Alex Harries's diary

More elections ramblings. Coming tomorrow: my hustings horror story (once I get round to writing it ;o)

Things I hate during the elections

• being a tiny bit suspicious of everyone in case they're digging for dirt on me
• not knowing whether this is the Right Way to campaign
• not knowing whether I'm doing enough to campaign
• annoying friends and family by talking endlessly about campaigning, my manifesto, my neuroses, and my lack of sleep
• not being able to think of unique campaigning ideas
• not being able to spend time working on UPSU.net
• feeling like I've made a total numpty of myself in public (i.e. hustings - listen for yourself and see what you think ;o)

Things I love during the elections

• that the things I'm most passionate about improving in the Union seem to be the things that other people would love to see improved, too
• seeing all of my friends - and even people I don't know that well - piling on stage behind me to help me sing my hustings song. I'll never forget that :o)
• coming up with new campaigning ideas
• spray-painting t-shirts. Mmmmm, chemicals... (!)
• making new friends on the campaign trail...
• ... and having a good chat with them about the things they'd like to see improved
• figuring out that, even if I don't get elected, there's a fighting chance next year's MAPO will gain some good ideas from the other three candidates to get stuck into - there are some very good ideas coming out of this year's candidates.

I don't know how it's going to turn out, but I do know that these two weeks are going to teach me a helluva lot (as long as I survive the sleep deprivation...). In case I forget to mention it enough, thankyou so much to everyone who has or is going to help me out - I really appreciate it!

Peace out :o) /al