Cornered Office
with Mir Kamin
I'm a freelance writer and mother of two working from home, which theoretically means I can set my own schedule so as to best accommodate my family. In reality, "flexible hours" often equals "working too much." Yes, I'm my own boss; no, that doesn't mean life is easy. It's hard to leave the office when you live there. But I love what I do and feel very lucky. And not just because I get paid to work in my pajamas.
To learn more about Mir, check out her profile on Work It, Mom! or visit her blog at http://www.wouldashoulda.com/
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I’m not going to get anything done today. I should just make peace with that idea, right now. It’s not even 8:00 a.m., yet, and I know today is going to be a total wash.
I’ve been of legal voting age for the last five presidential elections, and I’ve never felt so wrapped up in the process as I do this year. Maybe I should be embarrassed about that; typically I’m not all that interested in politics. I mean, I vote—I always vote—but I’ve always sort of felt like I was going through the motions, and the outcome had very little to do with me, and things probably wouldn’t change that much.
Today I feel jittery, hopeful, scared, anxious, and proud to be an American. For a change.
I don’t want to get into a political discussion, really. You have your beliefs and I have mine, and maybe we agree and maybe we don’t. But there’s no denying that whatever the outcome of today, our country is on the cusp of change. It’s been… quite a year, no? 2009 is going to be something, either way.
There was a lot of talk about small businesses during this campaign season. Lots of concerns and accusations and tax issues were tossed back and forth, and some guy who’s not even a licensed plumber somehow became the center of “The Issues” in the crossfire.
I’m a small business. I mean, I’m running my own business; and for the first time, a lot of what was being argued back and forth was directly relevant to my livelihood. And even in the midst of a whole lot of rhetoric I couldn’t help thinking—I am lucky. I live in a country where starting and sustaining your own business is something that’s in reach for most people. I don’t know that that’s true for other countries. The bickering over how taxes will work and how health insurance is handled and all of that is secondary to the fact that I own my own business. And I am lucky.
This morning I’m going to finish up a few things, and then the kids and I are off to the polls.
I don’t know how much work I’m going to get done today, but I do know that one way or another, today we’re going to watch history change.
It blows my mind, truly.
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I feel similarly excited, in a way that I haven’t in previous elections, and I have a Poli Sci degree!
I’m proud to wear my Georgia Voter sticker for as long as Grasshopper lets me get away with it today, and to tell him that he “helped” me vote in this historic election.
As far as not getting work done; the kids get the day off school, so I think you’re justified in taking the day off of work!
exile on mom street | November 4th, 2008 at 10:22 am
I love that your kids get the day off school. I’m feeling the same conflicting emotions today, I think due to how important this election is for our country.
Sharon | November 4th, 2008 at 10:31 am
I am excited & anxious too and I can’t vote!! (I am a permanent resident, not a citizen) It is very exciting and yes, definitely going to be historic!!
Linda | November 4th, 2008 at 10:47 am
I think there’s a lot more at stake than many voters realize. Having a mixed-race guy on the ballot is certainly historic. But the degree of political change that is contemplated is even more historic. I agree that the rights we have (and have had prior to this election season) are to be highly valued. That they could be compromised in a major way is getting muted for many Americans (but certainly not all).
I’ve always been proud to be an American. Through its ups and downs, with all its imperfections, its still the best country in the world.
SKL | November 4th, 2008 at 11:25 am
I’m excited too! It just feels like the most important election in a long time. Even my 3 yo daughter is excited. I had to make her promise not to yell for her favorite candidate while we were at the polls. Hard to explain campaigning restrictions to a 3 yo.
Looking forward to watching the returns come in this evening and seing what the Stewart/Colbert team has to say about it all.
Jill W. | November 4th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Exactly! I might as well call in sick.
Kristi A | November 4th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
“Through its (America’s) ups and downs, with all its imperfections, its still the best country in the world.”
I know you didn’t mean it this way but this is an insensitive comment on an international site. I feel confident saying most people think their home country is the best in the world, simply because it is their home. And that is reason enough. But please in the future consider qualifying your statement to say that to you America is the best country in the world. To the rest of the world, America is not the best country in the world, simply because it is not their home. To the rest of the world, America is a great country, one to envy, one to root for (since America’s constitution and America’s people are inherently good) but it is not the best.
I recognize the greatness of America. I married an American. He loves his country so much and really wants to move back there. He doesn’t blink an eye at the economy and other domestic issues, because he won’t bet against America. It is important to him to have his children born in the states. He wants his kids to play football and baseball, not just hockey. Today, for no particular reason I caught him exclaiming, “Yes we can!” and “Freedom, free at last, thank god we are free at last!” and later when he was just being silly he was singing the Obama girl song. When Ohio went to Obama he cheered so loud I thought our landlords would evict us. There are endless ways to exude love and pride in one’s country that don’t minimize the other great countries out there. I really enjoy all the stories people are telling and do tell, about the things that to them, are the best in the world.
“I’ve always been proud to be an American.”
And you would be crazy not to be. Way to go America!
Lindsay | November 6th, 2008 at 2:37 am
[...] in my last post, I talked about the impossibility of concentrating on election day. If only I could get through [...]
Post-election, still business as usual - Cornered Office - Work It, Mom! | November 6th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Lindsay, there will always be someone who disagrees with my comments, but I have been to many other countries, and many of the people close to me are either immigrants from other countries or people who are trying to immigrate or working on sending their kids here. There’s a reason why the US is the #1 favored destination for people in other countries who have a desire to emigrate. Sure, everyone should have pride in their own countries. There is no real definition of “best country”; it’s obviously subjective and I think it’s a stretch to read an insult into it.
What inspires comments like that is Americans who express a lack of pride in this country. These are usually people who have been Americans since birth, or long enough that they take their luxuries totally for granted. They have no real idea what it would be like to live in any other country. Yet they make comments on international forums that basically trample this country. I can’t keep quiet about it, because that could be interpreted as acquiescence.
There is greatness in every country. China, for example, is so impressive on so many levels. I am sure many Chinese believe that China is the best country in the world. I totally understand and respect that, and I wouldn’t feel insulted to hear a Chinese person say that or call them out on it. I’m a little concerned by the attitude here that patriotism is not politically correct.
SKL | November 7th, 2008 at 2:40 pm