Knee-Deep in Politicians and Scooby-Doo

Last night Chris and I went over to "the big city across the bridge" - Rockwall - for a Republican campaign appearance by State Senator, Bob Deuell and Lt. Governor, David Dewhurst. I figured it would be an easy way to meet a stranger. Let set the stage for you.....it was a cool and rainy day and the appearance was being held at the Rockwall Public Library conference room. As we walked in, the first thing that we see are two receiving lines down the middle of the room each side flanked by supporters holding campaign posters and yard signs....don't really want to be in this group of people...too styled, too stiff and too many acting like groupies. Those in attendance are a combo of men and women some young, but most grey hairs (which is sad statement in itself) and as I move toward an open spot against the wall - I catch whiffs of Ben-Gay, Bryl-Cream, and the distinct smell of those who drink coffee all day. One we stopped moving, candidates running for local offices surrounded us like sharks drawn to chum.....candidates running for office need to press the flesh and we are easy targets flat against the wall. First up, Ken Jones running for Judge and past Mayor of Rockwall, even after we explained that we were not in his district, he insisted that I take his business card. Okay, I said and took back my hand. He had really soft hands, smiled a lot and boisterous.


As the main event was getting ready to start, those running for office scurried back to their spots in the receiving lines. Introductions were made, speeches were given, questions asked and answered provided and last but not least; asking for your vote. The local candidates meandered in the middle of the room while the Senator took one corner of the room and the Lt. Governor took the other side and lines formed so those in attendance could personally meet them, partake in a photo-op, or just provide some well intended "advice." However, I did not migrate to either one of them - I sought out to meet the Mayor of Rowlett, my city, John Harper. I had never met him before even though Chris has regular email conversations with him and speaks highly of each of their conversations. I approached him and extended my hand and rattled off my spiel. And then he asked me, "Do you know Chris Paul." I chuckled and said, "Yes" and turned to Chris who was standing behind me, motioned and said, "This is Chris." As they talked briefly, I took inventory. Nice suit, purple tie (I knew I liked him for a reason-EMAW), nicely groomed moustache. The conversation turns back to me and I tell him that I am planning on attending the Rowlett Town Hall meeting on Thursday evening as I figure it is yet another opportunity to meet a stranger or two. He tells me that he is "honored" to be my stranger of the day and thanks me. I, in return, thank him. He and Chris turn back to discussing politics and John asks Chris about the possibility of him running for City Council and in slow motion..... my head turned as if I was Linda Blair possessed in the Exorcist and I made a gurgling noise - cross between laughing and choking - and said, "What.....I am the only one who could put up with him." Both he and John laugh. I bid John a good-bye and remind him that I will be at the Thursday town hall and I get in line to meet the Lt. Governor.


David Dewhurst is tall, I mean really tall. I went on-line and articles indicate that he is 6'5". He has really good teeth and reminded me of a younger Mark Hamill (before the car crash and before the alcohol). I wait patiently in line and it comes up turn...."Hi, my name is Donna Paul...." finish the spiel and then I say, "What is one thing you would change about your office?" Pretty heady - right?! He ponders just for a moment, like a good politician does and says, "Time. Everything takes so long for us to make progress. It is like rolling a boulder up a hill; it is very slow. And in the end, I think that we all want the same thing, but it just takes so long." Nice response and I smile. Then he asks me, "So, who is the most interesting person you have met so far?" I choke...uh....uh.....think Donna think......then prideful, I say, "You, Governor." I beam. He looks at me like it is a cop-out response so I quickly say the man that I met in his front yard - yes that it is - wait - no - it is the man that I meet at Wal-Mart waiting to pick up his prescriptions. He smiles with his big straight white teeth and tells me, "You must have made his day." and I say without hesitation, "No, Governor, he made my day." He wished me good luck and he was on to the person behind me. I turn to Chris and I say, I think that went pretty well and he said, "You couldn't think of someone more interesting of the people you have met?" I laughed - nope - I couldn't; I choked!!! Oh well, what's a girl to do...did I tell you that he was tall???

The gathering was coming to an end, but I did want to get my picture taken with the Senator since I had met him on the way in. So I darted over to his side of the room and asked if I could have my photo taken with him. He obliged, I smiled, and Chris took the picture. And as we walked to the car, Chris said don't forget to mention that Senator Deuell drove himself to the meeting - he parked near us and we arrived at the same time. Mentioned.

As we are heading home, I got to meet one more stranger - sort of. I saw it out of the corner of my eye and then as if my eyes were deceiving, I did a double take and yell at Chris, "Look at that." There, getting ready to pull into traffic, was the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine van. I tell Chris that we need turn around so that I can meet the people in the van. He said, "Uh, no - it is raining and I want to get home." He was right. And then it was as if the heavens heard me, the light turns red and it pulls up right behind us. I yank off my seat belt and like a Chinese Fire Drill - I am out of the car and running back to the Mystery Machine van. I am standing in the rain admiring the van and I ask them to roll down the window. I reach across the passenger and introduce myself and the driver tells me that his name is Nick. I told them I thought is was a great van and then like a goof in my best Scooby voice I say, "Cool and Ruh-Roh, Shaggy." Nick looked at me as if to say, never heard that before. ZZOOIINNKKSS. I ran back to the car and said, "What the heck to you think you are doing in the middle of traffic, in the rain?" "I don't know. I just wanted to meet them.", I said. And like a little kid, he said, "What did it look like inside?" I said, "Bare. I think they spent all the money in the paint." I settle back in the car and am trying to buckle up before the light changes, I notice that the passenger in the car next to us is hanging out the window taking pictures of the Mystery Machine. It WAS cool. When we get home, I tell Mason that I have saw the Mystery Machine and he tells me that he has seen it a couple of times and that it at a house over by South Garland High. Oh really?!?!?! I am going to venture over there so that I can get a picture of it and when I get there I am going yell, Hey, Nick - GAAANGWAAAAY!!!