How about that long drawish chess game?

Election night 2020 is past and I’m exhausted. My wife and I enjoyed stiff drinks, junk food, and hoagies while we waited for the results. Although we were warned over the previous few days that this would not wrap up on Tuesday, my excitement got ahead of me. I was hoping Florida would go to Biden and that there would be little drama remaining.

After Florida went to Trump, we hung in for many more hours for every bit of “BREAKING NEWS” on CNN to see John King adjust “The Magic Wall” hundreds of times. I’m guessing I was behaving like Pavlov’s dog until I realized that the treats weren’t coming anymore.

Exhale.

Exhale.

Once more for good measure.

Exhale.

I’ve been waiting to do that for a long time. With way too much emotion, information, misinformation, text messages, emails, repeated requests for cash, prognostication, defeatism, and worry about Americans turning to their lesser angels, this election is nearly over and I’m starting to unwind.

I said to my wife last night that this felt like a very long unsatisfying game of chess. I’ve played quite a few good games against stronger players but felt great afterwards, win or lose. Other times I’ve played for four hours and the only rational result was a draw after most of the pieces were off the board. Emotionally, at this moment the Wednesday afternoon after Election Day, it feels like a draw after spending billions of dollars and a tremendous amount of energy.

I know I will recharge given time and perspective to get past feeling underwhelmed.