It's days like this I realize just what a lucky guy I am.

My Facebook wall is bursting with birthday wishes. I got calls from my nearest and dearest, and my wife showed once again why she is the sweetest woman ever born to this Earth. Oh, and this election cycle is about to end -- and tomorrow, one of these guys starts planning for a re-election bid in 2012. If we're lucky, we'll get a two-year break before all this starts again.

Some highlights of the day:

• I love hearing from Missourian alums, and I got a ton of wishes from students I worked with here. Thanks everyone, for all the birthday love! See you all next Homecoming, I hope.
  
• My grandparents still put cash in my birthday card. This year, it's going into Audrey's college fund, even though the card specifically states I'm supposed to do something fun with it. I love the sentiment, but I have fun everyday with my wife and little girl. And I wanted nothing more for my birthday this year than to boost that college fund so she can afford to go someday.
  
• ColumbiaMissourian.com was the place to go for news and analysis leading up to the election, and today it continued that domination with constant updates via blog, home page and Twitter. I'm about to go grab a nap before overseeing overnight coverage of the election around 1 a.m. 
• All the phone calls I got from friends and family
• Jenny got me my first piece of Mizzou gear, a hooded sweatshirt and a stocking cap to go with it. I hope it cools off around here soon.
  

Not sure who is going to win tonight. I think Obama will carry the popular vote, but so what. The Electoral College is all that matters, and that is too close to call in states like Missouri. There's a reason I'm preparing to staff overnight, and it's because there is a good chance we won't know until very, very late.

Time to grab that nap ...