My Brush with Political Greatness

Yesterday was the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Bay City. Don't even ask why the parade was on Sunday, the 22nd. I can't make sense of half of the stuff that goes on in Bay City. Anyway, as part of the parade, United States Senator Debbie Stabenow came to town to walk in the parade.

I was in Brewtopia last week and Aaron Bolt—the proprietor and genteman purveyor of fine coffees—told me that Senator Stabenow was going to come to the coffee shop after the parade for a meet-and-greet with the public. I was planning on shooting the parade anyway so I planned on coming to the coffee shop to get a few photos of the Senator in hopes of maybe getting a good shot to include on the studio Wall of Fame (along with Lance Parrish, Tommy Lasorda and Ryne Sandberg).

I figured the place was going to be wall-to-wall because, after all, who wouldn't jump at a chance to meet a sitting U.S. Senator? You may not know this about me, but I am a bit of a political junkie. I used to do some work for a U.S. Congressman (he who shall not be named), but couldn't enjoy the work because his politics were...um...only slightly left of the Kaiser. So the chance to take photos of and maybe meet a politician who I have a lot of respect for was a pretty great opportunity.

As it turns out, while I was shooting the parade I ran into my friend Terry King, who was also taking photos. I mentioned that Senator Stabenow was going to be at Brewtopia so he came along to shoot some photos, too. I'm used to being behind the lens and don't really care much about having my photo taken. Even when I got to hang out with Tommy Lasorda, for example, I didn't bother him for a photo together. I've had the good fortune to meet a lot of interesting and well-known people and athletes and the only two I have ever had a photo taken with are Senator Stabenow and Gordie Howe. Running into Terry was just good luck, though, because it gave me a chance to have my photo taken with the Senator.

We talked a little bit about Bay City and about her hometown of Clare and we touched on Michigan State basketball. We only talked for a few minutes, but it was really a great honor and I'm grateful to the Senator and her staff for taking the time to come to Bay City. I'm also thankful that Aaron let me know the Senator was going to be at Brewtopia. And to round out my Gratitude Trinity, thanks to Terry for taking the photos and getting them to me.

Also, here's an interesting fact...did you know that it is Constitutionally forbidden to appear taller than a member of the U.S. Senate? The Senator is standing on a six-inch platform they keep handy so that she appears taller and more powerful. Okay...I made all of that up. I'm just not very tall.