Local Neighborhood Democrat Volunteer

Local neighborhood Democratic volunteer - don't I look official?

I did it!  I contacted my first neighbor this morning and introduced myself as a volunteer for the local Democratic party. 

Yes I did, I stuck my toe in the water and it wasn't freezing.  Analogies, cliches, etc.  

Ever since I was contacted and "volunteered" by my local Democratic candidate for the Delaware House of Representatives, I've been dreading taking this first step.  

I.HATE.TO.KNOCK.ON.DOORS.OF.STRANGERS.

Granted, I'm not asking for money, or selling magazine subscriptions and God knows I'm one of those masochistic Jehovah Witnesses who take and endure rejection as their ticket to Heaven. But still……I.HATE.TO.SOLICIT.  I prefer to have people come to me.  Why else do you think I'm comfortable in my part-time job as a front desk agent at the hotel?  Folks come to me.  I'm in control.  When I'm knocking at someone else's door, stranger that I am and they don't know who the hell I am, I'm putting them in control, not my think folks.

Oh sure, I've knocked on strangers' doors before.  When I was selling newspaper subscriptions when I was a 10 year old newspaper boy.  I also sold magazine subscriptions as a 16 year old high school senior.  That was bad enough.  Actually, I was quite successful at those earlier efforts.  I attribute that to my youthful, angelic and innocent appearance.  Hey, I'm still a nice guy but these days that youthful appearance has LONG GONE.  I'm the old codger.  The creepy guy who lives alone down the lane.  

My target audience aren't total strangers.  They're my neighbors, registered Democrat.  My first goal is just to introduce myself and tell my neighbors "to let you know that the party (Democrat) is active in this district, and we're hoping to elect more Democrats in the off-cycle election next November.  If you have any questions or concerns in the coming year, please feel free to contact me" and then I give them my card.

So, this morning, before I got ready to go to work this afternoon (yes Virginia, I'm working at the hotel this week today and tomorrow thus putting a crimp on ambushing my unsuspecting vulnerable Democrat registered neighbors this Easter weekend as they work in their yards) I pin on my Democratic and ID badge on my shirt and took off to Oyster Rocks, the neighborhood adjoining my neighborhood.  I already knew slightly one woman, a real estate agent, who was on my list.  I got my clipboard, and script (hope I could remember my lines) and put my walking sneakers on and headed out.

As I approached her address on Oyster Shell Drive (what an unusual name for a street in Oyster Rocks, huh?) I see her husband working out the yard.  Her storm door is open.  Their garage door is open, full of boxes that looked like they just moved in.  I approach the door and knock confidently, gearing myself for the approach of a woman with a annoyed expression on her face that says "Who are you and why are you bothering me?"  I see a pleasant looking middle aged woman round the corner with a …….smile on her face.  She opens the door.  I introduce myself without fumbling my words (I'm usually good in stressful situations) and ask "Does Joyce P. live her?"  For you see, this wasn't the woman I knew.  She said "No, she moved.  We're the new owners."  

The lady's house I was at this morning - very nice lady - THANK YOU! I am emboldened now.

Uh….okay.  Strike out?  Well, maybe not.  I asked her if she was a Democrat.  She said "I'm registered (didn't tell me party affiliation) but I don't get involved in politics."  

She's still smiling (and I hear her husband behind me doing something in the yard, perhaps getting a shovel just in case I am that Creepy Old Codger).

 Since I'm a naturally gregarious person I continued to talk to her, this time about the neighborhood and Delaware.  For about ten minutes, standing in her doorway, we had a pleasant conversation.  I told her that she'll see me more often because I take my exercise walk in her neighborhood.  She told me she was looking forward to living in Delaware and Oyster Rocks.  We talked about jobs (she's retired) and she said he will eventually like to look for something in the IT field.  I knew an IT and suggested that I could send her his contact.  She liked that.  I gave her my card, we shook hand, smiles still intact and I left returning home which I am now writing about my experience.

Well folks, I am so glad I broke the ice (more cliches)!

Time for lunch, nap and then work at the hotel.  This is Easter weekend and I'm playing the Easter Bunny by tiptoeing around the hotel corridors late tonight leaving Easter baskets for the guests' Little Darlings (don't ask me, it's the owner's thing).  

Happy Easter everyone!

Better…..I Think

Dinner last night

Last night I had my first solid food except for that half an omelet I had for breakfast.  I had a small bowl of Panera potato soup and some pita crackers.  I had no lunch.  I didn't miss lunch. 

After talking to my Canadian friend on FaceTime I took his advice and watched "The Spanish Prisoner" on my Netflix DVD rental.  A strange movie with very low production values but it did engage me for a while and take my mind off of my health woes.  

I went to bed shortly thereafter, sans a dessert which I usually have before I go to bed.  However, I did take a couple swigs of my Canada Dry ginger ale which seems to help my stomach settle.

I had a great night's sleep and awoke to clean sheets (thank God!) 

I actually awoke with an appetite for my regular breakfast of Great Value bran flakes

 
(Walmart) cereal with almond milk and a banana.  I got about 2/3 rd's through it and started to feel "gaggy" again.  I gave Bill the rest of the banana.

I retreated to my home office as is my usual routine after breakfast, to catch up on my e-mail.  I had a visit yesterday from a local Democratic candidate for state district representative and a field worker.  They asked if I could cover a district here where I live.  I agreed.  All I have to do is introduce myself to the Democrat registered voters my neighborhood and urge them to vote.  Like most of you, I hate to knock on the doors of strangers but one must do what one must do to at least help to prevent some of these extreme Tea Party types from gaining office.  This should be easy for me because most of the people I'm to contact are on my Walk Route back in Oyster Rocks.  It won't be like they haven't seen me before.  Now they'll know who I am, one of those annoying people who will be bothering them.  Oh well, I hope my health is up to it.

My Democratic Walking Tools (except for the doily) 

I'm going to finish this post then lie down awhile again. I'm feeling nauseous again.  Hate to be a downer folks but you know me, I tell it like it is.

I'll be back later, hopefully when I'm back to 100% again. I hope that is tomorrow because I go back to work then. Always something.