(no subject)
As the cut text implies, Barack Obama spoke today at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, about a 40-minute drive from my house. It was a day off for me, so, naturally, I had to go. I kinda sorta dragged Dinah (who's been a Clinton supporter but mostly just wants a Democrat in the White House), and we started our epic journey at 11:30 this morning. He wasn't scheduled to speak until 3:30, but doors opened at 2, so we figured we should get there a little early to make sure we got in. Got there at noon and spent the next two hours in 95-degree heat. In a large crowd. With other sweaty, overheated people. Apparently, the sunscreen on the back of my neck managed to rub off, so it's currently a lovely shade of bright pink (and it huuuuuuuuuuurts). Vendors were charging flippin' $3.75 for a 20 oz. bottle of water. But it was either that or heatstroke, so, farewell, hard-earned money.
Anyway, we got in at 2 and got seats about 15 rows up at the end farthest from the stage. Considering the entire place ended up being mostly full, we got pretty lucky. (If you're unaware, the Bank Atlantic Center is where the Florida Panthers play. It's an average-sized arena.) Obama didn't end up speaking until 4:45 or so, which was slightly annoying, but at least the arena was well air-conditioned. The collective body odor of the audience must have been overwhelming. Have I mentioned it was very hot outside today?
The speech itself was amazing, though, which made the waiting in the heat and then inside completely worth it. That man has incredible public speaking skills. I couldn't even tell you how many times I got goosebumps. The crowd was very responsive and broke into applause every chance it got. And he managed to convince Dinah to support him. It wasn't my intention at all when I invited her, but, hey, I'm not complaining.
My camera's kind of dead these days, so I unfortunately don't have any pictures to share. It was an amazing experience, though. Don't know if I've said that enough. Seeing Kerry and Edwards in 2004 was great, too, but this was different. (And it was inside. Kerry and Edwards were in an open airplane hangar with no a/c.) The atmosphere was almost electric. I actually felt hopeful, which, after nearly eight years under the current president, I haven't felt in a long, long time. That said, if Obama wins the nomination, he'd better win the presidency, too. I just want to be able to say that I've seen a president speak in person. Well, there's that, and the whole thing about John McCain scaring the living daylights out of me, but whatever.
Anyway, we got in at 2 and got seats about 15 rows up at the end farthest from the stage. Considering the entire place ended up being mostly full, we got pretty lucky. (If you're unaware, the Bank Atlantic Center is where the Florida Panthers play. It's an average-sized arena.) Obama didn't end up speaking until 4:45 or so, which was slightly annoying, but at least the arena was well air-conditioned. The collective body odor of the audience must have been overwhelming. Have I mentioned it was very hot outside today?
The speech itself was amazing, though, which made the waiting in the heat and then inside completely worth it. That man has incredible public speaking skills. I couldn't even tell you how many times I got goosebumps. The crowd was very responsive and broke into applause every chance it got. And he managed to convince Dinah to support him. It wasn't my intention at all when I invited her, but, hey, I'm not complaining.
My camera's kind of dead these days, so I unfortunately don't have any pictures to share. It was an amazing experience, though. Don't know if I've said that enough. Seeing Kerry and Edwards in 2004 was great, too, but this was different. (And it was inside. Kerry and Edwards were in an open airplane hangar with no a/c.) The atmosphere was almost electric. I actually felt hopeful, which, after nearly eight years under the current president, I haven't felt in a long, long time. That said, if Obama wins the nomination, he'd better win the presidency, too. I just want to be able to say that I've seen a president speak in person. Well, there's that, and the whole thing about John McCain scaring the living daylights out of me, but whatever.