In the minutes before Game 1 of the ALCS, my roommate asked me "So what would you rather, the Red Sox win the World Series, or Kerry win the election?"

I paused to consider.

The Fall of 2004 will probably go down in my memory as a season spent waiting and hoping for three perhaps unattainable things:

1. That I get a job

2. That the Red Sox win the World Series

3. That John Kerry beats George Bush

That list reflects both the order of my preference (ie, I most want to get a job) and, in the unlikely and somewhat amazing chance that they were all to happen, the order I'd like them to happen in. (Aside from me getting a job, this is the order they'd have to happen in, since the World Series will be over before election day.)

Looking at this list, it might seem a bit selfish, since arguably the outcome that would affect the greatest number of people is the presidential election. And yet, I must admit, I will not feel a whole hell of a lot better about my life if I wake up on November 3 to find John Kerry president while I'M STILL AN UNEMPLOYED FAN OF A LOSING TEAM.

Since this is life, afterall, I'm not expecting to get everything on this list. I'm not even holding my breath to get one of the things on this list, but damnit, I would like a job, and as soon as possible, since I fear insanity if it doesn't happen soon.

Anyway, if I stumble upon any magic lamps in the next few days, you know what I'll be wishing.

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