In one of our usual walking around, putting the world to rights kind of mornings in Paris,
Dan and I were discussing our own personal 2008s. Where 2007 had been like treading water for me – and him, apparently – 2008 was the year of change, for both of us. It’s the first year I’ve felt happy. Settled. Like I have a real goal and know where I’m going. Like I’ve finally found my footing again since NY. And I started writing again, which is more of a big deal than I thought, and makes me happier than I realised. For him, much of the same: taking a three-month NY sabbatical in Paris, trying to refocus on his artwork, trying to calm down the crazy schedule he maintained earlier in the year.
And now it would seem that our personal 2008 theme has just gone worldwide. Election results are in;
Obama’s the man.
All yesterday I was really weirdly nervous and emotional about the whole thing, closely following all my American friends’ Twitter and Facebook statuses about voting, donating my own Fb status to remind everyone to vote Obama. 98% of my Twitter buddies are Americans (is it not such a big thing over here?) and I guess maybe 40 – 50% of my Fb friends are, from the
Fotolog days to my time living in NY – all of them Democrats – so there was a constant stream of updates. I remember well the
2004 election, how *sure* the fotolog peeps were that John Kerry was going to get in, the feeling of hope… and then the crushing disappointment when
it all went to hell.
So this year I tried not to get so emotionally involved. I mean after all, it’s not even my country – though who rules America has such a big impact on the rest of the world, it would be stupid not to care who gets in. The disbelief at the Palin nomination, the flickers of hope that seemed to be growing among my friends, the idea of a black President, wondering if America was really ready for this…
I woke up this morning feeling like hell – the cold-flu monster that has been threatening all last week finally kicked into hyperdrive yesterday and is really kicking my ass – but staggered to the computer and checked BBC News, then Facebook, then Twitter, getting quite choked up as I scrolled back a few pages and belatedly followed last night's election progress via my friends:
ultragrrrl People are coming into the streets celebrating.
sweetavenue EVERY person they r showing on tv during obama's speech is in tears
gurj "brothaz should pull up their pants" oh obama... ::SWOON::
carafornia I'm glad the republicans get to know how we felt for 8 years. fuck yessssssss
carafornia yesyesyesyesyes. at boneshakers happy happy. words can't express how amazing tonight is.
gurj you have an arousing and cool new president. I'll toast to that. (mccain election epic fail wah waaah)
jeanieforever OH YES WE DID!
Brunocerous high-fiving VT!
Brunocerous hugging N.H
Brunocerous WTF, S.C.?
Brunocerous did florida really just turn blue?!
carafornia crybaby at the polls. so many people there made me tear up like a babeh. most exciting election in america's history!
Brunocerous Voted with all the hope in my heart.
Congratulations America. Here’s to Change, and the next four years.
