The technology that delivers our important news continues to evolve. Ten years ago, Sandra called me on my cell phone to tell me about Joe's birth; I was driving on Interstate 495 at the time. A few years later, I learned about Tess while I was driving Route 101 in Silicon Valley, California.

So, it was expected that Mike would call me on my cell phone with the announcement of Cassandra. What's new is that much of the news spread via instant messenger. Matt was online at the time and sent the news to all of the people in his buddy list. As a result, some kid named Tony heard about the baby before Michael Francis did. Michael Francis was at football practice at the time. He informed his friend Erin via IM as well.

After visiting at the hospital, Matt rode back with me. We talked a bit about music and stuff. I was gratified to learn that I wasn't totally clueless. I knew the names of his favorite band (Linkin Park) and radio station (Kiss-108). A supra-middle-aged guy trying to be hip about music isn't always the most attractive sight in the world, but Matt was polite.

Cassandra Joan Hakkarainen (http://www.queenlake.com/pictures/Cassandra/) was born at 3:30PM on Wednesday, 3 November 2004, eight pounds and 20 inches. She and her mother are doing fine, with all of her family delighted beyond words.

Marley came upstairs and settled down on the floor at the foot of our bed, something that he typically does only during bad thunderstorms.

At the time of this writing, we're waiting for final election results from Ohio that will give President Bush the victory. Senator Kerry hasn't conceded and there may be a court fight. There's little doubt, though, about the outcome.

Texas football coach Darrell Royal used to say, when you get to the end zone, act like you've been there before.

We're due to get a new grandchild today. Sandra's father has gone to Mike & Lynn's to get the other kids off to school. M&L needed to be at the hospital by 7:00. Sandra and I will pick up the kids this evening and, we hope, take them to the hospital to meet their new sib.

Election Day. Finally. Sandra and I will vote this morning on our way to work. I recently learned that the New Hampshire towns of Hart's Location and Dixville Notch started the tradition of voting at midnight because so many of the people in those small towns work for the railroad and wouldn't be able to vote during normal hours. Those two towns typically vote Republican. This year is no different.

Our seventh grandchild is due tomorrow. Lynn will go to the hospital in the early morning. We'll feed the other kids in the evening and then go to the hospital to meet the new little one.

Over the weekend a friend gave me a pound of Roaster Boy coffee. It's a rich and smooth blend, strong enough to rally the troops at the start of the day.

Morning frost is routine now. The weekend forecast suggests that we may see a bit of snow. Our snow blower still needs a tune-up.

At work I'm handing off old assignments so that I can work full-time on my new project. I have a meeting this morning with another writer to discuss the transfer. After that I will try to find a conference room with a big white board where I can sketch out my ideas. It's a time of creative thrashing.

Sandra gave me a mirror so that I can see behind me as people come into my office. I've read that mirrors are the aspirin of feng shui.

"I should have listened to my mother."

"About what?"

"I don't know. That's why I should have listened."