I haven't written here in 10 months, but I'm so ecstatic today, so proud to be American. I never thought I'd write or say those words. Watching the returns last night with my parents, watching all the faces in the crowds in Chicago, Atlanta, New York... I commented on how it was the first time I felt like I saw people on TV and LOVED them, felt connected with them in the anticipation and hope, and then the incredible joy and, heck, incredulity. We did it! My father spent many days this month canvassing in Pennsylvania, so when it went Obama he felt a direct sense of pride. When Obama referenced Lincoln so beautifully in his speech, talking about the original ideals of the *Republican* party, my father broke down. It was so beautiful to share the moment with him, and with my mom. It's always been something of a personal legend, how my dad worked in Wisconsin and Iowa for Gene Mccarthy in 1968, but in my own lifetime I hadn't seen him so fired up about politics. This July 4, I had a great conversation with my friend Sol's father Richard. We talked about the HBO John Adams movie, which we'd both recently seen. I said that what struck me about it was how back then, politics were the science of things that so directly affected people's lives. I felt like it wasn't so true now. Richard vehemently disagreed, and proved me wrong with so many examples. Maybe it's irrational, but it really feels like things could get better for each of us personally. Maybe we'll have to pay more taxes, and dramatic improvements won't happen overnight right now. But this feeling like our president is going to ask us to help each other, and make sacrifices to make our country better, it makes me feel like we're all so much more connected than we were even a day ago. I took a run this morning with Lupe, and everyone I saw, I felt like, we're in this together. Of course, it's Jersey City. I'm sure, like, 110% of us around here voted for Obama. Whatever. We did it.
The best text-message I got last night was from my friend Katya: Yes we did.
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this picture kind of illustrates what it's like keeping a blog
this picture kind of illustrates what it's like keeping a blog
About Me
Links
- Israel Contemporary String Quartet's site (hooray!)
- MATANA(new site!!!)
- BUNKBEDS
- b-radius
- Boomdesign(great web design, friends from Eastman)
- Janus Trio
- Oneida (my favorite band... besides catshow)
- Judd Greenstein, composer
- Crooked Still (amazing, amazing people, amazing, amazing bluegrass and folk music)
- Hope Flowers School, Bethlehem
- Btselem Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories
- Orion Quartet's site: check out their fun dining guide for touring musicians
- eric biondo is one of my favorite people, and trumpeters, and songwriters!!! this site is alot of fun if you feel like wasting time at work
- Music for the People- an incredible, inspiring project
- a gorgeous little Cellist sprouts up in Brooklyn
- another favorite band- how many can you have? this is Big D, the most real ska you'll ever hear (and my cousin Dan's the trumpet player!!!)
6 comments:
Glad you're back!! And glad we came together and have a chance to be proud about our country again. Can't wait for that National puppy... xo
people were chanting "yes we did" all night in Union Square. it's an amazing time.
now you know how your mother and I felt in 1960 when John Kennedy excited us to action. Even before that we were involved in the early Civil Rights efforts, concerts, lectures, being connected the way you feel today. Enjoy feeling alive an part of the scene...no longer on the outside looking in. Welcome and LOVE! Bethann
To me this represents so many opportunities, not the least of which is the chance to restore our position as a world leader rather than the world's bully. But I think Michael Moore spoke with elegance and eloquence:
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php?id=240
I would love to have seen your dad last night, and your mom, and your husband, and of course YOU!
Love to all of you,
Cheryl
Yay! Your blog is back! Love it! carolyn
Obama is calm and thoughtful. What a relief. He taps those qualities in us, too, I think. Part of our "Yippee" feeling is the release of shackles on our minds. It's admirable to take time, think things through, trust one's judgment. I think of it as a conservative quality (as opposed to reckless)and it is reassuring.
Ima
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