Tonight we went out to eat at this Greek place with a group of Justin’s family for his sister’s birthday. She got this pretty bracelet from Tiffany’s which is something I couldn’t have imagined asking for on my 16th. Anyway, the food was good.

We found out last night that this problem with our doorbell was actually not our problem at all. For weeks we thought our doorbell was broken, and then we decided that maybe the batteries just died. So when Justin went to replace the battery, he discovered it was gone completely. Someone fucking stole our battery from our doorbell! It’s pathetic, and quite shocking. I’m sort of picturing a group of thugs in all black driving down my block coaching each other on how to pull off “the doorbell job”.

“We can do this guys, let’s just get in and out of there. Larry, you be the lookout.”

Anyway, because of this ordeal, I missed my UPS deliveries for 2 days straight, but today was finally a success. I had to leave a note on the door telling the driver to call me because the bell doesn’t work (I live on the 3rd floor). I got a package of stuff I ordered from Alloy, which is almost a shameful factoid to share because it’s kind of for teenagers… (I’m not ready to let go). I also got my new 22″ monitor that I ordered from Newegg! It’s really big, I mean, I’m definitely still adjusting. The only thing is that the contrast is so high. It has to stay pretty far up to create the illusion that it can show true black (which LCDs can’t), but now some photos look orange-y.

On Wednesday I made Justin come to the mall with me to help pick out a winter coat (I know I’m behind…) and I ended up getting a pretty peacoat from Macy’s. I kind of feel old buying from there, like I’m “all grown up”, haha.

Today, or technically yesterday, was an exciting day if only for the fact that Americans have finally spoken and chosen a President Elect who can make a change for the better. After running to Rite Aid for sale items we needed, Justin and I went to a high school a block away from our house to cast our votes, and then rushed to the grocery store to get chips and junk food to munch on while we watched MSNBC (we watched from 6pm to 12:30am!).

I recall watching the election in 2004, just 30 days too young to vote myself, hoping Bush wouldn’t be elected again. Justin and I were horrified when he was, but I don’t think my reaction then could compare to my reaction now. Hearing Obama speak at Midnight (EST) and feeling genuinely connected to the future of my country was a unique experience, surely something I will remember forever. Now I feel as though the loss in 2004 was worth it, because although it ushered in deeper problems in this country, it allowed for Obama to be as successful as he has been (and he is most definitely looking a lot better than Kerry ever did, haha!). I don’t know if his campaign would have been as great if not for the turbulent political climate, the economy, and overall hopelessness of the American people.

I called my Dad (who is a construction worker and always votes Democrat) and he was at my Uncle’s house watching the election and eating a bunch of food with the rest of the family. We joked and talked about our hopes for an Obama victory. I could hear Justin in the other room arguing with some of his “red” family members, but that sort of thing gets so frustrating after a while because they never want to lose an argument, so I tried to get him away from the phone as soon as possible. He has a terrible temper and might have had a heart attack.