Back in the early part of 2007 I went to the first Barack Obama function in Shanghai. I gave it some press and donated $50 (my first ever political contribution). The event was at the now defunct Moon River Diner. It was a conference call with the then senator in which he talked about the campaign and took a few questions from Beijing and Shanghai. There were probably about 30 people max.
Fast forward to Inauguration night. The official Democrats Abroad Inauguration party was at Glamour Bar. The venerable Dan Washburn and his lovely wife Bliss picked me up after my dinner and we headed toward the Bund. Right when we got into the first floor lobby, Michelle Garnaut, the owner of Glamour and M on the Bund, came out of the elevator and told us that Glamour was overflowing, and that people couldn’t even get into the bar and were stuck in the lobby. We ran into Chris St. Cavish from SH Magazine, who later told us he took the elevator up anyway and could not get out of it once it got to the 6th floor.
From 30 people in Moon River to hundreds overflowing one of the most premium bar/lounges in Shanghai. Not too shabby, Mr. President.
We ended up circling back to Big Bamboo and having a fairly pleasant viewing experience, surrounded by good friends and good beer. The only negative part was the fucking douchebag that kept yelling “Snap!” during the president’s speech and other gutteral idiocies. But this was Obama talking, so we let the better angels of our nature prevent us from spitting phlegm in his direction.
So that was 24 hours ago, and earlier today I caught myself up on the rest of Inauguration Day in the States. As usual, some of the things I came across made me laugh (see earlier post) and some made my tear up. Here’s one that accomplished the former:
h/t to Buzzfeed
And what was tear inducing? How about the First Couple’s first dance?
Did you catch that? That’s Beyonce tearing up toward the end. If this doesn’t get you, you have no soul. That’s right, you Republican! (I kid, I kid — better angels, and all)
