. . . and then I shook hands with Barak Obama.

I don't post to the blog much, but this story I had to tell myself.

I got an e-mail on Wednesday from the Obama Campaign in Cincinnati about the rally at Ault Park, my favorite park in Cincinnati, on Thursday. Now Jess and I tried to go to a couple rallies when we were still in New York, and they were so crowded that we couldn't even get near. My favorite story about that is when Jess and Owen tried to go to the event in Jersey City, 4 blocks from our house, and even though she "RSVP'd" and was an hour before the doors opened, the line for the 5,000 person gym was way down the street and around the block. That was at noon. The program started at 3, and Obama arrived at 5. Needless to say, Owen couldn't be out that long and they returned home.

This time on the invite they were calling for volunteers to work the event. I figured this was a good way to contribute, even if I didn't get to see the actual rally. I left my Mother's drawing class early and went to the meeting at Headquarters in Walnut Hills, 3 blocks from where Jess and I lived before we moved to Boston.

The meeting wasn't that crowded and mostly was describing the different jobs and where to meet at Ault Park. We were to park at the soccer fields and meet at the picnic area. When Jess tried to drop me off, we were stopped at the top of Observatory by a police checkpoint. I got out, told them I was a volunteer, and started the loooong walk down the hill to the park. Fortunately there were a few cars getting through, and one of them gave me a ride.

I was in the earliest group, and started collecting people around the volunteer sign, because there was no one else around. When the contact person did come over, I was told to continue collecting people and sending them on. Eventually the volunteers stopped coming, and I wandered up to the pavilion for a job.

All of the jobs were spread out by then, so I just picked a fun looking group of people and joined them. It was the ushers inside the event. (cool, I will be close) We needed to make sure the 3 different colors of tickets stayed in their areas. When we finally made it through the metal detectors we met on the lower green space between the gardens. There was a big Ohio for Obama sign at one end, a stage, and bleachers behind the podium. I stepped up early to be placed, and I was placed at the end of the field as the last person the VIPs passed before entering the VIP area. My job was to keep the VIPs in their pen on the left of the stage.

Most of this was standing and looking around. I was standing with a woman from Texas that had been with the campaign there an answered a call to come to Cincinnati for the rest of the month, where she didn't know anyone. She had just arrived the day before and was sleeping on someone's couch. Her name was Sarah. It was an hour before the gates opened, and even then, I was on the reserved end of the field, and those people didn't filter in until later. The biggest issue was water. It was hot and sunny, with no clouds in the sky. There were tents for the press, and they were filled with chairs and water, but no chairs were allowed in the event space. Some chairs were handed out, and some water was handed out, but we were told to stop because there wasn't enough for everyone. There was a little girl that passed out in front of me, and I managed to get her into the tents and re-hydrated, but as time passed, the crowd continued to get thirsty. I brought a bottle for myself, but that was gone by 3. Fortunately, one of the campaign people came down and started handing out water to the kids.

The speakers started at 2:40, including the Mayor of Cincinnati, and a couple congresspeople, but then the waiting began again. Fortunately there was music, but only about 8 songs, then it would start again. At 3:30, Gov. Ted Strickland came on stage and spoke well for about 15 minutes. He introduced a local woman who told her story about losing her job at a local Ford Plant and her husband being transferred to another plant further away with fewer hours. It was a good story, but it was apparent that someone had helped her with her speech because she mis-pronounced a word that she wouldn't have written down if she didn't know it. I can't think of the word, but it was one of those words that doesn't look like it sounds. She then introduced Senator Obama.

I had realized earlier why the VIP area was to the side of the stage, that was the only way into the event from the outside. Sen. Obama entered and shook hands on his way to the stage. He was in a white shirt with the sleeves slightly rolled up, looking casual but professional. When he took the podium I realized I was standing in a direct line between the senator and his teleprompter, which was not clear like the indoor events, so I could not see his face. I convinced Sarah to come with me into the VIP area and we were only about 30' from the Senator for his speech.


It was a good speech. I had been feeling election fatigue and didn't even want to listen to election news when I received the email about the event. I waited all day before responding. I was glad I did. I felt better. I felt like it was going to be ok. I am not one to get caught up in crowd mentality, but I was cheering and clapping and even crying a little. It was the Obama that gives confidence. It was an inspiring speech, with very little attack, for which I was greatful.

After the speech, when the crowd surged toward the podium, I moved left, to the rope line. He needed to pass me before he could leave. He came down the stairs and started shaking hands. He went all the way around the stage before he came back to the exit ramp. I wanted a handshake. I was taking pictures and reached out my hand as he came by and got a nice grip. After an hour long speech in the heat and shaking hands for the last 10 minutes, his hands were cool and dry.

Taken right after the handshake.

I walked all the way out of the park and waited for Jess to pick me up. She wanted to volunteer too, but someone had to stay with Owen, he would not have made it all day. I was very greatful she let me go, and I have let her know it. It wasn't until I got home that I felt the sun on my face and neck. My ears are beet red, as is the back of my neck, but the heat is leaving my face, and it is a good sort of heat so far.