Dear Fellow Kossacks, and night owls. Are you running on fumes? Do you have ANY clean underwear left? Are the only calls you're getting anymore pre-recorded by politicians because your friends and family have all given up on you?
Well then you're either working for MoveOn (like myself) or some earnest progressive candidate we all hope will win. This week is the first time, in my entire life, that I've skipped Halloween. I was too busy working on the Support Desk. Yesterday was my birthday but I worked before and after my birthday lunch. I didn't really feel like it, I am dog tired and haven't gone to bed before 3AM in at least two weeks. But...
Its absolutely, totally, supremely worth the effort! I don't care how many seats we win in Congress on Tuesday, one will make me happy, two that much happier...and so on. I'm not going to worry about how many this or that, I'm focused on the plan we've chosen, and working to push it through to the end.
I wonder though, how to get through the next two days without ending up in the hospital with pneumonia or having a stroke from exhaustion. Therefore, so you don't join me in either of those ill fates, my personal survival list for the next 48 hours follows. Please add your own tips and together we will DO THIS THING!
1) Make sure you have enough caffeine in the house (obvious perhaps but do you want to risk running out?)
2) Cancel all obligations you can for the time period, this includes your day job if possible.
3) Stock the pantry and fridge with quick to prepare, high protein food, or better yet ask someone who's not as active politically to bring you food. They'll happily help.
4) Keep chewable Vitamin C handy. Suck on it anytime your throat feels scratchy (don't chew it).
5) Try to sleep, even if you have to take sleeping aids.
6) Avoid mainstream TV until you're finished doing all the work you want to do. If you're calling voters, supporting people who are calling voters, working GOTV etc., and don't let the media distract you from your focus. If you need news, you know where to go online for truth...but don't spend too much time on it. It's all about the ground right now, not the airwaves.
7) Don't worry about mundane tasks like cleaning your house, or doing laundry unless you have to appear in public. Most of us are working from our computer desks so if all you have are sweats and PJs those will do until Wednesday.
8) Take short breaks to stretch your body. Sitting in front of the computer for hours on end is hell. If you have a pet, take a play break every 2 hours or so to clear your mind.
9) Line up a place to go and watch election returns. Don't be alone on Tuesday night if you can avoid it. We've worked together as part of a million+ strong wave of humanity, let's bond as we watch our efforts come to fruition even if the results may not be perfect.
10) Have voter fraud reporting information ready at your fingertips so you can be a source for action if you hear of any crap going on in that regard.
11) Chill some champagne, beer, or soda, something fizzy you can crack open when you feel good when watching the returns come in.
12) Most importantly remember why we're doing this.
Remember my friends, this is not the end but the beginning of a "beautiful friendship". We're not done when we win, that's when the real work starts. We must remain ever-vigilant to protect our Democracy going forward. We must teach the children in our lives to keep it up after we're gone. That is the only way to keep our country, and the world safe.