Barracking On Since '08

I think that I have come down enough from my victory high and this emotional process that has been going on for the past 30 hours, enough to compile some lucid thoughts about yesterday and today. I personally had no wait at my polling place. I got there around 8:30 am (after the pre-work rush) and was voter number 191, which is around 100 more people votes than all day in local elections. I promptly came home and applied my temporary tattoo to my wrist that features a head shot of Obama. At my bowling league last night some man wanted to turn on election results, and some woman was freaking out and demanding the Red Wings be put on. The humor in the irony that everyone else wanted to watch election coverage, but that this one loose canon wanted to watch hockey and therefore that remained on, did little to console my rage at general political ignorance. (p.s. the Red Wings weren't on). She shouted at the man that he "probably voted for that idiot Obama, too" which lucky for her I didn't hear. Fortunately, most people I know voted, in fact I only heard of three all day that didn't. Subsequently, those people are dead to me. I cannot even fathom how someone would just not have voted yesterday. I believe that it is far better to vote against what I personally believe in, than to not vote at all. Overall, I was pleased with the informed voters in my life. What was most surprising yesterday was how soon the results were announced. I was in it for the long haul last night, and was shocked at the unevenness of the electoral votes. What I was also surprised about it that I felt bad for John and Cindy (not that 1950's replica of an educated woman, Palin). I thought that his speech was sincere and consoling and realized that if he had been elected, I would have been substantially more happy than I have been these miserable eight years. Obama's speech was second to none, however. It was magnificent. He did not gloat or become overly emotional. He was solid and I hope instilled others with as much faith and confidence in him as I have. I teared up while listening to it and automatically feel much safer and have hope for the future. I feel like we will now be using our powers for good instead of evil. To not end on too sentimental of a note, I'd like to say that Barack is our first bi-racial president. He's black and white. Get it right. I realize the importance of this moment and sincerely hope that his election does more to unify. This is in response to a comment I heard yesterday that "once Barack is elected, the first thing I'm going to do is punch a white person," said by some southern black person. Let's not go there. I hope this wasn't supposed to be unbiased.