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11.05.2008

Sitting on Top Of The World... Election Night From Chicago













Wow! What can I say that anyone else hasn't about the historical evening last night? The whole world waited with baited breath. You could not have planned a more perfect evening. The weather was perfect, the crowds were orderly, but packed, and all of Chicago was on stage for the worlds to see. Never has a election impacted worlds order such as this. And talking back with some friends,family, and colleagues, who would have thought this everyday man, Barack Obama would one day become president! We all have stories of making small talk and encounters with him in his family whilst living in Hyde Park Chicago. Even as his star rose, he was humble and accessible. Unbelievable. I'm proud for my country and I'm proud for this remarkable achievement for my race. You cant ignore the racial milestone this is being black. All the more so for me having an African father and American mother. I am fortunate to work in a place that was and still is trailblazing in civil rights and media and goods catering to people of color. Our headquarters are located right across the street from Grant Park. Certain Someone and our guest from Austria, Christoph were my guest . We had rally tickets for two, and I got Christoph tickets for the raging party going on at the next door Hilton sponsored by Jesse Jackson Jr. Ironically we all chose to stayed perched in our comfortable surroundings on the 10th floor balcony with a view to kill for. We could see and hear it all. At that moment I felt I was in the center of the world. Occasionally we would go down to street level to gage the pulse of the crowds. Our companies lobby was a beacon to all the well wishers who were drawn to all the Obama magazines, and products.
This is not Certain Someone! But our houseguest Christoph.
Taking pictures from the height and in the dark with all the city lights was difficult. But Certain Someone took some passable ones.But here's are some from our view. I wish my departed loved ones had lived to see this. And I pray for Obama on this long hard road ahead. But I am so grateful I could witness this once in a lifetime miracle.

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34 comments:

Nikki @ NikSnacks said...

I'm so glad that you were there! In the thick of it all :) I've been speechless all day long, which is a rarity for me. I talk all of the time. I think I'm still in awe & disbelief. I'm beside myself with joy. I'm bursting from the inside out.

Is that CS with you in the last pic?

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Great! Wow, now that's a view! You were lucky to be there ;-d!

Cheers,

Rosa

Mary said...

How unbelievably fortunate for you that you were able to be there and have such a view. My husband laughed at me because I sat glued to the tv and I kept saying, "I wish I still lived in Chicago."

I worry for him too. This is a great milestone, but there's some serious crazy people out there.

TeachMom said...

Wow! This is so amazing and I'm glad that he won. I wanted to be there, it must have been a glorious night.

I was thinking about you last night and I wondered if I would see you or CS in the crowd when I saw Obamas victory speech from Chicago.

Great pictures btw! I see that CS stays *behind* the camera... :)

~~louise~~ said...

Hi Courtney,
I too was thinking about you last night, hoping and praying you were there in Chicago and "feeling" what I so wished I could put into words. I was in PA (all alone:( glued to the TV with a glass of wine and pure emotion (tears:) of joy...

Thank goodness my son called and broke my silence. Hey mom, he said...You lived to see it! Yes, I did!

Ivy said...

Congratulations Courtney for your new President. We are just as thrilled as you are and when I say we, I mean the rest of the world.

Proud Italian Cook said...

You captured the night perfectly with your photo's. What a night!
Our country needed a refreshing change, I actually saw real hope on peoples faces, something we haven't seen in a long time.
Great post!

Peter M said...

It's so cool that you got to witness a wonderful historical moment. It's stuff like this that one talks to grandkids about.

GOBAMA!

Jeanne said...

Oh Courtney - you know when I e-mailed you last night to say I was envious? Well that was before I saw the view you guys had!! Now I'm positively delirious with envy :o)

It was truly a historic night and all the TV coverage made me homesick for a city I called home for 2 weeks last month. I also pray that Obama can deliver on his campaign promises, considering he inherits a country facing some serious problems.

Anonymous said...

I'm from Australia and the mood was amazing here I watched the speech and it was everything I hoped for and the world's reaction is America has been re-energised. What an experience you had and I love the photos.

Unknown said...

oh gosh, isn't it amazing to witness such a significant historical event? all the best, USA!

Dee said...

It was a historic moment! And thousands of miles away, we are applauding too. I hope the winds of change spread to our shores, but for now we will settle for ripples.

Unknown said...

Courtney, I've hardly been able to stop crying tears of joy. This is the first time since Kennedy that I've been able to feel proud to be an American.

And no, he will not be able to deliver on everything he promised. But that's OK. No one can. What he's delivered is hope, and a sense of common purpose. And that's the best thing that's happened to this country in about 40 years.

You are lucky to have been right there. We are all lucky to have him as our President, and the world is a better place because he dared to take on this challenge. Now we must all roll up our sleeves and help - ourselves, our country, the world. Yes. We. Can!!

Anonymous said...

Only now realised that you actually life in Chicago (I knew it but just didn't realize it). And what a beautiful view, wonderful way to celebrate!

Jeanne said...

BTW, I have tagged you for something on my blog - take a look:
http://www.cooksister.com/2008/11/the-commenters-meme.html

Laura Paterson said...

how utterly wonderful - what an amazing moment to have in your life.

Jen said...

SO cool and so exciting!!! I'm envious... in a great way.

This can always be a life memory.

giz said...

You've captured the pride that in our lifetime we are seeing such an incredibly positive shift where there's a renewed faith in humanity that allows us to believe that anything is possible. Everything that we've believed in and taught our children is proven to be true and just.

Rosie said...

WOW what an amazing view Coco! I watched with baited breath on BBC News who was going to be elected the next president of America. A very historical evening!

Rosie x

Emily said...

YAYY! Tuesday night was so exciting! How cool to be there.
:)

GOBAMA!

Megan said...

What an amazing and exciting night you must of had. I thought of you, wondering where you were and what you were doing when I saw Hyde park on the news. What a great place to be during a history making event!!!

G said...

Wonderful pictures, wonderful view, wonderful night!

Dagmar said...

Congratulations to your new President! We're really happy here as well!

What a lovely view you had on the historic night, you must have had an amazing night there!

Darius T. Williams said...

Such a great time to be in America and especially Chicago, right?

-DTW
www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com

Dharm said...

Indeed a historic event and I too join in with the rest of the world in celebrating Change!

Núria said...

He, he... I see you are still celebrating! Good for you!!! I'm so happy for you and for us. Let's Celebrate even more ;D

Heather said...

I keep getting all misty and verklempt when I think of that moment. It's nice to not have to be embarrassed to be American for awhile.

Cakespy said...

This is just amazing--you really witnessed history!

Anonymous said...

Awesome photos of a special night. Will we ever see a photo of Certain Someone? ;-) I, too, pray for Obama. The hard work has just begun.

Paz

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

It is amazing to witness history in the making first hand Coco.

Cynthia said...

So happy for all of you!

Peabody said...

What great photos! And what a great night.

Thistlemoon said...

Wow it looks gorgeous Courtney! I knew you would have some great stories to tell about this night! Thanks for sharing it with us!

Gabi said...

Gorgeous you and the city! How fortunate to be there and I admit to thinking of you (and other Chicago blogging friends)as I viewed the crowd on TV- hoping you were able to be present.
I have to say that hope replaced some small cynical parts in my heart that night!
xox