Firsts...

Here we are after Mr. Obama's speech.
This was the picture on the front page of the Minneapolis Star Tribune!
As you can see, I'm giddy with anticipation.

Here are Gabe and I waiting outside the Target Center. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.

Barack Obama speaking in Minneapolis - we were in the front row!

What an awesome weekend...
After 22 years of being able to vote, I finally officially got involved in the political process. I attended the Barack Obama rally of 22,000 at the
Target Center on Saturday. What an experience. I went with my wonderful cousin Gabe and his cloud-laced-with-a-silver-lining. We were supposed to volunteer, but too many volunteers ended up showing, so we were put on the "volunteer waiting list." We could have gotten into line with the others who had E-tickets, but we waited...patiently...until a campaign worker came out and discreetly gave us "green" tickets. Coveted "green" tickets. Tickets that got us on the main floor. I followed my running 51 year old cousin through the crowd, and we ended up right where the candidates came in in the front row.


R.T. Rybak was taking people's phones and encouraging them to get out to the polls to vote for Barack. Keith Ellison, the first Muslim in the US Congress, took his picture with us. Gabe kidded Betty McCollum and called her "Betty Crocker." She laughed, knowing who Gabe is, of course, and said, "Well, I sure am not Michelle Bachmann." I like her immensely.

Then, Barack came out. It's funny. This experience was like the one I had at age 18, getting a kiss from the lead singer of Alabama (yes, I'm dating myself, aren't I??) I felt like I was meeting a rock star. When he actually came out to address the crowd and shook my hand, I felt like I was in the presence of someone magical. (Did I mention I was in the front row?) I truly can imagine the 40 year olds of 1960 feeling the same way when they shook the hand of JFK. What an amazing experience. It's odd that I am so starstruck. I don't tend to get that way...I have waited on Scott Erickson (the Minnesota Twin I was bound and determined to marry,) Kent Hrbek, Kirby Puckett, Deion Sanders, Mike Modano, and many other "stars" when I worked at Joe Senser's but never felt the awe and magic of shaking Barack Obama's hand...twice.

I think it's because I want to be INSPIRED. Obama inspires me.

Tonight, I went to my first caucus, Barack '08 button proudly displayed on my lapel. It took everything I had not to volunteer for every opportunity presented. I'm a district delegate. I just can't keep my mouth shut. Like I said, I'm too inspired these days! If you haven't been involved in the political process, do it. Life is too short to not be heard. Get an opinion and get involved! Now is the time...