Observations at a recent Democratic XMas Party....

It was obviously a Democratic party function, the cigarette smoke was almost choking. You never saw this much disregard for one's personal well being at a Republican event; they had too much invested in themselves to risk it all on a little pleasure now and then. Not that the Republicans I had known and loved over the years weren't into having fun, but really, they all make a big deal out of money, everyone of them I have met, and they just don't want to share it with anyone which just makes them want to work all the harder at staying extra healthy. That way, lefty once told me, they can last just long enough to piss it all away at the end rather than enjoy themselves along the way. And with all that jogging and ruffage, lefty would add with a wink and a sip from his bottle hidden in his inside jacket pocket, no wonder they tend toward the mean.

Democrats, on the other hand, are more, it seems, fatalistic, well at least here in Cleveland where the Irish Catholic persona and all that brings to the table predominates the party of Jackson and Jefferson. These Emerald Isle Democrats, always asking which county your people came from, Mayo or Achille, are hell bent and heaven bound to spend all of it as it comes in, grab the life that is swirling around and pray to god for forgiveness and just a wee bit more time to enjoy whatever it is that the lord sends their way tomorrow.

and then the hippies who would usually bring some homemade vegetarian or vegan dish, some herb, and have a covered smoking area outside.

Then there's the volvo, fleece-jacket crowd, always looking so happy and robust.

but that's Seattle, we probably overcompensate for lack of sunshine.