Michelle OBAMA rocks.

DNC excitement is everywhere. I didn't really feel it in Denver today - but its evident in the media (radio, internet, TV).

There were not 25,000 protestors outside my office building as expected. Instead, I saw a gazillion Colorado State Patrols in/near my office building today, on the street and by the light rail. I wish I felt this safe all the time.

Plus, I did see two men in suits trying to hail a cab near my bus stop. It was far out of the ordinary. I don't even think of cabs in Denver -- which is nothing like NYC, or any other major city, where you can hail a cab anywhere. These men were unsuccessful for about 10 minutes (probably longer) and I tried not to laugh at these 'tourists.'

Then, I headed out of Denver ... sadly wishing I could stay and people-watch in an attempt to squish next to Leo DiCaprio on the 16th Street Shuttle (ya right, like he would ever be on there next to us 'normal folk'), or scream hysterically if I even caught a glimpse of Oprah.

Tonight though, I was excited to watch Michelle O's speech (even if it was from the couch and not in person). It was great. She's this generation's Jackie O. I haven't paid as much attention to the campaigns as I should. So, this is the first exposure I've had to the - future - Mrs. President (a/k/a first lady).
It was love at first sight. She's eloquent, intelligent, and a perfect example of the type-of strong-motherly-independent female figure we need supporting/aiding/loving one of the most important men in the free-world. I was already convinced to vote for -O- but now, I'm not going to be shy about convincing everyone else of that task either.

We need a new direction in the U.S. We're slowly losing respect from the rest of the world, from the emerging world leaders (who won't be afraid to squish us like bugs if necessary) and from our own apathetic citizenry. While losing world superpower status isn't necessarily a bad thing, losing respect is. Our voice still demands to be heard (hopefully, "a new voice") with that will help us lead by example, promote humanitarian ways, and take steps that better this world instead of make it worse.

There is a glimmer of hope remaining in my heart that if Obama takes office we can stop digging ourselves into a shithole that Bush began to tunnel eight years ago (and his dad broke ground with 21 years ago).