Not So Manic Monday

I like shortcuts. This is probably one of those things that is universally enjoyed by most, especially those living in cold places, or to those that are usually running late (pun intended). There is one shortcut that is used by many people here at the U that goes through the medical complex. I just discovered this week a shortcut within the shortcut (tricky) that goes past a little statue of Lucy, from Peanuts. It's great. My dorm is also right across from an emergency room, and next to it, a cancer center. Sometimes, well more than sometimes, it is a sad place to live. Seeing sick children getting some fresh air with their parents, people with IV's going for a walk by themselves, families(presumably) looking tired on their phones across the street, or a husband and wife exchanging worried looks and holding hands as they walk through the front sliding doors is extremely humbling. I often walk through and think about what these people think of being right in the heart of a college campus. Are they worried? Do they think of different lives for themselves? Do they resent the fact that we are choosing to go through these places and don't have to stay when they have no choice and have to stay for an indefinite amount of time?
Although sad, the shortcut is nonetheless extremely helpful leading to the back of the Student Union. Monday I was walking back, using the shortcut, and as I was about to cross the street, a car passed by. Now, I don't usually make a point to look inside the car, mainly because that is CREEPY, but on Monday I happened to glance at the passenger window and who should be sitting there but Al Franken himself. Realizing this about halfway through the crosswalk, I think I might have said aloud (to no one) Was that Al Franken?!
I remembered then that this was the day that he was having a rally in the Student Union. After walking back to my dorm and up four flights of stairs to my room, I decided that, while I probably won't be voting in Minnesota, I needed to go and experience my first ever political rally. I'm not going to recount every detail, mainly because I'm really tired after working tonight, but here are some highlights: I met Al Franken's wife. Her name is Fannie (or maybe Frannie...) she was really nice and was walking around giving people cookies. They were pretty good. Before the rally officially started, they were playing popular music for, well I don't know, but it reminded me of Hilary Clinton's campaign theme song contest thing. By the way - that video on you tube - LAME. Anyway, one of the songs they played (Besides Waiting For the World to change, OF COURSE) was on the pre season promos for The Office. It's a good song and it made me happy. During the music playing they were also showing a slideshow of all these pictures of Al Franken, and one of them was from when he graduated from college. Let me just say, best picture EVER. So funny. Same glasses, same hair but a little longer. Great. Ironically, before I left my room to go to the rally, I looked in the mirror and thought wow, my hair is ridiculous. But then again, so is Al Frankens. Ha. Ok, one last highlight, during his speech he was talking about my generation (our generation?) and the time period we've come of age and he said something I have come to agree with. This was it, verbatim. "Many of you don't know that our president doesn't have to be incompetent and clueless." One more thing that I really liked about him was that his speech wasn't all about how Republicans suck and should die. I'm not a fan of that. It's not that I am a Republican, it's just that to me, that solves absolutely nothing which should be the purpose of government.
Ok, I'm getting dizzy. Goodnight internetdom.

Shoot, one last highlight. I got a sign with Al's autograph on it. My first political rally and autograph all in one afternoon. So very exciting.