Thursday Night Bliss

Iceland is broke, the U.S. is beyond broke, Palin is in her rabid foam spewing moose mode, we'll never hear the phrase "Paul Newman's newest movie", half of my friends east of Reno have some sort of early nasal/chest infection.

But in the spirit of the Power of Now, I feel incredibly blissful. A short list from the past 72 hours that makes me feel that way:
* The fall weather in Oregon was, in a word, perfect.
* I met 50 to 60 people ranging in ages from 18 to 93, all of whom are not just voting for Obama-Biden but taking every person they know without a car to the polls. Oregon is cobalt blue come November.
* Even though I got completely lost driving to Forest Grove today, the journey took me through some of the most gorgeous farmland and deliciously ramshackle barns I've ever seen. If only I wasn't in such a time crunch and could have gotten photos.
* Everyone I met gave me tips about great political actions taking place to reclaim democracy and recommending or hading me great books.
* A young couple off Burnside showed me an incredible action figure their artist friend did in the likeness of Bolivian president Evo Morales.
* My meager investments tied vaguely to the stock market are still in the positive digits.
* My total credit card debt totals $30 -- the amount I paid to check a bag both ways on United -- and will be paid off the second I receive the bill after years...decades...of having bills that seemed to add another digit to the total each year.
* The wacko priests standing next two me in boarding zone four were seated two rows ahead of me, not next to me and my iPod touch drowned out their babble.
* My flight home arrived at SFO 10 minutes early.
* My bag was the 10th one off the carousel.
* I found a parking 100 feet from my front door and not at a parking meter.
* There was absolutely no doggie damage to the house and a glowing note from the dog sitter on what a gentlemen Guru was the entire week.
* I was greeted by the gorgeous creature above and below who was overcome with joy.