The test went as expected. I spit the notes back out. I had some memory lapses in one of the derivations (the second order conditions to minimize unconstrained functions of more than three variables, if you must know). But otherwise, all went well.

I've been so tired the last few days. Its a real effort dragging myself out of bed. I looked for last minute tickets to LA to see Space Ship One win the X-Prize (or go down in flames) on Monday, but nothing less than $500. Oh well, I need to get stuff done around the house this weekend anyway.

I did manage to stay awake for the debates. I don't think either candidate really knocked my socks off. You could have played a drinking game using expressions like "resolute and steadfast", "win the peace", "America is a safer place." I am amused that Sen. Kerry basically goaded Pres. Bush into saying nuclear a few times so we could hear his serious pronunciation problems. Giggle.

I kept wishing that every time that Pres. Bush said that we must remain "steadfast" in Iraq and it was a diservice to the troops to waiver in our "resolve" that Sen. Kerry would call the Pres. a stubborn ass. Ok, maybe that would be asking too much. But would it have been uncalled for just to use the word "stubborn" once? I don't like the people who compare Iraq to Vietnam. I think they are two extremely different situations (most notably since we are using an all-volunteer army in Iraq). But it makes you wonder if there is a single former hippy on Bush's staff that would think that some of his expressions are scarily Lyndon Johnson-like! There's nothing wrong with fixing mistakes made during military conflict to make your position more effective - it certainly doesn't show weakness. But the President thinks that if we waiver at all from the course we're on, it will be the same as defeat. And Sen Kerry never really called him on that one.

On the reverse side, I did like that the President seemed actually really engaged in the debate -- thinking on his feet more than I would've expected, practically jumping to respond to some of the accusations leveled against him. Cari got annoyed by that (she said the interuptions were rude). But I liked it when he asked to be able to respond, or jumped right in when his time started. He appeared really engaged to me. A little less presidential than he should probably appear, but a little more like a person that really likes to think about the issues and talk about them - a trait that I generally don't associate with his usual befuddled cowboy demeanor. I also wish Pres. Bush had poked a little fun at Sen. Kerry's solution to problems in Iraq. Sen Kerry would start everything with "We should have a summit... my idea of a summit..." Ok, yes, a summit would be good. And we should have one. But Sen. Kerry clung to that point and, man, does that sound weak for a potential future leader of the free world.

Anyway, my vote is still going to Kerry (as if there was any question about that). And my vote still won't count thanks to the electoral college - should've maintained my residence in Palm Beach like I had during the last Presidential election. I don't think the debates had any chance of changing my mind, or the minds of most Americans.