Obama + Florida: Day 7 thru Day 15
Come to me.Oct 7: I dreamt that I was in Florida during a huge hurricane, and stuck in the home that I was in. Instead of fleeing, I strangely made up my mind. I wanted to stay and weather the storm. I woke up confused and kinda proud that I made that kind of decision, even if it were in my dreams. Today was a chill day. I ended up just sleeping in and going to Starbucks. There an old jewish guy resembling Doug "The Head" kissing a black woman several times on the cheeks, not on the lips, and giving her a massage. That was just a very endearing moment, though mostly foreign to me. Andrew and Alena picked me up from a long morning and the rest just kindav blurred. I'm sure drinking and smoking didn't help.
Oct 8 and 9: A blur of data entry, broken up by periods of alcohol consumption and unconsciousness.
Oct 10: Today, I woke up and the family I stayed with wanted to take me out to have breakfast. We went to a waffle place down the street and paid for my meal. The two parents are Jewish attorneys, both staunchly liberal Democrats who have strong opinions on Palin and the rest of McCain's campaign. After, Baxter picked me up and I canvassed a really nice diverse neighborhood. Hispanics, Puerto Ricans, and whites and blacks lived under the same roof at times. The homes I went to were really nice and inviting. I must have been invited inside 8 times on a street of 12 houses. Of those 8, I got almost 8 people who were interested in volunteering. I was even offered lemonade in one house. I find people so fascinating. They can be so kind.
Oct 11: Today, I walked around predominantly black neighborhoods where some people looked as if they valued their cars more than their homes. In the last few weeks, people's lives were turned upside-down. I met one couple who lost 2500 when their 401Ks made a dive. There were recently abandoned homes dotting the streets. And everyone is fearful of a stolen election as well as a stolen EARLY poll. Hardly anyone had the resources or time to volunteer. Hardly anyone trusted me enough to listen to what I have to say. I'm just scared that I stick out like a sore thumb. Asian? I may as well be a debt collector. Most people are so unwilling to know who you are. Some will open the door and dismiss you. Rarely will people give the benefit of the doubt and treat you as an equal. It's tough, we're trying to speak to people who've been betrayed for the past 8 years.
Oct 12: Today there was a Carribean Carnival, this was mostly a venue to play music, promote business and watch a parade. Alena and I manned a table full of information on how to vote and free stickers (which we actually bartered away to receive beer. Awesome!). What was the most interesting was when it got closer to sundown, all these men and women in scant costume (mostly women) started parading down the street. They were flaunting their Caribbean heritage, showing their national flags, and dancing to music in Mardi Gras style. Everyone there has already heard about voting early, so me and Alena checked out of there during a point where it starting pouring rain. Today, I packed up all my stuff in a few minutes, said bye to the family I was staying with and left for our new place by the beach. Andrew found a really cool host to house me and Alena so we'd only have to commute 10 minutes a day. Elly, our host, manages his own business from his den. He actually took us out to iHOP and footed the bill. What a guy. Went to sleep in a new bed, what a weird day.
Oct 13: Tried to go canvassing, instead just hung out with Baxter all day. I drove his car across an unfamiliar city to drop off Alena at her staging area for canvassing. It's been data entry all day and ended the day tired, emotionally strained, stressed, drinking and smoking. REALLY weird day. I've been drinking and smoking almost every day. It's like ever day I've been here requires its own vacation.
Oct 14: Just chillin' and entering data, though we ran into tough attitudes from everyone. In the end, we're all just taking these last weeks of the campaign the best we can. It's just hard to make it through and still keep composure. Today, another one of Andrew's friends came from California. He arrived during the night and Andrew got him to work right away.
Oct 15: A full day of data entry. The reason behind all the data entry is that the campaign needs to know who needs to be called the day before Florida begins its Early Voting. We want to be able to contact every person, find out if they need help getting to the polls (which we'll provide), or if they need more information on where and when to go. We hurry to finish so we can catch the debate watch party. It's our last party before Nov 4th. Time is running out for all of us. I actually ended up working during part of the party. No cigarettes today. I'm not gonna let myself get sucked into a "why not" mindset.