Post Election Day Meme

A QUICK REVIEW OF THE ELECTIONS OF MY LIFE:

1976: JIMMY CARTER

I REMEMBER: My dad telling me that Carter liked peanuts. My dad also liked peanuts so I thought Carter was a pretty cool guy. Hey, I was 2. My dad also let me pull the lever in the booth (with his help of course).

I WAS: going to school

DURING THAT FOUR YEARS: I transformed from a toddler to an elementary student. I did a lot during those years. I still only remember that Carter liked peanuts, though.


1980: RONALD REAGAN


I REMEMBER: this election. We got to vote at school. That was so cool to me. They made it as authentic as possible. In fact, they even borrowed the "practice" voting machines so we got to punch the ballot. I also remember that my dad said Reagan liked jelly beans. It's all about the food with me.

I WAS: excited. I ate jelly beans during the election.

DURING THAT FOUR YEARS: I was very involved in school, dance, piano, and choir. I was a piano prodigy, actually. Few people know that. I guess more do now.


1984: RONALD REAGAN

I REMEMBER: everything about this election. I even watched the debates. I remember my grandma and mom telling me how important it was that a woman was the running mate. Grandma was for Mondale. Mom for Reagan. We also voted at school, and this time they had school related things on the ballot. Specifically, we voted in McDonalds every Tuesday and Friday. Tuesday was McNugget day and Friday was hamburger day. And my friend Dana got Sugar Free Dr. Pepper on the ballot as a write in, and somehow it won and was placed in our soda machine the next week. No one drank it but her.

I WAS: in 4th grade

DURING THAT FOUR YEARS: transitioned from elementary to middle school. I had feathered hair, and I became a little boy crazy for awhile. Still involved in massive extra curricular activities.

1988: GEORGE BUSH (Sr.)

I REMEMBER: the debates for sure--watching them on my grandma's couch. I remember Thanksgivings were ripe with debates that 4 years. I also remember writing a letter to Lloyd Bentsen and receiving one back. He became one of my favorite people after that.

I WAS: finishing up middle school and headed into high school

DURING THAT FOUR YEARS: I started sporting poofy bangs and tight-rolling my acid washed jeans. My hair also curled up magically overnight and has stayed that way ever since. And I got braces for awhile. Massively into extra curricular activities and a hard core honor student. Really into drama. Worked at Chick fil A on my first job. Was "asked to leave" for standing up to someone sexually harrassing me.

1992: BILL CLINTON

I REMEMBER: standing by the bridge in Waco watching him speak, and turning to my friend saying: "That is going to be our next president." At the time, I wasn't sure if I was happy or worried about that.

I WAS: in college as a freshman and PISSED because I turned 18 too close to (I think the day before) election day and couldn't vote!

DURING THAT FOUR YEARS: I sported grunge, sneaked out to the David Koresh compound and was accosted by an ATF agent, made it through college and graduated.

1996: BILL CLINTON

I REMEMBER: voting for the first time. So cool.

I WAS: living in Waco

DURING THAT FOUR YEARS: I moved to 4 different cities and had 4 different jobs.

2000: GEORGE W. BUSH

I REMEMBER: watching debates and having no idea who I liked. I didn't like either one. I made the decision to exercise my right not to vote. I was unbelievably irritated at the whole Florida thing. Ugh. i still get irritated. That was the neverending damn election

I WAS: living in Dallas, I think or maybe Chicago.

DURING THAT FOUR YEARS: I moved to Chicago and had my dream job

2004: GEORGE W. BUSH

I REMEMBER: still wondering who to vote for. This time I wanted to vote, but I got my registration in late.

I WAS: back in Texas

DURING THAT FOUR YEARS: I visited Europe for the first time, met G, 2shirts, Prax and everyone else who reads my blog (or almost everyone), and had 3 jobs

2008: BARACK OBAMA

I REMEMBER: registering to vote; seeing Obama speak in Houston; researching every candidate and their voting record in detail, voting

I WAS: really stoked about the whole experience

DURING THAT FOUR YEARS: I hope for wonderful things