The World Changes

Praise be. Yes, we can. Hope kicks fear's ass. I cannot even begin to describe the depth and breadth of my current elated emotional state. I've spent the last two days cycling around West Seattle on my Victory Bike. We've always voted by absentee ballot, and this year, in lieu of going to the polls, I felt I had to participate publicly in some way in this momentous event. Of all the waves, cheers, smiles, raised hands in greeting, honked horns, and acknowledgment, I only had two naysayers: one car with a couple who rolled down their window and gave me a thumbs down, then accelerated away from me. Too late, I realized I wanted to ask them, "What are you afraid of?" I also spoke with a man down by the Statue of Liberty replica on Alki, and the conversation went like this:
"You must be pretty happy with your candidate today," he said.
"Yes, I am," I replied. "I decided to celebrate and get some exercise in the process."
"I wasn't thrilled about either candidate," he said.
"I think Obama will impress you," I said.
"I hope he can keep the terrorists away for another four years," he said.
"I hope so too, for all our sakes," I said.
"Bush was able to do it for eight years," he said, as he turned his back on me and walked away.
"Bush didn't have a thing to do with that," I said, hoping he was still listening, but doubting he was.