The Homestretch
I can't sleep, I can't eat, I'm totally stressed out. I am living each day in three phases.
Phase 1: pretend like I might actually accomplish something at work while I compulsively read news and blog sites, alternatively feeling nervous and calm, depending on what I'm reading.
Phase 2: leave work and volunteer. This is the part of the day, when I can actually concentrate on a finite task--knocking on doors or making phone calls. The best part of phase 2 is that I don't have access to the internet.
Phase 3: pretend like I might actually go to sleep at a reasonable hour while I compulsively read news and blog sites, alternatively feeling nervous and calm, depending on what I'm reading.
I can't wait for this to be over.
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You and me both, kid.
October 30, 2008 10:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Except that I'm eating instead of exercising. :-(
October 30, 2008 11:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's my problem, too, Donal. I keep promising myself I'll quit eating "after the election".
October 30, 2008 5:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Me, too. I have a dissertation to write, but I don't have the willpower to stop obsessing about the election.
October 30, 2008 10:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry O - I am enjoying the excitement but I'm not the one responsible for delivering Indiana :) But yes, I am soooooo ready for the next phase to begin.
October 30, 2008 10:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Too much pressure...ahhhhhhhhhhhh.
October 30, 2008 11:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry, O. It was cruel of me to put so much pressure on you to deliver Indiana. If Indiana does go red, I promise to give you the opportunity to redeem yourself in four years. I hope that helps with your stress level.
October 30, 2008 11:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
At this point, not even xanax is gonna help with my stress level. It's okay though. I've promised myself if I make it through til the end without cracking, I can go on a bender til Christmas.
October 30, 2008 11:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
Genghis is buying, so why not?
October 30, 2008 8:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's just terrible, isn't it? I have a project due at work next Thursday. I keep convincing myself I can do an increasing share of it the day before.
Until then, I need my polling crack. D-does anyone have a poll for me? I need a quick hit.
October 30, 2008 11:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
PA, my state, shows 8.75M registered.
4.48 mill Dems, 3.24 mill Repubs. That gives the Dems a 1.24M voter edge, if they vote their party, and there are just over 1 mill voters in other categories. Who are they voting for. Aaaah! Wake me up when its over...No! let me vote first.
October 30, 2008 11:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
After this we will all wish that we were back in the fight, because reality hits........hard.
October 30, 2008 12:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm with you. However, I think that I'm so caught up in the maelstrom that I can't even fathom where I am or what I'm doing or what else is going on around me.
And I'm not sure we're reaching an end here. Just a new phase. Of the next long stretch. And beyond.
It's good we have the internet to commiserate. But I sure agree that the best is out doing something - connecting with people and not able to check the latest twist or turn on the internet.
Our tv died on Friday. And it's mostly been a blessing.
October 30, 2008 12:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Whatever you do, DO NOT resuscitate your TV or replace it. I got rid of mine a year ago and it has been amazing! No regrets and more time than I ever realized existed to do all sorts of great...
well, to blog.
October 30, 2008 3:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, for many, many years we did not have one. I could easily do without. And my husband, who might do more watching than I, takes forever to make up his mind. At most we'll see if it can be repaired. On the other hand, the dishwasher broke down right after the 2004 election. And it's still broken. Not replaced.
Good advice you've given. I'm betting on nothing happening.
October 30, 2008 3:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Replace the dishwasher. Forget the TV.
Priorities. ;)
October 30, 2008 5:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
My husband is doing pretty well as a dishwasher...
Thanks for the priority advice. :)
October 30, 2008 5:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've been TV-free since 2000 and loving it :) Highly recommended.
October 30, 2008 6:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am with you, bro. Time to wash our hands and let the chips fall where they may.
Everyone's voting in a few days. Their minds are made up. Barring some massive event (like a stroke), nothing is going to change between now and Nov.4th. Anyone undecided at this point is ignorant and impulsive anyway. They are either going to cast a knee jerk vote for McCain or against Palin. Obama has made his case, and convinced those he's going to convince. So... essentially, the campaigns are over.
CAN we begin to focus no the next real issue?
WHOEVER WINS
Round up the corporate thieves, take back their stolen money, balance Bush's bull**** budget,
Spit upon all of them as we throw them in jail! OIL Goons, Bank Leaches, and the Executive Admin that paved their way. Pitooooey!
http://thetruthburns.wordpress.com/2008/10/24/put-these-wall-street-criminals-where-they-belong/
October 30, 2008 3:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm fixated on voter fraud. It seems so clear that Obama will win. But, what will we do if McCain wins by a suspiciously gossamer thread? I mean that literally -- what will we do? Will we sit by and accept another stolen election? What are our options? They can recount until January 20th as far as I am concerned, but that won't account for machines that are programmed to throw some percentage of votes.
As you can see, I can't get that June'06 RFK,Jr. article out of my mind. And now he's written a recent update on it.
The whole Acorn rant by McCain & Co. is such an obvious example of the GOP stock in trade: accusing others of what one is doing oneself....
Have I exhausted you? You see the squeaky gerbil wheelI'm on. Did I hear someone say Xanax?
October 30, 2008 5:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know. The machines--you're right--are a big problem. For the rest, though, yes, demand recounts. And above all, we can't let Obama concede.
October 30, 2008 5:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Right. I don't think Obama will concede as long as there are legal challenges left. I am convinced the only way McCain can win is by cheating. Remember in Frankenstein's Monster, when the villagers all marched with torches? That is what I'll do if they say that McCain has won.
October 30, 2008 7:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
That is what is eating me. I know that Obama will win if this is a fair election. For the most part I believe that we have enough to build a landslide, which is the only way to overcome voter suppression and machine fraud.
Then I get mad because these issues have been around for the last two elections and what has been done about it? I feel powerless, and then I realize that Joseph Kennedy Jr has the same concerns and even HE hasn't been able to change things.
It is a pretty sad state of affairs when voters in our country worry about whether our most important election EVER so far will be fair or not.
The two things that keeps me calm:
1. We have so many new voters they can't possibly disenfranchise all of them.
2. In order to hack into machines it would take a concerted republican effort from the highest echelons, and they don't like McCain.
Oh, oh. I just heard Rachel Maddow saying that she thinks McCain may win Florida. Oh, now I am sick again!
October 30, 2008 7:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
No Xanax in sight, but better, from Lux:
"...all this tumult is so much wind,
Obama shall surely win and become one of the greatest presidents this country has ever had. And simultaneously with our country's fall from haughty financial power, may come a new golden age where a great and lasting peace will be shared by all.
Such is my hope and prayer and I contemplate these things late nights as markets tremble in the balance, and the world waits to see what our choice will be, and the eternal winds blow the trees in my city park and those up on the plateau of all of our hopes."
October 30, 2008 5:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
thanks sincerely, WWstaebler.
I second Orlando's and TheraP's feelings...I will be glad when the electoral contest is over...its wearing us all out.
October 30, 2008 7:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
If McCain pulls this off by hook or crook--I don't know what I will do. I don't think I will be able to take it. The word insurgency springs to mind.
The tension is more than I can ever remember in my life. On top of being a hopeless glutton for news of any kind, I find myself flipping off drivers with a McCain/Palin bumper sticker, and mumbling stuff at them when I encounter them getting out of their Hummers or Escalades in the parking lot. I used to have good social relations with a number of neighbors who are Republicans. Now I can't even smile at them. I can't help it. This is not who I have ever been before but now I'm itching for confrontation. I want to man the barricades. Every image and soundbite coming out of the McCain campaign makes me sick with revulsion. John McCain has taught me how to hate. I have to admit it. I can feel the chaos. We are all spinning wildly on the edge of the abyss.
October 30, 2008 10:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
1. I thought eating through a crisis was a girl thing...glad to see it is gender neutral.
2. I spend so much time glued to my computer that when this is over I may not know what to do w/ myself
3. I have no nails left...what am I going to chew off Tues. nite? and
4. Did someone say they have drugs? Share. Please.
October 30, 2008 10:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Been wishing this over for so long.
This campaign is the emotional equivalent of a huge sleep-deprivation experiment.
It just.
Goes.
On.
October 30, 2008 11:39 PM | Reply | Permalink