Election Day Blues

Untitled, a photo by []Aaroneous Monk[] on Flickr.

My alarm clock went off an hour earlier than usual this morning to account for a side trip to vote at our local Rec Center before work. It was one of those odd experiences of being somewhere and somewhen that is completely outside of a well oiled routine, not unlike the feeling when I was a kid and an evening school Open House found me in my classroom with my parents at night.

Walking into the building I followed the "vote today" arrows which quickly brought me to a line of my neighbors, many of whom I recognized from our recent block party. We nodded at each other as eye contact was made and faces were recognized and maybe even a "good morning" exchanged but mostly we just stood there waiting our turn to sign in and vote in silence. Maybe something solemn was taking place, maybe it was just too darn early.

From where I stood I could see through a large glass window into a gym where women were doing some kind of an aerobics workout together. In another instance of odd out-of-placeness I recognized the leader as an exercise physiologist at the hospital exercise facility where I work out during my lunch hour. She was doing what I frequently see her doing at the hospital but at a place I've never seen her do it before.

When it was my time to sign in a gruff gentleman next to me said to one of the workers, "May I ask a question?" When he was encouraged to do so he began complaining that ID wasn't asked for at another voting place in the city and "shouldn't everyone follow the same set of rules?" The worker stammered a bit and said that he didn't make the rules. It was more of a rhetorical question anyway and had more to do with a busybody's need to impose their will on the universe. And why had he been at another voting place anyway?!

Upon leaving the premises I ran into a neighbor who we have not had the best relations with over the past year or two. He is normally quiet and somber but this morning he greeted me with a hearty "Hi, how are ya?" and seemed very excited to be there. Maybe voting jazzes him, who knows?

My mind then started to imagine a "what if" scenario that was in line with my own feelings of being out of place and off balance. I saw in my mind's eye someone in a tweed jacket with slacks and a stylish t-shirt wearing a rubber Barack Obama mask entering the building and approaching people, shaking their hands, and simply saying each time, "I'm Barack Obama and I approve this message." What possible motive could there be for such a thing? A prank? Mental illness? Bath salts? Whatever the motive it would probably unnerve some and tickle others. The front desk staff would likely call the police who would then explain to them that nothing illegal was being perpetrated, but if he pulls out a weapon of any kind to let them know.

My overall experience this morning is what happens when you go to vote and you don't have anyone you want to vote for. It's a sad, strange, experience that is hard to explain.