I felt pretty bashful today . . . not as strident as I might have imagined I'd feel

[bigtree]

I had this one moment when I emerged back into the public where I came upon an older (white) man. I was smiling to myself, feeling on top of the world, when I met his eye. He wasn't exactly smiling and I wondered right away if he had voted for McCain. I felt a bit embarrassed to be so visibly prideful in his face.

I am proud and extremely happy. I'm working on my humble, though . . .

[noamnety]

1. Please don't make assumptions about strangers.

I know the election is huge. But people are still dealing with personal issues, deaths, sick relatives, foreclosures, layoffs ... it's not realistic to assume that everyone dealing with difficult circumstances today is doing so because they voted for McCain.

(Speaking as one here who got word last night that my father had a massive heart attack. I went into work knowing I looked very somber and definitely not "jubilant" - and feeling like a target because people would make exactly the assumption about me that you've made about this man.)

[bigtree]

3. I just thought I should take the opposition folks in consideration

. . . as I'm brimming with joy inside. I'm sure, too, the folks you describe don't need my shit eating grin either.

I AM on top of the world . . . so sorry about your dad.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

5. Savor that and don't let anyone take it away

Don't you worry about troubling others with your smiles! I know all about this because I do it all the time too

[noamnety]

8. I understand, and I appreciate your sentiments

In 2004, one of my republican coworkers was respectful of my feelings when Kerry lost, and I did appreciate that, so I'm not discounting your concern, just discouraged by the initial sizing up of the situation. I hated heading out this morning feeling like strangers who saw me would assume I was feeling glum because I'm a racist, and this thread kind of confirms that yeah, some people probably did make that assumption.

Our GLBT folks as well have good reason to feel down today - it could have been worse, prop 8 could have gone the way it did AND McCain could have won, but still, things are just not so clear cut in the world that everyone can be classified as happy because Obama won or sad because McCain lost.

Not angry, just ... I dunno, explaining.

[bigtree]

10. heh

we're BOTH self-conscious, albeit for different reasons. Better days.

[blaze]

4. Very sorry to hear about your father. n/t

[knowbody0]

2. I took the day off and floated in euphoria

knowing I'd not do well out there today.

[bigtree]

6. heh

I've got a couple of hours before work . . . must get it out of my system. Just mentioning the election to the folks I work with threatens to ignite some yahoo bent on bringing me down.

[knowbody0]

7. I've burned a bunch of sweet grass

so I'll send some smoke your way!

[bigtree]

11. cool

I'll survive :hi:

[Stinky The Clown]

9. Hey tree, ol' buddy .......... FUCK HUMBLE.

At the gym today, the Faux Noozers wouldn't even look at me today. I high fived a few pals and we gloated for a bit.

Then I went back home.

[bigtree]

13. I have to work at it

It sure don't come natural :hi:

[ailsagirl]

19. Being humble? Or humility? Or are they the same?

[ailsagirl]

12. I'm just keeping my Obama/Biden sticker on my car for as long as I can

[bigtree]

15. I still have my Kerry sticker in my car window

It looks like I'm gonna be one of those car sticker guys

[ailsagirl]

18. I live in a liberal area and I STILL see Bush/Cheney stickers

It's enough to make me :puke:

[ailsagirl]

14. I'm much quieter and contemplative than I thought I would be.

It's so much to take in-- I don't think I've come anywhere near really processing it yet!!

After eight years of unmitigated HELL, I feel we've not only seen the light at the end of the tunnel, but we have walked out of that horrid tunnel into daylight. I am so thankful.

[bigtree]

16. the weight of the responsibility now to produce is pretty heavy

. . . but, the burden of the republican oppression has begun to lighten. We can do this.

'yes we can'

[ailsagirl]

17. You betcha' !!!!

Sorry-- couldn't resist

:rofl:

[obiwan]

20. I'm white and extremely proud and happy and very prideful.

Fuck the downtrodden GOP. I have been waiting for eight years to smile for being a decent human being. I am happy, and suddenly peaceful.

Again, fuck the GOP. May they wander in the desert for years.