Looking back and forward

I started this blog (on its original server) four years ago, in the heat of the 2004 presidential contest. In fact, my very first post of any substance covered the Democratic National Convention. I went back to look at some of my old posts from that period. What surprised me the most was how genuinely excited and optimistic I was. I really thought Kerry would win. We all did. It was absolute heartbreak. That's why so many Democrats are afraid to hope this year. We can't be afraid to hope -- that's exactly what Obama's trying to tell us. Fear is what McCain is peddling. There's the potential here to create a big enough gap that they won't be able to fudge the margins and steal the election. A lot has changed since then. I remember crying my eyes out on the phone that night, in total shock and disbelief. I had to tell myself then that the story would end happily, we just weren't at the part of the story we thought we were. We felt like we had come to the end, but we had no idea then what still lay ahead. The war was only a year old, and issues like torture and wiretapping and FEMA and Fannie and Freddie had yet to surface. Now we have one more chance. Compared to last time, this looks so much more climactic and promising. It's only when you arrive at the true summit that the false one looks so unimposing. We have nine days.

I don't remember breaking out the winter coats this early last year, but I can easily say it's the most beautiful fall I've witnessed since my very first season in New Haven. There are so many more maples here, with their translucent vermillion leaves. Every time I look out any window it's like a picture postcard of New England. The air smells like tannins and woodsmoke, and you can even smell the impending cold.

Artificial Christmas trees are more expensive than I'd expected. I'd love to decorate our apartment this year. A residence is not a home until it has a Christmas tree. Speaking of which, I need to remind myself to ask Barbara and Mary about winter vacation. I want to meet my family's new dog.