Super Fat Paczki Day

Through much hassle and frustration, I voted this morning. I arrived at the address given on the internet only to find no voting station, so I wandered around the building and then around the block to finally come across a small American flag hanging above a door apparently indicating "VOTE HERE!" That is what I did. I walked in and of course they have no record of my existence even though the website said they did and even though I live a mere three blocks from the station, but after muchado I managed to get a little card and go over to a station to punch in my somewhat ill educated choices. I did my civic duty and I am proud of that, even if it was less than a thrilling process.

I text messaged Mary and said, "Voting is frustrating." to which she responded "On many many levels, but remember in other countries people wait for days to cast their ballots." So, I suppose I can handle some ill prepared voter handlers.

Today is also fat Tuesday which means a number of things to many different people, but in my mind it means that you put a plastic baby in a cake and bake it. I tried to explain this to my coworkers as they looked at me with shock and awe. "A baby in a cake?" "What are you talking about?" Thankfully, wikipedia had my back.

"The cakes have a small trinket (often a small plastic baby, sometimes said to represent Baby Jesus) inside, and the person who gets the piece of cake with the trinket has various privileges and obligations."

How crazy and amazing is that?

And finally, since moving to Chicago I have been made aware of the Polish tradition of Paczki Day, or as I like to call it "Jelly Donut Day!" Paczki is actually pronounced like "poonchkey", which is pretty awesome to say (read: I wont stop saying it to everyone who walks in the room). Once again, we turn to wikipedia. Basically, you eat these coma inducing polish donuts, and I'm really into it.

I have to be honest, I'm not feeling very well today. I have been downing as many vitamins as possible and sleeping bunches, but I can't seem to get up to snuff since I had that blasted staph infection. I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do, so I'm just going to sip this coffee and move slowly.

Happy Day.