In many homes across America there is a ritual for the dinner table. Called "high and low," each family member would describe the low point of the day along with the highlight of the day. It's a nice way to open up with family and to keep the lines of communication open for the good times and bad.
Granted, I never did this in my life, but I like the idea. I bring this up partly because my job is a series of highs and lows strung together into a public campaign. It's much like baseball, no one really watched every pitch but a lot of people want to know who won that day. Our season ends soon, but when you mix everything in with an upcoming trip of a lifetime, your highs are over hyped and the lows are disproportionate. It's not a bad thing, it just is a part of life.
You have to keep everything check when you work in a high-stress, high-reward (and high-failure) industry. There is no ability to let your personal life invade your working life. Some people take this to mean we should turn off our lives during a campaign and avoid having a social life, or a church life, or a family life, or any other kind of life, when you are working on a campaign.
I've been trying to break this mold as of late. Most of the work I've been doing is focused outside of the public, between researching the opponent's actions and the current issues and working on the basic day-to-day operations online. Sometimes I do the pubic stuff, train station campaigning (which I am doing again tomorrow) and parades, but most of that is relegated to a few hours a week. In between, I'm trying to take in as much time with the family as possible, since this will be the last time in my life I will have such access to them, and building a life in Illinois. It's a little hard to build a life on a political salary, but there are ways. Church has been a great way.
I've always said that church is a cornerstone to many communities. Aside from the many theological reasons for church, the greatest reason for belonging to a church is the ability to belong to a community. It's an environment where you can debate many facets of life with great respect for each other and at the same time share in great memories in the most unlikely of places. For that reason, the past couple of months at church have been my high.
The low, of course, is losing a political campaign when your party has held the seat for more than 20 years. But I'm not worried about that anymore. The excitement of what is to come, built from my time outside of work, has really led me to believe that no matter how many times you win or lose, you still have everything you had before.
No matter what happens on Tuesday, I am still facing the best adventure in my life. I'm still taking a trip to do something I have never done before and to provide a new hope to many children in a country where hope has been a fantasy. This is my focus. This is my countdown. Not some campaign deadline or research project. Not some jump to the next job. A trip to a new horizon and a project to work with others hand on. I may have been born nearly 28 years ago, but my new life begins next weekend. I'm getting packed and I'll be ready.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The Busy Weeks Ahead
It still seems surreal that I am taking my first trip overseas in just a couple weeks. I always talked about it in the past, and usually said my first destination would be Beijing, but sometimes I would think it is more a passing fancy than a dream to achieve. This week, however, it is more of a means to an end. I just haven't figured out that end.
Sunday was a fun day. Monday was a good day. Tuesday was a hectic day. I wonder what tomorrow will bring?
Sunday was a fun day. Monday was a good day. Tuesday was a hectic day. I wonder what tomorrow will bring?
Let's start with Sunday. After a candidate meeting in Geneva, I stopped by Best Buy to pick up a new camera. Normally, I wouldn't worry about what I am purchasing but this is no normal situation. First, and this is a little dirty secret, I don't actually own a real digital camera. I usually borrow some one's camera or use the old camera I have, which has outlived its purpose. The camera is a few years old and can rarely hold a charge. Sadly, it must go.
The second reason for this camera is because photography is a hobby of mine. I enjoy taking shots wherever I go. I would post the photos here, but there are too many favorites, so I'll send you to my photo album, http://www.flickr.com/photos/18218029@N07/. Whatever camera I buy will, hopefully, be the first step towards making this a serious hobby where I can convey my thoughts through the lens. Anyway, I bought the camera and started playing with it (I'm a kid in a candy store when it comes to Best Buy, it's worse when I actually buy the pieces of candy).
Monday was good because I was able to meet with the mission director to begin going over details of the trip and answer some questions I had. And I do have many questions. There were the probing queries - How can I avoid offending anyone? - and there were the selfish thoughts - Is there any way I can run in the morning while out there? While I cannot really go over everything we discussed, only because we talked about a lot, I can say that there is a growing sense of anticipation within me.
I still remain open-minded about this trip and refuse to establish any expectations, primarily because I still cannot get over the first hurdle of being in an airplane for such a long time (how does anyone endure transcontinental flights?). But the more I learn about Liberia and the more I prepare for the trip, the more I think this is going to be an event I will talk about the rest of my life. Why it will be such an adventure, I don't quite know yet, but it will be.
Which leads to Tuesday. Work was crazy, between research still needed on some financial data and a less-than-friendly website. Actually, I must say I don't understand why everyone thinks websites are easy to maintain. I find them to be a real pain in the butt.
I set a meeting after work to meet with those who were planning on taking this trip with me but had to pass for one reason or another. It was important for me, especially, to let them know pretty much what I've written on this blog so far; that they have played a big role in my progression towards this trip and that I appreciate all they have done. It was great, really, to see them again since I've been so busy. I tend to forget how much more there is in this world when I start focusing on my job. It really is a bad habit, but one I've held some times. Meeting with them Tuesday night gave me pause, something I needed. Hopefully it will last through the next couple weeks because the sprint to Election Day is crazy and it rarely feels like it will end.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Shots and Shouts
Before anyone can travel to Liberia, they must have their Yellow Fever vaccine, a letter verifying that they carry no diseases, a visa stating their ability to enter the country and, of course, a passport.
When I returned from Dallas, I easily secured my passport. It was a simple matter of filling out some paperwork and sitting down for the dorkiest picture I've had taken in a long time (and I have had my share of dork photos). Within a week I had a passport and felt ready to fly off. What I forgot about, however, was all the medical hoops I had to jump through.
Now, it would be nice to say that I called up my doctor, scheduled and appointment, went in and had no problem getting anything I needed. I left with a smile on my face and went about my day, knowing the low co-pay I just put down would be all that I had to worry about. Too bad nice doesn't run in politics.
Political campaigns rarely provide insurance. It's too expensive, especially when you don't know how long the campaign will be running. So, I called up the county health department for the immunizations, and then tried to get a kind doctor for my physical.
The county I live in, come to find out, refuses to carry live vaccinations. This is a problem when the yellow fever vaccine is a live virus. (Kind of cool to think I've been infected with yellow fever). Instead, I need to go to the neighboring county to receive my shots. I scheduled my appointment in September, knowing that they may have some booked days and could squeeze me in before I flew out. I penciled in October 13 at 9 a.m., put it on all my calendars, and committed it to memory.
One problem... October 13 this year was Columbus Day. I realize not many communities celebrate the holiday of the savage man who foolishly landed in the Caribbean and thought he was in the Philippines. (Not that I have an opinion on the man or anything) But in DuPage County, they do observe this meaningless holiday. Of course, I had already trekked into Wheaton, then Lombard, only to find out that there was a mistake somewhere.
The good news, however, was that my parents' doctor up here does observe diversity and the needs to respect (not accept, but respect) other cultures and rejects the concept that Columbus discovered America when he NEVER STEPPED FOOT IN THIS COUNTRY.
Please note that I am not against the idea of having a holiday to honor our explorers, nor am I against Italians or Genoese. I think Columbus Day should be revamped into an Explorers Day to honor all the many great and brave men (and women) who embarked upon lands never before known. There were many great Italians who are a part of this including the man who's name graces our continents and this nation today, Amerigo Vespucci.
When I returned from Dallas, I easily secured my passport. It was a simple matter of filling out some paperwork and sitting down for the dorkiest picture I've had taken in a long time (and I have had my share of dork photos). Within a week I had a passport and felt ready to fly off. What I forgot about, however, was all the medical hoops I had to jump through.
Now, it would be nice to say that I called up my doctor, scheduled and appointment, went in and had no problem getting anything I needed. I left with a smile on my face and went about my day, knowing the low co-pay I just put down would be all that I had to worry about. Too bad nice doesn't run in politics.
Political campaigns rarely provide insurance. It's too expensive, especially when you don't know how long the campaign will be running. So, I called up the county health department for the immunizations, and then tried to get a kind doctor for my physical.
The county I live in, come to find out, refuses to carry live vaccinations. This is a problem when the yellow fever vaccine is a live virus. (Kind of cool to think I've been infected with yellow fever). Instead, I need to go to the neighboring county to receive my shots. I scheduled my appointment in September, knowing that they may have some booked days and could squeeze me in before I flew out. I penciled in October 13 at 9 a.m., put it on all my calendars, and committed it to memory.
One problem... October 13 this year was Columbus Day. I realize not many communities celebrate the holiday of the savage man who foolishly landed in the Caribbean and thought he was in the Philippines. (Not that I have an opinion on the man or anything) But in DuPage County, they do observe this meaningless holiday. Of course, I had already trekked into Wheaton, then Lombard, only to find out that there was a mistake somewhere.
The good news, however, was that my parents' doctor up here does observe diversity and the needs to respect (not accept, but respect) other cultures and rejects the concept that Columbus discovered America when he NEVER STEPPED FOOT IN THIS COUNTRY.
Please note that I am not against the idea of having a holiday to honor our explorers, nor am I against Italians or Genoese. I think Columbus Day should be revamped into an Explorers Day to honor all the many great and brave men (and women) who embarked upon lands never before known. There were many great Italians who are a part of this including the man who's name graces our continents and this nation today, Amerigo Vespucci.
This is where things could've been tricky. Doctor visits are rarely cheap when you don't have insurance and I feared the worst. I went to the doctor - who, by the way, is a very nice man and I am pleased to have at least felt there was a genuine interest in my health - expecting to pay a chunk of change and left feeling good. Not only was the visit quick and easy, but the cost was minimal, plus I got a discount for paying in full! You can't beat discounts.
The next day, when the world was cured from their blindness over the fallacious holiday, I called up good ol' DuPage and was directly informed that I must have been wrong with my scheduling because there is no way someone would have put me on the calendar for a Monday when they only give foreign vaccinations on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They also told me that my appointment was scheduled for October 16.
Now, I know that this can be a simple mistake. But I rarely, if ever, have confused "Six-teen" with "thir-teen." The syllables aren't that similar. However, I will have to admit that the odds are all stacked against me. And when I went in this morning, I was able to sign in and wait for my immunizations.
Let me say two things. One, never tell a guy that it will sting right after you have injected them and two, the County Health Department has been shafted in the past. The Health Department asked for my check number BEFORE I filled out the forms for my vaccinations. They could have done the honor system and expected me to return from the basement office to the payment desk with a check in hand. Instead, they ask for the check number in case I decide to just bypass the whole paying thing. And I don't blame them. I paid a buttload of money for the two small vials of viral liquid. I actually paid money to be infected with a dangerous virus. If that isn't messed up...
Anyway, I now have my shots, I have my clearance from my doctor, or rather will once I return to pick up the form, and I have my passport. I'm moving closer to my travels and grow more excited by the day. In just over a week, I'll be on my first journey overseas. This will be a long trip alone for me, but a trip I would never think twice about taking. I think that is all for now.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Viewer Participation
I need a theme. I like themes. They are the security blankets for politicos around the world. Have an election, get a theme for the campaign. Ready for the Election Night party, get a theme song. We're dependent on themes to carry us to the final days of any campaign, whether for President or for County Clerk.
So, this trip needs a theme. I've laid out everything I can about what I am thinking and what this trip is about, but I cannot seem to grasp on any phrase or simplified thought regarding the upcoming adventure. I don't know if I should just keep going without a theme, venturing into the unknown without the blanket. It didn't work work for Linus all that much and I'm not sure if it would work for me. I need to stay focused throughout the remaining days of this campaign and into the days leading up to the flight to Africa.
In other words, I need your help. If you have any thought as to a good theme, let me know. There are so many ways to reach me through today's technology, it's harder to lose track of me than it is to reach me. Let me know what you think and I'll try to sort through them and come up with The Theme for this trip.
So, this trip needs a theme. I've laid out everything I can about what I am thinking and what this trip is about, but I cannot seem to grasp on any phrase or simplified thought regarding the upcoming adventure. I don't know if I should just keep going without a theme, venturing into the unknown without the blanket. It didn't work work for Linus all that much and I'm not sure if it would work for me. I need to stay focused throughout the remaining days of this campaign and into the days leading up to the flight to Africa.
In other words, I need your help. If you have any thought as to a good theme, let me know. There are so many ways to reach me through today's technology, it's harder to lose track of me than it is to reach me. Let me know what you think and I'll try to sort through them and come up with The Theme for this trip.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
This post has no title
It's amazing to think that in just over a month from now I'll be in Liberia. I will have slept past the hangover of election season, figured out the political makeup of the United States, and taken my first international flight (which I really am excited about since I have always heard how smooth the flights are over the ocean).
I received an e-mail yesterday that puts into perspective how close things are getting. The director of world missions at our church provided an update of things to come. This Sunday, the director of the Liberian mission will be speaking at our church and I was invited to join the rest of the mission committee to a lunch afterwards. Then, on the first of November, I'm going to be attended all the services so the church can send me off on their first trip to Liberia.
I am torn in this situation. Part of me is excited to be taking this trip alone. I'm taking a great step forward by heading out without any real familiarity, no comfort of home or indication of America around. The other part is a little sad that those with whom I've been working towards this trip will not be joining me for various reasons beyond their control. Getting to know these people, even slightly, helped guide me towards taking this trip. But, that is what happened. And in the long run, I won't regret it.
Everything that happens around us dictates our decisions and shapes what experiences we'll gain. That is understood by most everyone. But the way the uncertainty can grow into a great fortune is truly profound. I feel so fortunate to dive into this moment in my life 100 percent. I won't be leaning on anyone else nor can I try to create a shared experience because no one will be around for me to lean on.
What makes it even more intriguing is that so many people at my church will want to know about my experience. I will be their eyes and ears in Liberia, telling them about the great work the mission has been doing in providing the children an opportunity to succeed in their lives and relaying the sights and sounds of families who have a renewed hope because of the hard work of the teachers and the mission director. It will be amazing, and I cannot think of anything else I would rather do in November. I hope others will enjoy experiencing this trip through my words and photos.
I received an e-mail yesterday that puts into perspective how close things are getting. The director of world missions at our church provided an update of things to come. This Sunday, the director of the Liberian mission will be speaking at our church and I was invited to join the rest of the mission committee to a lunch afterwards. Then, on the first of November, I'm going to be attended all the services so the church can send me off on their first trip to Liberia.
I am torn in this situation. Part of me is excited to be taking this trip alone. I'm taking a great step forward by heading out without any real familiarity, no comfort of home or indication of America around. The other part is a little sad that those with whom I've been working towards this trip will not be joining me for various reasons beyond their control. Getting to know these people, even slightly, helped guide me towards taking this trip. But, that is what happened. And in the long run, I won't regret it.
Everything that happens around us dictates our decisions and shapes what experiences we'll gain. That is understood by most everyone. But the way the uncertainty can grow into a great fortune is truly profound. I feel so fortunate to dive into this moment in my life 100 percent. I won't be leaning on anyone else nor can I try to create a shared experience because no one will be around for me to lean on.
What makes it even more intriguing is that so many people at my church will want to know about my experience. I will be their eyes and ears in Liberia, telling them about the great work the mission has been doing in providing the children an opportunity to succeed in their lives and relaying the sights and sounds of families who have a renewed hope because of the hard work of the teachers and the mission director. It will be amazing, and I cannot think of anything else I would rather do in November. I hope others will enjoy experiencing this trip through my words and photos.
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