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Reno Rally - With Pics!
As a "blue state" girl I didn't think I'd ever have the opportunity to see Sen. Obama in actual real live person. But, he was in Reno last weekend, so we got up at 3 am and made the trek over there. We arrived at 6 am, gates opened at 7:30, then we stood like sardines until he arrived at 10. We met a lot of great people! We are surrounded by Republicans in our daily life and it was just amazing to be in the company of like-minded people. The diversity was incredible. Just within our reach were blacks, whites, latinos and Native Americans.
The rally was so organized, even though it was a last minute event. Security was tight (thankfully!) The weather was perfect. I almost couldn't breathe I was so excited!
When he walked into the stadium the place erupted! In an open stadium you could feel the oxygen get sucked out of the air. He shook a few hands before taking the stage, then proceeded to give an inspiring speech. Part way through the electricity went off, so he walked around and visited for a few minutes before it came back on, joked about UNR not being able to pay their electricity bill either! He finished up, left the stage, then started the handshaking all around the front of the stage.
As you can see by the photos we were very close, and were actually able to shake his hand. I know...he's just a man, not a celebrity, but for that one moment I was 13 and he was Paul McCartney. I'd wanted to say something memorable to him, but not a word would come out.
As we left the stadium, my husband, a big burly guy not prone to a lot of sentimentality said, "Not counting the birth of our kids and grandkids, this is one of the top 5 best days of my life." I just cried.
The rally was so organized, even though it was a last minute event. Security was tight (thankfully!) The weather was perfect. I almost couldn't breathe I was so excited!
When he walked into the stadium the place erupted! In an open stadium you could feel the oxygen get sucked out of the air. He shook a few hands before taking the stage, then proceeded to give an inspiring speech. Part way through the electricity went off, so he walked around and visited for a few minutes before it came back on, joked about UNR not being able to pay their electricity bill either! He finished up, left the stage, then started the handshaking all around the front of the stage.
As you can see by the photos we were very close, and were actually able to shake his hand. I know...he's just a man, not a celebrity, but for that one moment I was 13 and he was Paul McCartney. I'd wanted to say something memorable to him, but not a word would come out.
As we left the stadium, my husband, a big burly guy not prone to a lot of sentimentality said, "Not counting the birth of our kids and grandkids, this is one of the top 5 best days of my life." I just cried.
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Well, I THOUGHT I had the code down...can someone look at it and tell me what I've done wrong?
October 29, 2008 2:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
Your code syntax was totally correct, but you only have to code comments like that. When you make an actual blog post, use the link icon (looks like a chain) in the editor widget toolbar (middle left). Just highlight the text, click the button and a popup will ask for the URL.
I think the new system has the ability to go into a HTML mode (there are a couple of icons at the upper right of the editor widget) that would probably take the direct HTML like that ... I haven't tried it.
Oh yeah ... and if you want to go back and fix it, the only way I've figured out is to pretend to add a new blog post and then go to the "manage" menu at the very top and chose "entries" ... and you can get back to your posts to fix broken links and stuff. That seems really awkward - so there is probably a more "correct" way that I can't figure out.
Apparently I really don't know WTF I'm doing these days, so follow my advice at your own risk
October 29, 2008 3:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
Clicking on the A in brackets at the extreme right of the menu at the top of the editor box will switch to html view and all of the tags will be visible.
Nice work stillidealistic.
October 29, 2008 9:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
WHEW! Trial and error, but I got it!
October 29, 2008 2:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's totally AWESOME you got to see Obama! I'm seriously stoked for you.
October 29, 2008 3:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you! It really was incredible!
October 29, 2008 3:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
Don't think I can deny that I too would be extremely excited if given the chance to meet him personally. But never allow yourself to lose sight of the fact that
The hope and community involvement he generates are valuable and worthy and for that he is special. But always, always focus on the message, not the man. Personality politics is partly why, even today, 27% of Americans continue to approve of George Bush's job performance.
October 29, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
And you got to shake his hand. Of the thousands there, all wishing for such a moment - you had yours. I'm so truly happy for you, still.
October 29, 2008 6:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
So awesome, SI! Thanks so much for sharing these. Your description made me teary. Exciting times, indeed.
October 29, 2008 7:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
Those pictures are so beautiful. What a day!
Because Indiana has been so hotly contested this year (for the first time in a very long time), I've gotten to see him twice. What struck me both times was not Barack Obama himself. He's great, don't get me wrong, but he's just a man. I agree with his ideas and I have been working my ass off to get him elected, but I realized at the first rally that I wasn't working for him. I was working for me, and for all of the people around me.
The atmosphere was made electric not by Obama, but by the crowd itself. Black and white and brown; born in the USA and immigrated here for a better life; pre-verbal and post-retirement; democrat and republican; rich and poor and middle class; post graduate degress and didn't finish high school; healthy and struggling with chronic illness. Obama's crowds are America.
For all of our cynicism with politics, for all of our anger toward each other, for all of our disappointments and disenchantments, Obama awakens the hope that this isn't all there is, that our children will live in a kinder and healthier world.
There is a lot of eye-rolling at this response. There are a lot of accusations about messianic adoration and blind idealism and just plain stupidity. Sometimes, my response to the naysayers is, "Fuck off." (sorry, still, languge-I know). But more often than that, my response is pity. Pity that they can't let go of a little bit of that cynicism to grab hold of the promise that we can do better and be better. It's a pretty wild ride.
October 29, 2008 9:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
No eye-rolling. As you say, it's not about Obama the man, it's about the ideals that he inspires in others.
Well-said, as always, Orlando.
October 29, 2008 12:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've got a new desktop background.
October 29, 2008 9:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
What's your new background?
October 29, 2008 3:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lucky you!
October 29, 2008 9:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks SI, great pics. I've seen Obama twice and got to shake his hand too. I feel so goofy for admitting it, but you put it perfectly - "for a moment I was 13 and he was Paul McCartney". Perfect!
October 29, 2008 1:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's GREAT, SI! Great day, great pix, great piece relating it to us! Thanks.
October 29, 2008 6:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is there something wrong with saying BO's a celebrity? I think "celebrity" lost it's derogatory connotation, like, months ago. And Joe Six Pack is not reading your comment. People love the guy and there's nothing wrong with that. It's ok. It's going to be: OK.
October 29, 2008 11:30 PM | Reply | Permalink