NBC has called the election. Images of shouting and cheering crowds are playing across every television channel. Shouting, cheering, crying… this feeling is unreal. Can I believe this? Is this a dream? I can't believe it. I'm so happy I could cry…

Current electoral count by NBC's reckoning:
Obama: 333
McCain: 156

McCain is giving his concession speech right now. Acknowledged the historic implications of Obama's presidency and all. Here's more photos and a slideshow of tonight's events. Also shown are photos of expectant and celebrating Americans abroad, in foreign embassies… bars… and crestfallen Republicans… tonight is a beautiful thing. An unforgettable moment in history. Really.

Also a moving retrospection from an American voter.

Update: The world reacts to Obama's victory.

This is an update from my high school library. Voting has commenced in the United States, and the excitement is palpable. Right now the library is hosting a "mock election" for those of us who can't legally cast ballots. I already submitted mine, and a slew of students are already gathered here, lining up for the computers so they can vote. Judging by the discussions around me, support is mostly Democratic, though there is a sizable amount of Republicans. It's a divided country, after all… and our affluent, isolated little community is, unfortunately, a Republican stronghold.

The latest chatter on Twitter has declared that Obama has just cast his ballot. McCain is supposedly to follow shortly, and Palin two hours later.

When I wake up tomorrow morning, I want to wake up to the news that Obama has won. Otherwise my decision to hold off on my applications to Canadian colleges would seem superfluous.

Don't forget to check out the links in the previous post for more election updates!

Update (7:28 pm): First projected winners of the night: Kentucky - McCain, Vermont - Obama.

Update (9:15 pm): Aaaaaaagh. Couldn't access the Internet for the longest time; my neighbors' wireless networks seem to be down… Anyway, electoral totals according to NBC: Obama - 175, McCain - 76. I'm finally feeling hopeful. Nighty-night, Joen!

Update (9:35 pm): NBC's Decision 08 Dashboard seems to be the most up-to-date electoral map. Ohio, amazingly, is projected to be a win for the Democrats. Obama's lead right now is astounding. I think I'll go take a shower.

Update (11:08 pm): The happy news was just announced less than ten minutes ago. I can't believe it.

Are your lies and cheap shots finally choking your breath, McCain? Uh-huh. My reaction exactly.

I was considering writing a full-blown commentary on tonight's presidential debate (the third and last, for all those readers outside the U.S.), but McCain's demeanor and argumentation throughout the entire evening reminded me more and more forcibly of an old, frustrated man harboring covert racist sentiments that I finally decided that I couldn't take any more of his phlegm-inducing crap. No more, you two-faced hypocrite.

And I've always hated your chubby cheeks.

Barack Obama, on the other hand, is actually worthy of commendation, though I won't waste any more precious time here dilly-dallying about stuff we've all heard before.

Anyway, back to things that do matter… keep an eye on the countdown to the right, won't you? The fate of our country is entirely in our voters' hands.

I also wrote an entry regarding my "lesbian dream" earlier today. Hmmm… publish… or not publish?

Holy crap. That's a big photo.

Tonight's (actually yesterday night's, now that I check the clock) second presidential debate between U.S. Senators John McCain and Barack Obama… well, how would you finish that sentence? The debate was supposedly held in the "town hall" style, although the voters in the audience had close to zero participation, and the candidates' repeated violations of the one-minute follow-up time limit quickly made a mockery of the format. McCain, who had performed surprisingly well during the first debate, suffered a major blow to his confidence this time around, appearing stiff and cranky and constantly clutching at straws. Obama, on the other hand, was more or less calm, collected, direct, and by the general consensus of political analysts, emerged with the upper hand. Both candidates' discourses were frustrating in terms of their constant finger-pointing and campaign nonspecifics, although I swear, one could easily start a drinking game for every instance of "earmark" in McCain's spiels. Like Tina Fey so marvelously suggested during the last episode of Saturday Night Live.

My favorite part was at the very end, when Tom Brokaw was concluding the debate and both candidates stood up to face the camera, only to obstruct Brokaw's view of the teleprompter.

Anyway… McCain? Floundering, thanks to the recent economic mess. That's what you get for catering to the wealthy five percent, you Republican.