I cast my vote in New Jersey’s primary tonight after work – I have no need to keep it secret: Barack Obama is who I’d love to see as our next president.
There is a distinct part of him that I respond to, and I think it’s the fact that he has a natural leadership and charisma about him that all the other candidates do NOT have. Because in terms of what either Hillary or Barack have as their positions – those are really very close. So of course it comes down for me to something less black-and-white (so to speak). And having been in the military for a bit, there’s a quality a few people just naturally have and that is the ability to lead people, seemingly effortlessly. To me, Barack Obama has that quality. I’m most definitely ready for a change in our government, and to have someone who, in my mind, has that natural leadership quality is a strong, huge factor for me. You may have noticed that I didn’t even mention the Republican candidates. You noticed correctly. Huckabee will NEVER get any vote from me. Romney is the epitome of a snake-oil-politician to me in my mind…. which leaves McCain. I respect him for his military service, and for his earlier ability to do what seemed to be in the best interests of the people. But with the latest campaign pledges, it just seems that the Republican nominees are falling all over themselves to be the most conservative… which in today’s day and age means that whoever is the most homophobic, pro-war, anti-Roe v Wade candidate wins! Now I’m sure I’ve pissed off some of you out there – too bad, so sad. I’ve got my opinion, and luckily for me, I pay for it by funding this website by myself…so I can say whatever the hell I want. Don’t read my site if Hobie2008 (and late 2007) offends you.
It was nice to cast a vote – I honestly haven’t voted in a long time. I guess I’ve been registered in California for the longest time and they’ve stopped even trying to send me Absentee ballots. But when I did all the registering here in New Jersey, I decided to just do it all. I had to hustle from work though tonight, and just did a quick workout and then got caught in the 6-7pm rush. But I then walked from Port Imperial to the staircase that leads from the River area up to the Palisades, as that’s where my voting precinct location was. As I walked up these stairs for the first time, I looked back out towards NYC and nearly fell over from the view I had before me. As the photo-junkie I am, I always have my good camera with me and no sooner did I finish voting (completely soaked in sweat too – I must have freaked out the voting attendants – but I had just hustled up a few hundred steps or so in my work clothes!) did I go out to the park overlook up on the Palisades and take the following shots. There were a few more, but these were the ones that turned out amazing. I especially like them because you can see my building in the foreground. I truly do live in an amazing location with a stellar view!
Feb 5, 2008 – NYC from WestNYC
I almost thought about bailing on voting tonight, but I remembered what I had passed up to do this and there was no way I was going to have passed that up just to be a pussy and not continue voting. Still not 100% positive that I made the right choice, but I know there will be more opportunities to do what I missed. And I am not going to get into details. 😉
Before I leave, this past weekend was pretty fun! Well, Saturday was. Sunday was miserable as I again was hungover. On Saturday, I hung out with Greg and two of his friends, Daniel and Nicholas. They were very cool and it was great to meet more people that I get along with – hopefully expanding my social circle slowly. I think I fit in well with them all. I will have to say I think I will definitely reconsider oyster shooters in the future though…. It’s like swallowing a chunky bit of snot. ugh. And did you see that Super Bowl? I was definitely rooting more against the Patriots (Tom Brady’s perfectness is more than annoying) than rooting for the Giants, but by the 4th Quarter, I was firmly rooting for the Giants. Even me, who is extremely apathetic to football, couldn’t help getting into that game! As for the commercials, my favorites were definitely the Justin Timberlake Pepsi one and the giant Macy’s Thanksgiving balloon Coke one. I couldn’t believe some of the obscenely violent and strange ones, especially from CareerBuilder.com (that heart that ripped itself out of the woman at her desk – hello Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom!) and that giant manMouse in the Doritos one – completely bizarre.
Okay, I’m done for the day. Time to clean up and get ready for sleepy time!