about time to talk politics

Canon was just four-months-old and it was cold in Chicago. I bundled her up, strapped her into the baby-carrier, and headed out to vote. We walked to the voting location, which was just on the other side of my block. I was excited on the walk over, but as soon as we reached the building I became very emotional. There's something about punching a ballot while peering over the winter hat of the child who is strapped to your chest that really forces you to think about the bigger picture. I cried the whole walk home.

And I felt that I had been thinking about the bigger picture. I felt I had voted for her future. I voted for a man to be my senator, but my hope was that my vote would propel him further into the national spotlight. That people across the country would think of him the way I do. That others would be inspired and moved by him. That others would be hopeful that he has the power to make changes. And I hoped the propulsion would be quick, that the Washington machine would get very little grasp on him.

I grew up with the notion that it is impolite to discuss politics. I find myself tip-toeing around the subject even with my closest friends and members of my extended family. Most people seem to guard their choices and decisions. I am tired of that. This is too big of a deal to me. I'm not getting into policy wars or cutting down other candidates, but I would like to make it very clear that I strongly support Barack Obama. Whew...I feel so much better now.
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If you have been to my house, then you know that Obama watches over us. This is a picture of my kitchen. See Obama over the doorway?


Here's a closer look. I know it looks a bit like a mugshot, but I think this magazine cover was used as a reference.

When we moved into our house, we hung Alex's artwork on existing nails just to get them out of the way until we moved everything in. For some reason there was a nail above the doorway in our kitchen. That's where Obama landed, and that is where he has been for almost three years now.

The sketch was a study for a larger scale painting that hung above the fireplace in our Chicago loft.

You might have to click on the picture to enlarge it so you can actually see the painting. The picture isn't great, but it's all that remains of that painting. It's kind of a long story, but Alex painted it as an exercise in creating something that he would discard. The painting was thrown away the day he moved out of the condo. I have reason to believe someone rescued it from the garbage dump. So...if you ever happen to see this painting, please let me know; I want it back.

Just further proof that we really dig Obama.