America at Its Best

I just got back from DC, and I had a ridiculously good time. DC definitely had an electric buzz in the air while we were there, and I've never seen our country so darn loving, happy and hopeful. It was amazing.

My trip there was quick, but I laughed a lot, cried (happy tears!) and froze my butt off. Although, Tish, Liz, David and I were unable to be there for the actual inauguration (it's a long story, but basically we all got screwed by gates that never opened, and we weren't the only ones, according to a number of articles, including this one), we did make it home in time to watch it at home all together and I, for sure, felt like I was there. (Chanting "Obama, Obama, Obama" in 13-degree weather at 6:30 am with a few thousand people will do that.) Thankfully, I have video from a little of that.



Along with a quick video of what I do best: Accidentally take video when I'm trying to take a picture. And curse.



For more from the trip, check out my pics here and Tish's pics here. I certainly had a FABULOUS time, and I'll always remember it. Cheesy as it is, I've never felt more proud to be an American. I not only witnessed history, but I got to witness it with some of my best friends. I can't wait to see what our future holds.

Oh, and for a more detailed play-by-play of our trip, check out Tish's post. She got the details yo and has video of us in line! 

We Baracked the Vote!

Thanks, Erin and Tish for hipping me to the coolest phrase/blog title ever. I apparently was living under a rock and never heard it. Love it though! And I loved Tuesday night. LOVED it. Almost can't believe it. Now, as usual, a photo essay. You can see how happy we were.

Sarv and Ryan gleefully make blue Kool-Aid/vodka/sugar water for us to shoot when states go blue.

First state called, take one down! (We took 26 by the night's end, but no worries, they were weak, people. WEAK! We knew what we were in for.)

The boys watching the results come in. 

And it's called! The happiness/shock of its awesomeness sets in. Fastest election to be called since I started voting.  

Can you believe it?! Yes, we can!

Everyone got stickers! And smiles!

Peace, love and a whole lotta Obama!

We have a future! We can still live in the US! We can be proud of your country's president! Hooray! 

Celebration double-fist pump.

Ryan's pours glasses of champagne for all. With an extra bit of sauciness of course.

Gosh, it's so awesome. I can't wait to see how this country changes...

Missouri is America.

So, this post is a few days late, and therefore may not be quite as relevant, but whatever. I'm blogging about it. As Erin so nicely put in a recent IM conversation, I got my vote on Tuesday! I braved a thunderstorm and an overly eager Ron Paul supporter, who drilled me about who I was voting for and why. Um, none of your business. I should not have been surprised though. The man was wearing something like this:

Regardless, this was the first primary I'd participated in, and I was just filled with glee all Tuesday. Not to mention, I stayed up way too late watching the results come in. Which leads me to my next point...Missouri is America.

Take a look at this from CNN (I'm so proud that I did a screenscrape, but it's little. Click here for a better view):

As you can see, both the democratic and republican primaries were split almost evenly, leading me to believe that Missouri's mix of rural and city, poor and wealthy, and white and non-white is basically representative of the entire country. And because we know there's a staunch divide between candidate supporters in both political parties, it leads me to believe that Missouri -- and therefore America -- is as divided as it ever was.

If Missouri proves again to be a bellwether state, then I say to heck with national elections. Let's make it easier and just have Missouri vote!*

*Note : This is all in jest. For the record, I believe everyone should vote and let their opinion be heard and (hopefully) counted no matter what you believe. That includes DC, too, President Bush!