Standing Room Only

Last night I attended a town hall meeting in New Port Richey for Jim Davis. Turnout was fantastic, not an empty seat in the house. Heartening to see that many people forgo Thursday night BINGO to hear our future governor's plans. Jim answered questions about homeowner's insurance and sinkholes. These may not be glamorous or sexy topics, but concerned residents want them addressed nonetheless. And rounds of applause after these and other discussions regarding teacher's pay and FCAT left no doubt that even God's waiting room supports a change in Tallahassee.

Jim did a great job, kicking that "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" vibe and offering solutions and hope to a weary crowd.

Of course, this wouldn't be Pasco County without whack jobs around to keep sh*t interesting. One guy, at least ninety years old, talked through three good teeth about how bombs hurt people. He plugged a collection of homemade CDs explaining his points in detail and one can only assume they also feature voices from inside his head. I couldn't help but wonder if tinfoil hats come with purchase. Brother smelled from across the room. Keepin' it real.

Then there was my man with the pink and purple argyle socks.



He waited in line just to ask for a raise. Seems the state has been paying him the same wages since the late 1970s. What does he do for a living? Waterboy stays home to care for his Mama. At this point, I started breathing through my mouth.

Afterwards came another character with similar fashion sense...



...passing out flyers inviting us all over to The Conscious Connection for a patchouli-oil reception and dessert fundraiser honoring this guy who, by the way, has it all figured out.

Gotta love the entertainment value in hanging with:

- New York retirees carrying on as if this were a teamsters meeting.
- the loo-loo factor (see above).
- one Militant Mom who wore her "Vote or Die" t-shirt, scaring the piss out of the trailer park contingent.
- a few normal people.
- some suits.
- a woman with a scrunchee who also wore a nametag that listed her political affiliation as "Proud Republican."
- twin boys who stopped stuffing crackers in their mouths long enough to yell, "I love Jim Davis!" and "I'm gonna be a Democrat. Promise me, Mommy!"

Oh, and that irreverent blogger laughing in the background? That was me.