I didn't expect to go to bed distraught, frustrated, and disappointed on December 30th, 2007. I usually reserve those emotions for the actual New Years Eve celebration most years. Last night; however, was a tough pill to swallow.

In retrospect, I really shouldn't be too upset. I was getting greedy.... The Indians in the ALCS, the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals..... The Browns making the Divisional Wild-Card Round after posting a rather average 10-6 record.... Yes, I wanted to be allowed to be greedy for once. The Cleveland Browns haven't had a similar record against opponents since I was 13 years ago! I think it was only natural for me to want to be greedy and selfish, along with a couple million other loyal Brownies fans. Well, at least I can hear somewhat positive talk radio now... of course the "wait till next year's" and "it's really a learning curve's" presented by callers and would-be self-annointed hero drive-time jocks will be in some vain---- going 10-6 rewards the Browns with an awkward draft status AND sets the team up for a reasonably difficult schedule for the 2008 campaign. Grrr.... you mean we can't play the 49ers, Rams, and Raiders every year? SHIT.

On the topic of 2008 campaigns, the countdown edges closer and closer to the Iowa showdown in 4 days. I am anxious to see the results, and I honestly think that the Edwards ground game can turn out some serious support at the local caucaus sites. Johnny Boy hasn't actually stopped campaigning in Iowa since 2004, and is probably going to give Hillary and Obama a run for their money. Aside from getting the primary season underway, I enjoy Iowa and New Hampshire because it gives the American people an opportunity to tell some candidates that they aren't worth a spit in the wind (Fred Thompson, Bill Richardson, Dennis Kucinich, etc.) when it comes to major electoral politics. Of course I have to hear from the super ideologues that groan that "America is dying when the smallest of candidates don't receive equal representation in the media or access to matching funding," but their groaning usually dies down when they realize that candidates' ideal candidates usually have ridiculously crazy plans about running the government when they're in office as president (Ron Paul)--NOTE: These people can't see the light at the end of the tunnel because they have similar plans that block their progress as well. You may be able to recognize some of these winners by their comments that hover around abolishing the IRS tax system, eliminating specific constitutional amendments, building large walls to physically separate the United States from Mexico, or nominating animals for higher office.

I guess that's what we get when we live in a democracy, right?

Wrong. We live in a republic. If there is one thing I teach my students someday; it will be that ultimate truth. I'm tired of hearing the "democracy wheel" from candidates. If we were so "democratic," I would be laying down the laws to affect my own life.

Wow, I'm all over the place this morning.

Happy New Year 2008! 2007, you sure were awkward. Leave that to teenagers.

So.... I guess one way to describe my absence would be to label it as a "hiatus?"
No new posts since June 2006.... wow!

Amidst the hub-bub of going back to school in the Fall of 2006, and my overall disappearance from electoral cycles (aside from casual voting); it would seem to the average passer-by that I had either died or suffered a catastrophic and disabling injury that prevented me from blogging. I guess it would sound too simple to merely say that I "forgot to write."

Alas, I have returned to my beloved html format. Thank you for waiting on me, blogspace. You knew I would return someday!

So where am I these days? Well, currently I'm at home in Van Wert County on "Winter Break." Yes, that's the same winter break that describes a vacation, and gap between semesters. I returned to school in August of 2006 at Bowling Green State University in order to answer a "higher calling." When you attempt to fulfill a personal goal of this nature and costly size, you tend to describe it in saintly terms when discussing the decision with relatives, close friends, and family. Trust me, the technique is far more successful when talking to strangers. Many of which are eager to knight you or award you their first-born daughter due to the chivalrous nature of leaving politics and all things political in order to become a "simple high school marm." OK, so I really never received any dowry bribes or lofty potential gifts of virgin brides.... But those would definitely have helped reinforce my decision to return to school.

I've found that school is more challenging this time around. I think a lot of that has to do with the circumstances that surround this attempt. I work 20-30 hours a week on campus and also volunteer as a live-in fraternity advisor--a job that on some days can either be extremely rewarding or damn near exhausting. My personal life is a wreck--you would not believe how difficult it is to find real individuals to relate to when you live in a house full of 18-21 year olds and walk around on a campus that spends more time discussing hook-ups, potential parties, and the mere idea of drama than classwork. Despite these hurdles, I have been able to find a small knit of individuals to call my "new" good friends. At this point in my life, I feel as though I have a "new" batch of these confidents every 4-5 years anyway.... so not much has truly changed. In my own mind, I relate the scenario to having shifted my "best friends' personas" from high school, college part 1, and so many of the campaigns to a new location. In a strange way, it resembles a scene out of Seinfeld. These new friends are my new parallel universe best friends. The spirit and final destination of most bonds and conversations are typical to what I would have experienced elsewhere with other "best friends;" just in a new lense for consumption and feedback. I am troubled however; with so many close friends from "here" and "there" and "don't forget him or her"----if I were to ever become engaged to be married, I would either have to take out a loan to include everyone in the bridal party or potentially offend half of these "best friends" in the process of descending numbers.

I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get there?
I believe 2025 would be appropriate.

Believe in yourself, and if you cannot with every waking moment... at least believe in Cleveland professional sports. They may let you down temporarily---but it sure feels elegant while you're there!