7-Eleven: Vote for president by pouring a cup of Joe (JAX Business Journal)

Convenience store chain 7-Eleven Inc. is once again rolling out its 7-Election presidential coffee cup poll.

7-Eleven coffee drinkers voice their pick for U.S. president in the informal poll by simply pouring their coffee into a red cup if they intend on voting for Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., or into a blue cup for Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

The stores’ polls open Wednesday and run through Nov. 4. Undecided voters can simply choose an unmarked 7-Eleven cup for their morning Joe. 7-Eleven stores also are offering bipartisan red, white and blue Big Gulp cups for consumers.

Dallas-based 7-Eleven has conducted the unofficial poll twice before. Nothing surprises the company more than the unofficial poll’s election accuracy.

“While we don’t bill this as a statistically valid study by any means, it does reach Americans in their hometowns, on their way to work, after school or just going about their everyday lives,” said 7-Eleven President and CEO Joe DePinto. “7-Election provides an interesting daily snapshot of the election.”

In 2000, 51.2 percent of 7-Eleven voters chose George W. Bush, compared to 48.9 percent who chose Al Gore. In the actual election, 47.9 percent of U.S. voters chose Bush, compared to 48.4 percent who chose Gore.

In 2004, 51 percent of 7-Eleven voters selected Bush and 49 percent selected John Kerry. In the actual election, 50.7 percent of U.S. voters chose Bush, compared to 48.3 percent who chose Kerry.

Woman Finds Bat In Coffee Filter

It wasn't just the caffeine that gave a Cedar Rapids, Iowa woman an extra jolt when she had her morning cup of coffee. It was the bat she found in the coffee filter.

Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Health say the woman reported seeing a bat in her house, but wasn't overly worried about it. She turned on her automatic coffee maker before she went to bed and had her coffee the next morning.

She discovered the bat in the filter of the coffee maker when she went to clean it out that night. The woman, who wasn't identified, underwent treatment for rabies.

The bat was sent to a state lab for testing, but its brain was too cooked by the heat of the brewing water to determine if it had rabies.

The Family and Friends Tour: Roadsigns

So far our vacation -- aka: The Family and Friends Tour -- has proven to be a wild success. We are really enjoying reconnecting with...you guessed it...family and friends! Food, laughs and fun -- what could make for a better vacation???

On the way up here, we saw many roadsigns -- some more memorable than others. Without further adieu (?), I now present to you...

The Family and Friends Tour Most Memorable Roadsign Awards!

Strangest restaraunt name: Alagatu Japanese Steakhouse
Riskiest restaraunt name: Heidi's Cafe - more sandwich than you can shake a pickle at
Most mysterious: 3 donkeys, 2 nails and a secret passageway
Funniest overall: Sleep Tight(wad) (Comfort Inn)
Most depressing: 1.800.DIV.ORCE
Weirdest: B's Barn Fainting Farm, Tennessess Fainting Goats - a proud American breed
Most hopeful: Tubby's Pizza - soon to be famous
Most clever: Without engineers horse power would only come from horses (University of Louiville - KY)

More awards and info will follow soon, I'm sure. For now, I need to get to bed -- it's almost 1am and we're on the road tomorrow at 7am! I couldn't sleep and thought this would be the best way to get my mind off of it -- it worked:)

Clearly online quizzes are WAY off

Which Office Character Are You?
	You are Dwight. You are intense and passionate, and will stand up for your beliefs to anyone; you adhere strictly to the letter of the law. People may not understand your eclectic passions, but your strange aesthetic makes you a fascinating character.
Find Your Character @

People that make me feel smart

In fact, these people make me feel like a complete genuius! Seriously.

Man Wraps Head in Duct Tape as Disguise for Attempted Robber

Man freed from jail tries to carjack in jail parking lot; can't drive stick shift

Finally, I once spoke with an individual who works in human resources. She said that she runs background checks on all new-hires -- standard procedure. She also asks everyone if there's anything she'll find before she runs the report. A particular hiree (quickly turned non-hiree) told her she would find nothing. After getting a 10 page report back from the government, she thought she would ask the applicant if it were possible that there was a mistake. His answer? "Oh. I didn't think you would actually run the background check." My response? "I guess that's why it's 10 pages long! I don't think he's clued into reality."

But he sure makes me shine like the sun!!!

Just call me stubby

A couple of days ago I was running around the house trying to clean up in record time. In doing so, I stubbed my toe on our ottoman -- almost perfectly, actually. Three middle toes square on. They each turned the same shade of red, in fact. I yelled and cursed and hobbled around and was mostly really glad that no one was around. A couple of hours later...I did it again...in the exact same spot for the exact same reason and with the exact same result.

The next day I was preparing for a brunch with my in-laws and when I get to get the extra leaf out of storage. This time, I stubbed the other foot.

I regularly bend fingernails backwards and I trip on a consistant basis. I'm surprised I'm as in tact as I am. I expect to begin destroying other limbs any day now.

In fact, a few weeks ago I was closing my car door while getting out of it. You read that right -- I was closing it while getting out -- ran it right into my arm and left a bruise the size of Rhode Island. Hey, Rhode Island is big when it's on your arm! I wouldn't exactly call me clumsy, just...well pretty soon they'll be calling me stubby.

In brief: I have a NEW JOB!!!

In brief: I'm FLOORED to have a new job so quickly! I applied last week, interview Monday and accepted an offer today at OrlandoJobs.com -- wow!

Brief job description: I'll be selling job opening advertising space with occasional networking/marketing responsibilities.

Brief background: My last job was...yuck! It was a cesspool of misery and I decided that I was no longer swimming! Even though living on Chris' salary alone made for a TIGHT budget (it will improve once he's fully liscensed), we decided that there were more important things in life -- like my well-being, our marraige, being able to commit to my church and have friends! My old job made everything difficult, so I quit without a new one. It's not something I would normally consider, but...I was that miserable!


Brief story on how I got the job: I found the posting on their website and while doing research on the company I discovered that they had just purchased and moved into a new building! I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to put together an office supply gift basket that included my resume. I did so and long story short -- the gift basket got me a 3 1/2 hour interview on Monday, a "you're at the top of our list" call on Wednesday and a job offer TODAY!

Brief praise: God is so good! I moved towards the things that honor Him and He provided. I am stunned at the extravagance of His goodness and grace.