I think everyone can agree that 2021, while better than the prior year, was nonetheless a steaming pile.

COVID-19

As the year began and the promise of a vaccine became reality. There was a collective holding of breaths hoping to see an end to the pandemic and a return to normalcy. Well, as we approach the end of the year, case counts in Hawaii reached a new all-time high well over 3,000. Which is approximately double the number of our last peak at the end of August.

“Omicron” is now raging in Hawaii and there appears to be no end in sight. Though Hawaii’s vaccination rate has slowly crept up to just above 74% statewide.

I was fortunate enough to get my booster in August and am already inquiring about a second because I am technically immunocompromised. I had hoped to enter 2022 largely pandemic-free, but unfortunately world-wide vaccination rates continue to creep along with less than have of the world’s population fully-vaccinated.

Until Big Pharma loosens its grip on “proprietary” technology, etc. to facilitate accelerated vaccinations world-wide, we’ll continue to see variants like “Omicron” pop-up and murder any hope of a “return to normalcy”.

Job

In 2021, I returned to work at the Capitol as the Office Manager for Representative Matt LoPresti. While the pay was somewhat less that I wanted, it was good to have a steady paycheck again and I was happy to be back working at the Capitol. COVID was still causing trouble; the Capitol was closed to the public. Both legislators and advocates did their work remotely, attending and participating in hearings and floor sessions via videoconference.

Unfortunately, it was clear pretty early on that it was a position I wasn’t going to be able to stay in long-term; the Representative and I rarely saw eye-to-eye and my nearly 15 years of working in and around the Capitol carried little weight with him.

The task of managing the office while doing my best to manage an erratic boss took its toll. My personal health took a dive as my stress and depression skyrocketed.

Add to all that an abysmal session. During which, once again, businesses made out like bandits while workers were given little about which to be hopeful. Hawaii businesses were given a $700 million bailout on Unemployment Insurance loan payments. While things like Minimum Wage increases, or exempting unemployment benefits from State income tax were non-starters. Words cannot describe the frustration and disappointment myself and others felt.

Despite my experience and educational background, it seemed I was perceived little more than a glorified personal assistant. It certainly wasn’t what I signed up for. By the time the 2021 legislative session was pau, I was actively looking for an exit.

In early December I offered my resignation offering to make the transition as smooth as possible. Eight hours after that conversation, I was summarily fired. So it goes.

Aging Parents

2021 gave me a stark reminder that my parents are getting older. Though I do my best not to dwell on the idea of a time when they will be gone, that notion was impossible to avoid. I won’t go into details, as they’re fairly private people and wouldn’t be happy with me airing their ailments in the open.

In the midst of the pandemic, I made three trips to the continent in 2021 to visit and spend time with them.

Aging parents and a growing desire to be closer to family has forced me to at least consider the possibility of relocating back to the U.S. continent. I’m not necessarily eager to do so, but I cannot avoid at least the possibility. As such, for the first time since moving to Hawaii nearly 20 years ago, I expanded my job search to possibilities inside the lower 48 states.

Depression

Since my long-time psychologist retired in mid-2019, I haven’t been to therapy. The absence of that outlet began to weigh heavy on me and by the middle of the year, I was in a darker place than I’d been in a very long time. It was clear I needed to go back to therapy. The idea of “shopping for shrink” makes the whole prospect challenging. But with the support of friends and family that effort is in process, paused temporarily because of a break in my insurance coverage.

I hope to have a new therapist early in the new year and begin regular sessions again. While I am feeling better than I did earlier in the year, I’m still struggling a bit and there remains a bit of a hole I still need help digging out of.

2022

The year ahead holds at least some promise, as all New Years do. At my core (deep at my core), I believe am a hopeful person. I firmly believe that to work in politics, especially as a far-left progressive, one must be hopeful. And so I am. Not just in politics, but in life.

New Job

Since I left the Governor’s Office in 2018, it seems a bit like my career has been that of a job-hopper. Working on campaigns and as a consultant was fun. It was also a challenge, both professionally and financially.

2021 saw some financial stability, but it also saw me declare bankruptcy. As much as I like the idea and variety of consulting for a living, the money simply isn’t there. At least not at the moment.

For the first half of 2022, I will be returning to the Capitol. This time as a session staffer for my friend and awesome progressive legislator, Jeanne Kapela. I expect the experience, when compared to that of 2021, to be as night and day. She is a rare example of a legislator who leads by example and follows her conviction to advocate strongly for progressive ideals.

Yes, it’s a temporary gig. And yes, it won’t pay as much as my last job, but the advocacy work, enjoyable and supportive work environment will make the financial short-fall bearable. So too will some side contract gigs I hope to secure in the coming weeks.

Legislative session, as it always is, will be challenging and frustrating. But I love the work and I have no doubt the first half of 2022, at least in this particular area, will be joyful and optimistic.

I hope by the time session ends in May, I will have secured a permanent job that meets my needs. Financially, politically, and in terms of challenging and interesting work. My fingers are crossed.

Erin

Near the beginning of December, an old friend from college with whom I haven’t spoken in years (and years) reached out to me. We had lost contact with each other. It seems, however my online presence is such that she was able to track me down. She was in a hard way and looking for help and support. I won’t get into details here, because it isn’t my story to tell.

Stuck in Ohio in a bad way and without any support network of friends or family, she needed someone to help get back on her feet.

I had just lost my job a day or two prior so I wasn’t in a position to help her with a plane ticket, but offered her my spare room if she could make it to Honolulu.

She arrived a few days before New Years.

It’s nice to have some company at home even though I’ve largely lost my office space for the time being. When one’s world comes crashing down, people need friends and family that care about them. She’s been missing that. It potentially poses some financial challenges, but I’m happy I’m able to help.

Frankly, I’m not sure I would have been able to say no. I feel a bit self-conscious here to say that I had a bit of a crush on her back in the day. It’s possible those feelings, or their remnants, however minimally, affected my decision-making. But so did the “nice guy” in me. Despite anything else, if I’m in a position to help a friend, even if it might inconvenience me, cause me stress, or some difficulty. I’m going to do it because I can.

I have no illusions about what may or may not come next. For me right now, it’s about trying to be a positive and hopeful influence. Providing a safe and comfortable space for her to being rebuilding her life with as little stress as possible. So long as I can do that without significant impact on my life, that’s my goal.

Elections

2020 was fairly disappointing when it came to local election outcomes. Both candidates I worked for failed to win (though both were long shots). There were a couple of brights spots and I hope progressives can build on those wins going into 2022.

Though Hawaii is typically seen as a “blue state” the policy agenda and slate of bills that are passed (or not) every session don’t, I believe, reflect that “blue state” status. From increasing the minimum wage to providing tax relief to low-income families, to paid sick or family leave, our state legislature is grossly misguided.

This year poses the additional challenge that comes with redistricting. As was the case 10 years ago, the Reapportionment Commission is playing political games, shirking the law, and hoping no one calls them on it. Additional complications have been created by the COVID pandemic; the whole process started late because the census took longer. So data needed for redistricting came late and the whole process has been delayed. It remains unclear when candidates will know exactly what the district lines look like. Which adds challenges to running a robust and competitive campaign.

I will be helping or supporting a small handful of candidates who I believe hold the most promise for picking up seats for progressives. With even a handful of key wins, progressives could increase their influence at the Capitol moving forward.

It’ll be a bit of a steep climb, but I remain cautiously optimistic we can succeed.

I will pay little, if any, attention to congressional races as I have little ability to impact those elections locally. Regardless of the outcome, Congress will nonetheless continue to be mired in political brinksmanship and nonsense.

The Unknown

As I guess is the case in any year, there are any number of unknowns that make the new year both a bit scary and exciting.

My current job is temporary and I continue to look for permanent full-time employment someplace where I can thrive and be happy for an extended period. Elections and a slew of newly-vacant positions may potentially provide some very good options.

Because financial and familial priorities weigh increasingly heavy on me, I will not rule out the possibility of relocating away from Hawaii for the right career opportunity. It must be considered, though the thought fills me with a certain level of anxiety and sadness.

I came to Hawaii with a couple of suit cases that represented the bulk of my worldly possessions. Nearly 20 years later, I’ve made a life for myself here. And in the process collected an apartment full of things. Including a car. As such, the logistics of moving away will be far more daunting than they were those two decades ago.

I expect 2022 to offer new challenges new opportunities. I hope they allow me to stay in this beautiful special place.

This post is a bit belated. But I want to take this moment to wish everyone reading this a happy, healthy, and hopeful New Year.