Tough Times

Yesterday was a tough day. Campaign staffers are give nightly and weekly goals we try to achieve. And yesterday I was sucking it up. I'm resigned to the fact that like in life I'm going to have some good days and some not so good days but that doesn't diminish the blow. I aim to win, not just to perform mediocre or at par, but to blow the competition out of the water. Never the less I picked myself up and got ready for another day. Pissed at myself as I was yesterday I've been feeling a little down this whole week. I found out two days ago a close family friend passed away. Her name was Kathy Cravens. She passed away from ALS commonly known as Lou Gherigs Disease. She lived for almost 5 years with a debilitating condition that attacked her body and speech yet left her mind intact. We knew this day would come but It doesn't soften the loss. If I wasn't an atheist I would certainly think that Kathy was an angel on Earth because I have yet to meet someone so fun, loving, funny, and caring as she was.

As I was going to sleep last night I couldn't help but think about how my profession bleeds into my personal life. I'm a Liberal Democrat. Letting science exist and evolve unscrutinized is a fundamental cause I champion. Especially at a time when some members of Congress believe the Earth is 6000 years old, and Evolution is a trick sent here by Satan to confuse the innocent. President Obama lifted the ban on the use of stem cells in scientific research and I am so thankful he did. I just wish it was done many years ago, maybe then I wouldn't be writing of the loss of a dear friend and an extraordinary human being. Rest Peacefully Kathy. If anyone deserves it you do.

On a slightly less Debbie Downer note. I had a few interesting encounters over the past two days.

1. While gassing up yesterday afternoon, I saw a woman digging through the cigarette butt disposal to try and find a smoke. Let me state for the record I'm a smoker but if I ever reach that point please feel free to put me out of my misery.
2. Council Bluffs is home to Iowa's School for the Deaf and has a large deaf community. Today while in the office a deaf man came in. He could read my lips but I can't sign and he was very difficult to understand. I could decipher the following though, he is an avid star watcher, he likes to grow heirloom tomatoes, he can't stand Chuck Grassley, and he draws a hell of a unicorn. He made me smile during a tough time and I am grateful to him for that.

Until next time. All the best.

Lucas