Well, today is the day. Hard to believe it is here. I haven't felt this combination of excitement and stress and terror since just before A-Rod struck out with a man on third in the 8th inning of Game 4 of the ALCS. Here's hoping the results today are just as happy. If Kerry should win it would make this one of the best weeks ever. I'm planning to vote after Lil' Buddy and I hit the toddler sing at the library. I'll check back in when I return to share my voting experiences and maybe even some hot off the presses voting photographs, as well. In the meantime, this is a happy optimistic thing to look at that might help take the edge off as we all wait for the results.

***Post-Voting Update***

Well, I've returned from voting and I can safely say that based on my own private exit poll Kerry is going to win. I didn't ask anybody at my polling place, but I voted for him and that's one more vote than Bush got, so it's over. Pack up your bags, W.: Kerry is the victor.

Wouldn't that be great? I don't know. Maybe not. There's talk that should Kerry win it will propel the Republicans to be nastier than ever. But I'm willing to take that risk. I can't handle another term of Bush and his pals/puppet masters.

Anyway, I know I promised pictures from my voting experience, but I all have is this stark shot of the precinct signs in front of my local fire station. For what it's worth I'm in Precinct 14, and the elderly workers at the Precinct 17 table were very helpful in helping me figure that out. I meant to take more photographs, but I got so caught up in all the democracy that I forgot. Lil' Buddy also has a cold, so a lot of my time was spent trying to wipe his nose with the frayed little rag of overused Kleenex I had.

There wasn't much to see, anyway. No Republican hooligans or over-zealous Democrats. Just lots of friendly old people. The booths were more crowded than usual, and I actually had to wait for a half-minute to use one. As for the ballot, it was easy to read, and my felt-tipped pen was well inked, so I had no trouble with hanging chads or the like.

So that's it. Now it's time to wait. Kind of nerve-wracking. Doesn't help that I am still mainlining leftover Halloween candy, either. I'm like working at 110 miles an hour here. Not a lot of fun, but damn are peanut butter cups tasty or what!?!?

This post is dedicated to Neal Pollack's much needed albeit probably temporary return to the Internets.