Tomorrow's starting now!
I got gas for $1.91/gallon in Rock Hill. I say that because that is the lowest I've ever paid for gas (ever!) in my own car. Now, that means a couple of things. One, it shows how pathetic I was in actually getting my own car. Also, it shows...well, how pathetic I was in getting my own car. When I got the Explorer last March, I paid $2.36 for a gallon of gas. The prices went up almost two full dollars a gallon, and have gone back down, since then. So much for stability!!! Now that I'm making frequent trips up I-77, (and I mean frequent) it's nice to see that the gas prices are apparently in favor of my life choices.
I feel a little left out since I haven't published any kind of opinion on 'how awesome America is now that we've broken down that ever so evident barrier to allow Barack Obama to become president.' (I only use the quotations to be silly.) I believe that if he had run in 2004, he would have one. If you may recall, one of the lasting things from the DNC in 2004 was Barack Obama's speech. As underwhelming as John Kerry was/is, and with growing sentiment that things in Iraq were not working, I really think Obama would have had a great opportunity to start the change he wants to make happen a lot sooner.
But it doesn't hurt that he'll get a chance to start now, of course!!
Some things that I've heard/seen that I've noticed since then:
-ESPN made a tremendously awful reach Wednesday morning by saying that black athletes succeeding in sports could have paved the way to the events of Tuesday. Um...how about no? I just think that does a terrific disservice to what Obama accomplished. I know that a lot of historic things happened leading up to this point, (Jackie Robinson, Frank Robinson becoming the first black manager in baseball, Bob Johnson becoming the first black owner of a major sports team, Tony Dungy becoming the first black head coach to win a Super Bowl) but I do not think that the average person sees that and thinks, "Well, if they could do that, then of course a black man could be president!" Not quite, my friends. I do think that some of these events are related in a historic sense, but that's where it ends.
-There was a comment on NPR that is something I agree with. I hope that the media does eventually find a way to remove itself from the enormity of this event, and in turn becomes critical of Obama when necessary. He's got a tremendous task at hand: two wars, an economy in lots of trouble, and a healthcare/tax system he wants to revamp. I hope he's not given a pass from anyone, especially the media.
I also hope he's not given a pass from the public, mainly black people. This isn't the end of the line. I was in the barber shop today, and most of the people there seemed to be resigned to the fact that we should just do away with all the white people in America. (as if that would be an OK thing) I hope that we (I said WE!) will question him if and when he does things that are questionable, and not just be in accord just because he's one of us. Now I know that there are people who will do this, but I also know of people who...won't.
-As I was watching Sporscenter today, there was a thing on about how Donovan McNabb was actually 'inspired to register to vote for the first time in his adulthood.' Now, the only problem with this is that Donovan McNabb has been in the NFL since 1998, making him a ripe 31 years old. Which means he could have voted in the 1996 election, not just this one!!! I almost threw up in my mouth when Sage Steele made the comment about McNabb registering to vote, as if it was such an inspiring thing. I think it was IRRESPONSIBLE!! So spare me with your reasoning Donovan, and just go out there and work on your reads for Sunday.
-I was impressed with McCain's concession speech. I know, it's not as if he could just steam and be a sore loser. But he was a very gracious guy, and not only did he speak glowingly of Obama, he even quieted some of the more...vocal fans there that were not happy at all about losing. It was very nice of him. Now, if only that gracious behavior had been more evident throughout his campaign...
I will admit, (I probably even posted it here) I was going to vote for John McCain. No lie. I told friends this. I was grilled (in my car, at my friend's house by my friend AND HER MOM) about it, but I was sticking with it. I felt comfortable with McCain's level of experience...in general, I found myself agreeing with his plans/policies more than I agreed with any of the candidates, (this was back in primary season) and I wasn't sure that just ending the war(s) was the best idea. I thought he was best suited to lead the nation.
So, what changed? As I looked at it more, I found that I liked more and more what Barack Obama had to offer. I resisted his unmistakable charisma, and I did not get swept up like it looked as if a lot of other people were. (I mean, it is like an angel singing when he talks and all) As I looked at things more, I really was resigned to the point that I was OK if either one became president. They were both very determined men, which...I suppose you have to be for this sort of thing. I was looking for something, anything, to tip me one way or the other.
Then Sarah Palin happened.
The End. I know, she's hot. I'm almost certain she needs to maximize her celebrity and do a Playboy spread...and I'm really not kidding there. But, that's all she has to offer. Eye candy. Hell, I can look at myself in the mirror for that.
So, there it was. I really got the feeling that Obama really believes in what he's saying. That has to stand for something. It's not that I don't think McCain believes in what he was saying, but I feel like a lot of the things he did in his campaign were at the behest of his people. That's less relevant than the main reason I changed my mind, but still.
-I also think it's super comical that once Obama mentioned a college playoff, everybody's debating this...again. I mean, don't we do that every year? He just got it started a year early!!! It's not going to happen...anytime soon. The people who seem to complain and demand a playoff are all people who aren't directly involved with college football...even journalists. For the journalists/fans/administrators/players/coaches (except the ones who don't get...a favorable bowl or ranking) who are actually a part of the sport, we all know that this is not going to happen. So...we appreciate your concern. But...be sure to tune in to bowl season this December/January!!
So, as I close, let me tell you how my voting story is better than yours:
I am registered to vote at Ridge View High School, which is down the street. I figured that I could sneak in and out around 9:30 or so, which is what I set out to do. So, I get there around 9:30 am, and there was quite the line. I hung out in the off and on light drizzle, finally getting in the line that got me to the table to show my ID a little after noon.
Of course...I'm not on the list.
I'm told, "Oh, you're probably on the list at Rice Creek (the elementary school next door). Just go there and tell them you were waiting for two hours...they'll move you to the front!"
Very dejected, I go home to check my registration information again. I was right. It said Ridge View!! So, I call (the first of about 564964) the Election Commission, and I eventually (after making delicious turkey meatball subs for Sarah, Casper and me) head out to the office (downtown). That's where I'm met with another line. I was told that I just needed to fill out a change of address phone (which made no sense, mind you) and keep on waiting. After almost leaving, I decide to wait on. Soon thereafter, Sarah's lips froze together, so we could only communicate by blinking. My lips were frozen too. Some of this story is made up, but whatever.
Around 4 pm, I get a call from Casper. My voter registration card comes in the mail, with instructions to add me to the list...at Ridge View High School!!
I hop in the car, and we drive through the final battle scene in Transformers to get over to Ridge View. I was able to get to the front of the line when they saw my tattered clothing, and I finally voted. Just for show, I even wrote my name in for one of the local races. Seriously.
So, that's right. My voting story is better than yours. Even if I threw in four sentences for dramatic effect.
Thanks to:
-Sarah, for waiting out in the cold with me.
-Casper, for checking the mail, calling to let me know, and meeting me at Ridge View.
-The lady in front of us at the Election Commission office, who made me feel bad about wanting to leave.
-Me! I'm a true American, bitches!
I feel a little left out since I haven't published any kind of opinion on 'how awesome America is now that we've broken down that ever so evident barrier to allow Barack Obama to become president.' (I only use the quotations to be silly.) I believe that if he had run in 2004, he would have one. If you may recall, one of the lasting things from the DNC in 2004 was Barack Obama's speech. As underwhelming as John Kerry was/is, and with growing sentiment that things in Iraq were not working, I really think Obama would have had a great opportunity to start the change he wants to make happen a lot sooner.
But it doesn't hurt that he'll get a chance to start now, of course!!
Some things that I've heard/seen that I've noticed since then:
-ESPN made a tremendously awful reach Wednesday morning by saying that black athletes succeeding in sports could have paved the way to the events of Tuesday. Um...how about no? I just think that does a terrific disservice to what Obama accomplished. I know that a lot of historic things happened leading up to this point, (Jackie Robinson, Frank Robinson becoming the first black manager in baseball, Bob Johnson becoming the first black owner of a major sports team, Tony Dungy becoming the first black head coach to win a Super Bowl) but I do not think that the average person sees that and thinks, "Well, if they could do that, then of course a black man could be president!" Not quite, my friends. I do think that some of these events are related in a historic sense, but that's where it ends.
-There was a comment on NPR that is something I agree with. I hope that the media does eventually find a way to remove itself from the enormity of this event, and in turn becomes critical of Obama when necessary. He's got a tremendous task at hand: two wars, an economy in lots of trouble, and a healthcare/tax system he wants to revamp. I hope he's not given a pass from anyone, especially the media.
I also hope he's not given a pass from the public, mainly black people. This isn't the end of the line. I was in the barber shop today, and most of the people there seemed to be resigned to the fact that we should just do away with all the white people in America. (as if that would be an OK thing) I hope that we (I said WE!) will question him if and when he does things that are questionable, and not just be in accord just because he's one of us. Now I know that there are people who will do this, but I also know of people who...won't.
-As I was watching Sporscenter today, there was a thing on about how Donovan McNabb was actually 'inspired to register to vote for the first time in his adulthood.' Now, the only problem with this is that Donovan McNabb has been in the NFL since 1998, making him a ripe 31 years old. Which means he could have voted in the 1996 election, not just this one!!! I almost threw up in my mouth when Sage Steele made the comment about McNabb registering to vote, as if it was such an inspiring thing. I think it was IRRESPONSIBLE!! So spare me with your reasoning Donovan, and just go out there and work on your reads for Sunday.
-I was impressed with McCain's concession speech. I know, it's not as if he could just steam and be a sore loser. But he was a very gracious guy, and not only did he speak glowingly of Obama, he even quieted some of the more...vocal fans there that were not happy at all about losing. It was very nice of him. Now, if only that gracious behavior had been more evident throughout his campaign...
I will admit, (I probably even posted it here) I was going to vote for John McCain. No lie. I told friends this. I was grilled (in my car, at my friend's house by my friend AND HER MOM) about it, but I was sticking with it. I felt comfortable with McCain's level of experience...in general, I found myself agreeing with his plans/policies more than I agreed with any of the candidates, (this was back in primary season) and I wasn't sure that just ending the war(s) was the best idea. I thought he was best suited to lead the nation.
So, what changed? As I looked at it more, I found that I liked more and more what Barack Obama had to offer. I resisted his unmistakable charisma, and I did not get swept up like it looked as if a lot of other people were. (I mean, it is like an angel singing when he talks and all) As I looked at things more, I really was resigned to the point that I was OK if either one became president. They were both very determined men, which...I suppose you have to be for this sort of thing. I was looking for something, anything, to tip me one way or the other.
Then Sarah Palin happened.
The End. I know, she's hot. I'm almost certain she needs to maximize her celebrity and do a Playboy spread...and I'm really not kidding there. But, that's all she has to offer. Eye candy. Hell, I can look at myself in the mirror for that.
So, there it was. I really got the feeling that Obama really believes in what he's saying. That has to stand for something. It's not that I don't think McCain believes in what he was saying, but I feel like a lot of the things he did in his campaign were at the behest of his people. That's less relevant than the main reason I changed my mind, but still.
-I also think it's super comical that once Obama mentioned a college playoff, everybody's debating this...again. I mean, don't we do that every year? He just got it started a year early!!! It's not going to happen...anytime soon. The people who seem to complain and demand a playoff are all people who aren't directly involved with college football...even journalists. For the journalists/fans/administrators/players/coaches (except the ones who don't get...a favorable bowl or ranking) who are actually a part of the sport, we all know that this is not going to happen. So...we appreciate your concern. But...be sure to tune in to bowl season this December/January!!
So, as I close, let me tell you how my voting story is better than yours:
I am registered to vote at Ridge View High School, which is down the street. I figured that I could sneak in and out around 9:30 or so, which is what I set out to do. So, I get there around 9:30 am, and there was quite the line. I hung out in the off and on light drizzle, finally getting in the line that got me to the table to show my ID a little after noon.
Of course...I'm not on the list.
I'm told, "Oh, you're probably on the list at Rice Creek (the elementary school next door). Just go there and tell them you were waiting for two hours...they'll move you to the front!"
Very dejected, I go home to check my registration information again. I was right. It said Ridge View!! So, I call (the first of about 564964) the Election Commission, and I eventually (after making delicious turkey meatball subs for Sarah, Casper and me) head out to the office (downtown). That's where I'm met with another line. I was told that I just needed to fill out a change of address phone (which made no sense, mind you) and keep on waiting. After almost leaving, I decide to wait on. Soon thereafter, Sarah's lips froze together, so we could only communicate by blinking. My lips were frozen too. Some of this story is made up, but whatever.
Around 4 pm, I get a call from Casper. My voter registration card comes in the mail, with instructions to add me to the list...at Ridge View High School!!
I hop in the car, and we drive through the final battle scene in Transformers to get over to Ridge View. I was able to get to the front of the line when they saw my tattered clothing, and I finally voted. Just for show, I even wrote my name in for one of the local races. Seriously.
So, that's right. My voting story is better than yours. Even if I threw in four sentences for dramatic effect.
Thanks to:
-Sarah, for waiting out in the cold with me.
-Casper, for checking the mail, calling to let me know, and meeting me at Ridge View.
-The lady in front of us at the Election Commission office, who made me feel bad about wanting to leave.
-Me! I'm a true American, bitches!