history

well i just got back from another night of looking out for some crazed kids (although this time minus the sugar) and find myself sitting watching the climax of the political 'tug-of-war' that's been the main story of the news for the past 20months and all i've been hearing about (and trying to stay out of) since i've been here.

i guess this happens every four years but the fact of the matter is that whatever happens tonight is history in the making. whoever wins, to put it bluntly, there will be either a black man or a woman in the whitehouse upper teirs. it's very interesting but to say that the country's on tenter-hooks would be an understatement.

as an outsider (who ultimately will be affected by the outcome) it's been a bizzare experience. on a spur-of-the-moment trip to the city over the weekend to visit a friend (who had been given the day off college in honour of the candidate who studied there) it became very clear, while walking through a sea of blue badges and monogramed tshirts, who new yorkers were voting for.

people here are very open about who they support and curious, and up for debate over everyone elses views. despite my best efforts i didn't quite manage to sneak under the radar, being put on the spot on several occasions and having to watch very closely what i said so as to stay completely out of debate. apart from anything else, i was brought up in a culture where it just isn't the 'done thing' to ask someone who they vote for, and i generally avoid the political party conversation (opinionatedly debating over mildly varying shades of grey) with anyone who i don't have a pretty solid relationship with so am not about to divulge anything to strangers if i can avoid it. to be honest i really don't know who i'd vote vote for if u had to.

it's a mixture of morbid curiousity and the unavoidable hype but i really am quite excited to see who's going to win. although not quite enough to fuel staying up till all the states are called (so far there's a lot of blue on the map but it's really close.)

whatever happens tomorrow's going to be a new day and there will be unhappy people regardless.