Being a part of history November 5, 2008
Posted by midnightzimadreams in Civics, Elections 2008, International Relations, Life.add a comment
People have already identified Nov. 4, 2008 as one of those days that everyone will recall – where were you when Barack Obama was elected president of the United States of America?
I was at home. Crying, overwhelmed by emotion. Watching the speeches and crowds on TV – all over the States and abroad as well! I printed a few front-pages of news organizations from around the world. I celebrated with my love and I couldn’t keep my eyes dry for more than 30 seconds at a time. But we wanted to feel more a part of the moment, so under the pretext of getting smoothies, we made our way to the local Democrats’ gathering place and sat among those moseying the hallways, leaving with their “President Obama” placards, or lingering to chat with friends – new and old. It felt electrifying, even though we arrived way past the time of elation, the speeches by both major party candidates. The mood was positive and uplifting. I know it is bitter to lose, but I also have had a sense of more warmth and unity from the Democratic side throughout this election season (all 2+ years of it). That feeling leaves me hopeful and peaceful today, the first full day with a President-Elect Barack Obama.
I am happy to have had the opportunity to be a voter in this momentous election.
“Hope Trumps Fear” November 4, 2008
Posted by midnightzimadreams in Civics, Elections 2008, International Relations, Life.add a comment
To quote someone very dear to me!
Congratulations to us all – Americans and global citizens alike.
Wordle – fun, fun, fun! November 4, 2008
Posted by midnightzimadreams in Gibberish, Media, New Media, Superfluous musings, Technology, Writing.add a comment
Check out this fun toy. I played with this blog and created a pretty fun image of words in random colors/fonts/directions that sizes each word according to how frequently it appears in the particular text sample. You’ll see what I meant!
It’s a cool little applet that I stumbled upon while reading an RSS feed from an Intel blog and it’s really quite a fun way to visualize your text. I like that they’re described as clouds and also the fact that they show just what’s been most prominent in your writing, whether you like it or not, whether you expected it or not. 
Take it for what it is… November 4, 2008
Posted by midnightzimadreams in Civics, Education, Elections 2008, International Relations, Life, Reminiscing, Superfluous musings.add a comment
This is an excerpt from the personal testimony I submitted with my last tiny contribution to the Obama campaign sent online this weekend. I know there are a few typos and probably other errors, but I think it’s a good summary (albeit way too short) of reasons why I am so excited for tomorrow!
“I am saddened by the turn the country has taken since 2001. Sept. 11, 2001 was my first day of college classes and I was gripped by the attacks just like any other American, except I wasn’t yet a citizen and I felt the coldness toward recent immigrants almost paradoxically intertwined with the solidarity the country was experiencing. Today, I once again see hate and disillusionment bubbling up in the face of war, economic collapse, health care system deterioration, job loss, etc. This time, I have been inspired by the messages of hope and unity that the Barack Obama Presidential campaign has brought forth. I am confident an Obama/Biden administration will restore the world’s confidence and favor of the United States and in turn that will mean growth for the economy in this increasingly globalized era. I also know the health care plan from the Obama/Biden camp is the best (not the ideal, as there is no such thing) solution for that crisis. Growing up in one extreme (socialized medicine) to living my high school, college and professional life thus far in the other (the closest thing to free-market health system with insurance and drug companies), I know the answer must be in a balanced system somewhere in between the two.
There are many other reasons why I admire the Obama/Biden ticket, not the least of them because they are honest with the American people and encourage us to take personal responsibility and make smarter choices in our daily lives – from parents actively engaging in their children’s education to re-learning how to live within our means… But ultimately, I am simply lifted by the future-driven direction an Obama/Biden administration would take the country, by the unifying power of the messaging (bringing together all Americans, from all walks of life, experiences, backgrounds and aspirations), and by the positive, issues-focused political campaign so successfully run (with new and social media tactics that speak to the globalized, digitized youth)!”
The next president will be tested with an international crisis… November 4, 2008
Posted by midnightzimadreams in Elections 2008.add a comment
… let’s just hope the next president has caller ID.
As John Stewart says, sometimes those 3 a.m. calls are “Baba Booey.”
