Now what?

Photographed in Oakland, CA

Sooooooo, Obama was chosen by the people, thanks in great part to a kick-ass campaign and the support of millions of American people in every state. And while the Obamas are wondering what to take with them to the White House and what kind of puppy they should get for their kids, the whole country is slowly returning to "normal."

No more phone calls in the middle of dinner to tell you what to vote for or against. No more political adds on TV for a while. Even the bloggers are starting to calm down and talk about something else.

Now comes the big question: can Obama measure up to the expectation? Can he lead the country back to its former economic well being?


Photographed in San Francisco FD District

Well, so far, just a day or two after the elections, a couple of industries seem to be doing just a little better already ...

The San Francisco Chronicle sold out of copies very quickly the morning after the elections, but additional copies returned even more quickly, along with the "Commemorative Edition." Street vendors began appearing all over the Financial District, pushing said Commemorative Edition, as well as reprints of Wednesday morning "historical" copy.

And they were doing very well indeed! In the time it took me to snap the 2 pictures above, the vendor had sold about 15 copies at a dollar a piece! People were grabbing several at a time, for friends, family, co-workers... Sure, I got one, too.

What, you didn't get yours? Well, it's not too late (see link at the end of the article).



But the Chronicle isn't the only one making a few extra bucks. Apparently, according to this article, gun sales are booming, too ...

All sarcasm aside, despite my Republican buddies' dire warnings, the economy didn't magically grind to a halt and it's been pretty much business as usual since Obama was elected(1). The DOW sinked for a couple of days, then gained back a few points the third day... kind of like the week before, really, no worse, no better. Even the gas prices continues to plumet (the station around the corner is advertising $2.30-something for unleaded!)

Photographed in the Sunset District, SF

If people were cheering in my neighborhood on the night of November 4th (some threw spontaneous fireworks for a few minutes and many continued celebrating well into the night), the joy was short-lived for at least one group of people, but I expect we haven't yet heard the last of it yet.

Life is back to its pre-election self for me, too. I discovered a pile of forgotten bills under something, returned a pair of shoes to try balance the budget somewhat, realized it wasn't going to be possible and decided to just forget about it and take myself out to pizza instead with the money I just got back from returning the shoes ...

How about you? How is post-election life treating you? Did you get caught up on anything this week-end? Are you breathing a huge sigh of relief or are you still worried about the President-elect's policies? Last but not least, what kind of dog do you think the Obamas should be getting and do you have any name suggestions for the puppy?

Have a good week, everybody.


(1) Of course, I'm aware that nothing is going to happen for *a while* but I just don't think the whole world is going to come to an end just yet because that one individual was elected.).


* * *
click here to check out the gas prices in the San Francisco Bay Area