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The Governor.

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I grew up aware of politics. Interested at a distance. I could tell you who the President was and maybe a bit more than that about what was happening in the world. In college, after my failed attempt and realization that being a killer whale trainer at SeaWorld was probably not going to happen, I marched over to the English department and came up with my own major titled American Studies. If I wasn't going to be swimming with whales I might as well become an attorney (can you follow that logic?).


American Studies allowed me to focus on three main areas: American Literature, American History, and Political Science (with a bit of sociology thrown in for good measure). Loved it. It was all about reading and writing and culture and history and current events. It was at that time that I started paying a bit more attention. One of my favorite classes in college was called Politics and the Media. Loved learning about the dynamic between the two. That was back in 1996.


At no point did I ever really imagine I would be involved on a personal level.


Fast forward to this crazy last year. Politics and the workings of our state government are now a daily part of my life - at least from the stand point of asking a lot of questions each night when Chris comes home from the Capitol. I love hearing all about it and the crazy dynamics that go into government at this level.


Tuesday night I had the chance to go with Chris to the Governor'shome (for those of you outside the US, the Governor is the leader of our state). We were invited, along with some of the other new legislators, for a small gathering to chat and talk politics and have a drink in a small group setting.


The kid in me was jumping for joy. Giddy is another good word.


After getting Simon all situated, we drove the short distance from the Capitol to the Governor's home which is called Mahonia Hall. When we got out of the car I had to make a decision: camera or no camera? I decided to leave the camera in the car. It felt instrusive and bulky and over-the-top. At the gate we were greeted by a secuity guard and then escorted to the door. We were lead into the house and seated in the living room where we met the Governor's wife Mary.


The other couple's arrived shortly after - there were four in all - and then the Governor arrived. It was interesting to be in his home, the place he comes back to after a long day, after going from meeting to meeting, dealing with failures and successes, after speaking on the phone with two different families who lost sons in Iraq this week. It is also the house that other Governor's of the past have come home to (it was built in 1924 by Ellis F. Lawrence, the founder of the University of Oregon School of Architecture). I felt a really big sense of gratitude to him that he opened his home to us - making us welcome - I am sure that is all part of the job, but I felt comfortable and warm and welcomed.


I think that is something that will become even more interesting to me as time goes on, that line between public and private - between the person and the job. Being there felt like a wonderful little gathering among friends - intimate and open. And then something would remind me that I was sitting right next to the leader of our state.


Cool conversation about the state of our state and our nation and other things of political interest. Totally enjoyed my time there. I had one of those moments, sitting next to Chris on the couch, of overwhelming pride. I peeked at him and smiled to myself, choked back some emotion, and looked around the room and almost had to pinch myself.


As we were standing up to leave the Governor asked me what I do...the million dollar question (I know some of you are laughing right now). Once again, how do I explain what I do? I laughed as usual and then told him. He had a priceless look on his face..."scrapbooking?" And then I said - are you ready for this - "I brought a magazine with me so I could show you just what I do. It is in the car" He had a big smile on his face and told me he would walk us out to the car so he could get the magazine.


You know I was loving it at that point.


We said goodbye as everyone was leaving and then he came out to our car, I grabbed the magazine. "Do you have a website?" he asked. Oh yes I do! I scribbled it on the inside of the magazine and flipped it to my article so he could see, really see, what I was talking about. A bit of joking ensued with Chris telling him how crazy (in a good way) it is this thing that I do.


God bless the Governor, he is such a kind, happy man. He has bright eyes and a keen takes a keen interest when you are chatting with him. He looked genuinely interested in checking it out, took the magazine in hand, said goodnight and walked back through the gate.

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