Why I'm Voting for John McCain

Being a pretty staunch conservative, there is generally little doubt that I will vote Republican. I still do my homework, because I think it's irresponsible to just vote blindly down party lines, but 99 times out of 100 a Republican candidate is going to fall more in line with my political preferences. I've been trying to keep my blog nonpolitical lately because we all get enough debate everywhere else these days, but I really want to articulate why I'll be casting my vote for Senator McCain.

Let's get one thing out in the open, though: he was not my choice for the Republican nominee. I'd be much more enthusiastic if Mitt Romney were on the ticket (preferably as the presidential candidate, but he would have been an asset in the VP spot). Therefore, because it's hard for me to get truly passionate about the McCain campaign, one of the main reasons I'm voting for him is that I don't like the alternatives presented by Senator Obama.

One more thing I think is important: my personal faith does not dictate my vote. I want a president with a strong moral code and I happen to believe that Christianity holds people to a very high moral standard, but as long as I and others have the freedom to practice our faiths without prejudice or persecution, a candidate's religious preference is of little concern to me.

While our next president will have many issues facing him, I think the biggest one is the economy. I'm solidly ensconced in the "middle class" and I'm told that, regardless of who gets elected, I won't see my taxes increase. But if corporations and small businesses see the kinds of tax increases proposed by Senator Obama, it won't matter that my pay stub looks the same. Business don't pay taxes: they will do everything they can to keep their profits consistent, so they'll cut jobs or raise prices to cover increased tax burdens. Then I'll pay more for that home I want to build someday, or the clothes I need for my job, or the car I'll be picking up when I eventually leave my position at Alma. Other implications of raising taxes are better stated here.

That's the practical; here's the principle: I believe that if you want something, you have to earn it. And if you earn it, you should get to keep it. Yes, we all need to pay taxes to support infastructure like roads and other services Americans use every day. But for economy to flourish in stable, successful and creative ways, the government has to try to keep as much cash as possible in the hands of the individuals who have not only a personal stake in the success of the free enterprise system, but also the drive and desire to step out on a limb and make success happen. It's not selfish to want to reap the rewards of your hard work and then decide for yourself where your money goes.

While you or I might not agree with lavish lifestyles of the super-rich, most of them have made sacrifices to earn that wealth. When they choose to use their money to help those less fortunate (which is important, but the key word here is "they choose," instead of "they are mandated"), I would prefer they donate to organizations with a track record of success. Who did a better job after Hurricane Katrina: FEMA or the Red Cross and other organizations whose tangible relief efforts continue to this day? I don't think the government is nearly as successful with programs like welfare as local nonprofit organizations are with their various assistance programs, because local organizations are better able to gauge the specific needs of their community members and give them a hand up in effective, appropriate manners. If individual taxes rise, there's a good chance fundraising for these local nonprofits will be increasingly difficult. "The government is already spreading my wealth around to take care of those behind me; why do I need to give locally?" For some families, it may not even be a choice: they may simply be unable to give as freely if more of their money is going to the government.

I am blessed to have incredibly intelligent friends who are probably dying to point out holes in my arguments. That's fine: we'll agree to disagree on some of them. I don't pretend to have all the answers, but I know raising taxes isn't the way to solve our nation's problems. Increasing taxes has far-reaching implications, none of which are likely to improve the communities in which we live.

(I hate posting things like this. But I'll draw strength from a wise friend who quoted Martin Luther on his blog: "To disobey one's conscious is neither wise nor just." In a post that I know was challenging for him to write, Marc made some good points but didn't change my mind. I don't expect my post will change anyone's mind, either; but, like Marc's post did for me, I hope it gives those who read it some things to think about as they cast their vote.)

Back in the Saddle

What a bittersweet night: I got back on my bike but instead of cruising along the cornfields or twisting through the woods, I was perched atop the trainer. Watching Chris Carmichael push a room full of sweating bikers through an interval workout was not nearly as fun as riding trails or even the road, but trying to keep up was effective. I did half of his Mountain Biking DVD, which included five-four-three-two minute intervals of 30 seconds of high intensity and 30 seconds of medium intensity, with a minute and a half recovery between each interval. I was supposed to keep a cadence of 90 throughout the whole thing, but I only managed to achieve close to that during the high intensity sessions. During medium intensity, I had to drop down to 75 to keep my legs from falling off.

A lot of things are going to be competing for my attention this winter: mainly, grad school work. I need to make a conscious effort to schedule training into my days, though it won't be as much as I probably need. So the goal is three strength training workouts and two sessions on the trainer each week. I can take strength training class at lunch on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and then I can hit the trainer on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Weekends are always hit or miss, so I'll just work stuff in there when possible.

I also want to put more time and energy into my faith. We're starting a small group this Sunday with some other young couples from our church (I say "our church," but we haven't been to service since May) and I hope, with fewer out-of-town weekends planned over the next few months, that we can attend service more regularly.

Intellectual development, physical development and spiritual development...sounds like enough to keep my busy for awhile!

Halloween Party

On Saturday, Ray and Kristy hosted an awesome Halloween party! I think they were trying to knock me flat with their potent jungle juice, but I got some photos before it got too crazy. Enjoy!



I knew you'd want to see Mitch in his spandex American Gladiator costume! That Nerf gun was a mistake, though: he shot people with it all night long.



Andi and I are a bit easier on the eyes, don't you think?



Ray dressed up as a fighter pilot (a big improvement over last year!) and Kristy was a gypsy.



We've missed seeing Gabe and Andrea and were happy they made it to the party!



Poor bear...Little Red Riding Hood has stumbled upon something most disturbing!



I don't think this photo of the guys could have been any better!



And here's the whole group...the counter upon which the camera is sitting messed with the flash, but it's still decent. Happy Halloween!

Glad for a New Week

I don't know what it was (OK, I know what it was...) but I could not shake my foul mood last week! I stopped short of calling for blood but heatedly complained about Charter Communications to everyone I could find. I got snotty with a coworker, gave a few more a very noticeable "evil eye," and was almost unable to let the negative political rhetoric just roll off my back when they got rolling. Poor Mitch had to deal with my negativity the whole time, and I'm thankful he can be a saint of a husband. (I'm not just saying that because I know you're reading, baby!)

But a weekend with friends and family, particularly one that involves roller coasters, helped get me over the hump. We had an amazing time at Cedar Point, though I'm feeling the effects of our poor dietary choices even after my lunchtime workout. Pretzels, pizza, McDonald's, pop...it was a train wreck!

Main goal for this week: complete Mitch's Halloween costume. He's going to be an old-school American Gladiator, so we got a wrestling singlet and have to paint it up for the party this Saturday. I know you're all excited to see him in spandex (again), so I'll be sure to post some photos! I'm reprising my role as a mermaid. :)

And of course, there's always homework and housework. I'll get to strength training three times...will I make it out on the bike? Who knows...but I'm placing an order for custom Alma College jerseys tomorrow! Mitch and I will be representin' at next year's races - GO SCOTS!

Autumn Riding

I love cruising down singletrack so obscured by leaves that I have to pick my line by a combination of instinct and memory. I love the sound those leaves make under my tires, or when they get caught in my wheels and hum along with me. I love when the arc of a curve is just right and a leaf flies up, pressing itself to my shin and hitching a ride until another turn throws it off. I love the scent of autumn, the sweet sharpness, and the cool air drying my face.

(I do not love realizing Mitch's efforts to give me better components resulted in a bit of ghost-shifting on climbs...but I love that he wants to give me the best bike possible.)

A Pretty Perfect Day

An apple-raspberry pie and an apple upside-down cake are cooling on the stove.

The weather is warm enough for me let some fresh air in the apartment.

Next week's menu is made, the groceries are bought and laundry is going.

I'll tackle some finance homework then head out to the woods for the evening and enjoy a campfire.

Life is wonderful.

Random Thoughts from the Road

I'm just hanging out in my hotel room after a day of driving around, trying to find ways to avoid my finance book. This is probably my last out before tacking the chapter on risk and return...so here's what's on my mind, in no particular order:

The batteries on both my laptop and the office GPS unit are crap and can't hold a charge.

"Three Cups of Tea" is an awesome book to listen to while driving.

People are so amazingly friendly sometimes. Today, a lady at a local bookstore offered to email me some information I asked about; an elderly woman at an apple orchard gave me four apples for free when I asked if I could buy just a few rather than a whole bag; and another woman at a winery gave me a free tasting rather than making me pay, because she was so enthusiastic about a new wine that wasn't even out in local restaurants yet.

Central New York is gorgeous, and the colors are about a week ahead of those in Michigan. I wish Mitch were here to enjoy them with me.

It's hard for me to get in the swing of the "sales" part of my job; today, I essentially made cold calls to high schools and the first one was tough. But once I find my groove, I'm OK. Today, I feel it was much more worth Alma's money to send me out here than it was yesterday.

John McCain didn't completely disappoint me in the debate last night. And while we're on the subject of politics, I love this open letter to college students.

Tonight, I'm trying sushi for the first time with an Alma Trustee. Please, for the love of all that's holy, let me not hate it. Or at least let me be able to feign not hating it. And please let there be a McDonald's nearby in case I need it when this is all over.

Can you pray for safe travels as my college friend, Nate, comes home from Iraq on leave? Every time I want to complain about missing Mitch on my recruiting trips, I think about all the servicemen and women on deployment with wives and husbands at home, like Nate. God, I'm so blessed.

I'm hungry now...yes, another diversion! Finance, you'll have to wait until I quell the rumbling in my tummy!

New Yorkin' It

Yup, I'm on one of my few recruiting trips, now that I've been relieved of a major territory. It's been fine so far: met with a few students, got treated to dinner at Delmonico's by a very nice family and fly back home in a few days. I miss Mitch and I miss my bike but I was motivated enough to do an abbreviated strength training workout in my hotel room. I am also working up the motivation to finish outlining my current Communication reading assignment...Finance will wait until another day.

Tomorrow night, I'll be plopped down on a hotel bed, watching the debate. I have to do a paper on the candidates' communication styles, but I'd be watching even if I didn't have a grade resting on it. But I'll tell ya' I want to see some passion. Cut the B.S., boys: why are you right and why is he wrong? Call each other out, and you get extra points from me if you use the word "lunacy," especially if one of you brings up having bankruptcy courts reduce mortgage principals for homeowners in foreclosure. Admit that the federal government probably can't do crap for the economy right now and then cut our taxes so we can all get this country running again. (OK, I know it's not that simple, but guess what? I'd buy a house and do my part to help the housing market if I could put more cash in my savings account!)

Hey-yo McCain: break out some data on medical malpractice suits and give us an estimate of how much health care costs would decrease if you capped them! Palin, I like you, but quit telling me you can relate to me and just say things that show that. And for heaven's sake, WHY did you give up on Michigan? We've been run by a Democrat and we've been in trouble longer than the rest of the country: can't you do something with that? Many folks here support you (though we'd rather have had Romney) and we're going to vote for you, but you haven't given this conservative much to believe in.

Race Photos

Our race photos for the entire season are now up on Picasa Web - check them out!

One of my favorites:

impending autumn

the maturing fields of corn with proud stalks still standing tall, their only concession to the impending harvest a slight yellow curling of their edges

the lone scarlet leaf blazing on the emerald lawn, its sweet scent barely imagined beneath that of the freshly cut grass

the sun, snapping to attention after its lazy summer journeys across the sky, suddenly impatient to reach the western horizon

the mellow breeze, unhindered by oppressive humidity, still warm yet somehow sharper, refreshing, a promise

Final Race Results

Yesterday was the last mountain bike race the the MMBA Championship Points Series. It was at Pando, a little ski area in Rockford, and I won! There was only one other competitor in my age/skill level, but she and I had a very competitive race. We switched places about half a dozen times over the eight-mile course, and I only beat her by about 30 seconds. Mitch is trying to let his leg heal, so he didn't race.

Though official series results aren't officially posted yet, we know that I got first overall, as I was the only woman in my class who signed up for the whole series. Mitch ended up second overall; his perpetual competitor, Rick, won first. It was a good, close season up until Mitch's injury, and they'll continue to push each other next year when they both move up to the sport class.

I should have some cool photos to post in a couple of weeks, as Mitch was using his dad's good camera to take some pictures of my race. He says there's a series of me passing someone on a climb, though he promises you can't see the misery on my face.

Thanks for reading!

Back to School Musings

I've explained my grad program on here a couple times, but let me go through it briefly again: most of my coursework is done online. For this term, my Interpersonal Communication work involves reading chapters, posting responses to discussion questions on Blackboard discussion boards and writing a couple papers (some individual, some group). My Financial Management work involves teaching myself a chapter of finance per week then taking a test on that chapter, again via Blackboard. We also have one group project, which includes a case report and a presentation.

During each 12-week term, we have two residencies. A residency is a two-day on-campus experience where we spend eight hours per day in class. This term, Finance is in the morning and Comm is in the afternoon.

So, since I have a bit of time between my classes and my brain needs a break from all the Finance lecturing, here are some observations:

1. Prof. Lemmon was awesome. Our Finance prof is a nice guy with a neat, Mauritian accent, but he's nowhere near the teacher I had at Alma. Had I known this, I would have audited a finance class at Alma prior to this term. The material probably would have made more sense.

2. I know why I wrote so many notes to my friends during high school: I have to work harder to absorb information from a lecture than from simply reading, taking notes and attempting to answer problems or questions on my own. So why strain my brain on both? (No, I did not write love letters to Mitch during Finance...I just wanted to.)

3. Even though I may zone in and out during lecture, I'd never spend the entire four hours on eBay. Thank goodness that woman is not in my group!

Thanks for reading - see you next time!

Race Update

With grad school now cluttering up my schedule, and the deep muscle bruise on Mitch's quad that's hindering him a bit, neither one of us has spent much time in the saddle. Until this weekend, I hadn't been on the trail since the Maybury race three weeks ago. So, while we were registered for the Addison Oaks cross-country race last Sunday, we weren't even sure we'd race until Saturday afternoon.

Why did we decide to race? Mitch bought a new bike on Saturday afternoon and his leg felt relatively strong, so he couldn't resist the idea of showing off his Trek Fuel 98, which is one badass bike. It has an all-carbon frame, full suspension, amazing components...Mitch says it almost pedals itself!

But bad news: he had to give it back to the friend from whom he purchased it because it had a crack in the frame. It's fully waranteed and is currently getting fixed, but he had to ride the Haro instead. I had a good race - finishing second - but Mitch's leg wasn't up to the 14 miles and he got fourth. We're anxious to see whether that has impacted his series standings, but it doesn't matter at this point: he's in no shape to ride the final race this Sunday, so we'll just have to see where everything falls. I haven't decided whether I will race the last one or not...

Anyway, here are a couple of photos from the race. Thanks for reading!

Another Record Year!

The official count is in: 458 new Alma College students! That's six more than last year, resulting in a new first-year enrollment record.

Go Scots!

SNL Skit

To borrow a line from Larry the Cable Guy...

"I don't care who you are, that's funny!"

Testing

So, remember college? Or the latest standardized test you took? You're sitting there, methodically working through the exam questions, feeling pretty decent about your progress, when BAM! You hit a brick wall. You attack a problem from every possible angle, wracking your brain for reasons why you continuously get the wrong answer. You may grimace. You may sigh impatiently. You may gnaw the eraser off your pencil. But you do all this subtly, because you're crammed in a room with a host of other students who don't want to hear you do what you really want to do. Which is scream. Throw things. Maybe cry, just a little bit, out of sheer frustration.

Behold, the glory of online exams:

Today I took my first finance exam, which will be a weekly trial. On three separate questions, I was SURE I was doing everything right. I mean, this stuff is open book. The formulas are right there. My calculator does all the work. But my answers would NOT match up with any of the choices. So yes, I screamed. I almost threw things. I most definitely cried. Then I guessed, because there was nothing else to do.

By sheer luck, I got all three guesses correct and aced the exam. And then I cried again, out of relief.

Imagine those reactions in a real classroom. I'm sold on this online learning stuff!

Quickest Update Ever

Work: Busy as heck. New class is probably roughly the same size as last year's record-breaker. Final count will be official next week. Coworkers still annoy me but the actual work is fulfilling.

School: Grad school online classes started this week. Financial Management is no good. Interpersonal Communication feels like busy work and forced, unstructured forum conversations. Glad to be doing it, but hope it improves!

Fitness: Alma has free fitness classes at lunch. Kickboxing and strength training are my favorites. May try step aerobics. My body hurts. Still have two mountain bike races to go, but training efforts have been weak.

Faith: Went to church with a friend and realized I really like Northpointe. Looking forward to being home on the weekends and starting a small group. Trying to be a better Christian.

Music: Please tell me you've checked out Third Day's new album, Revelation. Love it. Want to marry Mitch for a second time and dance to Born Again for our first dance.

House: Offer rejected. Didn't dampen my spirits. The right one is out there. Don't have time to pack up the apartment right now, anyway.

Politics: Is the election over yet? Campaign ads are annoying. McCain/Palin 2008.

I love: Fall. My new sweaters from J. Crew. My strangely affectionate cat. Marching bands. Alma's new student section, the Cole Mine (it's named for Coach Cole). Fresh apples. Erwin's doughnuts. Hot apple cider. Cold nights. Cuddling with that guy I married. :)

Girls Day with New Friends

I am really looking forward to Saturday. Yeah, I have to work and attend part of the Alumni Board meeting, but after that I am getting together with some super-fun girls for an afternoon of shopping, an evening of dinner and a night of movies and drinks!

As an introvert masquerading as an extrovert, making friends - good friends - always feels more challenging to me. This year, however, I was blessed to make the acquaintance of Amanda, a fellow Alma employee. She is so friendly, outgoing and welcoming that she's made it easy for a friendship to grow and, in the process, I've met other women she's charmed and drawn together. So, while Mitch heads down to Matt's for a guys' day, we've planned our own girls day. I'll join Amanda, her twin sister and two other colleagues from Alma, and we'll shop for fall clothes, chow down at P.F. Chang's and eventually head back to my apartment to relax for the rest of the night. Doesn't that sound like fun?

Mitch just asked if I was writing about him and was disappointed when I said no. So now I'm writing about him. Today, he made me burrito casserole for dinner and then used the fajita shells to give himself giant elephant ears. He even made elephant sounds. Then he took me to the library but said I took too long picking out my books. I love the library, though; why would anyone want to rush through such a wonderful place? He says I don't need to write about him anymore, so I guess that means he wants to rub my feet now. :)

Welcome Back to the 21st Century!

After almost a year of watching no more than four fuzzy channels thought the rabbit ears, we finally have cable TV. And wahoo, we got it just in time for the season premiere of Bones!

Actually, it never really mattered whether we had TV or not. We still don't have any fun channels, like Discovery or History, but we got what we needed: a real Internet connection. Since grad school officially begins on Saturday, this was a must-have. Now we can return to buying songs on iTunes, too!

In other news, we put an offer in on a house last week. Yeah, I know I should have written about it earlier but the chance of us actually getting it is slim to none. It's a beautiful, amazingly priced home but our offer is most likely too low (as our realtor has felt the need to tell us multiple times). Still, we tossed it out there and expect to hear within a few days. I'll be sure to post if, by some miracle, the news is good.

The logistics of the house thing and my duties with the Orientation Committee took most of my attention last week. Yes, Preterm is over and the entire student body has returned. How are things looking? Well, we have virtually the same size incoming class as last year, which, if you remember, was a record-breaking event. The College is handling the numbers quite well - one of these days, I'll post about Dr. Tracy's vision for 2012...it's interesting.

OK, now I'm just typing for the sake of typing. I'll spare you any more rambling - good night!

Tech Toys and Tight Turns

Let's begin with the latter: last weekend's race at Maybury State Park was a smashing success! Well, there wasn't really that much smashing - just one crash when I was a bit heavy on my front brake and toppled sideways over my right handle. The damage was limited to a pretty, late-forming bruise on my lower leg and a chunk out of my new grips.

I got third place, but the big achievement of the day goes to Mitch who got first place by three seconds. Here he is with Rick...both got medals and cash prizes for having the two fastest times in the whole beginning class:



Rick started thirty seconds ahead of Mitch, per the time trial format. They each had only on respective thought for the entire eight and a half-mile course:

Summary of Rick's race: He's catching me!

Summary of Mitch's race: He's pulling away!

Now onto the "tech toys" part of the post: in preparation for all the online work I'll be doing for grad school, we bought a MacBook on Friday night! It's a very cool computer, and we've already managed to transfer all our iTunes songs over...PLUS sync up our TWO NEW iPods. That's right, we now own a ridiculous number of mp3 players (though our sleeping bag count is still higher). We got a free iPod Touch with the computer purchase - what an awesome back to school incentive - and I bought a Shuffle for working out, so I don't kill the good one. Plus we got a free photo printer.

Man, can that Touch do some sweet things! I know I haven't even scratched the surface of its capabilities, but I'm still amazed.

OK, work time. Then a quick lunch. Then a trip to the rec to try out my pretty blue Shuffle. Wheeee!