Oh what a night!

Back in October, I had the chance to volunteer at another Flake for Senator Event. It was held at the swanky JW Marriott, in  Paradise Valley.  I had been privy to news about the event a couple of months earlier and was told that Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) would be coming as the keynote speaker.  So, I kind of had my eye on this event as one I'd love to attend.

I like Jeff Flake and I think it is natural move for him to take the seat of Sen. Kyl, albeit huge shoes to fill.  Flake is and has always been a very genuine, hard-working and down to earth guy, I've always left very impressed.  The evening began as usual and I was positioned at the VIP area.  Basically, the bouncer.  I saw a few famous faces...no embarrassing moments like I had with former Vice President Dan Quayle, or my mismatched shoe debacle though.

Right before the event began, they called for all of the volunteers to once again get their pics with the two Congressmen...yahoo!  This photo op would have otherwise cost me a month's salary and I was getting it for free...but who can really put a price on bragging rights?  After that we were all invited in to the ballroom for the three-course meal which wasn't even rubbery chicken but a delicious surf and turf main dish.  The food was outstanding.

The real fun was when they passed a small quiz out to each table with about 12 questions on it. All questions having to do with Congress and some specific ones to the two Congressmen. Questions that you wouldn't be able to find doing a Google Search.  Fun, random, tricky questions.  For example, how many Bishops are in Congress?  We figured it wasn't anything to do with religion and we were right. There are four, and it was referring to their last names.  They also asked how many points Pres. Obama scored against Flake when Obama invited some of the members of congress over for little game of basketball? 2, 0, 5, 10?  Any guesses?  0!  Of course, it ain't newsworthy otherwise.  There were some very surprising and humorous answers too.  Mrs. Flake started to go over the answers and our table kept getting them right. Well, all the quizzes were collected and the winner was announced.  Out of some 30 tables our table had won!  Did you know that Congressman Ryan is an experienced Noodler?  Ya, look that one up!  It was a triumphant win! And to our delight we each got gift cards to the Capital Grill.

Finally after a brief introduction from Flake, we had the pleasure of hearing Ryan speak. And that was great.  He is a Speaker who speaks with plainness and doesn't mince his words.  He has a message and with a little wit and humor is able to deliver a message with conviction and clarity. I found myself really identifying with his speech this time compared to other times when your mind starts to wander and the speaker's voice becomes a flat deep hum.  Maybe I was just amazed that he could noodle, or that I spent a few hours in his state last year and felt a "oneness" with him. Whatever it was it was a nice little ending to my fun little evening out.

One thing that really amazes me with politicians is there ability to remember people. I mean really remember-names, wives, kids where you lived, what you did.  I think Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) aka, Borin Orrin was the first person I met who exhibited this skill.  And, he made a knowledgeable Gospel Doctrine  instructor.  I have a note on my desk with my neighbors names on it, the ones I see almost every morning, that I still refer to often in case our little morning pass-by turns into a conversation.  And everyone since comes across just as adeptly.  I think that because it's such a challenge for me, that  I really admire that in someone else. Especially those who meet hundreds of people everyday.

So, today in the mail came my picture. Unfortunately what I thought was the "cutest shirt ever" makes me look like a peacock wrapped square box in this picture.  Didn't someone just say Square is the new black?
  

Oh and by the way...I chopped my hair.