In my odyssey over the last few years as the chair of a county Democratic Committee, I went to a lot of functions, picnics, dinners, and a lot of meetings. These photos are some of my travels in Virginia on campaigns, in meetings, and at social events.

One of the most important races this year was for the House of Delegates. This is Connie Brennan (D-59), who ran this year in an unsuccessful bid to unseat an Independent. (The event was sponsored by us and was in front of our house.)

What?

Oh, I am quitting smoking. I thought you might like to know.

Cold turkey. Well, actually, more like smoking my last cigarette last night and going to bed, and then not buying any more.  I slept late because I have been sick and without a voice for several days now (sick longer than that).

I am scared, happy,  and I want a cigarette. When I think about the possibilities of life while quitting, I get a happy feeling. I also think about the money I will save, around $1,000 this year alone, not counting health care expenses. Just for cigarettes.

I think I am going to celebrate that with a trip to Hawaii in June. I can spend some of the money I have saved, and for the first time in my life, I can take a plane trip without jonesing for hours over a stupid cigarette.

I won’t be the subject of odd looks or ridicule anymore. But mostly, I will provide the huge tobacco companies no more of my money to carry out their killing agenda.

Wish me luck.

Well, some of you may have seen me talking about being sick. That is true. Here’s the damage:

Acute Sinusitis

Acute Asthmatic Bronchitis

Acute Laryngitis

This is probably why I am late posting tonight. I also haven’t been sleeping very much.

Anyway, on to the show. Tonight we visit the 50th state, Hawaii. I was last in Hawaii almost 4 years ago. I won’t tell the whole story here tonight, because it is is an odyssey all on it’s own. My cousin, whom I have know all my life, and who has been a millionaire twice over, is a true piece of work. He asked me if I would come with him to Hawaii for several weeks, and to Anchorage for several more weeks. I used to live in Alaska, and he wanted my help (but not really) on operating his roofing business more efficiently. he is also a long-distance bicycle rider. So I was to be the ‘chase car’, among other things (including psychiatrist).

These photos are from that trip in March and April of 2004, a few months after I started blogging in earnest and joined the giant orange psych ward.

I shouldn’t be too hard on people, but I honestly believe that if most of the ‘advocates’ went out and worked the streets and towns, they would know the difference between a blog and a Democratic Committee.

The photo at left is on the highway from Lahaina to Kihei. I am a compulsive vacation picture taker, the winner of all time in 200 , when Lisa and I took over 7,000 digital photos on our trip from Virginia to California to pick up the last of my belongings.

The next few pictures are from the Baldwin Sugar Museum, across the street from the cane processing plant. It was interesting, and also kind of like looking at a dying industry. I especially loved the ancient equipment on display.

~~join me for more~~

Mark’s note: My daughters are both very politically aware. My oldest daughter Sara sent this to me and it is presented here with only minor edits.  She wrote this last week after the Iowa Caucuses. I am proud of you, Sara.

Last night, my sister called at 6:23 to tell me that the race was called for Barack Obama. I can’t imagine her joy, her relief, her satisfaction, because I’ve never been on the winning end of election day. She was pretty elated.

On the news B-Roll of different campaigns included Raj, my intern-boss when I was in Iowa working for Howard Dean. Raj was on his old street corner again, 8th and Grand, waving Obama: Hope signs. I was very happy to see him, even if it was only on the news.

My fiance’s mother called to say, “Go Huckabee!” Personally, I still think Romney wins the nomination, but what do I know about Republican politics? She tried to bait me, but I just let it roll off my back. Last night’s victory was too sweet to not relish it.