Hoping My “I Voted!” Sticker Is Imbued With Magical Powers
Posted by Moose on November 4th, 2008. Filed under: My brain needs a drink.
Has anyone else been waiting for this day for eight years? 2000 was the first time I was home to cast an official lever-pulling vote in a presidential election (rather than the highly unsatisfactory “check the box and drop it in the mail” escapade of 1996) (although there weren’t any real levers in 2000 anyway, so NEVER MIND), and the experience was marked by a rather cocky attitude. “Of course Gore will win,“ I thought, strutting toward the polls in my sensible shoes. In the following weeks, no one got much work done as we all kept racing into the kitchen to watch the Florida coverage. I remember standing on that linoleum, stunned and gaping, when the election went to Bush. Four years later, I thought, “Of course Kerry will win. Bush didn’t even really win last time, how could he possibly win now?”
When Bush was crowned again, I cried. Not that this means much; I cry over news stories at least twice a week and occasionally over home furnishing ads. But I was joined in my weeping by several Face Down the Grizzly With a Stern Glare types, men who ride motorcycles in the rain and consider it a rollicking good time to dangle off those really high rocks in Yosemite. We were devastated, and it cast a gray pall over my mood for weeks. Where “gray pall” = “futile outrage” and “urge to hurl rotten kiwi fruit.” It’s totally counterproductive, but that’s when I stopped paying attention to politics. For the health of my molars.
Right now, I’m trying not to think anything, and certainly not a sentence beginning with of course. What reassures me is something Sean said a few months ago, “Last time we were voting against Bush. Now we’re voting for someone.”
Whatever happens, I find that comforting.
I’m not feeling well today, so I probably won’t make it to work. But you can bet your ass I’ll make it to the polls.
(Yes, I did.)
November 4th, 2008 at 8:25 am
I had a very satisfying trip down to the post office a few weeks ago, I must say, though I find myself wishing I were with people who are as excited (and anxious and nervous) right now as I am. I felt like shouting to all the people in the grocery store today, don’t you know what an important day this is?
Of course, everyone does. But, it’s just not the same.
November 4th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Good for you! I hate it when people don’t vote… yet complain… I’m taking the afternoon off to stand in line:)
November 4th, 2008 at 9:20 am
I hear ya. I’m tentatively excited today. I’m looking forward to watching the results with like-minded friends this evening.
November 4th, 2008 at 9:43 am
I’m so nervous about the whole thing I feel like barfing. Seriously.
I just remember last time wearing black for three days after wards, and feeling so hopeless about everything. I just couldn’t understand how it had happened that bush had been elected AGAIN. And it wasn’t until Barack came along with his Hope and his Yes We Can that I started to believe again and now I just want so badly for that to win. For hope to win out over hate. And if it doesn’t, I just don’t know. I can’t even think about it.
November 4th, 2008 at 9:45 am
We’ll definitely be celebrating tonight!!!!!!! (Notice I didn’t say “of course”.) For me and many of my friends, this is the first time we’ve put up yard signs, contributed financially, and worked the phone banks. We haven’t felt such enthusiasm since Kennedy.
(Aside to Nora: I changed my permanent absentee voter status so that I could vote at the polls today and participate in all the excitement.)
November 4th, 2008 at 9:49 am
I’m with Elizabeth: Nervousness has reached urge-to-barf levels. Also, excitement! But excitement feels too… indulgent. So I’ll stick with barfy nervousness.
November 4th, 2008 at 9:51 am
I felt the same way in 2004 when Bush was “re-elected”. I was already living here, but of course couldn’t vote – which I also am not allowed to do today, but I sure hope my “spiritual” vote will count as well.
November 4th, 2008 at 11:08 am
They should have just declared today a holiday. I mean, really? Do they think I’m actually working? The constant oscillation between optimism and pessimism is really all I can handle right now.
Also SF needs to STOP with the propositions. Seriously. It took me a thousand years to fill out all of those ballots!
November 4th, 2008 at 11:21 am
I’m not barfing. But I voted, and I continue to pray for the next several hours.
Thanks for voting, Moose.
November 4th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
2004 was nothing short of devastating. I probably would’ve cried too, but I was simply too shocked. But I feel good about this one because.. i’ll say it again, the movement on the left is FOR someone and something instead of against the other guy—although I’ll be happy if we pull in a few more from those voting AGAINST the Winking Wonderwoman from Wasilla!
November 4th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
At least for me, O is like our generation’s JFK. I find him so inspiring.
Yay, voting! No matter how things turn out. That is a beautiful thing.
November 4th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
I live in a state that allows early voting so I voted a couple weeks ago. I am going to a party to watch the results come in. Obama is not my JFK, but I’m still delighted to have given him my vote.
Mostly I’m just jacked up on democracy! (yes, I’m a dork)
Thanks for voting, y’all.
November 4th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
I feel the same way, which is why I haven’t been listening to my non cynical friends when they say “of course…” They call me a pessimist, but I’m just trying to brace myself. But tonight my more-cynical-than-anyone-I’ve-ever-met ex boyfriend responded to my “what do you think so far?” text with “this is amazing. our world will be a different place tomorrow”. I almost started crying.
November 4th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
How did you get into my brain?!
Good job voting! Democracy is a definite winner tonight.
November 4th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
no one gave me a sticker. hm. But I got my president.
November 5th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
I sobbed – SOBBED – in 2004.
I am all weepy and happy and hopeful today.
YES, WE DID!
November 9th, 2008 at 9:03 am
AND it was totally worth it.