Monday, September 24, 2007

Where art thou, oh eloquence?

So, I had a really weird experience this morning. I've been reading, hearing, and watching tidbits about SCHIP, this new piece of legislation that could ultimately (and probably will be, knowing our "lovely" president) be vetoed regarding healthcare for children in this country.

I am a subscriber to the ELCA's Advocacy Network, and they sent out a reminder to call your state representatives to encourage them to reauthorize this legislation in the senate, as it will come to a vote next week. This legislation could ensure 4 million children accessible health care insurance. I, of course, am a huge supporter of this bill as are apparently many others.

I decided I was going to do something about how I felt, so I called up the state capitol and asked to be connected to Barack Obama's office. The kind secretary (yeah right) put me on hold like 5 different times, interrupting me each time I was trying to voice my opinion on the matter. All of a sudden without any warning I was transfered to a different line and this voice came on and said "go ahead." I SWEAR IT SOUNDED LIKE BARACK OBAMA.

I suddenly was overcome with bewilderment at the remote chance I may be actually speaking to "the man" himself. My. mind. went. blank. I couldn't even speak, and I managed to spit out something like..."um, yes..um, I would like to state my opinon on the SCHIP legislation...er..that..I would like you to support it...

Without hesitation: "I'll pass it on." Click.

Yeah, that was....embarassing.

I am torn. I am semi-freaked out and excited that I MAY have spoken to Barack Obama!? But, I also am hoping it WASN'T HIM (and probably wasn't, being that he is kinda busy running for president of the United States, and probably had a peon answering his calls) because I sounded like an ABSOLUTE DOOF. Also, that I would hope he would have a little more courtesy and manners than to hang-up on someone (even in they sounded like an ABSOLUTE DOOF.)

At any rate, I did do my small part by calling, and I encourage others to do the same. Someone has to stand up to our ABSOLUTE DOOF of a president.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

R.I.P. Lauerman's

I've never been one to get too attached to a certain place. I've been almost a vegabond my whole life, moving from house to house, town to town, dorm to home, home to sem, sem to internship, you get the idea. It's kind of been a defense mechanism for me to live in the moment, but not latch on too tightly.

Tonight, as I was looking at the group feature on Facebook, I saw that an old high school colleague had joined the group "Remembering Lauermans." I knew immediately that the title was referring to my beloved hang-out from college years. It wasn't too shocking that my heart plummeted to my stomach.

You see, things have changed ALOT since I've been at Cobberville. I mean, I am a bonafide pastor now, I have a husband and kid, and I live in the land where people say 'Da Bears under there breath....(shudder). I have been able to visit Fargo from time to time, mainly because my mom was living there and grandma still lives there. Fargo has changed, too.
The once run-down, shoddy looking Broadway is now home to trendy bars and restaurants and chic shops and hang-outs. But, one thing has never changed...until now. Lauerman's was the place I could always count on being the same: smokey air, dimly lit tables, big masculine looking bar, cluttered game area, and NASTY bathrooms. But...oh was the beer good. Served in sub-zero temperature schooners that made your eyes roll back in your head. And did I mention the homemade wine coolers??? TO. DIE. FOR. And oh yes, the creme de le creme...the pretzels and ranch. They may have been just your ordinary, run-of-the-mill, pretzels and ranch, but for some reason they were outta this world. And went so well with a homemade Raspberry wine cooler with red wine...mmmmmm...sigh.....

So many memories...so many Saturday nights...my rehearsal dinner afterparty before my wedding...watching big farm boys punch each other (no, not at my afterparty, but in college).

I will miss you Lauerman's. Fargo doesn't know what it's missing...or maybe they do. Rest in Peace....