Tuning In

It seems that the decision for what to watch on television each night has been made for me for the entirety of August and early September. Olympics. Convention. Convention. Interrupted on Wednesdays by Project Runway.

I watched more of the Olympics than I thought I would, and really enjoyed the triumph on the faces of Olympians. Probably even more for the athletes that I knew less about, and were less likely to win, versus the the 24-7 Michael Phelps-a-thon. And by the way, I hardly saw any of the adorable mascots!! What happened??!

This week it's the Democratic National Convention. (My cousin is blogging live from Denver. Lucky duck, that photo up there is his.) I'm wishing there was more about what the Democrats stand for, instead of the extended biography of Barack and Michelle Obama. Maybe there will be more tonight.

Ted Kennedy impressed me, although I weary a little of the Kennedy mystic. Maybe you had to be there in their heyday to feel it.

I heard on the radio today that only 40% of Hillary supporters now support Obama. So, wait, who are they planning on voting for in November? McCain? Not voting at all? Seriously? Argh, it made me so mad when I heard this driving home tonight that I gripped the steering wheel tighter and probably abandoned the safe following distance to the car in front of me. (As you may guess, I have reconciled that this isn't the year for a woman president. I'll be organizing my planning committee for 2012. As a peace offering to Jason, who I had disagreed with on our candidates, I got him this print from Etsy artist BluLima.) This convention is pretty notable for the fact that the Democrats are fronting a serious African-American candidate. Watching the first night of the convention last night reminded me of when my mother insistently drew my attention to the convention where Geraldine Ferraro was being nominated for the VP slot. I was likely in my pajamas and finishing up my scoop of ice cream dessert, but she wanted me to see this pivotal political moment. She told me about how her father woke her up to watch an important nomination was she was young too. (I wish I could remember who it was... she was too old to be woken up for Kennedy's nomination.)

Next week: the Republicans. I might be gripping the steering wheel more often.