Saw My Hero Once Again

He doesn't do the huge entrance where the door pops open really fast and he bursts in. He's sly. He sneaks up, begins greeting people, and slowly makes his way by shaking EVERY hand in the room....








Then he tells some jokes, and promises to fight for Arizonans and what we need....

My Heart Still Skips a Beat

Shay got a certificate and a handful of goodies for getting Perfect Attendance at school for the whole year. He gets Perfect Attendance every year--I think he only missed out once when his dad planned a vacation that interfered with school a couple of years ago. The handful of goodies is actually pretty cool. Gift certificates for ice cream, lunches, and stuff. Oh and a discount card for bowling all summer. Cooollll!!!

Mozilla Firefox

I remember years ago, YEARS ago when Mozilla Firefox internet first became available. I tried it. Wasn't impressed. Went back to Internet Explorer.

Then I heard some talk. Recently, I mean. Heard people "in the know" talking about how Internet Explorer is like a dinosaur and if your computer is running really slowly when you log on it's because of I.E.

I noticed all of a sudden that both the PC here at the house and my laptop were both just staggering along whenever I logged on. So that voice I'd heard, the one referencing the "dinosaur" was at fault. And after a quick virus scan of both computers I realized that there HAD to be something to the "dinosaur" comment.

Downloaded Mozilla Firefox, got rid of Internet Explorer, and now both computers are zipping along as they should!

Belonging

Ever feel like you don't belong somewhere? Besides the obvious situations, like being a heavy metal fan and you're sitting in a country-western bar....
I mean feeling like the odd man out, the sore thumb, a whore in church. Now, let me make it clear I don't feel like a whore in church. I just understand the saying as it goes.

Ever since I began campaigning, I have learned that I have to be immersed in the local government issues. I have to be able to rattle off statistics, budget numbers, facts and figures, and I have to speak off the cuff when it comes to positive ideas on how to run our city. People expect me to be "on" all the time. Doesn't matter where I'm at. I can understand that requirement when I'm knocking on doors talking to voters, but I don't understand why someone would expect it when I'm trying to have fun with friends at a party. A couple of weeks ago two friends were celebrating their 10th anniversary, they'd invited about 50 people over. They were kind enough to let me get petition signatures while I was there, which of course I took full advantage of. But then after a couple of hours I put the petitions away and I was able to relax. Initially it was tough because I'd been campaigning all week, I had been so focused, and I was tongue tied when it came to just hanging out and goofing off. Eventually I was able to assimilate and talk about important things like going boating on the lake, the weather, my changes in hair color, and what my son's been up to lately.

But then someone wanted to talk politics. He was in my face, grilling me about my core issues, hammering me left and right on things that I kept trying to answer him about--but he couldn't hear me over his own condescending voice and the loud music.
It was then that I realized, no matter what I do I just can't "belong." If I'm hanging out at a garage party, I'd better be "on." If I'm having lunch with a friend at a restaurant, I'd better be "on." If I'm at my son's school for an awards assembly, I'd better be "on." If I'm at home I'd better not expect it to be a friendly and relaxed environment--I've gotta be "on." And so on. And on.

Wouldn't it be nice to be able to just flip the switch "off" once in a while, and not pay dearly for it? Whether it be with a potential voter who will tell ALL of their friends that Shawna's a flakey flake--or with Steve who will ream me up and down because I wasn't Miss Congeniality 100% of the time----geez I'd like to just turn it off sometime.

Last week during my graduation I joked with a gal who's gotten to know me a little over the past year. She commented that I'm quite a chameleon. When it's time to wear the suit and be proper, I'm there. When it's time to let my hair down and have fun, I'm there as well. I've never thought of it that way, and maybe if I stick it in my brain I'll be able to stay "on" without so much trouble.

New License Plate Installed!

Because that's how I roll.

Blessed Memorial Day To You

Although I didn't take any photos (yes I know that's improper grammar) I did manage to attend a memorable event for Memorial Day.

A local kid, Patrick Tinnell, went away to Iraq and was killed in action. He was one of those locals who was into BMX and skateboarding, and he was happy to hang out with the younger kids and teach them tricks. He was a good role model, and his death was felt by a lot of people here.

Immediately, a group was formed to try to find a way to honor Patrick's life by raising money to build a skate park. It grew to be more than just that--it's a multi-use park for all kinds of extreme sports. After a strong start, and a lot of donations, the recession hit. Donations slowed down to very little. But the committee exists still, trying to get to the one million dollar mark that they need to get this park built. They still have fundraisers, but they are all working indiviuals who can't dedicate all of their time to this cause.

Today, the owners of a local restaurant dedicated the fountain in their dining patio to the Patrick Tinnell Park project--and they have vowed that any coins pulled from the fountain will be donated to the Park. And that's the event I attended.
I also managed to gain a few voters. So I did manage to make good use of my time today!!

Sitting at home and feeling sorry for myself will be limited to Sundays.