1) A Tivo is a VCR-like device that records TV to hard-drive instead of a tape. This allows you to record mutlple shows at the same time, watch something while recording, skip through commercials in seconds, burn shows to DVD at high quality (this last one may be illegal). If you want more info, go
here for basic info and
here for thousands of users showing you how to use it better.
It is one of the greatest inventions of the past 50 years. It will change your lifestyle.
Ask my siblings.
2) I don't think anyone on this site voted for him. Remember how the English booted the Puritans out of their country? Well, they landed here. There is a very large population of devoutly religous people in this country who believe that America is the 'Promised Land' and all of our problems will be solved if we have a leader who has faith in Jesus Christ as our Personal Savior. That since we are God's chosen people, our country is destined for greatness if only we uphold his rules - like no boobies on TV (thank you, Janet Jackson) and definitely none of that dirty gay sex. Especially man-on-man. Ewwww.
So, the Bush people went out to them, who are usually too disgusted by politics to vote and said, "If you don't vote for me, we may not exactly go to Hell, but it will get quite a bit hotter around these parts. Besides, the other guy doesn't want to outlaw gay marriage, so he probably likes it. Ewwww."
Those people came out in droves. Throw in addle-minded suburban Moms and Dads who fear the threat of terrorism in the outlying greater Omaha, Nebraska region - who for reasons unknown think this idiot will save them because after 9/11 he didn't begin sobbing uncontrollably.
People most affected by terrorism, like California, New York, New Jersey, Washington State, Washington D.C. - they all voted for Kerry.
Another factor was that Kerry ran almost the worst campaign possible against a President that the country didn't want again. Not until Clinton's people got involved did it even become a race.
Read more. I recommend it, it's a great read.
3) I took the trip in April/May, so I would gladly give advice and route and such. You can check the image gallery for some pictures as well as the blog/forum for posts around that time. If you're serious, reply back and I'll sketch something out for you over the next week.
