Counting the votes at E. Green School in Newington. Looks like a typical Democratic landslide, unless this precinct is very atypical. The referendum may be close, but Yes leads.

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From SpaceWeather.com: “Giant sunspot 486 unleashed yet another powerful solar flare today (Nov. 4th, 1950 UT), and this one could be historic. The blast saturated X-ray detectors onboard GOES satellites at X17.4 for 11 minutes. The last time such a thing happened in 2001 the flare was classified as an X20–the biggest ever. This one might be even bigger; stay tuned for updates.”

UPDATE: “We estimate that it must have been well above 20,” says this NASA page.

I just got back from voting, as you can see from the pictures below. In a rather contradictory move, I voted for Republican Jeff Hedberg for mayor, but then voted “yes” on the referendum for building an addition to the police station — which Hedberg staunchly opposes. Hehe. :)

I voted mostly Democrats for town council and entirely Republicans for board of education. Of course, the whole thing is a crock because most of the candidates for council and board win anyway, thanks to stupid “minority representation” rules. I also voted, as planned, for the lone minor-party candidate — a Libertarian — for town council. Woohoo!

Polls close at 8:00 PM, and I plan to be at my polling place to watch them tabulate the votes, as I usually do on election night.

Woohoo :)

Voting!

Okay, will do. :)

Campaigners outside the polling place.

David Letterman’s baby is apparently due any minute (or was this afternoon during taping), so Paul Shaffer is filling in for Dave on short notice on the Late Show. He’s no Dave, and his voice is a bit annoying to listen to for an hour (he seems to be perpetually shouting) but his jitters are to be forgiven under the circumstances. Best of luck to Dave and his girlfriend on the delivery!

UPDATE: Here’s a summary of the early part of the show, which I missed. I tuned in after the first commercial break.

ANOTHER UPDATE: CNN has an article about this now, but no details. Letterman is a very private person, and seems to be holding to that here.

USC is on the inside track for the Sugar Bowl! The official BCS numbers are out:

1. Oklahoma: 2.24
2. USC: 7.02
3. Florida State: 9.52
4. Miami: 10.25
5. Ohio State: 11.47
6. Virginia Tech: 12.47
7. LSU: 14.92

That looks like a cushy edge, but Rich Tellshow estimates that, if both teams win their remaining games, our 2.5-point advantage over Florida State would shrink to about 0.5 points by the end of the season, on the basis of strength of schedule. Eek! All the more reason to root against Florida State, and also against FSU’s previous nonconference opponents and for our previous nonconference opponents.

Mostly, though, we just need to root for USC against Arizona, UCLA, and Oregon State. Fight on, Trojans!!!

Interestingly, undefeated-but-unrespected Texas Christian is now #9. Is it possible that, with a few more losses by Top 8 teams, TCU could move into the Top 6 and be guaranteed a big-time bowl berth?

I’ve been decidedly lax about linking to my blog-children’s posts recently. Sorry. In addition to Jen’s “Vote!” post, there is my mom’s joyful post about her new job, and Becky’s birthday greetings for me (aww).

Becky also discusses her troubles with an a**hole at her university who thinks clinical depression can be cured by “taking a walk.” (What’s more, now we’ve got a commenter who agrees with the a**hole. “Suck it up,” she says. Ain’t ignorance grand?)

If the municipality where you reside is having an election tomorrow, even if it’s just a local race for fire commissioner or constable, make sure you get out there and vote! It’s your democratic right, privilege, and duty. But don’t listen to me — listen to Jen!

I’ll be voting, that’s for sure; this is my first chance ever to vote in person in Connecticut, which uses the old-fashioned lever machines, and being a giant election nerd, I’m very excited about this. :) I haven’t yet decided who I’ll be voting for, however. I’ll be researching the respective positions of mayoral candidates Tom McBride and Jeff Hedberg this evening.

The only thing I know for certain is that I’ll be pulling the lever for the lone Libertarian candidate for Town Council (Hi Sean), Dawn Lincoln, mostly as a protest vote against the town’s stupid “minority representation” election process, which substantially reduces the degree of choice that voters actually have. Only one or two of the ten major-party candidates who run each year actually lose! Screw that! Down with the system! Up with the Libertarians! :)

Less than an hour now until the new BCS standings are released and, if Jerry Palm and Rich Tellshow are right, USC officially becomes a Sugar Bowl front-runner.

In the mean time, we can all enjoy another fine Daily Trojan article about the Trojans by the incomparable Arash Markazi. (I don’t mean to serve as blatant free advertising for this kid, but the more I read his articles, the more impressed I am.) “Miami�s loss has USC thinking Sugar a little Sooner than expected,” the headline reads. Excerpt:

They tried not to watch. They tried not to listen. They tried not to care. But it was impossible. Like an adolescent who accidentally finds the adult channel, the temptation was too great.

“How ’bout them Hokies?” USC coach Pete Carroll said.

Hehe. Apparently Pete knows a little more about the BCS than he let on to ESPN. But no matter — Arash always gets the scoop. Anyway, read the whole thing, as they say.

Also, as long as you’re at the Daily Trojan website, you might as well read the front-page game story (”A little Sugar in the bowl?“), and the columns about the Trojan defense and, if you care (which I frankly don’t), the Wazzu offense. And don’t forget to read about the top-ranked USC women’s volleyball and men’s water polo teams. And then there’s this: “Public urination will draw new fines.” Ah, the DT. :)