But I can't go to sleep. I'm drunk, I'm weeping, and my allergies are acting up something fierce. But I still remember going to History class, 9 AM in November of 2000, and being miserable, and having nothing to do about it. And this is so much better.
I went to my polling place yesterday, at 5:30 after work. Public transportation conspired against me. I saw my final bus sitting 100 feet in front of my other bus, my phone rang with my self-programmed reminder. And I thought, oh fuck, this is some sort of sign. Because, somehow, being raised Quaker, I think I ended up agnostic-Pagan. Praying to the Poll gods. Rain, buses, clouds. Like in Shakespeare, the weather knowing something momentous is happening. Oh, was I right,
It worked. It was Brilliant. It was fantastic. I went. I voted. And I spent a lovely 30 minute walk back to the house I share with my mother and brother, bouncing along with hope an optimism. My heart was broken absentee style four years ago. But it was repaid tonight.
We cooked Crunchy Taco Hamburger Helper, which we've done since January, so we weren't gonna stop now. And my mom went to a music booster meeting, and I'm gonna sell tee-shirts on Saturday, because our school disctrict is fantastic, but always one budget vote from going under. (believe me. I had to write a letter as a senior to defend our music and theater and arts programs- music being one of the top 120 in the country- against attacks.)
But we ate our dinner. And we cheered NJ being called at 8:01 like everybody else. And we stressed for a whole hour when our brilliant wonderful progressive congressman was not called, was only winning 50-48. This guy, this nerd, who I installed MS-OS for, four years ago. And he won. Becuase I couldn't have tonight without Rush Holt. NJ-12.
But Rush couldn't do his thang tonight without Barack Hussein Obama, 44th President of The United States of America.
Because karma was on last night.
When we asked for states, he gave us states.
When we asked for populations, he gave us populations.
When we asked to have our faith restored, to have our hearts repaired, he showed up with spackle and tools.
What happens tomorrow, happens tomorrow. Today, we have hope, we have plans, we do things.
"I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me.
A day may come when the courage of Men fails
When we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship
But it is not this day
An hour of wolves and shattered shields when the Age of Man comes crashing down
But it is not this day!
This day we fight!
By all that you hold dear on this good earth
I bid you stand, Men of the West!"