OBAMA OBAMA "In the face of impossible odds, people who love their country can change it." -Barack Obama
Obamas in Hawaii!!!!! *Rally*
Woooooooooooooooo Hoooooooooooooooooooooooooo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It took me awhile to recover from a whole day in hot sun where I got completely fried, but the ~15 min speech was soooo worth it. I got there at 9:30am, early enough to get 15th spot in line. Actually I could have gotten a better spot, but as I was volunteering I left a little later than previously planned and took some pix upon arrival while 5 other people got into line. Anyways, I hopped into line and immediately befriended my 4 other line-mates.
The little bitty line when I arrived at 9:30am
News setting up
My line mates
We chatted for a couple hours until I left my line friends to hold my spot -just in case- while I went to work with the campaign. I ended up walking the ever growing line getting the sign-in sheets filled out and recruiting new volunteers. The line didn't even really start to grow until 11:30 or so, and I was getting worried there wouldn't be a good enough showing for Obama. Fortunately, around 11:30 the attendence started to grow exponentially. There was no way, even with all of us volunteers, to keep up with the rapidly growing line. I think 2000 people showed up in just 1 hour. 4000 people came all told.
The growing line
Some volunteers waiting to volunteer
And another
The volunteer coordinator Ria had seen my spot in line and told me it would be better for me to go in with 'my friends' than continue volunteering, so at 12:30 I ran back to my spot in line just in time. We were sent through TSA security which was actually reasonably efficient and ended up in the front row!!!!
We then had to sit and bake in the sun 3 more hours there. Most people ran out of water long before Obama arrived, most people didn't bring enough food, and there were no restrooms. And it was bleeping hot and I am sure I got some heat exhaustion and a lot of sunburn. But as I said, it was soooo worth it to see the Obamas that up close and personal. He finally showed up, with his wife, to much cheering. US Senator Akaka, US Rep Abercrombie, and Mayor Mufi H. all briefly spoke, and then it was Obamatime!
A linemate with ti leaves she had just braided for the Obamas.
Now I've seen it all!
Waiting
Still waiting
Neil Abercrombie speaking
I hardly recall what Obama spoke about, although I know in the beginning he said the primary purpose of the speech was to thank the volunteers here and I very much appreciate him taking time out of his vacation to do that. And very much appreciate being appreciated for the work I've done. He spoke for only 17 minutes talking a bit about being back in Hawaii and a bit usual stump speech. 2 things struck me from the appearance.
1. He's skinny as hell! I knew he was 'skinny', but didn't realize just how _skinny_ he is.
2. I was impressed with Obama's overall casual tone; he seemed so personable, so approachable, so genuine and real, and truly driven by the desire to work towards the betterment of this country - basically everything I imagined he would be was confirmed to me.
And here they are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I spent most of the time taking pix and video so sometime in the middle I forced myself to lower my camera and just 'take it in'. That lasted about 30 sec and the camera came back up.
After the speech he and Michelle came down and I got smashed to the front, but that's ok, because that's where they were! Michelle got to me first and shook my hand and gave it a squeeze, then continued to hold it while shaking hands with others with her other hand. THen Barack was coming so I was frantically trying to get a real closeup (didn't) which with the squeezing and jostling was difficult so by the time I put my camera down he was past me. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh, there was no way I could let him get by without shaking his hand. He was still next to me shaking others hands so I thrust mine out and fortunately before he moved on he looked down at me and shook my hand. Wow! That's the future president of the United States!
Obama about to pass me by (and holding my line-mate's ti leaves).
Screaming at the crowd to stop crushing a young boy at the front
I think one of the best experiences though was when another guy near me gave one of the security guards his Audacity of Hope book. When it was brought back to him and he opened it up to a giant BO signature on the front page he let out the loudest whoop I think I've ever heard. He was euphoric. Also, one of my line-mates had brought ti leaves and braided them up for Obama while waiting. She was able to give him the ti leaves (they offer protection) and he took them, sniffed, and told her they smelled nice. She was pretty happy as well.
The guy who scored the signature
Overall fantastic experience, new friends, and I'm more motivated than ever to get Obama into the White House! 8/8/8 a day I'll never forget!
Some video clips:
bit of Neil Abercrombie Windows or Others (long download time)
Mufi introduces the Obamas/ Barack & Michelle arrive Windows or Others (long download time)
Obama thanks Hawaiian volunteers Windows or Others (long download time)
Obama: gov't of, by, and for the people Windows or Others (long download time)
End of speech Windows or Others (long download time)
Some pix from fellow linemate Lynn:
