I celebrated it in much the same way that I have spent oh so many days here over the past 8 years. I read multiple diaries, spending way too much time reading everyone's comments on those diaries. I talked with my wife and later on some friends who came over for the evening to play some ping pong and drink some beer, discussing with them some of the more interesting and exciting information I gathered during the day, especially the information that formed the basis of my optimism for Tuesday, as they were all much more fearful than I am at the moment.
I also spent the day, as I have most days over the past eight years, not posting any comments to the diaries I read. I spent the day, as I have done everyday except for two over the last eight years, not writing any diaries. Of the two I wrote, I only posted one of them, and that one was... craptastic. And finally I spent it not making any real effort to GOTV.
Hey I am writing something after the Orange Croissant thingy.... Wooh-hoo! Join me.
I had pictured when I actually signed up to DKos 8 years ago, after months of lurking, that this was a turning point in my life, that I was going to become more politically active. I had just been heartbroken that Bush was reelected. I still remember leaving my house here in Arizona in the evening having watched so many hopeful election returns, I went to our local Chinese restaurant to get take-out, and there had been a snafu or something and I ended up waiting there for 40 minutes, so it was over an hour by the time I returned home, and in that hour everything had changed, it now looked like Bush was going to win... I haven't gotten Chinese food on election night since. Anyway I had decided that night I was going to help make a difference from then on, I was going to become more active I was going to work to get liberal candidates elected. (yeah I know I live in Arizona, fat chance). My first step in that change was to sign up at Daily Kos. Living in North Phoenix 8 years ago, being a progressive, it was hard to believe there were many like minded people out there. Daily Kos had helped me believe again. And it had helped me in multiple "conversations" with my Rush and Hannity loving co-workers.
Over the years I have contributed money at times, and more rarely I have contributed time.
But,...
The realities of changing careers, going back to school, moving, raising teen boys, both my wife and I working, aging parents,.... I am sure you all know those or at least similar realities, they just don't seem to leave a large enough pool of time, energy, or money.
At least those have been my excuses.
So I write this diary today, in part because I am celebrating being part of such a wonderful community. But I also write this diary because it is past time to become active, it is past time to help elect progressive candidates to local, state, and federal offices, it is past time for change that is not coming fast enough. I am writing this diary as a renewed pledge to myself that I am going to become an agent of that change.
I will act, and I encourage all of my fellow lurkers - passive for whatever reasons, to stop procrastinating, to put aside reservations, to put aside fears and start working. I promise to not to beat myself up for not having done more so far or when there are days in the future that I do less than I believe I should, and I encourage others to do the same. Together and individually we can do it one step, one task, one day at a time.
1:12 PM PT: OMG! Rec list!
You all sure know how to encourage a lurker to start writing more.
I am honored, completely. Thank you.