In the seven years I've lived here, Portland has shut down numerous times due to snow. But this winter marks the first time I've literally been caught in a snow storm. That's right--Andrew and I drove straight into Arctic Blast 2008.

We were attempting to drive from Portland to Salt Lake, which we do most years, to visit friends and family over the winter holidays. With snow covering the route most of the way, we obviously didn't make it to our destination, but ended up having a great impromptu vacation anyhow: playing in the snow, watching silly movies, listening to This American Life episodes, and generally relaxing. And Charlie, who normally has to share his people with three cats and two other dogs, was happy to have us all to himself.

Here's the slide show from our drive. Pay close attention to the meal Andrew prepared on Day 3: Roasted red pepper sandwiches with pesto, asiago, and artichoke hearts on french bread with carrots on the side. On the way home, I dubbed this trip Best Botched Road Trip Ever. With better luck, we'll see our Utah family and friends in the Spring.

Barack Obama is our president-elect. After so many electoral losses, it's amazing to win--and to win so big. We still, of course, have much work to do, but starting on those plans isn't nearly as daunting a task as in years past.

The world is changing, and I'm humbled to be a part of it.

At this point, I just really wish the McCain campaign would make up their mind about the role community organizers play in shaping social policy. Our first introduction to their ideas was Sarah Palin insisting the mayor of Wasilla, Alaska has more responsibility than community organizers. From the sound of the response at the Republican convention, many of her supporters agreed.