As my dad says, "Nothing's free but the sunshine." Free grad school isn't free. It costs $350 per quarter in cryptic "student fees." Rest assured there was much teeth-gritting and nose-wrinkling when I wrote that check today. I will exact passive-aggressive retribution by spending my monthly stipend check on cheap beer and tattoos. Take that, the state of Ohio.

Does anyone ever accomplish all the things they'd like to on their day off? When I go to Columbus for the weekend, I get nothing done. When I stay in town for the weekend, I get nothing done.

Also, because I spent the day looking up at the TV between staring at my books and the flashing cursor in my barren, barren Word document: Pundits! Stop referring to the election as a done deal! Quit suggesting that it will take a miracle for McCain to turn this around! You are freaking tempting fate! Haven't you ever heard of jinxing yourself? Cryin' out loud.

I like to count things when I'm running. It helps to silence the Kerrigan-esque scream of every cell in my body: "huhwhyyyyyyy."

Sometimes I count porch cats, who follow me sagely with their eyes as I jog past. I typically imagine them thinking, "Ah, the illusion of control. We're all gonna die someday, sweetheart."

Sometimes I count election signs. I usually lose track of the number of Obama signs.

Haven't seen a McCain sign yet.

It's a Wonderful Election Year.