1. PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA!!!!!!!



45 Years Ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famed "I Have A Dream" Speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial (August 28, 1963). This was his dream:



( I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation. )



Last night, the first Person of Colour to run for the nation's highest office won the honour of serving his country as the President of the United States of America. Here was his acceptance speech:



( If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer. )




His speech literally brought me to tears and I can't even express what joy it brings me to see that people went out and voted in such HUUUUGE numbers, regardless of who or what they voted for. My faith in the democratic process was pretty nonexistent, at least at the national/federal level, but the results of this election may very well change that. There are two reasons for that:
1. LARGE VOTER TURNOUT.
2. PEOPLE ENGAGING IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS IN OTHER WAYS: pledging money, time, and effort to campaigns; people vowing to engage in local politics; people willing to express their political opinions; people willing to compromise and work across party lines... the list goes on in many directions.



Overall, this is how I feel about the election this year:




2. Obviously over-caffeinated and running on little sleep because I posted this with the number 1 and nothing else. Sorry, I'm hyped up and excited and... whatever, you get it. :P

3. It's a good day for the Democrats in other ways, as well. In addition to a new Democratic president, we are also in the majority in the House and the Senate (WooT!!) - In addition to general gains, Kay Hagan won over Elizabeth Dole in North Carolina and JEAN SHAHEEN won over SUNUNU in New Hampshire to become the FIRST WOMAN SENATOR FROM THAT STATE (after being their first female governor!!). YAY!

4. Am disappointed, but not surprised that Rep. Tom Allen lost to Sen. Susan Collins in Maine. However, my mom says she thinks he's going to run for governor, so there's a silver lining.

5. Emily Deschanel lets men in on some secrets:

1. When you have a perfect body, we wonder how much time you spend on yourself.

2. Even if we've only been dating a few weeks, don't introduce us as your "lady friend"--or that's exactly what we'll become.

3. When we use your bathroom (really use it), we consider you to be "the one."

4. Things we do not want to find in your medicine cabinet: self-tanning lotion, your ex-girlfriend's tampons, live ammunition.

5. The only acceptable men's wrist accessory is one that tells time.

6. When a guy sends us a text, we analyze everything, down to the punctuation. "Did he really use an umlaut? He must be smart!"

7. If you think we like the word panties, you've been watching too much porn.

8. Ditto titty and moist.

9. The only reason we accept for your following a rock band on tour is that you are actually a member of that band.

10. Don't wink. Never wink.


6. Keane makes me so effing happy. I've been listening to their album, Perfect Symmetry, almost non-stop the last couple of weeks and 'Spiralling' has to be one of my favourite songs ever.

( Did you wanna be a winner? Did you wanna be an icon? Did you wanna be famous? Did you wanna be the president? )

7. I'm happy all this election stuff is over and, hopefully, we can all move on with as much grace, eloquence, and diplomacy as McCain showed in his Concession Speech last night. He did a WONDERFUL job with the speech and I was disappointed in his supporters. Their booing and negativity was completely uncalled for. McCain did a GREAT thing last night in conceding with grace and dignity and I think this may possibly be the beginning of the return of the pre-presidential-candidate McCain, whom I liked significantly better than the presidential candidate McCain.

8. Now that election stuff is over, I think I might actually be able to focus on writing again. Once I get some actual work done, it's time to get my muse on! :)

If you want to read something truly chilling, a bit heartwarming, based on Harry Potter... this plot arc at road_ahead has had me glued to the computer all week. Oh. My. God.

Fenrir makes his move.

Fenrir gets to know Hermione.

And end to the torture.

It's official. He's been taken care of. But are there other dangers?

Honestly, I can't believe I'm a part of this game. It has some of the best writing on the internet. I feel so blessed to be a part of this amazing author community.

Find out what happens next at road_ahead.

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