Residual Forces

2005 was another topsy turvy year. There were winners and losers. I really am not all that egomaniacal so I’ll spare you my prognostications about complete strangers.So I’ll break down my year.

2005 was for the most part a good year for me. My business is still chugging along. My family is still going strong, although we did have our share of setbacks. I met a ton of great people thanks to this blog. I also was given some huge responsibilities.

I started RF last January, so my 1 year blogiversary is coming up in just weeks. In that short time, RF has turned into so much more than I could have asked for. Who’d have thought I would actually have people so interested in my rantings? That grammar and spelling mattered so much? They’ve never been my strong point, but it isn’t like I don’t try.

I started this blog to get some thoughts our of my head. I’ve always felt that sitting down and writing your thoughts and feelings can be therapeutic. I just wanted them out of my head, having people put them in theirs was unforeseen and a pleasant side effect. What I started as a way to combat media bias turned into so much more with my position in politics. I found myself being the only outlet for some big issues in 05. We’ll see if I can keep it up in 06, or rather whether I continue to be allowed to cover events that used to be behind closed doors. With some very big races coming up in 06, RF is bound to remain amongst some people’s regular reads. I will do my best to stay true to my heart and be honest on what I post on. The truth is that blogging has turned into a huge part of my life. I spend way too much time doing it. But I have grown to love it. There is something about putting it all out there and getting feedback that just keeps me going.

Another blessing I received from blogging is meeting some great people. I’ve never kept many friends for whatever reason. But through this blog, KvM, and the MN Organization of Bloggers I have finally met some people I am proud to consider friends. Some people laugh at our little club, but it really is so much more than a frat boy’s dream. I’m so thankful for my inclusion into the MOB, it has really helped open my eyes to the fact that there are other people like me out there.

Being asked to help set up Kennedy v Machine was quite an honor in itself, let alone eventually being asked on as a contributor. Gary, Doug, and First Ringer are 3 darn fine guys, and I am indebted to them for taking a schlub like me onboard. One can only hope they’ll catch all the spelling errors quickly enough. We’ve got a big task ahead of ourselves here, getting Mark Kennedy elected to the US Senate. But as the race creeps ever closer, I am becoming more and more determined that we will do so much to help. A Republican Candidate has never had a blog specifically dedicated to them like this in MN, and we will no doubt do the lion’s share of the reporting of the facts in this race, since the media is slanted so far left here.

I was elected chair of Senate District 51 Republicans back in MArch, which was a great honor but with that came great responsibility. Being a newcomer to organized politics, and stepping into a District filled with entrenched old-timers, it is certainly going to take a lot from me to fulfill my promises. Defeating the lead obstructionist in the Senate on the Marriage Amendment, a top DFL House leader, and holding on to a House seat are no small task. But we have so many great people there, and we are so committed to these goals, that I can’t see us failing.

I was also offered a dream this year that I chose to decline. I was asked to run for the MN House of Representatives. I’ve always dreamed of serving in public office. I have always been willing to share/rant my opinions on anything. As you already know, I am not shy to speak my mind. I chose not to run this year due to my already full schedule of commitments. But I’m sure sooner or later you’ll see my name on a ballot somewhere.

On the personal front, I lost a long time love of mine, MAxine. She was my Bulldog Boston Terrier that had been at my side for 10+ years. I had her put down this summer, which was the second hardest thing I had ever done. She is deeply missed, but I am still kept company by a miniature Schnauzer named Rufus. He has almost gotten a new brother/sister a couple times, but I’ve so far held to my promise to wait until I have the time to train a new dog before I get a new dog.

I can only hope 2006 is as great of a year as 05 was. The last couple weeks have been the best of my life, and I can only hope it continues. I can only hope everyone I know or met this year can be so blessed as I have been in 2005.