New Hope, New Country, New President

Amazed.
Moved to tears.
Empowered.
Fascinated.
Overflowing joy.
Indescribable.

The above are all words that come to mind when I actually sit down and think about what happened today. Even through all the pomp and circumstance, the overly practiced moves, the poetry reading afterward… even though all of the “extra” stuff, I sat in my office on Michigan Avenue and watched with my coworkers as Barack Obama was sworn in as the forty-fourth President of the United States of America. To say that his morning was awe inspiring is an understatement. To say that I watched history being made is to discard my participation. I enabled history to be made. I blogged. I voted. I enraged my Republican friends. I started a dialogue with my outspoken rhetoric, and made people defend their position. I challenged those who were once undecided. I called people on Election Day. I offered rides to the polls (for Democrats and Republicans alike). I was not alone. Young people across the country took up the cross of bringing change to the White House. We all put on our “reform” hats and did what was necessary to get our candidate elected. We canvassed, we protested, and we all collectively held our breath on November 4, 2008, while waiting on all the poll results.

When I look back on the last year and a half of politics in the United States, I am sincerely amazed at the mere participation that this election brought to the table. I was often nostalgic for past decades. Some of the gathering places on the campaign trail reminded me of large groups of college students that were making their voices heard. Protests of the present wars in the Middle East reminded me of pictures of the youth of America protesting the Vietnam War. The bonding experience of people- gay and straight- protesting the California proposition against gay marriage was amazing. It made me (and continues to make me) proud to be an American- especially during these times. Being a lifetime history student, it is fascinating to see the cycles that society goes through. The sixties were a time of change, both the 19th and 20th centuries! Because of those hard times our country and her people were made better. I have no question that the same will happen now. I am not close minded enough to think that all of America’s woes can be blamed on the outgoing President. (Even if I was that close minded, I would never say so!! LOL) I think that Dubya did what he thought was right at the time, but now I am glad that his way of THOUGHT has been replaced. As a country, we have to come around to a new way of thinking, one that encompasses different countries, with different values. One that includes ALL Americans, no matter what they believe, who they have relationships with, or what god they pray to. One that incorporates our differences as strengths instead of weaknesses. One that incorporates all that its citizens have to offer.

Does that sound too “utopian”? I don’t care. Mr. President puts me in that kind of mood. He makes me think back to elementary school, when the teacher told me that I could be anything I wanted- and I still believed that. He makes me look at all of my life let downs as courage builders instead of failures. He makes me think that even though the road has been rough for the United States, there are brighter days ahead. For that I will be eternally grateful. For that we will all be grateful. J

I have been online all day. There are LOTS of negative Nancies out there. Wow. I wonder what they will say if Barack Obama proves that he is not just eloquent, but a man of action as well. Only time will tell, but this is a ride I will gladly take. I will look back on this day as one of the most blessed days my eyes have seen. I will not remember the negative thoughts about Bush (version 2); I will remember all the hard work that went into making this happen, the hours that citizens put in, the overly joyous feeling of HOPE. Hope that things can be different; Hope that politicians don’t always have a hidden agenda; Hope that when my friends and I get together WE can make a difference. I close my eyes and pray that one day my brothers and nephew will know why this day is so important and will realize the door that is open today, started with a crack over a hundred years ago.

Ahhh- basking in the glory of Change- the only true constant that this world offers. Moxie

Excitement Abounds

My 60th post. How fitting?

I am so excited that I can't sleep. In less than 12 hours Barack Obama, the man that I voted for, will be sworn into the office of President of the United States. Wow. The thought of that is breath taking. It is NOT just because he is Black, like me. It is NOT just because he made Chicago his home, like me. It is NOT because he seems very liberal, like me. Instead, my excitement stems from the fact that Barack Obama has what I want to have- the ability to be a reason for people from extremely different backgrounds, life experiences and ways of thinking, together for a common cause. The charisma. The eloquence. The refusal of anything subpar. Jeez, even typing about it makes me fill up with an amazing sense of satisfaction. The anticipation of seeing all that the events of this day will bring cannot be explained. There are not words that will aptly describe what today means to not just me, but to hundreds, thousands... millions of people. In the US, across the world. Later today, I, along with millions will see and experience something that has never been seen before. I am filled with joy; smiling ear to ear. Cannot wait... cannot wait... cannot wait. :) 

James Morrison - Nothing Ever Hurt Like You

Nice bluesy feel... puts me in the same mood as "Ain't never loved a man the way that I loved you" by Aretha. Love it!! :)

My favorite line? "You made me see... that you don't get to taste the honey, without the sting of the bee..."

James Morrison- You Make It Real

Maybe it is the very cold weather that has made my musical taste slip to the sappy side. Maybe it is the shortened winter days, maybe it is my advanced age! :)
Whatever the case, one of my new musical infatuations is James Morrison.

My favorite line: "When my head is strong, but my heart is weak... I'm full of arrogance and uncertainty. When I can't find the words, you teach my heart to speak- you make it real for me..."

Sweetest Thing - Andy Davis Cover

My favorite verse? "A blue eyed boy meets a brown eyed girl..."

Andy Davis has a sweet, sweet voice. :) U2 writes some fantastic lyrics! :)

At Last - Andy Davis Cover

Feeling musical... and it is an Andy Davis kinda night!! :)