Beautiful day for a hike!

// mikepop via hiptop * AIM: drjellyfish

Winds took over the town this morning, culminating in some massive gusts that took out several trees along one of the major streets. Pictured above is a massive tree on my corner that came cracking down, taking out a telephone pole and streetlight with it. Amazingly, no one was injured at an intersection that is usually crowded. One car that was in its path took off and got away just in time.

// mikepop via hiptop * AIM: drjellyfish

Why can't I bring myself to just go to bed like a normal person? anyone else staying up later than they should? // mikepop via hiptop * AIM: drjellyfish

Well, filling in the arrow with the marker actually, but I do miss the ka-chunk of those old lever voting machines I used back in NY.

No troubles here in Maine, just a pleasant walk over the river to my polling place and no real wait (not surprising - 5 polling places for about 13,000 registered voters. The last town I lived in had about two-thirds as many voters, but just one polling place). It was about lunchtime when we left though and the crowds were starting to converge.

Now, the waiting. Hopefully it will be measured in days, not weeks.

One of the state issues for Maine is, to paraphrase, "Should it be made illegal for hunters to put huge piles of jelly doughnuts in the woods, then shoot the bears that come to eat the doughnuts." Because it seems that is how a lot of bear "hunting" goes on here. I'm no bear hunting expert, but that seems just a bit unsportsman-like to me.

What's on the ballot in your state or town?

// mikepop via hiptop * AIM: drjellyfish

After some last-minute review of local issues/candidates

// mikepop via hiptop * AIM: drjellyfish

I live in Maine. Up here, voter disenfranchisement is what happens when they run out of homemade blueberry pie at your polling station. Across the rest of the nation, I understand things are a bit more serious.

No matter else what this election turns out to be, it will definitely be the most covered election ever. Bloggers and mobloggers alike will be participating, observing, documenting and photographing the election process from across the nation. I want everyone here to be a part of it. We will be painting a vivid picture of a changing America in real time. I implore everyone to pick up a brush and be a part of the process.

Sometimes, I cringe when I see the topic of politics come up in blogs here at hN. Too often, merely mentioning this sensitive subject in any online forum leads to a rapid partisan flame war. I commend everyone here for respecting individuals in the past, and I hope to see the same today.

For what it is worth, I am declaring Election Day as Blog the Vote day here at hiptop Nation. I want to see all voting and political blogging here tomorrow.

Standing on line for six hours? Give us frequent updates. Interview your neighbors in line - they are just as bored as you are. Are you seeing posters/letters attempting to trick you out of your right to vote? Take pictures. Amusing campaign sign? Send us the pic. First-time voter? Share your thoughts. Freaking out while watching the results come in? Tell us why. Having an Election Night party? Capture the mood. Someone trying to intimidate you or others at your polling place? Blog it, and we'll have the media and lawyers dispatched to your location.

Not eligible to vote? Give your neighbors rides to the polling place. Bake cookies and bring them to people on line. Cheer them on. Give them flowers. Badger those who can vote into doing so. Not in this country? Ummm...cheer us on :)

Having a hiptop means you can get out and vote and get out the vote at the same time. Still bored standing in line? Start IMing people. Tell them where you are. Convince them to vote. Make phone calls, send emails, submit comments on discussion boards, take pictures. Be in touch somehow with your family, friends and everyone you know and Get Out The Vote.

Every four years we get to peacefully guide the state of the nation. Stay calm, but exercise this power and protect your rights. In other words, "take it easy, but take it".

// mikepop via hiptop * AIM: drjellyfish

Thanks to everyone who participated in this year's Halloween Hunt! I encourage everyone to check out the team blogs to see the astounding array of objects found.

For those that didn't read the rules, yes, the times were Eastern time zone, so the hunt is now over.

To answer the most frequent question I've been getting for the last half-hour, I am not sure exactly when the score will be tallied. No sooner than a week though - with more teams than ever there is a lot to be sorted through.

I hope everyone had fun and a happy Halloween :)



// mikepop via hiptop * AIM: drjellyfish

For those of us following along at home, here are the teams competing in this year's hunt:

• Team Goblin Corps
• Team Jareth
• Team Didymus
• Team Ambrosius
• Team Hoggle
• Team Junk Lady
• Team Firey
• Team Worm
• Team Ludo

Oh yes, I forgot to mention that there will be some prizes for the winning team, along with a prize for the top individual scorer, no matter what his or her team is.

// mikepop via hiptop * AIM: drjellyfish

Ok, here it is:

The List

Please note the special instructions included in some sections of the list. Over 370 items for your hunting enjoyment. Have fun and good luck! Remember to include item numbers when you blog your items and of course don't forget to include your team prefixes!

The teams will be listed in a minute in my next posting!



// mikepop via hiptop * AIM: drjellyfish

Treats, music, a parade and a haunted house last night. Thanks chamber of commerce!

// mikepop via hiptop * AIM: drjellyfish