Monday, July 27, 2009

My World # 42

This is my posting for the My World Meme. It is hosted by Klaus, Ivar, Sandy, Wren, Louise and myself. Won't you join in, I want to see where you live and thrive.

My wife saw that President Obama was coming to Shaker Heights, Ohio and you could request tickets. She put a request in and waited for a call. She was chosen from all those who asked and 1,000 random people were allowed to see the program. We went early and were among the first 100 people to get in line.
We made some new friends in line. Don was a retired Chemistry Professor and Fran is a counselor at Tri-C Community College. My wife and her had many things in common.
Ohio's Governor Strickland was at the event along with a lot of other dignitaries.
President Obama arrived amongst much fanfare.
I asked him to pose for me when he got to the podium and he did (just kidding) but it does look like I asked. The Presidential seal is put on the podium shortly before he arrived. He spoke on health reform. You can see the Secrete Service in the area.
He took of his jacket to take the questions. Someone thought it was a good idea to turn off the air conditioner while he spoke. They were wrong, there were 2,000 people sweating in the gym. He chose Norma, who ran a health home service company, for the first question.
She was sitting in the row in front of us. She asked a tough question on how this reform would affect her company. We had very close seats on the bleachers near the stage.
This is the look the President had as she asked her hard question. I thought the look said "How did I pick her first?"
It was an interesting day and a great time. Regardless of your political feelings, President Obama is a charismatic speaker. This was a once in a lifetime happening for us and I'm glad I got to attend the event. My wife is the greatest.

50 comments:

Darla said...

Regardelss of your political affliation, to see our Country's President is way cool....I love the look on his face when asked the first question.!!

Jack and Joann said...

Fishing Guy, you said you had tickets so Jack and I looked for you in the audience. Cool event that you will always remember. Thanks for posting pics and writing about it. That one pic---sure is a puzzled expression.

Sylvia K said...

Fantastic, FG!! The look on the President's face at that first question is priceless indeed! I'm so glad you were able to attend and really, really glad you got such wonderful shots!

Have a great week!
Sylvia

erin said...

indeed...a fab opportunity to get somewhat up close and personal. glad you were lucky enough to attend. my husband would have had a jillion questions about health reform...lucky we weren't there :)

Luiz Ramos said...

A great time indeed.
Good report!!

Tina said...

lol...Just loved the close up picture of the President and your caption!!
So glad you and your wife got to go to this...how lucky you were to get those tickets. You now need your wife to play the lottery..being the lucky gal she is.
Nice captures of the event!!

Craig Glenn said...

What a great opportunity Tom. Your wife did good!

Nice coverage of the event as well.

Craig

Anonymous said...

That must be very exciting to the see the president (of any country really). Thanks for showing us what you experienced.

You had great shots of the prez, how close were you?

Anonymous said...

Wow Tom! How exciting! he did have the omg look! What was his answer? You certainly have a very interesting world!
NLSM
PS do you think it would be okay to use my Pigeon River Blog for My World? This meme looks like fun, and so many people have great places to share!

Jane Hards Photography said...

He is just such a cool guy. When he swatted that fly, the concentration just told you this guy means business. I'd love to get an opportunity like this. Well done "Mrs Fishing Guy" for getting those tickets and the chance for this post.

Marja said...

oh how exciting what a terrific experience and what an honour to be there and to be able to shoot pictures of Obama

Tipper said...

A very exciting day for sure!

Janie said...

Great post! I'd love to hear President Obama speak. You were so fortunate to get that opportunity.

Anonymous said...

Excellent post. I really think you did a fantastic job taking pictures too.

Alexander said...

It must be a great experience to meet the president. I have to say the shots are really good. They are comparable with the press!

I think it must be true that you have asked him to post for you. ;) :P haha...

Fantastic close up shots of him. :D

Alexander
Alex's World! - http://www.kakinan.com/alex

Anonymous said...

Forgot...

I put a link on my post to your post today.

Elisabeth's bright side said...

Wow, what an event! Great pictures too! I read all, but you didn't reveal the answer that Obama gave to that hard question? It is a difficult task he has started on.

Carver said...

That's great that you and your wife were able to go to the event. You got some great shots. I love the one of Obama when he got the tough question. He is so charismatic to me when I hear him on TV, and I imagine he's that much more so seeing him in person.

alicesg said...

Wow you must have a good seat to be able to take such beautiful photos. Interesting to see what's happening in your part of the world.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Lucky you.Even though I am from Canada,I would love to hear President Obama in person.
Blessings,Ruth

SandyCarlson said...

Good for you both. That must have been extraordinary. The man is beautiful.

Anonymous said...

excellent photos of the event. looks like it was a good experience for all who attended.



paz

Gaelyn said...

How very cool to see Obama. I like that he posed for you. It is an interesting look from the first question.

Unknown said...

Great capture of the President's expression!

Rajesh said...

That is very nice. I am sure President Obama will be remembered for long by everyone.

Unknown said...

Wow you got some great shots. Lucky you :) I would loved to have been there too.

Unseen India Tours said...

This is a fantastic post !! Loved it fully..Thanks for sharing these ..

Oman said...

that was great. you got to meet the president.

last weekend we had a walking tour of the president's palace and we got the chance to meet our own president. too bad, her security doesn't allow us to take photos of her but i will blog about the experience soon.

have a nice day to you and your wife.

Pietro Brosio said...

What an interesting report, Tom. I like very much President Obama. You have been so clever to be present at this great and unforgettable event and meet the President.

mrsnesbitt said...

Oh yes! You dont get anything if you dont ask! So well done that woman! Your president certainly inspires me, I think he is a very charismatic leader...unlike our prime minister who simply does not inspire me in any shape or form.

Jane said...

Aww thanks for sharing, your lucky to meet/see your president and from what I can establish from the news coverage, he is a decent man and very clever-your country picked the right man for the job.

Arija said...

WOW, what a thrill for you! It is totally different from seeing someone on TV and being in the same room and to personally experience the charisma no matter how you vote.

Reader Wil said...

What a guy! I should have loved to be in that same audience FG! Thank you for creating this meme! Thank you for this interesting post!

Jo said...

WOW, what a star your wife is And what brilliant shots of your president. As a South African (who doesn't actually KNOW what is going on in US politics) it was so heartening to read something nice about Obama on blogger. Thanks and of course he posed for you. I love the puzzled expression on his face at the first question. Yeah, I bet he wakes up at night and thinks "Now why did I pick HER?" Thanks for a super meme. Hugs Jo

Unknown said...

Do pass on my congratulations to your wife. Reforms is a tough question to answer in any part of the world. I m sure Manmohan Singh will have a similar expression if someone asked him a question about reforms.

kbguy said...

It's a great honour to be able to meet him in person and shake is hand. Did you manage to take photos with him ???

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

What luck Tom. It must have been a great moment for you.

Craver Vii said...

Your wife has kind eyes. What a neat opportunity! Great pics!

Indrani said...

Wow!
So lucky!

George said...

What a great report of your event with President Obama. I love the close-up of the President as he was getting that first question.

Lanny said...

What an opportunity. It is important that people of all different political persuasions attend these type of events in a civilized manner. It adds to our personal citizenship, which we should all be willing to build for as long as we can think.

And now I am going to head out to the fields, I will probably get so hot and dizzy that I will forget to come back and put my answers in for your whatsit challenge. But then I will remember tomorrow and then... you know, conspiracy, conspiracy, conspiracy. Someone even has the weather in the deal now.

storyteller at Sacred Ruminations said...

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the President's visit through your eyes here on your blog. Loved your photos and the way you shared the 'story' ... thanks so much. One more thing, that ROSE in your header is MAGNIFICENT ;--)
Hugs and blessings,

penny said...

You two are so lucky to have this wonderful opportunity to see and hear President Obama. You captured some great shots, thanks for sharing them :D

Snap said...

How exciting! Loved all the photos. Nice of your wife to take you!!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D

SaraG said...

Great pictures, Tom!!
Looks like you had a nice day!

Carolyn said...

Oh I am so jealous Tom! You are so right...politics aside he is a cool dude and so down to earth and charming. So happy you had this opportunity and thanks for the great photos.
Smiles

Barb said...

Well, I always like when someone thinks their wife is the greatest! Your candid photos and thoughts about President Obama are great - thanks for letting us all experience the event through your pictures.

Mary said...

Wonderful photos and how great to be a part of history. Hope he had some good answers for the questions.

Corner Gardener Sue said...

What a great once in a lifetime experience you had! Thanks for sharing it with us. Your photos are awesome!

Linda Pendleton said...

Abe's blog sent me this way.

You really got some great shots of President Obama. What I find interesting is the different looks of him, his expressions, and all, and at times he can look so young, and calm. I call it his "Zen look."

I'd love to see him in person. His charisma is what got him elected.