<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/3195930419/sizes/m/in/photostream/" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1704" title="vote" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/vote1-199x300.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="300" /></a>I usually vote by early ballot.  I haven't visited a polling place in <em>years.  </em>The last time I voted in person, I waited in line for 2 HOURS!  Never again.</p>

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<p>This year, the ballot arrived when my grandfather was dying.  And when it was time for me to leave for Florida, in a whirlwind, I chucked the ballot. </p>

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<p>I figured that I might be able to sneak through the whole election this year.  You know, a free pass?  Shhhhh...</p>

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<p>Until my friend Dina (aka Dina <em>dah</em>ling<em>) </em>asked me last weekend if I voted.  Uh-oh. </p>

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<p><strong>Me:</strong>  Well...I kinda sorta threw my ballot away when Papa was so sick.  Due to the circumstances, I thought I might skip it this year.</p>

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<p><strong>Dina <em>dah</em>ling:  </strong><em>SKIP VOTING???</em>  What do you mean <em>SKIP VOTING???</em></p>

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<p><strong>Me:  </strong>Well...um...you know...I've had a lot on my mind.  And I accidentally threw away my ballot. </p>

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<p><strong>Dina <em>dah</em>ling:  </strong>You can show up on Tuesday then! </p>

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<p><strong>Me:  </strong>I threw away the Voter's Guide.  I'm not informed! </p>

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<p><strong>Dina <em>dah</em>ling:   </strong>I will bring you up to speed.  You can make it a blog day! </p>

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<p><strong>Me:  </strong>O.k. </p>

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<p>And then I woke up sick on Day 38.  Sore throat, swollen glands, fatigue -- your run-of-the-mill welcome to cold &amp; flu season Crud.  And I could just hear Dina inside my head (I've known her for 16 years so we're practically sisters):  "<em>Sick?  </em>What do you mean <em>sick?</em>  Go at 2 o'clock and no one will be there!   You'll be out " </p>

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<p>This meant that I would need to take a shower and make myself halfway presentable.  But I would do it for my country, dammit! </p>

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<p>I hauled my sick cookies down to the polling place and walked right up.  I made my way over to the booth and broke out in a clammy sweat from the effort.  I am sure that I also infected countless senior volunteers in the process, but a citizen's gotta do what a citizen's gotta do, even if it means ingoring social health responsibilities for ten minutes.   </p>

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<p>I texted Dina <em>dah</em>ling from the parking lot.</p>

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<p><strong>Me text:</strong>  I'm a sickie poo but I dragged my hiney out to vote.  R u proud? </p>

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<p><strong>Dina <em>dah</em>ling text:</strong>  Yes! </p>

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<p>Thanks for the patriotic tough love, Dina <em>dah</em>ling. </p>

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