Political Schmoozing

I went to my first local schmoozing event tonight. This is my second one ever, but the first was a legislative night in Annapolis and very formal and political. I wasn't sure what to expect of this one. It was a Pasadena Business Association Annual Crab Feast and Jeremiah demanded that I join him. So we did a little babysitting trade with our friends the Hardings and Jeremiah bought us tickets! 

This crab feast was held near our house so you knew it was informal (it's the Dena. We're not pompous around here).   But it was held by the Business Association so I was worried about fitting in.  And it was a crab feast so you knew what you were going to do when you got there- eat crabs. But it was also highly political so I was worried about who I would have to talk to and what I would have to say. I actually got a knot in my stomach on the drive there. 

In the end, Jeremiah took me to talk to the few people I already knew (from other networking things that we've done with him). Most of them are politicians or political candidates! I actually feel more comfortable around them bc they seem to understand that I am just there supporting Jeremiah and they try to talk with me and smile with me.  Sometimes I can tell it's fake, but sometimes I feel they're equally relieved to be talking to someone that they don't have to campaign to.   When meeting someone from the community during one of these events, I sometimes feel like they're watching me and judging me and have a guard up against me. Not always. But sometimes. On the other hand, most of the non-politician people that we talked to already knew Jeremiah from something or another and they like him and were genuinely pleased to meet me since they know him.  So really, my worry was for nothing.

I was nervous about everything and unable to relax for the first hour. But in the end, I had to agree with Jeremiah's inclinations. He was right about what we should wear, where we should sit, what we should do.  Because in the end, I really don't think any of it mattered. What mattered is that he was there, his campaign t-shirts were present, and he could look his opponents square in the eye, on equal footing.  At least, we really hope that's all that mattered!

I enjoyed chatting with Jeremiah while eating the crabs. It was like a speed date! And then I left early and Jeremiah caught a ride home with one of the Dems that he's running against, actually! I hear that the kids were good for Mr. Chris, which is awesome, and all is right with the world.

One little disturbing anecdote though:

A guy running for County Council was talking to us about how there were tons of political signs along the road on the way in and several guys standing with the signs and waving (volunteers. none of the guys waving were the actual guys whose names were on the signs. didn't know we could do that. feels like cheating!).  He asked if Jeremiah was doing the waving by the side of the road yet and Jeremiah said he was going to start later in the summer. THEN the guy 1) told us a story about how one of the fellows waving by a sign tonight got a full soda can thrown at him which broke his hand but he luckily got the license plate number and called the cops!  Geez! and 2) in all seriousness said, "yeah, that's why I always make sure to stand behind my signs. The ducking works much better that way." GEEZ!!!!!