Hello fellow MOMocrats, Democrats and those of you hoping to turn this country a beautiful shade of blue! I'm guest writing for Julie, the fabulous MOMocrat I met working on a picnic committee to raise funds for our Senate District prior to our State Convention. She was nice enough to let me sub for her. Lucky for me, a friend who works for Southwest Airlines (a Republican friend) was nice enough to give me a buddy pass on short notice. So it was off to Chicago to cover Obama's election night party at Grant Park.
While I'm waiting for the festivities to begin, here's a pre-party report.
Last night it felt like Christmas eve. I couldn't sleep, and was waking up every hour to check the clock. At 4:00 a.m. I decided that the clothes I had planned to wear, and those I had packed just wouldn't work. No pockets--and way too Texas to be taken seriously (like my accent doesn't give me the same problem!) Finally, I gave up and got up at 4:40 a.m. (for a 9:05 a.m. flight). I unpacked and repacked. I put on the outfit I wore to the Obama Rally in Houston, right before our "Texas Two-Step." Except for the socks. Laugh all you want. I put on Christmas socks. The colors matched what I am wearing, but they are a bit silly. But hey, if it feels like Christmas, I ought to have something Christmas-related on. (The red squiggles are upside down Christmas trees).
Packed and ready to go, I headed for the airport. I found a parking space in row "V" (to me, a sign that we'll have a victory!) Got through security with no trouble, found my gate and picked up a boarding pass. All completely smooth and uneventful, as was the flight. Took the "L" into the city. On the short walk to my hotel, I saw some entrepreneurs selling Obama buttons. One even had a small copy of a Chicago Tribune "Front Page" with the headline "OBAMA WINS." Superstition made me hold off on buying one of those. Completely silly, I know, but as they say, I wouldn't want to do anything to "jinx" it!
Thankfully, my hotel allowed me to check in 2.5 hours early. The walk from the train rolling my luggage made me glad I had brought my really ugly "sensible" shoes for tonight. People were beginning to assemble with various forms of Obama gear. The hotel staff was busy decorating the lobby with red, white and blue, balloons. And everyone I talked to was beaming with excited anticipation. I joined two women in the elevator who sported "I voted" stickers on their Obama shirts. I jokingly asked them who they voted for. I told them I hoped that my state was turning blue, but that I wasn't holding my breath for Texas. One laughed and said she'd just talked to her brother in Nebraska and was convinced in their area, their two electoral votes would go to Obama.
The lack of sleep is starting to kick in. I want to take a nap, but figure it would be a waste of time to try. Instead I think I'll go get some coffee to fortify myself for what I hope to be an evening of celebration!
Amy, enjoy the heck out of the Obama party tonight and thanks for pinch hitting for me. You'll do awesome and hopefully have the experience of a lifetime!
Posted by: Julie Pippert | November 04, 2008 at 03:41 PM