A very American coup

They do elections a bit differently here. They don't bother counting the votes to find out who won. Instead, as soon as the polls in California closed at 8pm, the major media outlets (based on history, exit polls and, more worryingly, "other data") announced that Barack Obama will be the next President. Good news, no doubt, but a bit strange. I felt decidedly homesick for the British experience of staying up 'til 3am to hear the results come in from Norwich South.

We enjoyed the countdown at Haas, where a barbecue and beer had been put on to keep the hunger of exercising democracy at bay. Mat had taken his life in his hands by wearing a Ronald Reagan t-shirt. I played it safer with a John Kerry badge.

The whole thing was, as New Zealander Fiona pointed out, a interesting microcosm of American life. The media announced it, and everyone believed it! That's a little unfair - the excitement and atmosphere were undeniable, and the outpouring of emotion when the (projected) result was announced made even my stiff upper lip quiver.

Hopefully when we awake we won't find that, with the votes actually counted, California and Massachusets fell in a shock upset to McCain. If they remain blue then history has been made, and thank goodness for that!



Mat nails his colours to the mast.



A McCain supporter in Berkeley! Can you spot them?



Rachel and Mat watch the big screen in International House.



Inside the business school, the excitement is mounting. Honest!



Barbecue for Obama.



The moment of projected truth! CNN calls it for Obama.



The international reaction from Britain, New Zealand and Israel.



Magnanimous. Actually, this was the best speech of his campaign...



Some proper journalism. The BBC website, as picked up on Hannah's laptop at Haas.



In related news, James got to vote for the first time as a US citizen (all the other times he's voted fraudulently). Hopefully he claimed his free cup of coffee. I seem to remember Jim being a staunch liberal at school...has that sensibility made it through the citizenship process?

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Happy Birthday Hannah!



Birthday candles + 1980s velor La-Z-Boy = deathtrap!



Hannah wishes very hard...



...and then dives into the task at hand.

Carillon up the campanile

Today, as Hannah's birthday treat, we ascended the Berkeley campanile. She's been wanting to do this since we got here, and with little sister Rachel's arrival she had a good excuse.

The weather cleared up just long enough to get some good views over the Bay and down to the Golden Gate Bridge. Then, at 12 noon, we were "treated" to a concert on the carillon, a sort of rustic piano that you hit with your fists to make the bells ding. I'm sure it's more complicated than that, but after a few deafening minutes we headed back down the tower. It sounded much better at ground level.



Rachel and Hannah on top of the world.



Don't look down!



Berkeley sweeping down to the Bay.



Hannah and Haas.



A mysterious, attractive new man in Hannah's life.



And Rachel's.



The carillon. He puts that music there just for show.



These were partly responsible for the din.



Later, Mat went to the danger zone.

The First Ammendment

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."



Photo by Mat

Going to a candidates debate

Apparently there are more than two Presidential candidates in this election. Only certain states get to vote for them (well done to Florida and Colorado for being the most generous), but here's a quick run down of the more interesting options. Follow the links to become even more informed...



Party: Frank Moore for President

P: Frank Moore, VP: Susan Block

Policy example:

"I’ll do away with all tax deductions for over $12,000 income. Instead, there will be a flat tax of 10% on annual income of less than one million dollars for an individual and less than five million dollars for a corporation. But the flat tax will jump to 75% on annual income exceeding these limits."



Party: The Prohibition Party

P: Gene Amondson, VP: Leroy Pletten

Policy example:

"The word 'wine' in the Bible was used indiscriminately to mean either fresh grape juice or fermented (alcoholic) grape juice. The context in which the word is used tells the reader which meaning is appropriate."



Party: Heartquake

P: Jonathan Edward Allen, VP: TBC

Policy example:

"Unless we experience a massive cultural transformation triggered by a reawakening of hearts, there will never be any real change in America."



Party: Marijuana Party of Vermont

P: Cris Ericson, VP: TBC

Policy example:

"...only Cris Ericson is promoting 'Cow Power' which has been proven by Central Vermont Public Service to provide electricity, and make Vermont a tourist delight to behold because Cows are more beautiful than windmills, and besides manure, they create milk and milk can be processed into fine Vermont cheeses and yogurt products!"



Party: The Boston Tea Party

P: Charles Jay, VP: Tom Knapp

Policy example:

"Time to party like it's 1773."

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Don't forget to vote!

It rained and it rained and it rained

What is going on? Has El Nino arrived?



Where does all this wet stuff come from?



Hannah decided it was the perfect time to go shopping.

B-E-A-R-S

Those of us dedicated enough to get up early, brave the apocalyptic downpours and attend the Haas tailgate (today the Bears were playing the aptly-named Ducks) were rewarded by the appearance of the Cal band at the business school. There may have been some cheerleaders in attendance too, but I didn't really notice.

The day has been a wash-out, the first serious rain since we arrived here. I've decided that California is either too hot and dry or too wet, and with Mat staying I get to complain about it over a cup of tea with someone who understands.

Despite the gloom I have managed to offload the kilo of sweets we had left after Halloween. Maya, Hannah, Sophia, Evie and Lyla will be eating artificially coloured sugar and driving their parents crazy for at least the next month.



I was standing there, minding my own business, and they danced right at me!



The all-weather Cal band.



They're still at it!!