One thing I really enjoyed about Barack Obama's presidential campaign was the way he was able to reach many of his supporters wherever they were and get them aware of and engaged in the political process. The Obama team became a master of web 2.0 technology, using e-newsletters, social bookmarking, rss feeds, twitter, podcasts and YouTube to deliver his messages of change, clarification of policies, and encouragement to get involved.
A big question in my mind right after the election was how Obama was planning on leveraging the relationship he built with the huge base of supporters during the campaign. He no longer needs our vote so will he just forget about us?
Not so. This is one smart leader and he's not going to toss away the energy of such a valuable group. So far it seems he really does mean what he said about the we in the "yes we can". He needs and expects our (and that now includes all in this country) participation during his presidency if change is actually going to come about.
To keep us up to speed the President-elect has his own transition webpage: www.change.gov
Obama will also be doing a new and improved fireside chat during his time in office. It's a weekly address he'll be giving throughout the transition time and while in office. Check out the first one below.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Yes we can and yes we DID!
The chant took on a whole new meaning when Obama was elected by the American people to be our President, marking the achievement of many firsts, not the least of which is becoming the first African American president. All that affirmation and encouragement yielded real results! We can claim, along with Obama, that yes, we DID! By we I'm referring not just to Obama and to everyone in his campaign team, but also to every American supporter, volunteer, and the those in the world who took a chance by turning away from fearful driven campaigning and instead looked in the direction where each wants to walk - that is choosing a different, higher model before them to inform the future. I'm even referring to the McCain-Palin campaign and supporters who so gracefully conceded defeat on Tuesday night.
This will go down as one of those "where were you when...?" moments in history. At 10pm I'd just finished playing volleyball in Dupont area. I rushed myself down to the metro. I hopped off the White Flint metro and raced across the street to the Bethesda North Marriott Conference Center where the Montgomery County democrats were hosting a party. My heart starting beating faster as I walked into screams and cheers. Florida had just been announced as going for Obama.
This story is likely similar to many others. The room was packed with people of all ages and races, most sporting their colorful and creative Obama paraphernalia. 10 seconds to 11pm (when California was to close its polls), everyone started counting down, just like new years, but this time there was much more to celebrate than the turning of a page on a calendar. Cliche, yes, but it was to be one of the biggest page turners in modern history - the election of black president. 11pm and we all went wild. I've never been a part of anything else like it. Tears streaming down all our faces, hugs with friends and strangers. Jumping up and down. Screaming. Lots of screaming with joy and relief. Called my brother in Brooklyn but neither of us could hear the other because of the wave of elation that swept over the crowds where we were.
What came as the biggest surprise to me in this moment was the sense of pride that was flooded through me in an irresistible way. WOW - This is the America I identify with. This is the America I believe in. This is the America I'll work hard and sacrifice for. This is the America that I can celebrate openly without hesitation or shame.
Without a doubt America needs all of us to do all those things to pick ourselves up. A leader is necessary, yes, but aware and engaged participants have to be right there with him ready to act, but also to be extremely patient. Real change, to borrow a phrase from Obama, isn't going to come in the next few months, year, or maybe not even in this first term, especially not because of a change in president. Look at what the majority of Americans just did with this election. If we can do that with so many odds against the win at the start, just think of the possibilities.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Kayaking on the Potomac River!
Had another trip yesterday to kayak in the Potomac River with my dad. What a treat! It was sunny, warm, not a cloud in the sky, and the colors were just brilliant. Take a look:
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| Kayaking on the Potomac |
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Weekend field trips
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| Day trip to Harper's Ferry |
Everyone should take at least one road trip, big or small, in the fall. One of the most memorable days from college was when Ally and I spontaneously decided to leave our college stress behind and hop in the yellow convertible Miata for a little trip to an orchard stand 30 minutes from Carlisle. I was having both research and writer's block and the trip loosened me up just the right amount I needed to complete the paper in an A-earning way.
Just last weekend I got awesomely lucky because work let me take of Friday so I could drive up to Emma Willard (where I taught Spanish and coached volleyball) and surprise the volleyball team at their last home game. Pulled out on my house at 5:30am, listened to all of NPR's morning edition (which never happens!), jammed to Ray LaMontagne, Solas, Nickel Creek, Kate Rusby, among others, munched on some fresh apples and 7 hours later I was in Troy, NY. Fall colors were about at their peak, so needless to say it was a worthwhile 7 hours.
Just today mom and I decided to make our way northwest to the quaint little river town of Brunswick, MD, the revolutionary and civil war town called Shepherdstown, WV, and tiny and hilly historic town of Harper's Ferry where revolutionary and abolitionist John Brown tried to start a slave uprising, but this lead to his capturing and death by hanging.
In Brunswick, we found a coffee shop housed in an old church. How awesome is that!? It's called Beans in the Belfry. Everything in it is mismatched and funky. All but two pews are removed and the food and register are located on the altar. Walls are a creamy pastel green and the main source of light comes through the yellow tinted stain glass windows. Decor is old and antiqueish. Small and large tables scatter the room and clunky and cozy couches and love seats line the walls and some corners. One corner has a mirror and box full of dress-up clothes and toys for the children.
We found a great boutique shop in Shepherdstown where I discovered a $200+ long green, large buttoned boiled wool coat. It was gorgeous and perfect to wear with work clothes in the cooling temperatures. Unfortunately, not in my budget :(
It felt like we stepped back in time while in Harper's Ferry. It's hidden in the hills, by the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers and has the cutest little stone cottages, shops and even gas lamps. A perfect place for a historic ghost tour, which they have, and would be a wonderful visit covered in snow in the winter.
How exciting it is to discover such havens of beauty, culture, and history that are just within one hour of my home!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Cruisin' on Lake Anna
I haven't posted in a while because I've just been busy having way too much fun! Labor Day weekend as well as last weekend was spent at Lake Anna, the Hatch/Morris family compound, with family and a great group of friends.
Thankfully, I've got a brother not only with a high tech camera, but with the skills to go with it too!
Take a look at his flickr page!
Another fun event was the 1/2 marathon I did up in Plymouth, MA about two weekends ago. Pouring rain and good company - seriously couldn't have been any better!
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