just another vet

Working for Change, Getting a Blister

Well, what a weekend this turned out to be. Not long after I logged off yesterday, we got a call from Tarrant County Texans for Obama, which I will refer to as the home team from now on, that they needed people to paint the east Fort Worth campaign office. So we grabbed all the painting supplies we had and headed out the door.

The space is pretty cool. It's in a strip mall over looking I-30, and has great visibility. The team worked out a deal with the owner Kelly, who is on the Obama bus and is an angel, that lets us use a space rent free. Instead of rent, we painted the space white for her before we moved in. It was a day care before and was painted in primary colors. Crazy, just crazy. But now its all pretty white thanks to Vincent, Sol (who is my hero, thanks for the bumper sticker!), the TCU kids and several other folks who's names escape me at the moment. And Kelly is so frigging cool that she let us have our pick of a bunch of office furniture that was stashed in two of the other spaces.

Saturday we got two coats of primer up. Then we went to the house party. The host, Henry Guy, was wonderful. He is an independent who had never actively supported a candidate until Barack came along. He is as moved by Obama as the rest of us. It was really wonderful to be around so many people who are as hungry for change as I am.

We met several really wonderful people there, including a father and son that were very interesting to talk with. The son is too young to vote, but is paying better attention to the political landscape then most voters I know. It made me happy to know that the younger generations are paying attention.

This morning I headed out bright and early, so I could be all "Yeah. well I got here first this morning." cause I'm twelve. Actually, I woke up early all giddy and ran my ass back to the east Fort Worth office coffee in hand because I am enjoying the interaction with other Obama supporters and because it helps the campaign, Team O.

More people showed up to help paint and we knocked it out in no time. The TCU folks showed up in force, and I discovered that there are two groups on campus, the University Democrats and TCU for Obama. and the Obama group is bigger. Word.

Anyhow, we finished painting and moved in furniture, and closed up shop. Then word came down that the north office needed help, so some of us headed that way. It's in the Stock Yards, so those damn Yankee staffers are in for a culture shock. Hopefully they will notice we are not all redneck wannabes.

The north office in pretty pimp. We didn't have to do as much work to it as the east office, which made me happy, because my ass was getting a little tired. The TCU for Obama crew, led by a very capable Lance, moved in 1000 bottles of water that were donated. For the record I cheered them on.

I wish I could remember the names of all the people I spoke with today. There was an ex-marine turned lawyer, a high school teacher, a retired guy, a bunch of students, and several others, all so full of hope and energy. Needless to say it was a positive experience.

Well, that was my weekend. I met some great folks, got two, count them two, blisters from painting because I have soft girlie hands, and had a fun time. The staffers get here tomorrow, so I am sure shit will kick into gear pretty soon. There is a big meeting Tuesday with them to get us all coordinated. Until then we are all in a holding pattern.

I need to eat. Here are the office addresses I have so far:

The East Side Office is at 6322 Brentwood Stair Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76112.

The North Side Office is at 2511a Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth, TX 76106.

Go here now and volunteer. Then go here and give up some dough.

Posted by monkey at February 10, 2008 05:56 PM