Yes. We got some snow.

Now I know why Carmen and I are so happy ...

... we don't watch much TV. According to this article in The New York Times:

Happy people spend a lot of time socializing, going to church and reading newspapers — but they don’t spend a lot of time watching television, a new study finds.

That’s what unhappy people do.

And I thought it was because we had finally gotten married.

Now even your blog can be analyzed for your id ...

... and here is what it says about Clemens, at least as he appears on these pages.

ESTP - The Doers

The active and play-ful type. They are especially attuned to people and things around them and often full of energy, talking, joking and engaging in physical out-door activities.

The Doers are happiest with action-filled work which craves their full attention and focus. They might be very impulsive and more keen on starting something new than following it through. They might have a problem with sitting still or remaining inactive for any period of time.

Well, that's it - I'm off to find some action filled work.

We went to Washington a few weekends ago for the big Haskins Conference. Had a great time. Went to a wonderful Vietnamese restaurant with Fred, a friend from grad school [above right].

Then we met my old college room mates, the librarians, and they took us to the Cactus Cantina - a Mexican place that has several Cuban specialties [above left]. So, Carmen and I both had the bistek cubano.

Wonderful.

Voting in the land of Wilkes ...

... turned out to be a pleasant experience. Last Friday I went by the county offices and voted early. There was no real line, but as soon as one voter finished signing in there were one or two to take their place. Very steady. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood too. Today Carmen has gone off to vote in our little neighborhood in Wilkesboro. I thought she should have taken the little lummox with her but I am sure she did not take my advice on that. Don't think they let non-human creatures into the voting booth anyway.

In our area, however, there are unconfirmed reports of a dirty trick played on our Hispanic voters up in Avery County. Here is the story Mulan's dad e-mailed to me today about the instructions on the ballot there:

The Spanish instructions for how to vote are completely wrong. In Spanish it says "Para votar un candidate marque con una equis en el cuadro a la izquierda del nombre del candidate." Translation: "To vote for a candidate mark with an X in the square to the left of the name of the candidate.” This is the opposite of the English instructions. In English it clearly says that a vote will only be counted if the oval is filled in completely. An "X" will not be counted.

I trailed a SmartCar into Boone the other day...

... straight up the mountain through Deep Gap. It was a bright perky little thing, gleaming in red and white. I have wondered how well a car that little would pull up the mountain and I have to say I was impressed. It zipped right on up without any problem.

So - 45 mpg - can make my daily commute. Well, at least I'll consider it. Although by the time my old Subaru gives up the ghost we will probably all be driving fuel cell cars or have individual jet packs or something.