I have a plan for tonight, and it involves meeting new people socially who have absolutely nothing to do with politics or unions, and drinking lots of beer and listening to live music. Yes. A plan. I love it.

The weather here in Wisconsin is lovely, except when it's been flooding and tornadoing (see: first week in state) but the loneliness is a bit much, and I wake up almost every morning wondering if this is, perhaps, the craziest, most impulsive decision I've ever made, and will I actually survive until November? But hey, I've already been here a month(!!) and accomplished so much and managed to do things I've never done before (like, um, buy a car in one day) and, here's the key: it's only temporary. This has been my philosophy of life for the past couple years and it seems to serve me well. Punter even told me the other day on the phone that my "it's only temporary" outlook on life has helped her out, too, so I'm sharing it now in the hopes that it might, maybe, help you too.

Let me tell you this, also: They've never seen anything like me before in Wisconsin. Even in the big city of Milwaukee. Also, Everyone's Favorite DC Rollergirl and I came to the conclusion a few weekends back when she was in town visiting that Milwaukee is to Chicago as B-more is to DC. Which, if you're not familiar with either part of the country, can be explained this way: Milwaukee & B-more are the smaller, scruffier one-hour drive away step-sisters of the bigger cities of Chicago and DC.

Off to start my night!