election 08

election 08
Originally uploaded by bluepupae.

it was a wet morning. i had a tummy ache and nausea from having stayed up late researching ballot measures and waking up early to get to my polling station when it opened at 7am and feeling general nervousness about the outcome of the election, but i made it. in times past, there was usually no more than a ten minute wait, but on this morning, i knew to expect a long line. it turned out not to be as long as i thought it would be, but i did wait for about an hour which passed quickly with some knitting.

everyone in line was patient and polite. no one seemed particularly irked at having to wait, myself included. i don't know about the other people, but i was excited to be a part of history making. i was afraid of getting my hopes up too much to be dashed as in the previous two elections, but i couldn't help feeling good about the whole thing, encouraged by the large numbers.

i'm glad that i was wrong in my fears and so relieved that we as a nation elected someone able, intelligent and pragmatic for president. the whole process amazed me and made me proud for the first time in a long time to be american. people cared, and they made their voices heard.

my only disappointment was in the passage of prop 8. i find it ironic considering that we were doing so much for equality by electing an able president independent of skin color, that one of the more progressive states in this country voted down equal rights for gays and lesbians. there's still a ways to go, and some time before we see obama in action, but i think for the next week, the bliss of hiss victory will hang in the air.