It's been a long, a long time coming.

Here we are: upon the eve of one of the most titillating and history-making elections in U.S. history. In less than 36 hours (save any serious disaster with new voting machines), this country will have sealed its fate for the next four years. I'm conflicted about coming to the end of the relentless campaigning. On one hand, as a journalist I am saddened because I know that indecision and upheaval breed good news, what the hell is the country going to talk about once we've decided? A silver lining would be never another mention of Joe anyone. However, on the other hand I can breathe a sigh of relief (at least in part depending on the decision that is made) at the idea that my inner turmoil regarding this election will cease to exist after Nov. 5. On the Oct. 31 episode of "Real Time with Bill Maher," Maher asked why people are so thankful for this election to be nearly over. He went on to say it's one of the most exciting races ever to grace politics and has amazingly gotten so many people so involved, so why would we want it to be over? Essentially, I agree. I wish I could find the direct quote, but the transcripts for that episode haven't been uploaded to the HBO site yet. Check back to check it out.

However, on the second point of personal turmoil, columnist Kathleen Parker wrote a column about undecided voters at this point in the election. The following quote pretty much sums up the election for me.

"So what are these zombies of the voting booth really waiting for? Something they won't find: The perfect choice. It doesn't exist. The clear path is dappled with doubt. The telling clue is buried in the hearts of Col. Mustard, who worries about Iraq and taxes under Obama, and Miss Scarlet, who can't get past McCain's age and the winking wonderwoman of Wasilla."

As much as I want to blindly get behind Obama and support him into the fiery pits of Democratic oblivion, I always have to look at both sides of the situation. The problem is that both sides are so skewed, there is no right decision. As a general rule, I work on logic and rationalization. Both are absent from the decision that I am forced to make tomorrow. If you know me, you know who I'm voting for, but be aware it isn't without reservation. I will pull the lever, or click the button, or whatever other mechanism appears at the polling station, for a candidate I warily support. I have hope that he will be exactly what this country needs, exactly at this moment in history, but at the same time pray that well-intentioned ideas don't get twisted. The ideal candidate would include a beautiful melody of feasible, fair ideas and concrete plans, with a dash of rationality and an ample supply of eloquence and poise minus any inkling of a trophy sidekick. As we know, this candidate doesn't exist. But don't let that deter you from getting off your anti-establishment ass to get to the polls and vote tomorrow. As much as you'd like to convince yourself: not voting doesn't mean your bucking the system, or damning the man. It just means you're lazy.

Vote!