Daily Archives: December 9, 2008

The terrain I traveled en route to leash-free areas has taught me a bit more about government than when I worked in it.  You really have to work it. That’s fine if you’re a paid lobbyist, not fine if you have to take time off work and spend every evening at meetings and get your planning done on weekends in lieu of other duties.

Jim clued me into this, lobbyists get paid!  I should know that.  I was one years ago but never got to stride the halls of our lovely Capital because as a kid I was only hired at twice my government salary because I knew how to use a computer.  So I stayed in the office and testified at city hall and really when working in government and outside it, it is a muddy business.  I always thought of myself as a policy person.

It took the dog wars to get the gloves off and get my hands dirty.  We fought a clean, multi-year campaign and gained some ground.  As for our minimal opposition, they sent out investigators, faux dog owners and even showed up at our park at 6:00 a.m. to take photos of me and my dog.  I knew because the woman had a purse.  No self-respecting dog owner goes 1,000 feet to her neighborhood park at 6 a.m. with her purse!

Air was let out of my tires.  If I parked on the street for two hours I’d return to a ticket saying it was an abandoned vehicle.  I was harassed by people who had nothing to do in life except make this their cause majeur.  Perhaps they are harassing others now as it must give them some joy in their retirement years.

I was asked to join a park board and became a VP and immediately the opponent joined the Board as well, found out I wasn’t talking about dogs, questioned my credentials and never attended a second meeting.

What’s your beef?  Your pension or kid’s school bully? Hopefully we were born and raised with a moral compass that allows us to think of issues from another’s point of view. I can argue politics with my father-in-law because we love and respect each other and don’t take it personally.

But if you end up in the political or other non-dying variety of fights choose it wisely and see it through. Every fight is not worth fighting. Choose your fights. I chose several and am a better person for doing so. Dee

I did everything I told you I’d do, ran around and didn’t get the clean car pelted by raindrops but there was a mini-flood on one of the roads I couldn’t exit, must be a water main or something so I got it a bit dirty.

Later in the week is the dreaded work holiday party. Last time I went to one of those Jim was laid off the following Monday. Luckily his first contract job didn’t have one. His second hired job for four years disallowed spouses and packed 600 people in a small room.

Now it’s a new ball game with even more new people I’ve never met. Did I mention I hate these things? Canned holiday cheer and a bunch of nerds (in the best sense) and no-where to escape.

When my parents (well, Mom) held receptions three times a week during the summer for fund development purposes for my Dad’s career, I hung out in the kitchen. I met the most interesting people there while I was helping the caterers. Henry Mancini stands out, such a gentleman.

OK so I forgot if I told you about the first party. The Layoff. Now Holy S— Bad Credit. All the “veal,” those who work the phones trying to get business or dunning creditors, were wearing either bridesmaid or prom gowns. They were in their element, getting free food and booze and music and feeling beautiful.

We stayed the requisite 1/2 hour and left. They made us take a couple photograph then laid Jim off and never sent the photo. How kind.

We love a party, but rather dinners and small cocktail events, and brunches. How’s your holiday season progressing? Dee