The woods are lovely, dark and deep

Day 2,327, 10:55 • Published in USA USA • by Aeriadne

But I have promises to keep

Atelès
The WTP primary came. Two mass messages sent, one from myself, one from a group of friends who deserve all my adoration for doing so on my behalf. More individual messages were sent to people I knew within the party, with a few replies to my plea. But by the time of closing, I was one vote shy of even tying it up.

Tyler won.

Meanwhile, on the AMP forum, my own party was split. Early predictions, much like in the WTP, showed me with a lead. Slowly but surely, the trend changed, as more and more people realized that without a second party nomination Gnilraps faced a more dire situation than he was already in.

Gnilraps won.

The discussion concerning the strange loophole I found in Congress was quickly hijacked into a vitriolic shout match between that of my own party, AMP, and the Feds. This was mainly spearheaded by Israel Stevens, Jefferson Locke, and Molly Emma, with many others casting their voices for one side or another. Finally, after I put up the vote on my own censure, the tally came.

I lost.

It's been a very long week or so, and much has happened. But at the end of it all, with the dust clearing and the CP elections looming on the morrow, I now sit to the side of things. Ousted from Congress, no nominations in yet another Presidential election, I am the prettiest girl not at the party.


All dressed up with nowhere to run.

Tyler and Gnil have both approached me on their own, asking for my support. I don't blame them. The election is going to be very close, and I don't think anyone can truly say what the outcome will be with 100% certainty. There are doubts on either side, and they're doing everything they rightfully can to garner as much support as they can.

I cannot in good conscience endorse one person over the other. Having been a part of my own campaign for long enough, it wouldn't be the right thing to do now to back either of my former competitors in this election. Nor would it be right to appeal my censure. Congress and the national front have declared that, at least for a moment, I am not be part of them. I respect that wish.

Phóbos
The reason we find ourselves in this predicament is a simple one: none of us were ready.

I hadn't been setting the groundwork for my run well enough and had not taken the time to truly connect with parties in the way they so desired.

Tyler hasn't been involved enough or experienced enough in the right places nationally to have a clear head about what needs doing and how it can be done.

And Gnilraps? He's just tired. He's shutting down, not communicating, wasn't even really wanting a second term, but now is giving it his rightful all.

We, all three of us, ran on half empty and tried to make up for it in the best ways we could.

Our country doesn't deserve our respective lack of preparation. And on behalf of my own campaign, I apologize. This race should be interesting because very qualified and very prepared candidates have stepped up to the plate and are ready to give you their A game.

But everyone loves a good car crash. We can't help turning our heads.

Arete
So what's the solution? How do we move forward? How do we get to the place where we should be as a country?

Simply give yourself to your fullest potential.

We've all been coasting. Each one of us has been staying the course in one way or another, not really fulfilling their own potential. But we have a truly great chance here, one I spoke of in my campaign and one I continue to believe. This month, our country can be truly great. We can cement our dominance, and our community, as one of the best.

All it takes is wanting to live up to your full potential.

This month, I'm going to be thinking very carefully about my actions, and how each of them works in relation to the goal I have set in my mind. I urge each one of you, each citizen of this country, to set a goal. Reach Media Mogul, get a certain amount of Battle Heroes, get x number of people to join your party.

Get ready to run for POTUS.

It can be more intangible; write articles you feel are meaningful, make friends with someone new, forgive someone who has wronged you.

Just one goal. And for all of April, focus on it.

If we all bring our game up, if we rise to the level of excellence we have wish for ourselves, we can have a really great month. It starts with each of us setting the example, and the rest of us following.

In the Fed Radio debate between Tyler and myself, I was asked the question "what sort of legacy do you want your presidency to leave? What do you want to be remembered for?" And my reply was simple: if I ever get to be CP, and I finish off my term, I want people to look back on it and say that it was genuinely fun. I want people to have really enjoyed playing this game for a solid month, and remember that it was a game.

That's it.

Despite having no nominations, and despite being in one of the more unfavorable situations politically I've found myself in, I will still work towards that end. I want people to look back on this month, smile, and simply say...

...that was fun.

Good luck to both Tyler Bubblar and Gnilraps. Both are good guys for different reasons. Regardless of who wins, it's gonna be one helluva race.

Thank you for your time.