Russia and our US elections -- Slightly late

The US election has come and gone and a new era has begun. Many Texans have restarted the clock for the 21st century, beginning with Barak Obama's win.

My conviction that Obama would win happened in a hotel room at 5 am in Moscow - watching the Palin-Biden debate live on CNN television in my pajamas. My colleague Sally and I had just spent a week in Kostroma, Russia - working with a group of 35 museum professionals on building capacity for marketing and visibility in a range of small museums in the region. We had decided to stay an extra day in Russia after the seminar ended - to see somne contemporary art, visit the new galleries in Moscow, and experience some big city life.

I had purchased a pink notepad in a paper store in Kostroma - a notepad distinctive because it had what looked like Sarah Palin on the cover - in actuality the photo was of a 50's housewife with a poodle skirt. But the hairdo and the attitude were reminiscent.

I had pen and notepad in hand to record the debates - and quickly filled up my paper with those now-infamous remarks and gestures that mean our Alaska governor and her winsome ways have gone from cute to cutesie.

On returning to Austin - the energy was palpable. Friends and family took on volunteer roles in the last days of the Obama campaign - traveling to New Mexico to knowck on doors, staffing the phones to get out the vote.

I ultimately celebrated the election night in Dallas, Texas - on route to a few small museums in Central Texas where I am currently consulting on board issues.

But we're still celebrating!