Thoughts on Election Night

I'm sorry I've been neglecting this blog. I've been working a lot of overtime at work and I'm so tired. Today's Beautiful Thing is about all I can handle lately. Anyway, Barbara Samuel asked for election stories on her blog and this is what I wrote:

Living in a red county and being surrounded by McCain/Palin and “Yes on 8″ signs in my neighborhood, my husband and I were thrilled to be invited to an election night party given by the county Democratic party. The party started at 8 PM and we were running a little late, so they actually called the election when we were in the car on our way there!

We just couldn’t believe it was called so early–just a few minutes after 8 PM. When the DJ made the announcement, we were speechless. We honestly didn’t think we’d win this time, fearful the election was going to be stolen from us again. I think I just said, “No. Is this for real?” and burst into tears. My husband cranked up the dial, muttering, “What? What!” It wasn’t until the DJ played a clip of Wolf Blitzer announcing, “Barack Obama is the president-elect” that it started sinking in. Then we saw the restaurant decorated in bunting and red, white & blue balloons and we heard the crowd cheering from the second story balcony and we broke into big dopey grins–and more tears for me. It was really real!

We found a space and, on our way through the parking garage, people spotted my Obama/Biden T shirt and honked and cheered and we cheered back. The restaurant was packed and happy people filled the second story courtyard. It was too crowded for everyone to get in, but they’d set up 2 huge screens and we watched Obama’s speech outside, under the stars. I don’t normally like crowds, but was a wonderful thing to watch Barack’s perfect speech with a crowd of people of all ages and races–we wouldn’t have gotten that at home in front of the TV.

It was a particularly beautiful experience for me to meet older African Americans, who had been through so much in their lives, and to share their joy. We cheered and screamed “Yes we can!” and “Yes we did!” in unison looking to each other, shiny-eyed and smiling, as he spoke. It was the best feeling to be in that crowd.

It didn’t even matter that we couldn’t get into the party, I’m so glad we went. I’ll never forget November 4, 2008.

Yes we DID!

Obma Vs. McCain Tax Calculator

DO you know the differences in the tax rebates you'd get between Obama and McCain's plans? Well, now you do! Try it! As for us, under Obama, we'll get an additional $1,000 in tax cuts. Under McCain, we'll get $0. In fact, if we had 2 children, we'd save $120 under mcCain. How is this fair? The majority of our property taxes fund local schools, which I have nothing against (even though I'll never have children to use them), but I'll be damned if I'm giving up my tax cut so a rich guy can have it. Fair is fair! My husband and I work very hard, we deserve a little help too.

Please Watch

I've been away for a while and I apologize. Truth be told, everything that's been happening with our economy was something many of us have seen coming for a long time. The Republicans (including McCain) deregulated us into this disaster. It's terribly depressing and makes many of us feel hopeless. That's where I've been, lost in a gloomy, hopeless place, but I'm clawing my way out.

Anyway, if you're even considering voting for McCain, please watch this vido clip. It's very short. And thank you.

Hope is on the way!

To borrow a phrase from John Edwards 2004 run for President, Hope is on the way! Day 1 of the DNC was today and I rushed home from work to watch it. Someday I am going to the DNC. It looks so exciting. :) In honor of those who have the audacity to hope, here are some hope quotes for the day:

"Great hopes make great men." -- Thomas Fuller

"True hope is swift, and flies with swallow's wings." -- William Shakespeare

"A comforting acquaintance, hope, a contagious thing like spring, inebriating like lager." -- Sylvia Ashton-Warner

"Everything that is done in the world is done by hope." -- Martin Luther

May you all have a hopeful tomorrow.

Obama/Biden '08

I'm thrilled that Barack Obama chose Joe Biden as his running mate. I think they will compiment eachother very nicely. Great decision on Obama's part. Yeah!

Thursday Things VIII

1) I'm waiting on pins and needles to find out who Obama has chosen as his running mate! (Yes. I am a political geek.)

2) I have been using the exact same hair color for the last 16 years. (Hey, if it ain't broke...)

3) I've always wanted to learn to oil paint. (Water colors are pretty, but you have to do them quickly & spontaneously, and I'm too much of a perfectionist for that.)

4) I like the idea of reincarnation. I think it's cool that I could have lived many different kinds of lives, trying each of them on for size. (I'm not sure if I believe in it, but anything's possible.)

Quizzy

Just for fun... I stole this from Barb. She and I got similar results. :) What did you get? Click and find out. :)

Your result for The Perception Personality Image Test...

NBPS - The Idealist

Nature, Background, Big Picture, and Shape

You perceive the world with particular attention to nature. You focus on the hidden treasures of life (the background) and how that fits into the larger picture. You are also particularly drawn towards the shapes around you. Because of the value you place on nature, you tend to find comfort in more subdued settings and find energy in solitude. You like to ponder ideas and imagine the many possibilities of your life without worrying about the details or specifics. You are in tune with all that is around you and understand your life as part of a larger whole. You prefer a structured environment within which to live and you like things to be predictable.

The Perception Personality Types:

Take The Perception Personality Image Test at HelloQuizzy