We are NOT normal...thank heavens.

It seems like ever since I got involved as a contributing voter in Texas campaigns, I've been talking about caucuses, conventions, and precincts like crazy. And it wasn't until campaign academy, and these last few months, I realized that I was not normal. It wasn't until one of our speakers drove the point home, while we were talking about targeting, I think..."YOU ARE NOT NORMAL". We political nuts are not the norm. Especially among our age range.
I've always embraced the oddity... "abnormalness", if you will, of a young person involved and truly interested in the inner workings of politics, outside of what you see on network news. But it was only in this last cycle, when my friends would ask me what I was doing over the weekend, and I would happily and with enthusiasm say, "working at the state democratic convention." At which point, I'd be asked for how long, and I'd respond, as long as I can. And then be asked how much it paid. Then I'd laugh, and say nothing....and then get asked why. Why in the world would you do this? You, a young single mom, whose free time is already precious and not very plentiful, why would you devote a whole weekend to a cause your not even getting paid for?
That question has been asked a lot here at campaign academy. What brings you here? Why are you here? And I don't think I've really gotten a good understanding of why I do this crazy political stuff I do until I started the academy. Which was pretty bad timing, cause that kinda is the first question you get asked while your here, is why your here. I guess I'm here because I care...because I want this world to be a better place for my son, to be a nation where he can afford to go to a good college, and not pay an arm and a leg to get good health care. I guess that sounds a little corny, and maybe I'm idealistic to believe that I'll play a part in getting all that accomplished. But you can try. All it takes is trying, trying to be the change you want to see in others. I know, thats a pretty over-used phrase, but it holds true, I believe.
But thats my little contribution for the day...guys, I think that would be pretty cool, to get the people who can post to the blog to write up a little wordy explanation of why they are really here, what motivates us to block-walk in 100 plus degree heat, and give up part of our summer vacation...our passion, basically.
Or maybe I just don't want to be the only one, heh.