Stump Speech

Here are a couple of clips that I got of Hillary's speech. They aren't the most thrilling clips in the world, I managed to not get any of the funny stuff she said. But oh well. The point is, I was there, she was there, still kind of amazing to me.


Hillary Clinton Clip #1 from apsies on Vimeo.


Hillary Clinton Clip #2 from apsies on Vimeo.

Clinton-ite Part Three of Three Parts

So this one time I met Bill Clinton. You all remember that? Here's a link in case you forgot: http://apsies.blogspot.com/2008/03/off-deep-end.html and here: http://apsies.blogspot.com/2008/03/accomplished.html

And then, not long after I met Chelsea Clinton. As evidenced here: http://apsies.blogspot.com/2008/04/photo-of-day-full-circle-moment-edition.html

But in my quest to become a full on Clinton groupie I fell just short. I didn't get to meet/see/take-a-far-away photo of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Until.

SATURDAY.

Last night I was in the middle of making my 50 phone calls to Indiana on behalf of the Obama Campaign when I noticed I had a call coming through from the Kentucky Democratic Party.

Now, I should preface this by saying I accidentally ended up with a list of people to call in Indiana by accidentally clicking something on the Obama website I didn't intend to. And I really did not want to be calling these people. Because I'm a bit awkward sometimes, you know?

But there would be nobody else to call them. And suddenly the weight of the world was on my shoulders. I sucked it up, and I began to call. Call, after call, I began to enjoy myself (in my own awkward kind of way). It's sort of (kinda if you squint real hard) fun to talk to voters.

And that's when I got the call from the Democratic Party, the Bruce Lunsford for Senate campaign to be precise. They asked and I agreed to take on 40 calls for them.

And that is when it happened.

The heavens opened up and shined down upon me. The person on the other line said, 'oh by the way, Hillary Clinton will be in Kentucky Saturday for a couple of rallies, would you be interested in attending?'

Umm. Hmm. Let me check my schedule.

YEAH. Duh.

So that's how it happened. That's how tentatively I will be at the Kentucky Horse Park on Saturday fulfilling my Clinton-ite Part Three of Three Parts Dream.

I'm so freaking excited.

100 Things To Do: Progress

34. Attend a Catholic Mass.
41. Learn to garden, well.
93. Take Vitamins on a regular basis.

I attended Mass this morning. My tomato plants look amazing, last night I protected them from bugs with just a little soapy water. And as mentioned, I'm taking St. John's Wort and a few other supplements every single day.

I'm hoping to cross off a few more while on vacation.

100 Things to do Before I Go: 77-100

77. See Hillary Clinton in person.
78. Visit Land Between the Lakes.
79. Go horseback riding.
80. Buy a brand new, zero miles on it, car.
81. Join a produce co-op.
82. Buy a Coach "Carly" bag.
83. Eat lobster.
84. Roadtrip US 1.
85. Learn how to can.
86. Make my own bread, and yeast rolls.
87. Take care of a houseplant.
88. Visit quaint places in Kentucky and take pictures.
89. Do something crafty with all of my shells.
90. Visit Disney World.
91. Make Creme Brulee, with the torch thing.
92. Get fit.
93. Take vitamins on a regular basis, not sporadicly like I do now.
94. Take an RV trip.
95. Run for town council or something like that. (maybe)
96. Get a tattoo.
97. Join a warehouse club.
98. Be spontaneous.
99. Enlarge and frame a photograph that I took.
100. Host another bonfire.

(Notes about my 100 things. I tried to come up with attainable things. Some of which aren't entirely possible now, some are an ongoing process and some I could do tomorrow. I think it's a nice mix. I fully intend to revisit this list and cross things off. If I never finish all 100 that will be fine. Each one I do is just icing.)

Off the Deep End

I've been operating under a Clinton Induced High since yesterday. I failed to watch my favorite show, Dancing with the Stars, last night after I completely forgot it existed. And at various points in the evening I would announce to anyone listening, "Oh my God...I met Bill Clinton."

This behavior was very similar to that of a tween girl who'd just met a Jonas Brother. Just saying.

I'm slowly, but surely, coming out of my euphoric state and am now fully able to realize how proud I am of myself. Not for shaking Bill's hand or anything like that. But for going. For showing up when I had no idea how to get there. And for going with my gut in such a spur of the moment circumstance.

You see, doing what I did yesterday off of the cuff is actually quite unlike me. I meticulously plan things like that. I print maps and make sure my family knows what is going on ahead of time. I'm cautious and careful to the point of miserable.

I want so desperately to be the kind of person who just hops in the car and goes for it. Whatever it may be. And yesterday as I hightailed it to Paris I was actually happy and giddy. Somehow I don't think that happiness is just from The President. It was an adventure. I was alone. I had no map. I had to become resourceful.

And I did. Which, in the process, led me to actually seeing Bill Clinton speak. Even after I thought for sure I wouldn't get to. That was an amazing stroke of luck. Or fate. Or just the universe's way of proving to me that sometimes going off of the deep end is worth it.

I kind of liked the deep water.

Accomplished (Seriously, A Dream Come True)

I woke up to one of those mornings where everything that can go wrong will. I got up too late, I had an exam that I hadn't studied enough for at 9:30, I was moody, everyone was annoying me and I couldn't find my jeans.

But most of all I was pissed that my 9:30 exam was going to clash with a 10:30 rally in Frankfort featuring Bill Clinton.

My one chance, or at least the only chance I am currently aware of, in which to see President Clinton speak. And I had to focus on effing Biology.

Somewhere around the 3rd or 4th light before the parking garage at school I had an epiphany. Perhaps it was the radio people talking about going to see The Prez in Bourbon County that did it, perhaps it was my mother's subtle urging that I should really try to make it to Paris. Other classes be damned.

And so I did. Except I was wearing sweatpants because, as mentioned, I couldn't find my jeans this morning. AND I didn't have my beautiful camera with me, because when I left my house I had no intentions of seeing Mr. President today.

I may or may not (totally did) get lost in Paris. As I later discovered it was a straight shot to the place where he was speaking. At any rate it added a good half hour off of my arrival time. As did the trip to Target because I had to buy a crappy disposible camera.

Upon arrival at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds I discovered I was late and according to event coordinators and the FREAKIN' SECRET SERVICE nobody else would be allowed in the building.

Which was fine, I figured I'd stick around with a few other folks and at least watch his motorcade arrive.

He ended up running nearly 2 hours behind due to a large crowd in Frankfort. A few people left the venue, tired of waiting. And around 2:00 the SECRET SERVICE informed us they would let about 20 of us "motorcade waiters" into the building. I was #18 of the 20 they counted out to go in.

Since we arrived late we were shuffled in a side door, which...to the chagrin of those already inside, offered us prime Clinton watching spots. We proceeded to listen to a speech from a Clinton Pledged Superdelegate and after that, former Miss America, Heather French Henry. Then it happened.

The most charismatic, surreal, unbelieveable politician I've ever laid my eyes on arrived.

Let me tell you this, everything you've ever heard in relation to Bill Clinton in person is true. He commands an audience like no other, is well spoken and has this way of looking into a room full of people and making you think for a split second that he is speaking only to you.

I swear we made eye contact like twice.

And I'm not lying when I tell you he is sexy. Is he the most attractive man ever? No. But sexy he is. I totally got it.

I also got his message about his wife. I think she will end up doing well in this state based on what I heard from other voters. He gave solid reasons why she is the better candidate. And I, for one, completely agree.

But politics aside I want to get to a much more personal notion here.

There are many things I want to see and accomplish in this life. Writing most of my 100 Things To Do Before I Go list this weekend has really helped me to set solid goals for myself and outline exactly what I want from my short time on this earth.

And I wasn't kidding about #76 this morning. It has always been a dream of mine to specifically see President Clinton speak in person. It was icing on the cake to get to shake his hand today. I can honestly say today's experience has made my year.

1 down, 99 more to go.

( http://www.kentucky.com/263/story/356517.html ) That is a story and actual video from the event I was at in Paris.

100 Things To Do Before I Go: 76

76. See a President, former or current, in person.

100 Things To Do Before I Go: 51-75

51. Live in a small town with sidewalks and trees and a quaint Main Street area.
52. Perfect all of my Mom's recipes, namely fudge.
53. Make pie crust from scratch.
54. Enter a dish or baked good at the fair.
55. Find a crafty hobby and stick to it.
56. Attend a live taping of a talk show (Oprah, Rachael, Ellen...etc.).
57. Buy myself a diamond.
58. Go biking on Sanibel Island.
59. Take my grandmother to my other grandmother's grave in Pineville.
60. Do a 365 Project of some sort on Flickr.
61. Visit Cambodia and Vietnam.
62. Visit Hyannis Port.
63. Go to the Olympics.
64. Make my own Wine.
65. Learn a ballroom dance.
66. Learn to golf.
67. Visit a black church.
68. Go Memphis, visit Graceland and eat BBQ.
69. Rescue a dog or cat from the pound.
70. Drive a boat again.
71. Play bingo one more time for my grandma.
72. Go crabbing.
73. Take my Dad out on a fishing cruise.
74. Go camping on the beach.
75. Take a walking Ghost Tour.

100 Things to Do Before I Go: 26-50

26. Become proficient with a Digital SLR camera and photo editing.
27. See the Pacific Ocean.
28. Take a carriage ride.
29. Go to a Major League Baseball game.
30. See a stadium concert of some sort.
31. Like my job.
32. Read the classics I haven't read.
33. See a Broadway play.
34. Go to a Catholic Mass.
35. Visit a Synagogue.
36. Go hiking somewhere beautiful.
37. Visit The Biltmore Estate.
38. Be an Aunt like the ones I had growing up.
39. Take my parents to Hawaii.
40. Raise Chickens for my own eggs.
41. Learn to garden, well.
42. Teach Jon everything I know.
43. Walk a 5K
44. Decorate a really beautiful cake.
45. Own an Australian Shepherd.
46. Experience the kind of breathtaking day that you look back on at the end of your life and say, "wow". (not sure what it will entail yet)
47. Eat Key Lime Pie in Key West.
48. See UK play, in person, in the NCAA Tournament.
49. Go to the Grand Ol' Opry.
50. Research and figure out my family tree.

100 Things to Do Before I Go: 1-25

1. Fall in love, for real.
2. Truly own a home.
3. Attend The Derby, wear a beautiful hat.
4. Take a picture in front of Buckingham Palace.
5. Be Published.
6. Rent a place on the beach for an entire summer.
7. Go fishing in the bahamas.
8. Experience motherhood.
9. Stay close to my family (develop that huge extended family I always wanted).
10. Get my palm read in the French Quarter.
11. See Savannah, Georgia.
12. See all 50 states.
13. Feel really awesome and accomplished.
14. Washington Square; at night.
15. A kiss on New Years Eve.
16. OH CANADA!
17. Play with my own children in my own backyard.
18. Work on a Presidential Campaign.
19. Visit all of the Presidential Libraries; or at least the important ones (The Dems and Reagan)
20. Pay my respects at JFK, Jackie and Bobby's graves; see the eternal flame at night.
21. Visit the Lincoln Memorial, also at night.
22. Make sure my Dad knows how much I love him.
23. Take care of my Mom, make her see and do things adventurous.
24. Raise free thinking children who learn respect and tolerance.
25. Make a difference in a constructive way, not just with a pocketbook.