I Offer This as a Contrast

To the previous post that is...

I'm hiding in a coffee house. The Phoenix on Mayfield to be more specific. (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&channel=s&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=2qh&q=4441+Mayfield+Rd,+Cleveland,+OH+44121,+USA&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&resnum=1&ct=title)

I'm indulging in my favorite treat of recent, a half mocha / half hot chocolate... Ask real nice, they'll make you one as well. I don't know if it still falls under the category of treat, considering i've been averaging one a day for the past three. Sadly, this has become where I go when I don't want to be home.

I'm stuck in neutral.

And, as much as three days doesn't really seem like cause for concern, it's important we act before it becomes commonplace and we grow complacent with the idea.

"I stand before you today a man humbled by the recent recognition of his own mortality. I've always considered myself both a gentlemen and a scholar, and as these processions come to an end today an important part of my character ends alongside it. Thats right, we walk out of here and i'm going to become an absolute prick... (pause for laughter)"

That there was going to be the opening to my Valedictorian speech. Well, something close to that. I'd run through a couple turns of phrase in the shower leading up to the date, while I was still working under the assumption I was under consideration. Turns out I didn't take the honor and the young woman who was presented such a half hearted presentation my opening line there was superior to the entirety of her remarks. I'm not being boastful, and I don't raise the point just to take a shot at the young woman.Though, I will note, I had a higher GPA. Thats it, enough of that.

The point I was making indirectly there is still valid. I've lost definition. To a surprisingly farther extent than even I had originally assumed. While it is obvious the scholarly half was dependent upon my schooling, I didn't predict the gentlemen part would be as well. I'm at my best when surrounded by people. It was a large part of why I enjoyed college so much. Even the tiny, quaint, and possibly even pointless half moment interactions really made my day.

This is beginning to look a lot like drivel, so lets get back on point.

I need to start making some very large decisions that should've been made some time ago.

I thought I had a plan... alright, it atleast sounded like a plan as I repeated it over and over ad nauseum to the query "whats next?" Actually, one of the highlights of my evening was the singular deviation from the seemingly prepared remarks. I told someone, almost literally "i'll not lie to you like the rest of these people, i'm going to sell out, make that money, and live large..." and, I almost said it with a straight face as well.

So, back to the assumed plan: Yesterday, I made good on my promise of calling the head of the O'Neill campaign... He's running for the 14th district House Seat here in Ohio, if the name sounds familiar it's because he's currently the 11th district judge and he was on the ballot for the state supreme court in 04 and 06. BTW, if you were counting, we've still got 9 republicans on the OSC. While the call was short lived, I could barely breath. The weight of it all was apparent from the first ring. They're not yet really "actively campaigning." Which I could've / should've just assumed. As well, the only paid position they were hiring for was a Finance Director (FEC compliance, etc...) a position I was obviously under qualified for. It's not that it didn't go well, it simply drew out the time line... or fell short of the ideal... how ever you'd like to think of it. So, we stand in a holding pattern, 4-6 weeks, until the really ground game gets going, etc...

But, the point being, it's seemed to amplify my doubt with the standing plan. With way too much time to think, i'm starting to question my path. Not to mention, alternative options have been raised. I do like the Masters of Political Management program, it sounds spot on for what i'm looking to do. Not to mention, it's in heart of it all, and you can't beat the exposure / placement. But, Saturday, it appeared there is a small but growing consensus between people I trust dearly that Law School might be a reasonable option for me as well. Then, earlier today Nino raised the specter of Akron's Bliss Instititute's dual JD/Applied politics degree.

So, thats where I stand. Which is really no where definite. Not to mention theres the nagging want for materialistic things and the fact that i've not been employeed for a year now. All spurious but important factors weighing down upon me.

We'll continue this at some other point, some other time, when I don't feel like "that guy" sitting in a coffee house huddled behind a tiny laptop.

Be good to one another, and as always...

Cheers,
-Rys