Got Alanis Morrisette's new CD "Flavors of Entanglement"at the library recently & it's 'in heavy rotation', as they say on Facebook.It deserves to be higher on the charts, as it's a rather powerful album exploring her feeligns after breaking up with actor Ryan Reynolds. The sound is varied and atmospheric. Lots of drums, some quiet songs mixed in with ballads & a couple that could be played in clubs for dancing. "Underneath" is probably the best known off this CD, but therest are worthy of attention. One of my favorites is "In Praise of the Vulnerable Man",a bouncy march in homage to sensitive men, an idea that is splendid, yet rare. "Not As We" is a plaintive comment on starting over as a singleton, not a couple and the fantastic "Torch" sounds like an ELP or Yes song full of strong emotion.
   As I was being swept away by the excellent CD, I felt abashed that I was listening to the product of someone's pain. I understand the motive of writing songs after a breakup or at any difficult point, but to turn it into a melodic testament that has universal appeal takes talent. It also takes courage to lay one's soul bare like that for the world to hear. To tell the person who is causing the pain just how it feels and to struggle with such personal trauma so openly. She hasn't cloaked it in pretty metaphors or mystery words, it's stark and hauntingly beautiful.

   It's been raining all day today. The ground is so sodden that puddles have formed on the grass and the yard by the driveway has taken on the look of a marsh. Some might say it's the kind of weather only a duck would like(actually, it seems a bit cold for them), which reminded me that I had some duck pics I wanted to share.
          
   A couple weeks ago in mid-October I went to a nearby park & duck pond. The Canada geese that alos frequent the place was over by the baseball diamond, but there was plenty of mallards swimming around. There used to be some huge koi in the water, but I didn't see any this time. Perhaps they were farther out in the deeper part?
    The trees hadn't changed much, except for some blazing sugar maples, but it was still pretty. Since it was mid-afternoon, there wasn't many people around, so it was quiet and peaceful. Well, except for the occasional quack.
              

                                                                              
        I voted for Sen. Barack Obama this morning & am really, really hoping he wins. We've had enough stupidity & paranoia in the White House for too long, it's time to go in a more positive direction, a less Orwellian one. McCain made a Faustian bargain in his bid for the presidency & took away any respect I had for him. Palin is someone who has coasted on her looks her entire life, without much substance behind the gloss. What there is, is frightening. All those pics of her over dead animals she killed, only made things worse.
   There was no line at all at my polling place(an elementary school gym), though a worker told me that there were lines earlier, when parents were taking kids to school. I was prepared for a wait, even took a paperback with me.I feel quite guilty after hearing stories from my friends in other areas. One friend in SC waited 5 hours to vote! Mind boggling. Americans are always chided for having such a low turnout, but the system takes it for granted, since this is proof that they aren't equipped to handle larger crowds. It's contradictory.
    It's going to be a nerve-wracking night waiting for the election results, but if Democrats win, it'll be worth it. I'm so afraid something will go wrong like it has other years. Winning the popular vote doesn't guarantee success, unfortunately. I feel hopeful and scared at the same time.
Go Obama!!!!