Oh, I figured I'd show up in downtown Melbourne at about 8 AM this morning to get on line at the OFA Melbourne office to get a ticket to see President Obama, who is -- surprise -- visiting Florida Institute of Technology this Sunday.
News of the visit came in an e-mail from OFA just yesterday morning. I parked in the lot near the office and noticed the LINE. It stretched around the block and was backed up onto US1 until the police came and relocated the end of the line more sensibly so no traffic deaths would occur.
It was hot and as we waited, there were a few vestibules of local shops available to take some shade. I was soaked to the skin with sweat. I'd brought a small cooler full of ice and 6 bottles of water, in case anyone was dying of thirst. I did some yoga as I waited as long as I was all sweaty anyway.
The line was a party, just like when we waited in Orlando for 6 hours to see PBO and Hillary. We laughed and joked and told stories, not like the sourpusses in the other unparty. They were people I knew and complete strangers, but we were family this morning. I waved my homemade "O" and screamed along with everyone every time people came back along the line with their TICKETS! "Let us see that TICKET!" we yelled at the lucky holders. And we'd scream and start chanting "Four More Years, Four More Years." What a pissah.
And now I'm so happy that I'll see the Pres on Sunday I could freakin bust. Doors open at the Clemente Auditorium at FL Tech at 8:30 AM. We surmise that PBO will speak around 11-11:30 AM because he has another gig in West Palm Sunday afternoon. Some people are going to sleep out overnight on Saturday. The Clemente Aud has a capacity of 3500, so I hope everyone gets a seat. This is where Amy Goodman brings her show when she comes here.
So I'm looking for pictures of the huge line and I found one! Channel 13 Orlando TV. And there I am, smack in the middle, holding my homemade Obama "O." Dayum!
I can't believe I'm going. YAAAAAY! He's gonna be maybe 2 miles from my house!!!! I think I'll ride my bike over. There is a call on the tubes to "freep" the visit. Listen, lemons, show up and I'll kick you in the freakin neck or the fruits, whichever is closer. :-PPPP