Yeah I teared up last night with strangers and friends in a packed bar during Obama’s acceptance speech. As you may know, I was so excited that I crashed my bike because I was distracted by the communal bliss in my neighborhood. I never thought I would live to see a black POTUS and not only is that a huge achievement in itself, but a black democratic candidate who could carry Florida and Virginia. WTF? I took a long hiatus from ranting about politics because I get so riled up and because I became so cynical and disgusted with the Rove-era of corruption/scandal and how the perpetrators, for the most part, had a slimy talent for wiggling out scott-free. I never imagined that I could feel so proud of my country. Even though I am still wary of campaign promises, I am very impressed with his stature and personal ascension and see in him someone who inspires hope not just for the US, but for our global community. Even Condoleeza Rice could not hide being pleased and I had forgotten that one of her childhood friends was killed in that bombing of a baptist church in Birmingham, AL in 1963.

But I have to confess, despite his hostile supporters booing his calls for uniting behind Obama, I was touched by McCain’s concession speech and felt really bad for him.

Back during his rally when he was calming and correcting that woman with the crazy hair who said “I’m afraid of Obama he’s an arab”, the look on his face was so obviously conflicted and even he appeared to be shaken by the hatred and ignorance that his negative campaign had spread. When not in election mode, he seemed a decent person to me and has proved in the past to be a rare breed of politicians that would extend an olive branch to break free from political gridlock to get things done. Last night, I saw signs that he would continue that again.

But yeah, he and his clueless campaign strategists made some epic bad decisions though—on a Faustian level by a) hiring the same folks who smeared him ruthlessly in the 2000 primaries and b) selecting Bible Spice as his veep. I don’t think he will ever forget that. I can’t help but think of that line from JFK’s inauguration speech:

“Those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.”

Rings so freaking true.

I’m Bjork when she wore that dead swan dress to the Oscars a few years ago. Now all I need is a baby to carry around with me and I’ll punch anyone who tries to take a picture of me.