I stayed up until 4am this morning (or last night, whatever you prefer) watching the US election results coming through (helped along with the way with some Jim Beam). I don't live in the States; I don't have a vote there, but I felt like I was part of history, something pretty momentous. It reminded me of the 1997 election in the UK, where there was just this great surge of hope, that things were about to change for the better.
When the states started to be called, it became clear reasonably quickly that something amazing was truly going to happen. Even although the polls had indicated this outcome, it wasn't until I saw it with my own eyes that I could believe it. Polls have been wrong before (2000 anyone?) and it felt like if I went to bed before the end result, then somehow I would wake up and it would all have gone horribly wrong.
Which is why I was determined to stay up to see it with my own eyes. At about 4am (my details may be a bit sketchy here; I'd been up a long time), California came through and then Washington, taking us through the magical 270. History had been made and I could go to bed for a few hours.
My head hit the pillow when McCain gave his speech once the result was clear. Before sleep overtook me, I was struck by how incredibly gracious he was. There is a very interesting article in the times online about him.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/article5084049.ece
Of course, it meant that I missed Obama's victory speech, but I read the text this morning (it gave me goosebumps) and that's what You Tube is for.
All in all, quite a night. And worth feeling slightly gritty and sleep for the whole of the next day. When people inevitably ask "where were you when Obama won", I can answer.
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