Generation O

Lately, it seems, my blog has taken a ridiculously political turn. In that spirit, this will probably be the last one for a while, so bear with me. On election night, since I couldn't be with everyone I love, we were texting/chatting/calling like crazy. Here is a lovely sample of some of the awesome texts I received that day:

During the day:

Caitlin: "I'm cold, I have cramps, am depressed and only got 3 hours of sleep. A tiny man with no arms keeps staring at me and it creeps me out but dammit, i'm voting for Obama"

Ben: "He's going to be crowned the king of the universe in a matter of hours! That's the position he's running for isn't it?"

Alison: "If Obama really wins I am going to high five everything"

When the poll results started coming in:

Shannon: "Are you glued to the TV like I am? Nothing's better than beer and election night"

Colleen: "I'm drinking every time a state turns blue"

Lorin: "Dallas County went democrat!" (now THAT was a surprise)

When things started looking good for our man Barack:

Shannon: "Obamanation"

Shannon: "It's like...I have faith back in America"

Lorin: "Fuck yes!"

When he won:

Ben: "omg president Obama!"

Brett/Matt: "Yes...we can!"

Katie: "we won"

Little Ben: "Smiley face to the max"

Little Ben: "President Obama sounds like change"

Colleen: "Yes we can! Ahhh we won!"

Lorin: "Yes!!!"

The Barack Campaign: "We just made history. All of this happened because you gave your time, talent and passion to this campaign. All of this happened because of you. Thanks, Barack"

And the next day:

Shannon: "There's an Obama dance party going on in my school. Cardboard cutouts and techno music"

Alison: "I can't focus at all today. President Obama is my new god"

And some random facts I learned that night:

-This was the highest voter turnout since women got the vote in 1920

-Also the highest youth voter turnout since the voting age was lowered to 18, in 1971

-A record-setting 70 million-plus viewers watched the news for election returns Tuesday night

-Obama is the first democrat to take Virginia in 44 years (and is coincidentally the 44th prez)

-Obama is the first Senator to be elected president since JFK

-Obama is the first democrat to receive more than 50% of the vote since Jimmy Carter

-Obama is the first minority president in any of the first-world countries

whew. what a great day.