It certainly has been awhile since my last post. A lot has happened since I posted “stumbling upon a gem.” My wife is still looking for a job. We hope heavenly father answers that call with a recently interviewed position. I start my summer position on friday. In some ways I feel sorrow about this. I really have enjoyed spending this past month at home with my son. It just so happens that this occurred during a unique time in his development. In many ways I have enjoyed his 18 month birthday so much more than I did his 6 months birthday. I think it is because he has literally discovered “me” and in a more obvious way I have discovered him. I remarked to one of my professors a week ago that I am pleasantly surprised when my son seeks comfort from me after being upset over falling down or bumping his head. At first I was taken aback by the response – yet it is such a cool thing to get used to. Especially when he gives his dad a big hug and a couple of kisses when he feels better. No way I can fully explain just how wonderful that feels when he does it.
However, this was the week of Barack Obama. I got to volunteer at his rally this past tuesday. One of the perks was to be “seated” on ice level at the Xcel Energy Center for his speech. Funny story – I was actually on the toilet when he walked onto the stage – that is what holding onto “it” for 5 hours while you volunteer will do 
I knew it was him because the whole building shook and the bathroom got real empty quick. When I rushed out, he had made his way to the podium. I found a place in the stage behind him and stood and watched. This was all I could do because i really have a hard time hearing during these sort of events – I was home watching the speech on youtube before I actually understood just what was said. It was just one rousing cheer (or yell) after another.
The best part about the evening was afterward when he took the time to shake people’s hand. I was one of the lucky few that got to shake his and Michelle’s hand as they worked their way done the line. I had to reach between about 4 people to do so – nevertheless Barack acknowledge me and I cannot tell you just how neat that was. It was funny to hear grown men shriek like little schoolgirls as they tried to get a glimpse or muscle their way in line. I cannot say I felt the same euphoria to do so – it was more dumb luck than anything else that placed me in the right spot. What’s funnier, when I first poked my hand through it was batted down by the Secret Service – a second “thrust” if you will was perfectly timed to get Barack’s attention. Anyway, it worked out and I can add shaking his hand to the list of other celebrity’s I have had the pleasure of a hand shake, including Price Charles of Wales (in 1996 with my good friends Angeline and Darren).
I couldn’t take any photos, but the front page of the New York Times had a snapshot of my hand that evening. You can see it inbetween 9 and 10 O’Clock in the picture. This must be a family curse but my wife and I always, always forget to bring a camera to these sort of moments. You can find the link to this Times photograph here.
