The journey is almost over.  In a few days, we’ll know how this all turns out.  So what’s on my mind?

I’ve got a ton of juicy blog material piled up high, for one thing.  There’s been all sorts of nonsense that in another time, I’d have blogged instantly.  But being a candidate is different.  You can’t just go smacking people around whenever you want, largely because it consumes way too much energy and time.  But I still have the material for another day if I want to!

Another nugget – this summer has been so damn hot, and it’s been hotter because I’ve spent it all outside.  Today’s autumn chill was weird – I don’t really know how to walk without sweat dripping onto my clipboard.  I’ve lost some weight, because in addition to sweating through my clothes, all day, every day, I’ve been neglecting my diet.  I need to eat better, soon.

I quit smoking in early April, and picked it back up about 3 weeks ago.  It sucks.  I really don’t know how Barack pulled it off in 2008.  And now that he’s president?  I mean, wow.  I’m gonna give it another try after this primary, probably on the first trip out of town for work.

The redemption thing?  Well, I’m feeling pretty good right now.  Win or lose, this journey has put my past most definitely in the past at least for me, finally.  That needed to happen.  I’m starting to feel like my old self again – the guy who used to sit across from presidents, prime ministers, ambassadors and other assorted extremely powerful people, and function at optimum skill.  I’m not on a hair trigger anymore.  I’m comfortable in my own skin again, so much so that I don’t really care if I win or lose.

But….the old me liked to win.  A lot.  And hated to lose.  More.  And the old me is back.  We’ve run the kind of campaign I’d want to run for any client, and a campaign that any candidate at any level would pay a lot of money for.  Did it on a shoestring with tin cans and wires.

And I learned that my journey can result in a lot of help to a lot of people.  People forget that when you run for office, a lot of folks are counting on you.  The old me made a point of never letting anyone down, ever.  That applies to this election.  Winning isn’t really an option.  It’s the outcome that will most help the people of my district, and that’s not a boast.  If you saw this district like I’ve seen it this summer, you’d agree.

So it’s off to election day.  I’ve never experienced election night as a candidate.  If you want to see what it’s like, at 38:47 in this video is the 2002 general election night with Tim Ryan.  Even if you’re crushing your opponent, it’s gut wrenching.  I’m already starting to feel a little tight in the stomach.  That look in Tim’s eye at 40:45 – I’m beginning to know how you feel, Tim.

Thanks for coming along on this journey with me.  Now, time for the decision.

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 4th, 2010 at 7:21 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.