Whadup, Prez?

oh? via acupofjo.

History

Sunny came over Tuesday night to share the experience of watching history unfold. As if history itself wasn't excitement enough, we took the opportunity to continue the comically tense process of introducing my 7-year-old Foo (the curmudgeon who doesn't like other dogs up in his grill) to 6-month-old Beans (the sweetie who insists on licking every dog's grill). I've seen a whole new scary grimace side of Foo during this process, but he definitely began to soften throughout the course of the evening. When Foo humped Beansy's face, I knew we were making real progress.

That wasn't the only progress in the air, and when ABC announced that Ohio went to Obama, I knew it was time to get ourselves to Grant Park. It was 9:00, and Sunny-full-of-pizza was already horizontal on my couch under a blanket and a snoozing Beans. It didn't look good. But, against the odds, Sunny and I were aboard the 56 bus headed downtown a mere 15 minutes later. Ten minutes after that, we were just two in a sea of humanity flowing down Michigan Avenue toward Grant Park.

Once inside the park, we could see the glow of the "ticket only" section where Obama would soon appear. For the remaining ticketless thousands, the city set up several jumbotrons adjacent to the big top. After choosing our spot, we used my annoying concert-going skills and Sunny's short stature to get ourselves up close and personal with jumbotron. All sorts flocked to the park that night, but the common thread were faces beaming looks of pride.

Except for the two Brits who happened to end up right next to and behind me. They'd apparently been down the pub for hours and were so shit-canned they couldn't stand upright, let alone maintain a facial expression of any kind beyond "gravity doing its job." I'm often a magnet for people with no sense of personal space. It was sort of funny in that "anything goes right now" kind of way... until something began repeatedly brushing against my ass. But, I let it go in the spirit of not letting drunken fools ruin the moment. Letting it slide was made easy as pie once Barack took the stage. The crowd went wild, the Brits managed a sincere cheer before stumbling away, and you've all heard the speech by now....

Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.

It felt good to be a part of this moment in history. It didn't fully hit me just how many people showed up for the rally until we were leaving the park and the sea of people flooded Michigan Avenue and every cross street. It was a sight to behold. I climbed barriers to get a better look and take photos, and I was truly stunned by the sheer numbers. I have never in my life been amongst so many people, and coupled with the election outcome, it was thrilling. Though whether you were sitting on your couch at home or surrounded by hundreds of thousands, I think it's safe to say that letting the moment sink in was electrifying.

Earworm du Jour

Joy Division MTV Music

A random earworm c/o MTV's website, which has now archived most of the videos they've ever played. Fun time waster (as if I needed another). Thanks to VSL for yet another hook-up.

I lied about getting back online last night to report my experiences from the Obama rally. It's still to come for my own memory immortalizing purposes, but I was tore up from the floor up by the time last night rolled around. My 22 hour election day was followed last night by drinks with my few beloved coworkers who were walking on air after Obama's win. Lawyers will use any excuse they can get their hands on (good or bad) to self medicate. A former coworker and still-friend came along too, eventually (reluctantly) admitting that she voted for McCain.

After we gave her a look of shock and dismay (followed by a quick tarring and feathering), we got over the error of her ways and turned to the commonly safe denominators: The misery of the job. Her pending wedding. Sex. It helped when she clarified (through puffs of feathers) that she's "fine" with the results. She's not one of those who will wander the office declaring her "fear of the next four years!" Because the fearful ones felt so secure in the hands of the chimp??

And breathe.

So four Stellas, a five-full cab ride, one long dog walk, and a leftover election pizza later, and I could hardly keep these eyes open. I am, therefore, taking "Thirsty Thursday" off to drink lots of water, lose the shwoll, and do some catch-up. That's the plan anyway. Though I never was much for plans.

Earworm du Election Day!

This is "Bring it Back," by McAlmont & Butler. I can't help but dance a jig when I can't help but play it five times in a row, even if it's just from the comfort of my chair (whatever, McAlmont does it in his own vid). It's as cool as chair-dancing is uncool (except when McAlmont does it), and a good pre-rally tune I daresay.

The firm hath set us free early today on account of the downtown Obama rally bustle, which I've decided to brave in the name of history... and because I have an uncharacteristic attraction to huge crowds. So long as no one human in said crowd pushes against me for too long. Even if I don't manage to see a relevant thing, it'll feel good to be amongst the excitement. Until tomorrow morning, that is.

Hitting the Hay

Heading to bed a little early tonight in anticipation of an early rise to (ba)rock the vote. I don't queue well, so I'm hoping to avoid some of the predicted waits by arriving at the ass-crack of dawn. We'll see how that goes. I imagine this is universal, but there sure is a buzz in the Chicago air (not at all hindered by the wonderfully warm weather we're having). I'm feeling the excitement and predict it will turn to that "I need to go to the bathroom" nervousness about 24 hours from now.

For those not in the foo know, this is not my dog. Foo would instantly hoover any food I attempted to put on his face. So why bother trying when Dooce's Chuck will do the hard workin' for us?

Update: I was in line this morning by 6:20 and was done voting by 7:00. Not too shabby. Now it's shower time and off to work with all appendages crossed....

Encouraging

For my sanity, I've begun trying to ignore the sensationalism that abounds in this presidential election. With that, I try not to pay much mind to the Obama positive polls, because there's no telling who will show up and what decisions will be made behind the curtains come election day. But the fact that a *one hundred and six* year old American nun living in Rome has decided to vote for the first time since 1952 because she's "encouraged by Senator Obama" is...well, encouraging. Especially after watching clips like these.

"If I laugh at any mortal thing 'tis that I may not weep."



Hope c/o ASWOBA. Disturbance c/o Deux Ex Malcontent

Float

I adore this photo by Doug DuBois, called "My Father." Look at those toes! It's reminscent of my own memories of floating out in the Atlantic with my grandmother and grandfather. I always thought we were just like big seagulls out there bobbing along with the incoming waves.

This is just one of many photos for sale at Art for Obama. For those of you with some clams to spare, get to bidding! The auction ends October 10th. Oh, that's today!