It's the end of the world as we know it...

We just got back from an R.E.M. concert that was awesome. Admitedly, I am just an average R.E.M. fan. Or was, shall I say. I am now a full-fledged genuine fan of R.E.M., and particularly of Michael Stipe.

I was enjoying the show, which was really entertaining. Not long into it, the most amazing thing happened. Michael Stipe asked the crowd if they had been following American politics. The crowd's reply: defeaning boos, hisses, and palabras malas towards the mere mention of the U.S. It made me cringe to hear it. I think someone would have to be living under a rock not to realize how much of the world views the good ol' U.S.A. these days, but this was the first time I'd heard it myself from a crowd of thousands of people. Michael Stipe continued on, summarizing that this was the most important election in our lifetime. The moment he mentioned Obama's name (and projected his image on the jumbo-tron), that very moment, the boos, hisses, and swearing immediately turned to cheers of jubilation and excitement. The Chilean crowd then broke into unified chanting of "O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!" It was one of the most powerful moments I have ever experienced in my life--one I will never forget. I have been so busy during the past 2 years focusing on what Obama means to me personally, that I barely paused to think of what he means to the rest of the world. It was during this moment that I finally let down my guard and allowed myself to believe whole heartedly that Obama will absolutely, positively be our next president. He must. I don't just hope anymore. I believe.
And in the closing lyrics from Mr.Stipe tonight (not coincidentally, he pointed out):

It's the end of the world as we know it....and I feel fine