blustocking | De-mock-ra-cy

Today I worked 15 hours for the California State Primary Elections. I actually had a fucking great day filled with chaos and entertainment, and I made $80. Perhaps I can go to Coachella now :D Loco, you want to go to Coachella?

I had 5 hours sleep by the time I got up at 6am...that was fun. I went to the SENIOR Apartment complex a few blocks away. I emphasize Senior, because I was dreading this day for that reason. I love me some elders, but damn...I think you all understand...or if you've worked a poll with older people before...you understand. However, let me just say, that today was mighty entertaining, mostly because I had the cool senior and the other district we shared the polling place with, had the bickering seniors. But they were actually okay because they just argued loudly like old married couples and it was cool. They enjoyed my blue hair as well. I also had time to read over the literature and make an informed decision, so that was a plus as well.

I also got to call the cops on someone, a first for me. XD I was running around trying to get everything done that needed to be done (as I was 2nd in line of knowledge of polling) when I heard a commotion outside. I went outside to see someone yelling at one of our workers as he was bringing in the signs. To make a long story short, this jerk shows up 5 minutes after the polls close SCREAMING about how he couldn't find the place because we took the signs down too early. Yeah, you should have heard the screaming and cursing he did when we told him he couldn't vote. I seriously thought he was going to punch someone. So, the 1st person in charge comes over and tells him, no, you can't vote, it's illegal and if you don't leave, we're calling the cops. He just screams and yells and won't stop, so I sneak in and call 911. I gave all the details, address, description, etc. By the time I come back, the guy is gone, but one of our pollworkers is nearly having a heart attack. They got nitro glycerin for him and low and behold, the cops never show. About an hour later, the pay phone I had used rings again and it's the cops saying they're sending someone. I tell them not to bother and thanks anyway. Jerks. So, yeah, that was fun.

Finally, by 9:15, we get everything taken care of, inbetween helping the other district close up (we both lost inspectors, and the registrar never sent anyone to help...boring story, basically, it was a little chaotic and ridiculous...not the way an election should be dealt with) Robert, whom I will refer to as Captain Intelligence, and I as First Mate for we were really the only ones who knew what was going on, and I went to take the ballots and supplies in. Robert's cool. He lives a block from me, is a gay man living with HIV in his late thrities, complete stereotype, but a damn great guy. I hope I work with him again in November. :) When we dropped off the box with the counted ballots, and the box of bueracracy, I felt a little proud. It was a warehouse type place with cars moving in and out and a big truck waiting outside to take the boxes of ballots to the machines. Workers were moving with efficiency and determination and it made you feel like it was all worth something, if only for a minute. Last I heard though, the Clean Air Proposition didn't pass, so...fuck you California. ;)

Also, I had two celebrity sightings while working the polls. The first one was the lady who played the cheerleading instructor/teacher in Donnie Darko (the crazy religious lady). She came in and I thought, "Where do I know you from...?" THen, as she was voting, I remembered. She came back to hand in her ballot and I said, "You were in Donnie Darko, weren't you?" She was so shocked and pleased, it was great. We talked for awhile and she said, "You know, I can tell what kind of a person you are just by you liking that film. You have to have quite an intellectual side to appreciate it." Yay. :) She also told me the DVD was coming out soon! WAAAHOOO! So, yeah...that was cool. I usually don't bother celebrities and the like, but I thought she would be happy that someone appreciated her work and a film she was in. I'm glad that I was right.
The second sighting was the Bio teacher from the WB show "Popular" (which was cancelled). Say what you want, that show was fucking funny. (I think she was in some Police Academy movies and other things as well, but I can't remember. She was voting in the other district, so I didn't get to say anything to her.

So, that was basically my day. I don't know how or why I'm still up. I think I'm still running on a high of feeling productive and useful. I liked today. It pushed me and I responded. I wish every day was so challenging. I think a lot of my laziness problem is due to the fact that I feel useless and unproductive. Once you start feeling unproductive, it's hard to push yourself out of that rut so that you can actually BE productive. This is the way I felt as editor of the lit mag in high school. It's what made me want to start my own magazine...that push, push, push until it's done, and then you rest. Perhaps I should find ways of invoking this into my days more. I love my job, but it's tedious and I don't know if I can do the same thing day in, day out. It's safe and I know what I'm doing every day...but maybe that's the problem?
So, now I have to decide if I go to class tomorrow, or the final board meeting for the Clean Energy Now campaign. I've worked hard on this and I believe so strongly, I think I would feel horrible if I didn't go, so...

Now I must sleep, for tomorrow...I save the world.
;)