Bill Clinton
Apr. 14th, 2005 12:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
yesthattomBill was speaking at Drew University (a short drive from where I work/live) last night. I knew about it, I could have gotten tickets, I could have been there. Ugh. I blew it. Someone called me from the lecture asking if I wanted to sit with them and all I could say was, “Ack! I can’t believe I forgot to call for tickets!” Damn work, damn software rollout taking all my mental energy!
I saw Bill Clinton for the first time at Drew University. It was his first presidential campaign (1992) and he needed a speaking location near the airport and the university gave him a forum. Lots of big press, lots of excitement. I had just graduated and was really excited to shake his hand at the end. I think of it every time I drive by that place.
I volunteered for the campaign in my county. Meanwhile I was doing some consulting (formatting) on a book that was written by someone that happened to be a friend of Bill and Hilary. I kept getting updates from a personal perspective from him. It was very exciting. On election day I drove seniors to the polls for the local Dem office.
Having volunteered, I was eligible to be at the inauguration but I had a conflict so I didn’t go. I put it out of my mind. Nothing lost, nothing gained.
A few days later I was in D.C. to meet with HRC to talk about a new project (the Workplace Initiative... supporting GLB groups within corporate environments). I arrive the night before to spend the night with a friend that was there for a conference and let me stay in her hotel room. Lost in the city, I was circling and turning, trying to find a street sign I could read in the darkness so I could figure out where on the map I was. Finally I see a sign that tells me I’m on Pennsylvania Avenue. In my rush, I don’t think of the significance of this, I’m too happy to be on a street that I can find on the map.
As I drive there is all the remnants of some kind of big parade. Disassembled blockades waiting to be picked up for storage. I’m finally seeing landmarks that say I’m back on the right route to the hotel.
1100... 1200... oh good, I’m near where I need to turn.
1300... 1400... no longer lost. Odd, a huge reviewing stand takes up half the street. It looks like they’re disassembling it. I wonder what it was used for.
1500.
Looking up from my map I see to my left a huge, beautiful building. White, lit up with huge, powerful lights that made it seem to nearly glow. It all clicked. It was 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The White House.
I pulled the car over and got out. Standing there I couldn’t believe it. 12 years of Republican control and now a dramatic election puts a Democrat into the White House. I was so proud. So hopeful. So inspired. The scene was so peaceful. So serene.
I don’t know how long I stood there. It was amazing. If you’ve never seen the White House at night, the way they light it up is just heavenly. Pictures don’t do it justice.
“Congrats, Bill. Congrats.”
I got in my car and found the hotel a few minutes later.
I saw Bill Clinton for the first time at Drew University. It was his first presidential campaign (1992) and he needed a speaking location near the airport and the university gave him a forum. Lots of big press, lots of excitement. I had just graduated and was really excited to shake his hand at the end. I think of it every time I drive by that place.
I volunteered for the campaign in my county. Meanwhile I was doing some consulting (formatting) on a book that was written by someone that happened to be a friend of Bill and Hilary. I kept getting updates from a personal perspective from him. It was very exciting. On election day I drove seniors to the polls for the local Dem office.
Having volunteered, I was eligible to be at the inauguration but I had a conflict so I didn’t go. I put it out of my mind. Nothing lost, nothing gained.
A few days later I was in D.C. to meet with HRC to talk about a new project (the Workplace Initiative... supporting GLB groups within corporate environments). I arrive the night before to spend the night with a friend that was there for a conference and let me stay in her hotel room. Lost in the city, I was circling and turning, trying to find a street sign I could read in the darkness so I could figure out where on the map I was. Finally I see a sign that tells me I’m on Pennsylvania Avenue. In my rush, I don’t think of the significance of this, I’m too happy to be on a street that I can find on the map.
As I drive there is all the remnants of some kind of big parade. Disassembled blockades waiting to be picked up for storage. I’m finally seeing landmarks that say I’m back on the right route to the hotel.
1100... 1200... oh good, I’m near where I need to turn.
1300... 1400... no longer lost. Odd, a huge reviewing stand takes up half the street. It looks like they’re disassembling it. I wonder what it was used for.
1500.
Looking up from my map I see to my left a huge, beautiful building. White, lit up with huge, powerful lights that made it seem to nearly glow. It all clicked. It was 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The White House.
I pulled the car over and got out. Standing there I couldn’t believe it. 12 years of Republican control and now a dramatic election puts a Democrat into the White House. I was so proud. So hopeful. So inspired. The scene was so peaceful. So serene.
I don’t know how long I stood there. It was amazing. If you’ve never seen the White House at night, the way they light it up is just heavenly. Pictures don’t do it justice.
“Congrats, Bill. Congrats.”
I got in my car and found the hotel a few minutes later.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2005-04-14 09:50 am (UTC)