I hate to say it, but I will miss the poll-watching and navel-gazing

[reflection]

when this thing is over. It was maddening at times, but the whole rollercoaster of emotions that I would experience, sometimes in the course of a single day, is the kind of thing I live for. 538 and Princeton Election Consortium have been my Xanax, but when I felt like going for a wild ride, I could always ease over to RCP and look at each individual polls, analyze their internals, etc. to try to get a feel for the ebb and flow for this thing. I will miss the polls a little. Any other poll junkies feel the same way?

2 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	I am a poll junkie and will miss the deluge of polls every day.
	0 (0%)
	I will not miss the polls at all and am tired of them.
	2 (100%)
	I only concern myself with poll aggregators, not individual polls.
	0 (0%)
	I like polls, but the inability of the MSM to report them properly ruined it for me.
	0 (0%)
	The Gravis, Gallups and Rasmussens of the world ruined it for me with their ridiculous polls.
	0 (0%)
	Robb is a dingbat
	0 (0%)
	Other (describe)
	0 (0%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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[MADem]

1. Where's the "Not only no, but EFF NO!" button? nt

[reflection]

2. You'll have to roll with #2.

By the way, can I just take this opportunity to say that I always look forward to your sig? It makes me smile.

[MADem]

6. Mew! Mew!!

That gif is the spit-image of a cat I had for over two decades--he went all over the world with me, a grand companion. More like a very portable and self-reliant dog than a cat!

[reflection]

7. Over two decades?

That's a hell of a lifespan for a cat. I've had something approaching 3 dozen cats in my lifetime, and I can't think of a single one that made it to 20. The longest was 19. Man, I was a mess when he died. He was my buddy from high school to well into adulthood. You are a lucky owner.

[MADem]

8. The cat was just shy of 23 when he died.

No fuss, no muss. He went off his food, went looking for a place to die, found a quiet spot in a cabinet, laid down, and off he went.

We had another one that made it past 21, as well. A feral midget cat--ugliest thing you ever saw as a kitten, so ugly I thought "Damn, this cat will die of ugliness if someone doesn't help it," that turned into a cute cat that looked like a kitten all her long life. Never got over four pounds at her fattest; but she lived long and well until just near the end. She used to talk while she ate--it was the funniest thing (meow, meow, meow, chew, chew, chew). Her last few months she rarely got up off her heated bed (eat/crap, that was about it) but most of her life was pampered.

We got 'em fixed promptly, and they were house cats, not yard cats. They were very adaptable; they travelled well and didn't mind new digs every two years. Of course, they got the best food, the best toys, the best care! Only the best for our "mules!"

[reflection]

9. I think you are the exception to the rule.

I'll go back on that "lucky" comment. You've obviously put in the time and effort to give your pets the best care possible.

The one I had that made it to 19, my buddy, was healthy as a horse until it got cancer. The cancer ate his tongue almost clean away before he started acting funny. I was horrified at what I saw in his mouth and felt guilty I hadn't noticed sooner. He got to where he couldn't eat, and I had to put him down. He has a beautiful grave and statue in the backyard.

(we have completely hijacked this thread, but I think it was done anyway)

[MADem]

10. Aww, how sad about the cancer, and how nice that he's in the backyard.

My cats (and dearly departed dogs) are cremated in boxes--that way they're portable! I figure when they burn me up and scatter me to the four winds, they can scatter the critters, too--all in together, now!

Animals are little shits--they will go OUT of their way to pretend there's nothing wrong with 'em, so don't blame yourself, it's just how they roll. About the only thing you can do is force them to endure a bit of "inspection" on a regular basis -- a bit of patting, squeezing, with a gander at their eyes, ears, nose, throat, feet, nails, and so forth!

I was lucky with the cats, they just had good genetic code, I think! I did spoil 'em a bit, but hey--why not? I had no cable or satellite for at least half the time I owned them--I had to amuse myself somehow!

I've not been so lucky with the dogs--one has had a ton of orthopedic issues (and two pricey operations--both very successful, fortunately) and another one I just rescued (a ten year old) has a touch of liver disease, manageable with OTC meds and attention to diet--they are keeping the vet's vacation fund healthy!

You can't beat a dog or cat for agreeable companionship, though. They don't give you a ton of crap (except out of the appropriate orifice, and that's to be expected), they are often amusing, they're loyal, and they make great bedwarmers! I had another wonderful dog, an Italian greyhound (also a rescue), who died a few years ago from kidney failure at 16--well, in actual fact, I had to put him down, he was in extreme discomfort (boy, did I feel like a shit, ya always do, even if it's the right thing to do)--that I missed for a long time; and then this liver-rescue just sort of fell into my lap. The poor thing was headed for the needle because her elderly owner died, so I said "Naaah--my other dog needs a buddy." The family of the elderly owner was very grateful, they felt like real jerks for dumping the dog but they didn't have the time or patience for the little fart. Fortunately the rescue and my other dog are getting along just great, like they've been together all along. I don't feel so bad leaving 'em alone for a couple of hours, either, because they have a giant basket of toys and each other to amuse themselves.

At least we're snug in this subthread, and not yelling at people all over the thread, like happens with some hijacks (heh heh). And hey, we're kicking the thing for the evening crowd!

[HappyMe]

3. I won't miss them at all.

I won't miss the mass mailing stuff, the unrelenting phone calls...

[reflection]

4. The only thing I get regularly

are emailed requests for Donations from Obama and Moveon, since I donate to both. I have to admit it's odd to be asked for money 5 minutes after donating, but I assume the whole thing is computer-driven with some sort of weird algorithm, since the amounts being requested are very specific and non-round numbers.

I can't imagine living in OH at this time of year. It must be Hell on Earth.

[Horse with no Name]

5. Too much at stake

I get no joy in the possibility that the repubs could be in charge of mine and my family's future.

[jsmirman]

11. +1, that and this election is killing me

time-wise, emotionally, and financially.

And fuck the Supreme Court for putting me and others through this. Assholes. Morons.