Curtis Santiago

It has started to sink in a day after the historic election in the U.S. I just experienced one of the best weekends in my life in an unexpected place. Locals call it the "Mistake by the Lake" otherwise known as Cleveland, Ohio. What brought us to Cleveland that fateful weekend was a career changing gig at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. When Mike and I walked into the building we both were overcome by the sense of greatness that filled the rooms, the halls and the air. They had a wall titled “Here and Now” filled with contemporary artists and their outfits, writings and guitars. It was such an amazing feeling to see Feist’s blue sequined jumpsuit from 1,2,3,4 on the wall. The show went off beyond our dreams. The energy on the stage was flowing between Mike and myself and the crowd like wine. It was as if the vibes from Jim Morrison's Christmas cards, Jimmy Hendrix battle scene drawings, Mick’s red knee pads and Iggy's duct tape shorts were in the air to breathe in breathe out. After that we thought that was the climax of the weekend, I was ready to come back to Canada that night. When we heard the amazing news that Sunday afternoon at 3:45 Senator Barack Obama would be speaking his second to last speech before the election we knew we were obligated to be there. So we got in line for nearly 3 hours with 10's of thousands of others and waited, moved a few feet and waited repeat that for another hour. Some sang, some chanted, all just smiled. We laughed collectively while entrepreneurs made some profit selling everything buttons reading "Barrack in the day" while sporting images of him in high school. There were skull caps, posters "Yes we can" towels and "No Bush" panties. Look at him all ready creating jobs the Americans so desperately need. After clearing the security scanners and pat downs we found a place and nestled into the crowd about 150 ft away from the stage. The excitement was magnetic. People of all ages, races, shapes and faces coming together in a call of hope and change. When Bruce Springsteen took the stage to start the rally it became so real the significance of this moment and how much we all were a part of it. In his white collared shirt, blue jeans, Harmonica around his neck and guitar in hand he looked like Dylan to me. With his sleeves rolled up to the elbow he looked as if he was about to repair the dream machine that had been jammed for the last 8 yrs. His sand paper voice stripped away the grime as the strumming of his guitar prepared the valves to be oiled . The song about Youngstown, Ohio stays with me still. His delivery made me feel proud for Americans. The sense of history, the significant role Ohio had played in thwarting rebel soldiers advances. The battle that was being fought now was clear to the crowd. Everyone knew that Barack could not win unless he won the State so the stakes were high. When the Obama's finally took the stage the crowd erupted in cheer and immediately started chanting "yes we can" yes we can"! To feel the belief of 40,000 + was moving. In the video my hand is shaking. I really feel that was the energy of the crowd. I could not steady it as hard as I tried. His presence was so strong and reassuring he silenced the crowd with just his hands. He felt like a preacher with out preaching. His message was clear. America I will work on getting you jobs, I will work on providing you with affordable health care and I will work on getting you back in your homes. But he also made it clear it is not going to be easy and he requires all Americans to work together. That right now in face of one of the countries toughest hours that they as people all need to unite. He spoke of peace and just treatment for all. I was moved and I believe a new day has come. Only the future knows what cards history is holding.