O-ba-ma

Last night the City was awash with the intoxicating ambience of Barack Obama’s victory. An earlier invitation to the Democrats Abroad celebration party on Oxford Street had alerted me to a premier content source...sheer exhilaration plus alcohol - perfect.

When I arrived around 8pm their party was dispersing, after a long day monitoring the developing saga. On the footpath a Brazilian drummer and assorted revellers chanted, “O-ba-ma, O-ba-ma”, making for a deafening racket.

An African American couple climbed aboard, suitably pumped up. “Where to ?” I asked. “Man,” the fella crowed, “we’re goin’ all da way, shit!” “Okay, I’ll take you to Penrith,” I laughed. He was easily recognizable as a well-known US expat, now resident in Sydney.

First we visited his African American mate in the inner city for a quick appraisal of the historic day, interspersed with copious hugs and exchanges of Obama T-shirts.

“We did it, man, we did it!” bellowed my passenger. “Shit, nigga, I was bawling!” Another telling remark: “My father died this year and he didn’t see this. My grandfather never seen it and my great granddaddy never seen it, either. Shit!”

Back in the cab his phone rang continually with friends calling with congratulations and requests to hook up: “ma lawyer”; “that Italian dude”; “(a notable sportsman)”.

As he bade me farewell in the City I also congratulated him on the “sensational day.” This caused him to prop and correct me, “No, no man. It’s your victory, too!”

He seemed to assume I was congratulating him on a racial victory, which I wasn’t. Or that an Obama victory is a win for me as a global citizen, which remains to be seen.

No matter. I’m taking this opportunity to congratulate Barack Obama, the Democratic Party and their supporters on a momentous victory. Whilst I supported McCain, despite serious misgivings over his age, I found Obama’s awesome speeches and imparting of optimism truly inspirational.

Let’s pray he can fulfil this vision and unify all Americans, thereby becoming one of their great Presidents. Shit!

Correction: SHEEEEEEEE-yit!

Posted in On the job | Comments (18)

Yes we did! Shit! :)

Posted by: d. | Nov 6, 2008 8:33:43 AM

It's not shit. It's shiiiiiittt..

Posted by: Nam | Nov 6, 2008 11:09:27 AM

Amazing result for the world. Checked my facebook page today to see a list of comments (mainly of relief) that he had won. Feels like a good day in the world today.

Posted by: Rich | Nov 6, 2008 11:51:12 AM

I actually parked the cab, collected wife, bought champagne and munchies and we celebrated at home. Bugger the money for tonight I though, historic occasion it was!
Whatever one may think of Obama or the colour issue, I feel positive as it was important to get rid of the Bushes and neoconservative politics, and give peace and prosperity a chance. A victory for all of us that value living in a world where understanding between races, freedom and democracy is a desired way of life. It will not be easy to undue what has been done, but all of us can give it a go.

Posted by: Rainer the cabbie | Nov 6, 2008 12:26:18 PM

No, once and for all it's...

SHEEEEEEEE-yit!

Posted by: James | Nov 6, 2008 2:09:56 PM

Hi Ade,
I'm not surprised you were rooting for McCain. I'm sure you would have gone for G W Bush if he had stood again. It never matters how bad they are, as long as they are right whingers, eh? Global Financial Meltdown - no problem, hopeless leader and orator - no problem, unnecessarily getting into an unwinnable war - no problem.
Do you have a problem with a government nationalising banks, insurance companies and mortgage companies? Only if the socialists do it, right? If the Neo-cons nationalise things it must be OK, right? We now know that right whingers support the welfare state - but only for bankers, and the big end of town. That must be humiliating! Change sides now, mate, before it's too late! Go Obama! Go Rudd!
Cheers,

Posted by: ymmoT | Nov 6, 2008 6:29:41 PM

Hey Adrian. Thought I'd stop by to say I'm still reading. Appreciate your blog muchly. --art

Posted by: Art | Nov 7, 2008 12:32:03 AM

Art, nice to hear from you. Onto your fifth album...SHEEEEEEEE-yit!! Mate, pretty cool for one so young. Love that positive vibe, nice tunes. More power to you.

Tom, sorry to see you're still stricken by BDS. Have faith, mate, only 2½ months left. Were you at the big Fairlight bash last Sat? Regards to the fam. (why you never call?)

Posted by: adrian | Nov 7, 2008 4:14:03 AM

I'm working on a new American national anthem rap ..it will begin like this --
"Oh say can you SHEEEEEEEEE-YIT by the dawns early SHEEEEE-YIT Obama's da Prez !" ...its a work in progress. Good post Adrian.

Posted by: kingofnewyorkhacks | Nov 7, 2008 4:57:34 AM

Despite your politics, Adrian, I'll still be reading your blogs. There's still a humanist lurking somewhere in there.

Posted by: dave | Nov 7, 2008 6:23:44 AM

Absolutely great post!

Tracked ya here: http://cuppapolitics.blogspot.com/2008/11/thoughts-on-becoming-obama-nation.html

Posted by: FrauBudgie | Nov 7, 2008 10:26:18 AM

Having consulted doctors and psychologists as how to treat BDS syndrome the treatment was as follows : Open your eyes and admit that there is nothing wrong with you, your perceptions have been right on the money. To sent young men into war, forbid criticism, create legislation that endangers democracy and freedom, raid the surplus and go deeply into dept so you and your mates can benefit; you may think I am talking about R. Mugabe or some other crackpot dictator. Sadly I am not.
As a German that has been educated by his teachers to keep an eye on things so it won't happen again I would like to congratulate Tom on his wisdom.

Posted by: Rainer the cabbie | Nov 8, 2008 4:08:22 AM

And remember, Rainer, arbeit macht frei!:

http://bidinotto.journalspace.com/?entryid=804

Posted by: James | Nov 8, 2008 6:12:33 PM

For the BDS context, Rainer, read my post again. The tone is clearly congratulatory, peaceful and joyous, as befits an historic occasion such as this.

That one reader among hundreds chose to ignore my bi-partisan stance in order to deliver an incoherent and spiteful diatribe (despite their man winning!?), indicates a chronic case of BDS.

Normally I dismiss vexatious, anonymous comments as meaningless but this was from someone I've known a very long time. Mates, sheesh.

Posted by: adrian | Nov 9, 2008 6:05:39 AM

Adrian
Yeah, sorry, I didn't misread the first time and was aware of your by-partisan stance. Its just that the spoilers get on my nerve, time for a new start no matter where your beliefs are.
James :
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=velhfqXSkyQ

Posted by: Rainer the cabbie | Nov 9, 2008 10:56:09 AM

Rainer: http://blogs.smh.com.au/radar/archives/2004/12/imagine_that.html

Cheers,
James

Posted by: James | Nov 9, 2008 3:23:01 PM

Thank you James.
But with John it is a bit like with Obama; it's not the person, it is the message. Come on mate, give it a chance.

Posted by: Rainer the cabbie | Nov 10, 2008 2:54:33 PM

i hope this makes you smile
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXP-OcJzleo

Posted by: julie | Mar 6, 2009 12:22:33 AM