My one shot at coolness

I'm a big fan of voting. I'm also psyched that it's so hot right now. With the celebrity endorsement, the voter registration drives and the whole world of political fashion opening up, this is the perfect situation. Between MTV, BET, P. Diddy and Drew Barrymore's political stylings, I think this voting season is going to finally be my chance to get popular. And last week, I saw Cameron Diaz at Kenneth Cole, and I talked her out of buying this truly heinous "Voting is Life" T-shirt. As Elle Woods said, whoever said orange was the new pink was seriously disturbed. \nWhether you like it or not, voting is the coolest thing in the world right now. I'm just making the most of it. I'm jumping on the bandwagon. I already know who I'm voting for, even in the "little elections" (read: elections other than the one for president). My thinking is that because voting is so trendy right here, right now, this is my one chance to be a totally hot, bitchin' voter. I'll finally be popular. I'm thinking that since I'm 20 right now, it's primetime in my voting career. I'll be 24 at the next big election, which isn't old by any standard, but it's going to be too old to work my voting thang. Twenty-four is three-quarters of the way toward adulthood, and if I worked my voting thang then, it would just be sad. \nI registered to vote, the first time, on my 18th birthday. On my actual birthday. I had to drive to the county seat to contest a speeding ticket, so while I was there, I registered to vote. I also bought a pack of cigarettes and contemplated buying some porn, but I have to say, I think I made the most of the day.\nAbout three weeks ago, I registered to vote by absentee ballot. It was charmingly easy: I sent an e-mail and made a phone call. After address confirmation, Barbara, the woman who works at Wayne County's Voter Registry Office, assured me that my ballot will be coming in the mail during the first week in October. Today is the last day of September, which means I have T minus one week to get sexy. \nI could've registered to vote in Bloomington, and I would've, but if I vote by absentee ballot, I can milk my hip new persona for a month instead of a single day. So from the day I get my ballot in the mail until election day, I'm cool. I'm doubly cool because election day -- Nov. 2 -- is also my birthday. My 21st birthday, at that. So how rad am I, really? \nTonight is the presidential debate, and I have big plans. I'm going to watch it, naturally, but I'm going to make the most of my time. I'm going to do my nails, and after they dry, I'm going to do a little crafting with my "Vote or Die" T-shirt. I'm thinking an I-69-style southward extension of the neckline, a little ruching on the sides and maybe hacking off the sleeves. Whatever I can do, because this is my one and only chance to up my public persona. Once people know I'm a voter. I'll command boatloads of respect. People will stop me in the street to shake my hand. I'll have to shoo photographers away from my front door, and I'll have to get a personal assistant to handle the date invitations. \nThis is going to be even cooler than when I wear my "Kiss me, I'm a blood donor" T-shirt.