We are a part of Obama-nation

In 2001, I joined the Washington University Mosaic Whispers, a co-ed a cappella group. I was an uncomfortable Soprano I, singing in a range I hadn't sung before. But they pushed me, and one of the more energetic numbers was Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation. This tune often comes to mind when I see Obama, for the refrain is, "We are a part of a rhythm nation." It's a logical leap to the title of this entry.

It was just before 2:30 AM here in Cairns, Australia. Christa and I have settled into our hostel which is wildly reminscent of some college fantasy, though the college experience I had was far from this reality. 8 bunks in a co-ed dorm room? Not at Wash U. Nevertheless, we made it a priority to find out where and when we could watch Obama's speech tonight. To those of you that have kept up with this blog since the beginning, you know that I don't get excited about anything more than I get excited about Barack Obama. If you didn't know that, even having followed my blog, now you do.

Christa and I walked into the TV lounge and found three others already tuned into the channel. Figuring they were American, too, we chatted them up. But we were soon to find out that they were from India, the Netherlands, and Norway. We were the token Americans, but they did not give us their good seats. At one point, when the controversial reverand gave his invocation, he mentioned the word "freedom" and the woman from the Netherlands turned to the girl next to her and said, "Ha. Freedom." That certainly made me question their motivation to watch relative to ours, even though I don't agree with the politics of the minister.

A picture of George W. Bush in the foregorund with the Obamas just behind, as the minister recited the "Our Father", reminded me that religion and faith do not belong solely to the Right. That is a significant change among the many others that we will witness in the wake of this day. Something Jim Wallis of Sojourners magazine has been talking about for quite some time, but it is time to reclaim the ideas of faith and religion. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

As Aretha Franklin sang and right before Joe Biden was sworn in, the Scots next to me were making some noise, maybe some vague wise-cracks. I kindly urged them to keep it down and reminded that this was really important to us. He then informed me he had never voted.

I turned to Christa during Joe Biden's swearing in and we both acknowledged that we'd be fast asleep if this were McCain and Palin being sworn in, and we'd likely catch it on YouTube tomorrow or the day after. Thank goodness for not having to make that time.

As the quartet played, the woman in the middle of the three in front of us, the Indian, shared some party mix with us, aplenty with gummy treats that Julie Mancini would have been more than happy to partake in.

At 3:03 AM, Barack Hussein Obama was officially done being sworn in as President of the United States. I should disclose at this point that in the name of staying up long enough to see the speech, Christa and I had befriended some dorm neighbors, from Canada and Scotland, and had gotten a bit festive/been drinking a few. I learned from reading the collection of essays edited by Ira Glass that I'd refered to before (The New Kings of Non-fiction) that the writer should reveal this kind of information in order for the reader to understand the perspective from which its coming.

As Obama spoke, it reminded me of my sophomore year in college when I was cramming in some De Toqueville reading and I decided to have a glass of wine to assist. It made everything lucid and crystal clear, though I couldn't remember much of it the next day. I could only remember that it made perfect sense the night before. This was a bit how I felt when Obama spoke--it was all crystal clear and every piece fit perfectly to make perfect sense. I took notes while I watched, much to the suspicion of the Scot next to me, so as not to forget my reactions and the sequence of the evening. As Obama mentioned that we are friends to every nation and we have mutual respect, it was this phrasing that kept me from snapping at the loud mouths next to me as they made more wise-cracks. I couldn't quote them as I was rather focused on the television, but I coudln't imagine, either, making any noise during such a momentous occasion for them and their country. But as they talked, I literally though, "WWOD: What Would Obama Do?" This has been a mantra of mine for a few months now.

At the close, I realized there is no one I would trust more to take on the trials of this country. He fully acknowledges and is more than mindful of what lies ahead, and he is fully equipped to deal with it. But we all need to be behind him.

So, once again, Happy Obama Day! Tomorrow I will head out to the Great Barrier Reef to see another wonder of our great world.