Canvassing for Obama in the 'Burgh

I have so many incredible stories to tell about the last month I've spent working for the Obama campaign. It's been a ridiculous, random and incredibly rewarding experience. The people I work with are truly driven. The paid Obama staffers bust their ass for basically no money: at least 12 hour days, 7 days a week... for months. The hundreds of volunteers here bust their ass for literally no money, doing any and everything asked of them. My first day here I mopped a basement. Why? People are frikkin' pissed, and fired up. I started here shortly after Palin was picked. Every single day someone would walk in the door and say, "That woman scares me. What can I do? Put me to work. I'll do anything."

I work in that 'enthusiasm gap' you hear about.

But, beyond the vibe and the people... the places. Places I never knew existed or intentionally avoided when I lived at home in high school and was a less worldly/more fearful version of myself. Canvassing for Obama (and perhaps a touch of naivete) is like having a forcefield around you. I have walked through the most fucked up urban ghettos, knocked on the most bizarre doors and injected myself right into hundreds of people's private lives, all without fear. It's about being on a mission and fighting the good fight.

So, above are some photos from my adventure in Pittsburgh. More to come.