Amazing Epic Experience

Yesterday was November 4th. Election Day. Historic in its own right.

But last week I got tickets to the Barack Obama celebration rally in Grant Park.

Needless to say I was pretty excited. I wasn't sure what to expect. But I knew that I needed to experience this moment firsthand.

Suffice to say it was an truly epic experience, one that I'll remember for a lifetime.

The crowd was gracious, even reverent. And it was fatefully aparent that America has come together in a way it never has before.

We've changed perceptions of our country, and our people, around the world. I'm glad I was a part of of. I'm pasting the transcript of the acceptance speech here, its powerful and worth capturing. I'll post pictures soon.

"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.

It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.

It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.

It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.

I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation's next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House. And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.

To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics - you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to - it belongs to you.

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington - it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.

It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.

I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers - in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.

Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection." And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world - our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down - we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security - we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.

For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing - Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.

At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can.

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:

Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America."

Big Day, Very Big Day

Just got into the office, and I typically start my day with at least 15 minutes of browsing the Internet, i.e. fantasy football, headlines, facebook, etc.

Anyway today is different, see after waking up today I headed down to my local polling place and cast my ballot in the 2008 Presidential election. I proudly cast my vote for Barack Obama.

No politician has resonated as much with me as Obama's has. He truly has a vision for this country, I certainly hope that this country embraces his message and I can be a part of helping this country grow and become a better place to live.

Heading to the election rally in Grant Park tonight, stands to be an amazing day.

Night at the Museum

Just spent a night at the museum.  Not in the Ben Stiller/ Owen Wilson sense, more in the I work for a company that does advertising for the Museum of Science and Industry, and tonight was "family night", i.e. free night.  Although it was weird that at least 85% of the people attending I've never seen around the office.  Well, I hope they enjoyed it.

First Foster and I saw the coal mine, which somehow has been an exhibit since 1934 -- wouldn't quite a few of the visitors at that time been actual coal miners... they'd probably be calling bullshit, it'd be like an astronaut visiting Space Mountain, not the same.

Next we hit the Omnimax, saw a movie called Dinosaurs Alive.  Pretty good, narrated by Michael Douglas.  So, I guess Paleontology is "good" as well.

Caught the U-505 tour.  I love this thing.  Foster hates it.  For some reason a 65 year old Nazi sub freaks him out.  He believes the dramatic actors/tour guide way too much -- guess that whole we're not really under water speech flies over his head.

Saw the train, the baby chicks, the Toy Maker 3000 (which became un-automated and an Asian guy had to hop inside and shake the basket to get it working, ha).

Bowling begins...

The "Why Not" Bowling league has begun.  For me, it was a slow start.  Game 1: 98.  Game 2: 83 (8 frames of 9).  Game 3: 164.  How's that for inconsistency?   More posts to follow.... I'm in charge of all technology (not sure what that conists of) so its probably a Facebook group.

Jay Lackey, verteran blogger of The Slack Files, gave me some sound advice tonight on the blog.  Namely:

1.) Add a pic to the profile (Done, supplied by Jay in fact)

2.) "You need to get an intern on the task of snazzing up the look of the blog... the Minima template is so last year!"  (Going to get working on this tomorrow)

3.) You definitely have to change the order of "Blogs I Like" -- I'm third. More specifically, I'm third behind T-rel's blog. Not cool.  (Again changed, but to the order of "most recently updated").

4.) Blog about more cool shit  (Try my best, need to stay dedicated).

Sports filled weekend & sad endings

Came into the weekend with nothing to do, hit Paddy Longs on Friday night.  Watched the Sox, they lost.  Headed out to the SW Side on Saturday, went to the eye doctor.  Walked out with contacts.  Sorta surprised by that, but so far so good.  In fact, a lot better than glasses.

I then proceeded to watch more sports:

• First, ND v. Stanford (ND won)
  
• A break and beers at the BACtoberfest at the Beverly Arts Center
  
• Cubs v. Dodgers (Cubs lost, season over yet again)
  
• Woke up, Bears v. Detroit (Bears won)
  
• Followed by Sox v. Tampa Bay (Sox won)
  
• Break for work, finish EFFIE
  
• Sox v. Tampa (Sox lost, season over)
  

That was a lot of sports.  Chicago baseball is over.

Facebook Friday

Spent the good majority of today in a meeting with Facebook, felt like they wanted to take all of our smart ideas from us, re-package them and sell them back to us... I'd predict now, that while popular, Facebook will be just the latest fad in social networking...  Give it another 12 months.

Anyway, the White Sox dropped the second game in a five game series with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.  Not good.  As of right now both the Sox and the Cubs are both starting to look less likely to advance in the playoffs.  That's sad.

Stayed up late last night talking.  Told my story to Linds.  Been a long time since I've done that, feels good, and at the same time still feels massive.  We'll see what this weekend brings.  

Sox Win, First Items Get Added to the List

Today I went through first round of mock judging for the Eggo EFFIE.  Went fine, going to end up re-writing more than I thought I would.  No big deal, still over a week to complete it.

Came home, threw on the Sox game.  It was the one game playoff between us and Minnesota for the AL Central.

Great game pitched by Denks, and Thome hit the only homer and the Sox took the Division 1-0.  Best part were the calls with Reidy, TK and Andy afterwards.  One of those few games in the season that are sort of a riot act; do or die games happen less often than you think.

Adding the first two items to the list as well today.  Was debating getting a bike, but that's simply a commitment to stopping in and spending money.  So, looking at it in terms of value added I'm adding only the following two:

1.  Learn to play guitar, ideally at Old Town School of Folk Music

2.  Begin writing my story down.

I'd like to have both in progress by this time next week.  Heading to the Cubs 1st playoff game tomorrow night.  Should be fun.

Time to start getting productive

Started my 9th year at Leo Burnett today, more or less a third of my life.  And probably arguable that its about half of one would say are years in which you have the opportunity to be "productive".  Mixed feelings on this one.

I spent the good majority of the day in the office by myself because almost all of the other Kellogg's team members were out of the office at the Morning Foods marketing conference.  Not a bad thing.  Certainly different.

I've been making myself lists of things to do at work for all of those nine years.  And not just a little, pretty religiously.  Proof is in the stack of moleskin notebooks stacked next to my desk.  Thinking about it, its a good strategy, forces you to keep things top of mind.

Going to start making myself lists of things to accomplish that isn't work related.  Going to start getting more productive.  No list to generate right now, but definitely still on that list... buy a new digital camera.

Awesome...

http://www.amazon.com/review/product/0029257905?coliid=&showViewpoints=1&colid=&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

Olympics...

Wow. Maybe I've never really "watched" the Olympics before but I'm finally starting to realize how big a "mind" game most of these sports are.

In fact, I'd argue that most of these sports are in actuality 95% mental, i.e. fucking with other people's heads).

Here's why:

1. It could be argued that all of these athletes are to some degree all very much equal. And if you were able to somehow measure it you'd see that the the athletes across averages (strength, training, flexibility, etc.) are all basically the same.

2. While its somewhat deceiving because of the way in which its broadcast, is that "through" the Olympic process you're only in fact "watching" the best, of the best, of the best compete for the gold medal.

For example, I've been watching the 100/200 meter sprints. In the qualifying rounds you'll see the leader purposely slow down, turn around and stare the other runners down before the race is even over. Why would you possibly have any other reason for slowing down in a race that only lasts 100 meters?

The best part is that the commentators continue to refer to the fact that these guys are slowing down because they're "saving energy". Really? Saving "energy" for a next race that's happening the next day? For a race that only lasts nine seconds?

So...let me understand. These finely tuned Olympic athletes need to "save" up energy to run another 100 meters. These are women and men who have "run" hundreds of practice runs a day in the YEARS leading up to this event. Something tells me two days in a row doesn't matter.

NO, the fact is the guys who win the races aren't in fact the guys who are the "fastest" on any given day they're just the guys who were the best at "psyching" out the most folks in the time leading up to the event.

Certainly interesting to see that the athletes who garner the most media time always winning.

I guess that Michael Phelps should thank his Coach AND his publicist.

Strinking close to home

This is a little too much like my life...


Creating A Stop Sign - Watch more free videos

A band worth a listen

Like jam bands? Here's one worth a listen:

http://www.madsweetpangs.com/

Saw them play at the Bell's Brewery in K-Zoo, and it might be the Oberon talking but it was a sweet time.

An end in sight?

Worst move (at least in hours spent moving) is finally nearing completion.

Right now I'm borrowing some free wi-fi and trying to stay cool before I undertake the task of unloading the last of the five boxes staring me in the face.

Also, its surprising how interested you are in other things without cable.

Forthcoming....

1. An update from the annual Crivitz trip...just as soon as my digital camera drys out, or I figure out how to get some of the pre-crash kayak pictures off the memory card.

2. The greatest web page ever, www.sausage-race.com (of which I am now the proud owner).

Good game day...

Today at work I participated in a pretty cool activity called the Go Game (http://www.thegogame.com)

Spent the morning running around River North playing a combination of a scavenger hunt, The Amazing Race and Scatagories. I initially dismissed it, but it was a good time. It also proved to me that while I may no longer be very athletic I am still very well suited should I ever decide to participate in a game show. Then we had some beers, talked some shop, etc.

Now I'm in the 11th inning of the MLB All Star Game, not a bad Tuesday.

I just realized...

That productive days seem to back into one another, and that lazy days seem to beget even lazier days.

In fact looking back on my life I've had vast days of productivity and I've had even more vast periods of 'lazy' days...arguably months...probably years.

Now that I'm blessed with this knowledge one might argue that it'd be beneficial to just consistently stay productive. On the other hand something tells me that something as stupid as sleeping through my alarm clock is just enough to throw this cycle off. So why worry about it.

Things I decided to do today...

1) Start writing sketch again.

2) Finally start a blog.

On the whole I'm pretty happy with my progress; especially because it's a Sunday and most of the time that day of the week is relegated to a whole lot of nothing.

You're looking at blog post #1. The biggest challenge I'd been facing over the last few weeks was deciding what to name this blog, i.e. "Joe's Blog" or "ChiBloggo" both seemed like pretty lame ideas. Regardless, I got past that today and we're moving on.

As far as sketch writing goes there was considerable work done. Right now I'm probably sitting on somewhere between ten and twelve solid sketch ideas...now its just time to start finding time between work and my summer schedule to put pen to paper.

While I'm on it, next logical thing seems like I need a new digital camera.