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who says
10/19/2008 = 04:10 PM

I voted yesterday. Yes, they open the polls early in Las Vegas.

You register to vote, they send you a bar-coded booklet listing the candidates and the issues, and also a list of early-opening poll sites, so you don't have to stand in line on a weekday, possibly being late to work, late coming back after lunch, or not being able to go straight home after your shift.

You bring your booklet to one of the sites that works for you on the easiest day (for me, it was yesterday, at the supermarket), they scan your barcode from your booklet, and hand you a plastic activation card, which you use to activate your touchscreen voting booth.

You vote. You check your vote printout (which displays behind a glass screen so you don't have to handle it at all). If you need to make changes, the printout is voided and it does another printout once you've changed everything. When you like your ballot, you cast it, the printout drops into the ballot box, and the activation card pops out. You hand it back to the lady and she gives you your sticker.

Then you go get your produce and your ice cream and head home, knowing that's one less thing you have to worry about.

Not to mention knowing that the system is so foolproof that there's no way some whinypants politician is going to be able to contest the balloting and demand recounts until the fix finally looks like it has fallen in his or her favor.

Ah, Vegas, where the supermarkets have food, video poker, and pre-election-day voting. I know it's a grocery store, but to me, it's a convenience store par excellence.

But that's not what I came here to talk about. Came to do a meme.

This started out as a Facebook meme, but I have adapted it in case you want to do it but you don't want to be another sheep in the Facebook flock.

I was originally tagged by Sunshine, but even if you see your name on here, you may rest assured that I am not tagging you and you are under no obligation. Furthermore, as usual round here, if you've been tagged by someone else and don't want to do it, reading mine all the way through grants you tag-immunity.

Go to your comments (or Facebook wall) and list the last twelve people who have commented. If someone has commented twice, skip to the next person ...

1. Quin Browne
2. Sue
3. skimwitted
4. Bingoguy
5. Peter Varvel
6. Lisa B in da City
7. Seraphine
8. Scottski
9. Joe
10. Last Girl on Earth: Deni Bonet
11. Pam
12. Laughing Muse

Now, answer the following questions:

Q: Have you ever kissed number 7?
A: No, but only because I've not yet met her in person.

Q: What's the best memory you have of 12?
A: When I got laid off, she offered to have me do some work for her website, even though she'd have to pay me out of her own pocket, just so I would be able to keep some dregs of my self-respect and earn a little money. I hope karma will give her good fortune. I do not hope karma will take good fortune away from my former employers and hand it to her, but only because I myself do not want bad karma. (If that weren't an issue, believe me, I'd be all over it.)

Q: When's the next time you're gonna see 4?
A: I will probably never see him in person, which kind of sucks, but also keeps our expectations from being disappointed.

Q: Is number 8 pretty?
A: I've never seen even a picture of him, but I know he is a great and true friend, which matters more to me than his exterior appearance. (This does not, incidentally, stop me from picturing him as kind of a hottie.)

Q: What was your first impression of number 10?
A: I was, and am, pretty much in awe. She's an amazing musician, she's beautiful, and she's a fantastic writer with a wicked sense of humor.

Q: How did you meet 3?
A: I started reading her when I discovered 12% Beer on D'Land; I still read her now that she's on Typepad.

Q: Is 11 your best friend?
A: I've never met her in person, but even if I did, so many people love her that she wouldn't have time for another best friend in her already-humongous list of admirers.

Q: Have you seen 5 in the last month?
A: I've never seen him. But I want to. And I hope that, when I do, I will be able to refrain from crying, peeing, fainting, or inappropriate licking.

Q: Do you think 2 has a crush on you?
A: I can pretty much guarantee that she does not.

Q: When was the last time you saw 12?
A: Never in person, but I had an email from her today.

Q: Have you ever been to 1's house?
A: We were just there last month, but we won't be able to go again till gas prices go down some more and our schedules are more in sync.

Q: Would you ever kiss 6?
A: I think she'd let me, on the cheek. Other than that, even if she were game, her HCFG would probably protest a bit.

Q: When's the next time you'll see 10?
A: We're on opposite coasts now, which sucks. I miss her.

Q: Are you really close to 3?
A: No, we have never met, but I've noticed from our blog topics that we tend to think alike quite frequently.

Q: Have you ever been to the movies with 4?
A: No, but I think we'd have an easier time picking a movie we'd both enjoy than I do trying to pick one with That Man of Mine. We'd probably also have more fun. That Man of Mine really hates going to the movies.

Q: Have you ever gotten in trouble with 2?
A: Not for lack of trying.

Q: What do you and number 3 talk about the most?
A: We rarely communicate other than through blog comments, so I guess what we talk about most is whatever we've been blogging about.

Q: Would you give number 5 a hug?
A: If I ever meet him, he's going to have to bring a crowbar to pry my arms off of him.

Q: Would you ever go on a date with number 11?
A: Girls' Night Out or an evening of assholery at The Bar, yes. Beyond that, I'm guessing Lee would probably kick my arse.

Q: Are you in love with number 12?
A: No, but I love her to pieces, which may be more important.

Q: When have you lied to number 11?
A: I don't think I ever have lied to her. But if she ever needs me to, I'll be happy to lie for her.

Q: Do you know a secret about number 8?
A: I know secrets about everyone. And I don't tell them. That's what makes them secrets. Move on; show's over.

Q: Describe the relationship between number 9 and number 5.
A: As near as I can tell, their only connection is through my blog.

Q: What is the best thing about your friendship with number 4?
A: He is creative, supportive, and generally decent in every way.

Q: What is the worst thing about number 1?
A: She sells herself short.

Q: Have you ever danced with number 7?
A: In real life, no ... but I pretended we shook our respective groove thangs at Sunshine's virtual prom last spring.

Q: How long have you known number 12?
A: Good heavens, I can't remember when we started reading each other. (Can you?)

Q: Have you ever been in a fight with number 8?
A: I've never even been mad at him. Although I imagine I've been on his last nerve once or twice. (I've been on everyone's last nerve once or twice.)

Q: Does number 9 have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
A: If he does, his wife probably doesn't know, so I am keeping my lips (and typing fingers) sealed.

Q: Have you ever been a co-worker with number 6?
A: No, and thank goodness. We'd probably get fired for laughing too loudly.

Q: Have you ever wanted to punch number 2 in the face?
A: Holy the crap, are you serious? Probably one of the sweetest people I've ever encountered. In fact, if someone else were to punch her in the face, I'd have no choice but to represent. So watch yourselves.

Q: Has number 1 ever met your mother?
A: She met the Mom and me for the first time at the same time, actually. We went out to lunch together, with Lisa B and Deni Bonet, too, not to mention writer Sharon Glassman. It was probably one of the best Real Life Meetups I've ever had.

Q. How did you meet number 11?
A: Through Diaryland. She and I are close to the same age and we're both passionate about writing. It was inevitable.

Q: Did you ever accidentally physically hurt number 5?
A: I've not yet physically encountered him. When I do, though, yeah, I might jump on him, which would probably snap him like a twig.

Q: Do you live close to 7?
A: I'm not sure I know where she lives. I think she's on the same continent but not in the same country. Eh. If her IP address is accurate, she's some two thousand miles from here. If not, she's stealing bandwidth, in which case, again, my lips and typing fingers are sealed.

Q: What is number 2's favorite food?
A: I know she's a chocoholic, but I'm not a hundred percent sure it's her all-time favorite food. Let's split the difference and say chocolate is one of her favorites.

Q: Out of your top 12, which one would you say is the funniest?
A: Yeah, no. Which of your children do you like best? I think 11 is the funniest writer, 1 is the wittiest in person, and 5 is probably the one who would be most likely to do something physically outrageous that would make me snort soda out of my nose in a public place.

Q: Who is the most flirtatious?
A: 5 Alive. But in the best way possible.

Tags: vote; meme

drinking: ice water
listening to: television in other room. sounds like bbc america
best reason to vote: ben and jerry's shops give out free ice cream if you can prove you voted. also it's your civic duty and you can make a difference. but mostly for free ice cream