Election Eve and Chicken Soup for the Soul
Well, here we are: it's November 3rd, a rainy night in Rio. Tomorrow evening (or rather, late at night, since we're three hours ahead down here), I should either be jumping for joy or stunned, heartbroken, and scared as hell. A few months ago, I registered as a Democrat and joined an organization called Democrats Abroad to be able to vote for Obama in the primaries. I bought my t-shirt and sent in my small contribution to his campaign. I mailed in my absentee ballot three weeks ago and e-mailed all my friends more than once, reminding them to vote early (they did!). I wish (and then maybe I don't, when I think of November 2000 and 2004...) I could be in Florida to scream out the window: At last! It's over! And believe again that everything is possible, that not everything is lost, after eight years of this disastrous administration.
I don't think I've ever been this anxious before an election: there's too much at stake, I guess. If only I could go to sleep tonight...To help me relax, I've enlisted the help of two Janes: Austen and Eyre, who are the equivalent of Brazilian canja de galinha for my heart and soul. I'm going to dream of love and immerse myself in romance and mischief and gallantry; cry a little, laugh a little, and maybe snooze through the night.
Photo taken a few minutes ago in my living-room: One of my freshly-painted red nails (for what I hope will be an Obama victory party tomorrow night!), my wonderful BBC DVDs, and my Obama paper doll (purchased at The Wolfsonian Museum in Miami Beach).
Fingers crossed now!!
posted by Sheila Thomson at
4:21 PM
5 Comments:
Our fingers--nails chewed to the nubs--are crossed here too, in California. I'm looking forward to casting my ballot for Obama. Who would have believed it could happen?
Any parties planned?
I HOPE SO!! The American Society in Rio is hosting an Election Night Party in Leblon and Democrats Abroad will be there. They're going to distribute Obama buttons, etc. I'm taking my Obama t-shirt. We're going to be there until 1 a.m. (10 p.m. EST). If the race is still not decided by then (we sincerely hope it will be Obama earlier than that!), I'm going to come home and watch Brazilian TV coverage until I drop on the couch!!
Good luck to us all!!
As I stood outside in line at 7am in Pennsylvania, I was in awe of everyone who had turned out to vote. With the predicted turnout, no one should complain about the outcome. My feet have been tapping all morning in anticipation of results that I know won't start coming in until well past the run I have to log tonight in preparation for my second marathon in January. I can only applaud all of those who have excersized their right and have braved the chilly rain to vote!! I'm truly hoping that we can make history today and show the world that we're not the ignorant, war-mongers that we've been characterized as for the past 8 years. I'm still ambivalent, though confident deep inside that we WILL overcome!
Hi Sheila,
It's 9:43 EST and it looks like Obama has at least 272 electoral votes in the bank (WA,CA, OR, HA to be called yet but it's a good bet).
You can breathe now.
Guys, it's two in the morning in Rio...a rainy night and it's raining tears in here!!!! I've NEVER cried after an election or cared like this.
THIS MAN IS AMAZING and we're all amazing for having voted for him and change and self-respect!!!!!!!
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