Election Night

What a long day yesterday was. I thought about voting early, but I always thought it would take the fun out of voting the day of and all the fanfare that goes along with that. I also wanted to wait til the last minute because as a registered Republican I was undecided, whole heartedly. Of course I haven't helped this election season by faithfully listening to NPR in the mornings, and then Rush in the afternoons to get both perspectives I told myself.

I didn't warm up to either of the candidates, their vice pres choices didn't help either. Everyone around me seemed so decided and sure. I made lists and devoured both of the candidates websites. In the mornings I would believe I knew decisively whom I would vote for and by my commute home I would have changed my mind. It consumed my thoughts.

I planned on arriving at my polling destination at 6:45 am and I really did think I would be of the first in line and be at the office by 8 am at the latest. The streets were empty and the sun was coming up. I was like, 'cool there is no one out this time of morning!" I turned the corner to the Elementary School block and BAM! A line of people stretched around the school and around the block. "Oh man!" I thought, "You gotta be kidding me!"

The line seemed orderly and the poll workers were checking IDs for the voting certification in the line right outside the door. People waited with books, coffee and chairs. Children played on the playground. I listened to music on my Ipod and cursed myself for not wearing my walking shoes, but I really didn't think I'd be there that long. I watched the same two boys on the only two swings, swinging for hours. When I left after voting at 9:50 am they were still on the swings.

The poll workers were incredibly slow, but seemed to have the crowd under control as their first priority. I felt like the line was being treated like a rowdy 3rd grade class lineup, but no one seemed to be overly excited at such early hours. I was completely irritated by the time I got to the polling booth, as there were only 2 or 3 being used at a time because they were so slow at the official check in on the 2 computers to hand out the voting cards. Hundreds of people were still in line outside.

I went to the table to get my I voted! sticker from the young man leaning back in his fold up chair. He said "Thank YOU for voting today! And have a Wonderful day with your FINE self!"

Last night we listened to the results on the radio via NPR. I had fallen asleep while Matt continued to work. I woke just as McCain was giving his concession speech. I thought it was gracious and of his best speeches. I fell in and out of sleep again afterwards. Until the fireworks started and Blue jolted off the bed to go investigate to the loud sounds outside our window. I thought it was a fluke at first and asked Matt "what is that noise?!" It was fireworks.

Obama's speech was inspiring. I listened curled up in Matt's arms half listening and half sleeping at almost midnight. Afterwards there was more fireworks and we went to bed. I joked, 'Wow, Petey totally called it."