Really, we're going to bed

Today I went to Europe's largest inner-city mall. It's just down the street. It's like nothing I've ever seen before. I don't even think we covered the entire square footage. There are several huge anchor stores and in between are chain stores from all over Europe. There's a champagne bar, a milkshake bar and even a cupcake bar. A grocery store. Scores of restaurants and coffee shops. My friends lamented that there didn't seem to be a kids play area, but that didn't bother me. I'm not taking my consumer-crazed kid anywhere near that place!

Grazia magazine (the UK answer to US mag) was set up in the middle of the mall and my friends and I got to be part of a group that put together holiday looks from racks of clothing from M and S department store. Then people walking by would vote on the best outfit. One of my friends won and walked away with a free purse. Too bad she didn't get to keep the outfit!

When not at the mall, I have been reliving the presidential campaign online with video montages from CNN, ABC news and the New York Times. We haven't been so inundated with the constant campaign messages, so I've had a chance to actually reflect on the term that Wolf Blitzer will use about a gazillion times tonight--historic election. How amazing is it that people who used to have to sit in the back of the bus because of the color of their skin will most likely see a black man elected President tonight? And if he isn't, perhaps with the election of Sarah Palin as VP, all those churches who supported her will let women into their pulpits. I have really enjoyed this election. I am thrilled about the excitement it has generated. Packed campaign rallies. Record voter turnout. Unparalleled Saturday Night Live skits. I think this election has been good for people.

I would like to stay up all night and watch CNN, following every little nuance of all the exit polls and following the votes as they come in. But Skip and I are hanging it up tonight and planning to get up at 5 a.m. tomorrow to watch election coverage and find out who won.