I told you so!

Yes!!! I've been telling people a story about the time it was MAD cold in Minnesota and I went outside in minus 60 degrees windchill (with all exposed skin covered) with a glass of hot water and tossed it up in the air. The water totally vaporized instantly and it looked like I had just pulled a Harlem Globetrotters fake bucket of water trick (only with a cup of magic disappearing dust). So when I saw this over at Boing Boing, I was thrilled! Now all you doubters and all you people who looked at me like I was not only crazy for telling the story but certifiably insane for going outside in that weather, watch this video below! She should have used a bucket though, not a wimpy little spray bottle.

MN readers chime in!

My MN readers (aka Holmie) have been watching out for me. As the senate race continues to devolve between Al Franken and Norm Coleman in MN, they have reached the crazy stage. Holmie's account follows;

You asked and you shall receive from your Minnesota readers! Here's an update on the race for Senate between Norm Coleman and Al Franken.

The recount is underway and has entered the stage where both campaigns have loads of volunteers pouring over all uncounted ballots in the race and are posing challenges to certain, shall we say, dubious ballots. Minnesota public radio got their hands on some of the disputed ballots thus far and if ever you thought filling in a circle with a pen was easy, ala grade school standardized exams, check out the MPR Senate race challenged ballots quiz, where you can see things are not as easy as they seem and you can be the judge.

Two things that struck me…
1. On ballot #8 Coleman’s campaign claims that a small dot next to Dean Barkley’s name negates the completely filled in bubble next to Al Franken’s. However, when the tables are turned on Ballot # 10 Coleman’s camp says a small dot in Coleman’s favor should be counted over the filled in circle of Dean Barkley. Ah the power of blind ambition!
2. Lizard People - Thanks for confirming my beliefs about our conceal and carry firearms laws voter of ballot #5.

The quiz is a must and really makes you wonder. I wondered why people can't figure out a simple voting ballot, but then started thinking about diversity, perspective and brain function. People think and act so differently that to them, a thumb print might actually signify a vote. I also wondered if Lizard people might really exist. If so they were definitely out in force in Florida '04.

Thanks Holmie!

Drama in Minnesota

My normally run of the mill home state is going through some exciting times! Dem. Al Franken is in a bitterly close battle with Rep. incumbent Norm Coleman for a seat on the Senate. Here are some of the numbers that begin to tell the story.

• Votes cast in MN senate race - 2,833,089 (3.7m eligible - 78% turn out!)
• At time of poll closing - 342 for Coleman
• Last week - 234 for Coleman
• This week - 208 for Coleman

Do you see a pattern here? At this point, no one knows who is going to win and the official word may not come until December. What's more interesting is that, after votes are double checked, Franken may actually pull out the closest victory in state history. Check out the best site for all things related to elections and statistics for more, including this enlightening story posted today, at 538.

Gotta say I trust MN to handle this much more cleanly than Florida in '04. MN peeps, would love to hear about the word on the street in the 612.