CNN iReport

I stood in the pouring rain for nearly two hours in a line that was a block long with people who looked just like me. They looked like my Daddy, my grandparents, my uncles, and my younger cousins. They looked like my friends. The lady in line behind me was older (probably in her 60s) and had just gotten off from her third shift job to vote. As the line shortened, I learned that this was only her 2nd time voting. Her first time was in 2000. After that, she felt like her vote didn't count...until now. There was another man, probably close to my Daddy's age. He proudly proclaimed that this was his very FIRST time voting. He took full advantage of the practice machine and the information provided by the poll workers. There were the children who chanted OBAMA at various points in my wait. There were also the ladies who had to be closer to the century mark out with their canes and chairs waiting as patiently as everyone else. Another lady stood patiently having a conversation with another. She was recently diagnosed with cancer, but said she could NOT let this opportunity pass her by.

In my precinct, at Hobson Lodge, they did everything right. Instead of the three machines they usually have, they had 6. Instead of the 5 ladies (Miss Barbara and Miss Geraldine being the ones I remember) who usually volunteer, they had about 12. There was also Charles Hamilton, 37. A young black man who was as excited as I was about being at the polls. He brought his camera, too, and took pictures of the people, the process, and the polls themselves. Now while some of you might be getting teary-eyed and emotional about the magnitude of the day, know that comedy is never far away from ANY situation...

What's live about the announcement that if you parked at the apartment complex, move your vehicle because they are towing, coming AFTER all the vehicles were towed! Billy Rueben Bouvier is officially working on getting broken in in a MAJOR way!!!

Happy Hour will not come a moment too soon today!!!

But seriously, if you haven't already, please exercise your right to vote. Too many have sacrificed too much for you not to!