Please help. I need some wise words to help calm me down.

[blue neen]

I feel like a nervous wreck today. I have to work at the polls tomorrow--hand out flyers and watch for Republican disruptors. I've never done anything like this before.

Also, someone stole our Kerry sign last night. Grrr.

Then, I have to go to the surgeon this afternoon for a post-op check.

Sorry for whining. Just anxiety, I guess.

Kerry is going to win. Our country needs his leadership.

[crispini]

1. Go watch 'Visualize Winning'

It'll make you feel better. :D

http://www.needlenose.com/win04/vote.htm

[Fridays Child]

22. I'll second your suggestion.

:)

[Chovexani]

36. Great link!

Made me feel a lot better. :)

[UCLA Dem]

50. so awesome. Thanks for the link!!! Pres. Kerry!!!

[jrthin]

2. We understand. It

is just anxiety of the unknown. Breatheh. All will be well and thanks for helping.

[patricia92243]

3. Hang in there! It will all be a memory on Wednesday -a couple of WONDERFUL

memories for you!

[Kanary]

4. That's not "whining", it's being honest about yourself,

and that's healthy.

It sounds like your body is telling you you're reaching your limits, so it would be good to think about taking some time to just take care of yourself. Besides your own health, you just can't do your best with volunteering at the polls when you're stressed to the breaking point.

I hope you can rely on some things that have helped you in the past to regain that core of calm. It sounds like tomorrow will be a hard day for you, so I hope you can just be very kind to yourself today.

Thanks for all that you are doing and have done! :hi: :toast: :hi:

Kanary, who wishes "whining" would be removed from the language!

[blue neen]

17. You're right. I want to be serene and confident tomorrow

like our President Kerry!

A very long bubble bath might be good. Maybe a couple of them! :)

[Kanary]

21. Bubble away! ^_^

I'm watching some old, funny movies, and enjoying the trees and deer.

And talking with friends.

Hugs are good. :hug:

Sure helps me....

Just be very good to yourself, because we need you for the long haul. :)

And, thanks again..... your efforts are appreciated! :bounce:


Kanary

[GeorgeBushytail]

5. Best wishes and thanks. I appreciate your bravery.

Think about how happy you'll be Tuesday night when Kerry wins.

You'll know you did your part.

Be sure and tell us how it went - both your medical appointment and your activism for what is true and good.

Practical advice - Rent "Some Like it Hot" and "There's Something about Mary" (or other comedy classics) and watch them tonight to take your mind off things.

Best wishes and thanks!

[blue neen]

16. Watching a comedy would be a good idea.

Thanks!

[Bunny]

6. Hi neen! Are you expecting any trouble at your polling place?

I'm thinking it should be pretty smooth at mine. I don't expect any problems, but then my precinct doesn't have a lot of voters, and there is usually a pretty low turnout, regardless of what the race is. Good luck, hope your foot is better!

Oh, and Kerry is going to win! :bounce:

[blue neen]

15. We've been told that Repugs who do not vote there

may get in line (to make a long line) so people will get frustrated about the wait and just leave.

This voting district is N. Wash Elem.

[Bunny]

18. You want me to come up over the hill and bust some heads?

I'll be glad to wear my black hoodie and look as intimidating as a 46 y.o. middle-class white lady can look! ;)

Seriously, do you normally have a big turnout, long lines, etc? I've often chatted with my polling place folks about how sparse our precinct is(I vote in the Boro Bldg). I have never once had to wait to vote. Walk right in, sign the book, hit the booth, and back out again in minutes!

I've gone in after work (around 5:00 PM or so) and I've been just the 40th or 50th voter for the entire day. Now that's sparse! I plan to hit the polls first thing in the morning though, just in case. If I'm late for work, no one will care. The bosses are Dems, too!

[blue neen]

23. You are more then welcome to come up!

I'll send you the specifics later!

This is a big Repug area. I hope that I will be able to convince some voters that Kerry is their man!

We get WAY more than 50 voters!

[Demit]

7. just focus. put one foot in front of the other. hand out those flyers

and smile at everyone. relax. do stretching exercises before you leave. visualize a kerry victory.

[molly]

8. Relax - it's anticipation

I have butterflies in my stomach but I know that it's because I'm so excited that we are going to win. Just get thru each hour and you will be fine.

[Career Prole]

9. You'll do a bang-up job at the polls!

Thanks so much for volunteering!
I hope your post-op check goes well, and heck...someone swiping your yard sign at this stage of the game just signifies someone in town should be putting up a sign saying "Bush is gonna lose! He'p me, Jeebus!" because sign theft this late is sheer desperation! :D

[movie_girl99]

10. i know exactly how you feel

I am dressing polls and pushing literature as well for the the first time ever. I was told last week that my iron level is way below what even the lowest point should be and will be having surgery in December. My doc was amazed that I'm functioning 1/2 as well as i am.I know how you fell... I am anxious about tomorrow but no matter how bad i feel I will be there!!!! We'll all be rejoicing on Wednesday!!!

[blue neen]

20. We WILL be rejoicing.

I hope your surgery goes well. Good Luck! :)

[PATRICK]

11. So is the other guy

They fell a lot worse than you and probably more nervous, believe it. Amazing. You expect a freeper with a shotgun or a mob to take you down? Just ordinary folks for the most part and they will be there in massive numbers. The very few bullies and crooks are even more scared of trying anything in those circumstances. Relax.

While a good fist fight or altercation might actually come as a relief, your real relief will be watching hordes of regular folk going about their business.

Hey, I've seen war vets nervous about canvassing because of some illusion people will jump down their throat of engage in overwhelming intellectual disputation.

Just regular folks out there after all. If not, they are just as nervous about you as you are of "them". The other side naturally is more timid and this time has good cause to be. They are outnumbered.

[Julien Sorel]

12. After watching what's been happening

to this country for four years all come down to one day, who wouldn't be anxious?

If you weren't worried, you'd be nuts, so look on the bright side: you're normal.



Best wishes with the doctor's appointment.

[Indiana_Dem]

13. You're not alone!

Just remember:
-historic turnouts for early voting
-mass new voter registrations
-many Repubs switching to Kerry
-cell phone users without landlines

I'm working the polls for the first time, too. I'm nervous about that and it will be a long day. I normally work nights from 5p to 5:30a and waking up at 4a or so will be difficult at best! I usually go to bed around 2am on my nights off so I probably won't even be able to sleep because I'll be nervous and I'll be afraid I won't wake up in time if I get in too deep of a sleep! Then it'll be 12 hours at the polls. I also just found out my daughter has a volleyball banquet from 7p-8:30p after the polls close!!!!!! :mad: For a year and a half I've been waiting for election day and now I feel like I'm going to have to miss it! I sincerely hope they won't project the winner before that time. I want to be able to watch it so badly! I have to be there for my daughter, though, because she is more important and i want her to feel that way. It sure is nervewracking, though. Why on earth did the coach pick this night to have this???? He has no idea how long I've been waiting for this day.

So don't feel alone!

[blue neen]

28. It sounds like poor planning on the part of the coach.

Try to concentrate on how proud you are of your daughter. I'm sure she did a great job!

I doubt if they project a winner before you get home. Many states don't close their polls until 8:00.

[markdd]

14. It's an elephant eating process

ONE bite at a time!

[Tsiyu]

19. Try to get some rest this evening

Turn off the TV, Radio, close your eyes and meditate on calm. Try to stay away from election blather before bed so you can get a good night's sleep.

We're all excited/nervous/wondering to some degree I'd imagine. When you care deeply, situations affect you deeply. So please know there are many folks like yourself struggling and you won't feel so isolated.

We can control our thoughts. You have a huge challenge with all that's going on in your life. But think this: "I've made it this far. I can handle anything and everything that comes my way."

You are stronger than you know.

But take heed: If your body needs rest, take care of it first.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

24. Chocolate

Chocolate

Chocolate

Then more chocolate

Hang in there - we're on the winning side...........

[blue neen]

25. This is an AWESOME thread.

You are all so supportive and helpful. The camaraderie here is truly inspiring.

I feel so much better after reading your kind words. I will bookmark this so I can read this over and over today. :)

[movie_girl99]

26. amen to that

I plan on having a quiet dinner at home with the family and turning in around 9pm. Gotta hit my assigned polling places and get them all dressed up nice and pretty. Thanks to all here for being so great.

[GeorgeBushytail]

41. You're the awesome one

We have your back tomorrow.

[blue neen]

48. Thanks so much for that!

I appreciate it. :)

We're all working together for a common, wonderful, and worthwhile goal! John Kerry will be the next President of the United States!

[mtnsnake]

27. Get something outside of politics to occupy your mind until tomorrow.

I know it's easier said than done, but maybe you could work on another project until then, like organizing your cellar or attic or something you've been putting off for a while.....maybe something that's got nothing to do with your job at hand tomorrow, but will help keep your mind from the huge amount of anticipation you must be experiencing. Then you should be fresh to tackle the job at hand tomorrow with a vengeance.

As far as worrying about what to do tomorrow at the polls, I'm sure there will be plenty of others in the same boat as you. Just act like you know what you're doing and you'll ace it ;). One other thing. Don't worry in the unlikely event you can't sleep much tonight. You'll get through the day just fine tomorrow on adrenaline alone, and you can crash afterwards. BTW, best of luck with the post-op checkup!

[Kanary]

38. Hi, mtnsnake!

:hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi: :hi:

Welcome to DU!

:toast:

Kanary

[Lydia Leftcoast]

29. Well, for what it's worth

I am really impressed with the way people here (in Minneapolis) are into GOTV efforts. It seems that every other person I talk to has been out canvassing, (I'll be doing the same after lunch.)

[kerry-is-my-prez]

30. It's not that hard.... I've done it before in Chicago.

Chicago is the major leagues when it comes to politics - they don't fool around there.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

31. Have the voter hotline (moveon.org) number with you.

It's a number they can call if they have any problems...
If you see anyone having any problems have them call that number. They have lawyers on standby. If it gets really bad they will send a team of lawyers.

http://www.ourvote.com/

[cedahlia]

32. are you near a tv or radio?

If so, try watching some "TV Land" (if you get that station.) Those old sitcoms always do the trick for me. Watching Jack Tripper or Lucy be all silly is a good distraction!

Oldies radio stations are good too...listening to Herman's Hermits, The Monkeys, etc. is a good way to escape!

Hang in there...there's a lot of us out here trying to cope as well...we're all in this together! :grouphug:

[VOX]

33. Hang in there, neen. Tomorrow will go swimmingly!

Working as a poll-watcher is pretty easy; I've done it before, and had no incidents whatsoever. You'll be fully instructed what to to, watch for, etc.

After your post-op checkup this afternoon, do something nice for yourself -- buy a little something, watch a favorite movie, go for a walk, take a nice nap -- just anything that cuts your stress and distracts you from the election for even just a little while.

We will win tomorrow -- I was goofing around this a.m. with an interactive electoral-vote map, state-by-state, and I was very encouraged with what I was coming up with. I won't say that it's in the bag, 'cause I'm superstitious that way, but I will say that the prospects look **very** good!

Thanks for all your good help, and for volunteering for pool-watch tomorrow. We'll all be smiling by late tomorrow night!

Best to you -- :hug:

[VOX]

34. Hang in there, neen. Tomorrow will go swimmingly!

Working as a poll-watcher is pretty easy; I've done it before, and had no incidents whatsoever. You'll be fully instructed what to to, watch for, etc.

After your post-op checkup this afternoon, do something nice for yourself -- buy a little something, watch a favorite movie, go for a walk, take a nice nap -- just anything that cuts your stress and distracts you from the election for even just a little while.

We will win tomorrow -- I was goofing around this a.m. with an interactive electoral-vote map, state-by-state, and I was very encouraged with what I was coming up with. I won't say that it's in the bag, 'cause I'm superstitious that way, but I will say that the prospects look **very** good!

Thanks for all your good help, and for volunteering for pool-watch tomorrow. We'll all be smiling by late tomorrow night!

Best to you -- :hug:

[UpsideDownFlag]

35. Visualize winning....nt

[American liberal]

37. Thanks so much for your service

It's awesome that you will be a pollwatcher! Your work is very important I have confidence that it will go well. And you may be surprised with how many Kerry supporters show up tomorrow. It's been quite a snowball effect lately.

Are you a spiritual person?
If so, you might like the following message somebody sent to me a while back:

People are often unreasonable illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, there may be jealousy;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today (or tomorrow in your case), people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
it was never between you and them anyway.

*********

Best of luck tomorrow. And thanks again for your service.

Peace,
AL

[blue neen]

39. That was a wonderful message. Very inspirational

and soothing.

Thanks! :)

[George_S]

40. Everyone else will be just as nervous...

... but they will mostly hide it. It is a big deal so it's normal to be nervous.

Thanks for your service and good luck on the tests.

[Lisa]

42. it's okay to be on edge -- you're helping make history

If you suddenly had a chance to talk to Thomas Jefferson or any of those guys, I bet they would be pretty stoked about what a great job you're doing!

I've worked at the polls a couple of times before. Actually I find it easier than door-knocking! There are usually a lot of people around who know the correct procedures if anything unexpected arises -- once you get folks calmed down, things go surprisingly well.

Good luck with the post-op thing!

[twenty2strings]

43. mental hygiene for the soul.

any ex-mental patients and recovering souls will have a truly dificult time. give these people support,everybody...yay!!!!

[Rambis]

44. Serenity now, serenity now, serenity now

Everything will be ok!

[smbolisnch]

45. Take a deep breath!

Tomorrow will be over before you know it and Kerry will be the next president-elect. Just keep thinking about how good it will feel to know you played a part in that!!

[blue neen]

46. With wonderful people like you working for him, Kerry is sure to win!

I am back from the surgeon. I had a giant cell tumor removed from my foot in October. It turned out to be benign! Yeah!

The Packers win yesterday, and I get good news today.

There is great karma going on! Is everyone psyched for tomorrow?

[GeorgeBushytail]

49. Congratulations! I am so excited.

Great news!

After that good news tomorrow should be no problem at all for you. Enjoy it. You're healthy and working for America.

A Packer's fan, eh? Are you a fellow cheesehead? I just moved to WI from Seattle and am loving it, even though I'm deep in red territory near Cumberland.

Best wishes.

[blue neen]

51. Actually, I'm a Steelers fan (more good karma)!

I am happy that the Packers won because that means the Redskins lost.
If the Redskins lose their game right before an election then the incumbent president loses!

All the good signs are in our favor!

[Dzimbowicz]

47. Someone stole my Kerry yard sign too

I recommend hot tea and something chocolate. That always soothes my nerves.