Election Night

Tonight was an historic night. I couldn't help but think that it was one of those moments I would look back on and say, "I was at this place doing this". The actual quote should be, "I was at the Bagdad theater clapping and cheering and drinking beer with the rest of Portland". It was great to experience it with the rest of the city. When I left the theater people were driving down the street honking and cheering. The whole city was excited. There were fireworks - and a burning bush!!

I rode my bike tonight and felt good when Obama talked about making personal sacrifices to help the greater good in his acceptance speech. Call it socialism if you want, I call it good manners. I felt good not driving my car to my various election night festivities. I have always been a big proponent on living the example and letting others follow suit.

I am excited about what the future brings. It will be a change, I am sure. What that change ends up being, we will all have to wait to find out.

But in the meantime I am very pleased to hear "President Elect Obama". And I hope that the world doesn't beat him down as it seems it may, but rather gives him a chance to make a turn and be the hero we all want him to be.

At least we can all start with ourselves and make the changes in our lives that we know we should make. To be more accepting of ourseleves, or to read more, excersize more, pay attention to our spouses more, whatever it may be. It all starts on a personal level. We are all inevitably responsible for our own lives. No external force. no politician, no signifigant other. In the end it is just us. So that is where the beginning should be as well.