07th Nov 2004
…In The Warm California Sun
I thought about what I might write about the election. It’s easier for me to say that I agree with many opinions I’ve seen in the New York Times, on Salon, and elsewhere. Michael Moore had a good piece entitled “17 Reasons Not to Slit Your Wrists”. John Perry Barlow wrote Magnanimous Defeat.
And I could point at 20 others. I’m not alone in my realization that we’re living in Two Americas, all intermingled on the Interstates on our respective trips to Starbucks or Walmart. This chart sums it up nicely (thanks Andrea PS!): http://chrisevans3d.com/files/iq.htm
I’m not surprised to hear that the Canadian Immigration web site is receiving a sixfold increase in traffic. A lot of people are shocked and fed up, and in a mind to move on. I could see moving to Vancouver, and perhaps Montreal could be fun for a while…
But hey, I’m back in California for a while; perhaps two months. Land of Life Guard Station #25 in Santa Monica, The Golden Gate Bridge, and more practically, a new contract in the San Francisco’s Mission District. I’ll get my fill of Mexican Food, which is something I miss when I’m in New York. It’s also nice to have a little space and to be able to drive. I’m looking forward to heading up to Lake Tahoe and skiing this winter!
California is the Golden State, with a little tarnish here and there as compared to its best days (which I think were the 1960’s). We have had a fair number of Republican Governors. Just look at the history in my lifetime:
1959-1967: Pat Brown (Democrat)
1967-1975: Ronald Reagan (Republican)
1975-1983: Jerry Brown (Democrat)
1983-1991: George Deukmejian (Republican)
1991-1999: Pete Wilson (Republican)
1999-2003: Gray Davis (Democrat)
2003-present: Arnold Schwarzenegger (Republican)
I was also surprised from my research of how we’ve voted for Presidents. Check out the .gov archives. California helped elect Clinton, but it also voted for Nixon, Reagan, and King Bush I. Don’t look at me, I didn’t vote for them!
Ok, that’s enough political stuff for now. It’s a Sunday Morning in California, and that means the Sunday Morning Ride. Since I don’t have a crotch rocket (that would be a motorcycle.. as in Road Racer.. as in speed, man…), I’ll climb into a four wheeled substitute, an E36 M3. Time to appreciate the hills and valleys!
Are you still in Cali?
You’re welcome on the chart forward! Glad you enjoyed it.
In Cali, off to NYC for Thanksgiving Week. Going to watch the Macy’s Day parade for the first time.
It’ll be blustery.
(currently enjoying way too many Mission District Burritos :-)