If there's a such thing as
post-partisan depression, I've got it - bad. And if it didn't previously exist, I've invented a new social disorder.
This is my first diary since the election - unusual, given my propensity for rambling on incessantly at topics big and small. I haven't even commented. At all. I've been around, sure. But I've gone from Trusted User (TU) to Occasional Lurker (OL), and I'm not sure I can tell you why.
The election hangover has left me in an unexpected funk. A week later, I'm still dreaming about the election every night. When I sleep - restlessly - everything occurs in blue and red. Wolf Blitzer is showing up in my work dreams. Even Candy Crowley has popped up in places where, believe me, she doesn't belong.
I'm so not kidding.
There is a chance, I suppose, that in the months leading up to November 7th, I over-obsessed about the election. It was the focal point, the end-game, the thing I looked forward to more than anything else.
When it finally came, my obsession peaked. I scored the results against my own predictions (which, for the record, were pessimistic at 23 House and 5 Senate pick-ups). I flipped cable channels by the minute, just looking for more precincts reporting. I refreshed Kos constantly. I stayed awake until 3am, and fell asleep in my living room chair waiting for someone - anyone - to call Montana for Jon Tester.
I had electoral maps on my ottoman that I colored as results came in...two computers going...a TV on in every room (bathroom included)...and a line-up of refreshments to get me through the night. I knowingly crossed the line from "interested observer" to "complete geek."
Seven days later, my brain still won't let go of the election. In that time, I traveled from Madison to L.A. for a business trip, where on Thursday afternoon I pretended to leave a meeting for the purpose of going to the men's room, but where I actually ran up to my hotel room to check cnn.com in the hope that Macaca had conceded.
Seriously.
Don't misunderstand. I'm completely and utterly thrilled with the result. Everything I hoped for came true - and then some.
I think I just miss the anticipation. And that, I'm quite sure, makes me a complete loser.