Salutations™!!
As the city starts blowing away the smoke created by the negative befuzzlement of the last week, tonight the annual “Christmas for the City” happened at the Benton Convention Center. 3B volunteered both for experience and because it is extra credit for his Culinary Arts class in school. 
I went with him because Thursdays are our nights together and if he went, I’d be home by myself, which is never a bad thing, but I wanted to tag along. Plus, he doesn’t have is “after 9’s” yet, so he can’t drive after 9pm. Plus (again), the weather is horrid and he’s never driven downtown after dark, especially in the rain, he didn’t really know what he was doing and to my knowledge, he’s never driven or parked in a parking deck before. So, I know he needs experience in all of those things, but that night wasn’t tonight.
I noticed there was a lot going on and I knew very few people there and the crowd was around 3000-4000. In the words of Eug… “I hate this…”
So, I got to thinking… hmmm, I’m at the convention center. It’s on Fifth and Cherry. What else is at Fifth and Cherry? Yes!!! Small Batch. I hadn’t been there in a while and I figured now was a great time for it. So, I started meandering down that way, getting a little people watching in along the way. Then, I happened on a figure I knew. I won’t mention any names but he is one of my father’s best friends and a former mayor of a local “village.”
He asked how I was and then he said, “you know, I started to say something on Facebook, but I decided not to, but it is amazing how ‘engrained’ you are in this community.”
I started saying something else, but then realized the capacity of that statement.
I told him that I love my city and I feel that I need to educate the public that lives in this city about how awesome the city really is; the people, the places, the organizations, the being. And I mean the awe-some not just some 80s “rad statement.” He repeated again that it was amazing. I thanked him, wholeheartedly for that. He too is pretty big in the city’s scene and he’s known me since I was about 17 or 18, so he’s seen me grow up. That’s 30 years. He remarked about how if there are things going on, I’m somehow always involved. Somehow.
After that, I saw Allan Younger, who has been on TLD at least three times and he introduced me to an associate of his (I can’t remember his name but he should be emailing me soon) and Allan told him about what I do and how involved with stuff I am.
I think I sometimes take my position for granted. I don’t want to do that and I also don’t want to come across as braggadocious because as outward, self-deprecating and conceited I like to come off, a lot of that is a gag. It’s for “show.” On the other hand, don’t allow me to take myself too seriously. At least I try. And, I really, really hope that this comes across to the public. I really do care about this city and I love being part of most everything that I am able to be. I just see myself as “doing my job” and sometimes don’t recognize the magnitude at which I do what I do. I think it’s good that I keep grounded but I have to also realize that I have a responsibility that is bigger than just myself.
To hear words from Mr. Former Mayor and Allan Younger, knowing who and what those two gentlemen are to the city, It brings you to Earth a little bit. Thank you to both of you for those words and your support.
Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!
—
“Self-praise is for losers. Be a winner. Stand for something. Always have class, and be humble.” – John Madden