I’m currently parked at one of many empty desks at the University of Texas Barack Obama campaign office.  Outside, rain is pouring sideways and temperatures have dropped dramatically - Austinites are getting a taste of our wonderful Seattle weather.

Many students are in class and perhaps others just don’t want to trek through the rain to volunteer, but I am camping out in this nearly empty office because of a very special visitor who is scheduled to arrive this afternoon.

Yesterday evening, the “UT Students for Obama!” Facebook group circulated an exciting message to the 1,000+ student members of the group: Michelle Obama will be visiting the University of Texas Obama campaign office today.

A blog on the Texas page of Barack Obama’s Web site says the event will be a “canvass kickoff.”  It asks attendees to “be ready to hit the streets and canvass with us immediately afterwards!”

Already, 173 students have confirmed on the Facebook event listing that they will be attending.

According to volunteers, the campaign office can fit around 500 people.  I have a feeling that capacity will be put to the test later this afternoon.

Volunteers are out announcing the event to students who live in fraternities and sororities right now, trying to inform as many people as possible.

Michelle Obama will have a very busy day traveling all over Texas.  She is scheduled to appear at a Stand for Change rally in Tyler at 12:15, the canvass kickoff in Austin at 4:30, and a Stand for Change rally with Barack in Houston at 8:00.

Actress Kate Walsh of Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice is also scheduled to visit the office at noon today.

Walsh missed an Obama event last night at Anne Elizabeth Wynn’s home, where journalist Lisa Ling and State Representative Mark Strama spoke, because her plane was stuck on the airport tarmac.  Wynn is the ex-wife of current Austin mayor Will Wynn.  It is unclear whether Walsh’s plane delay will affect her appearance today.

The rain appears to have stopped for now, so more volunteers should be arriving soon.  Volunteers are making phone calls to voters on behalf of Obama and moving furniture around in preparation for Walsh’s visit.

More coming soon, live from the UT campaign office!