ballot. It's the same kind of nervous and excited feeling you get before a big game, or accepting an award, or taking the stage for a big performance, or when you are about to realize an important goal. It's one moment when you get to have your say and no one else can tell you what to do. It's one moment when you are truly free.

If you haven't voted already I hope you will, and I hope you will do it with a little excitement in your heart. Happy election season everyone!