Now I can be a political name dropper.

[trof]

A few days ago I got a call from Nancy Worley, our former Dem Alabama Secretary of State. She lost to a repug in 2006.
She's also under indictment by the same repug DOJ thugs who railroaded former governor Siegelman into the slammer.
And, of course, this happened at the end of her campaign.

The judge just threw out the felony charges.
Now she's fighting the misdemeanor charges.
It may go to the U.S. supreme court.
And cost her thousands of dollars.

Anyway...
I met Nancy a couple of times during the '06 campaign.
I really didn't think she knew who the hell I was.
I was wrong.

She called to tell me that our brand new Alabama State Democratic Party Director of Communications wanted to come to an Alabama Press Association convention near here on the beach (natch) this week-end.
Just finished his MA in Public Admin at Auburn in May.

He had checked on hotels and the only thing he could find was $200 a night, 3 night minimum. They wanted him to be there, and would pay his expenses, to meet some of the state's 'mover-and-shaker' publishers and editors. But...GOOD LORD! At those prices?

Could we...possibly...put this kid up for a night or two?

Could we?
Me and Miz t. rattling around in a 3 bedroom house?
You bet your sweet ass we could.

Jessie arrived at 3 this afternoon.
A delightful young man.
We sat on the dock and talked for a long time.
He wants to get involved in politics and run for office some day.

God bless him.
This is the kind of new blood we need.

So...now I can say that the former secretary of state OWES ME!
Big time!
;-)

[Syrinx]

1. how'd it go?

Did you get any inside info?

I've been itching to get down to the beach, but good lord, a minimum of $600 for accommodations?

It's been awhile since I've been down to the gulf, but I used to like to stay at a place called "Young's By The Sea," in Gulf Shores. I don't even know if it's still there, but during the nineties I stayed there about three or four times. Nothing fancy, but you could get a suite for something like $70/night. You'd have two or three bedrooms, plus a living room with a pull-out sofa, and a quite functional kitchen, stocked with all the pots, pans, plates and silverware you would ever need. We usually ate out, but the kitchen was there if you needed it. The swimming pool was kind of cheesy, but who needs a pool when you are on the beach?

Anyway, thanks for sharing. ;)

[trof]

2. Young's is gone.

And I've stayed there too, in the early 90s before we moved here.
There's a big high rise condo there now.

As you probably know, the best time to come down is after Labor Day.
Summer vacationers are gone, snowbirds aren't here yet, and the water is still warm through October. Plus, prices go down.

Didn't really get any 'inside' dirt. Jesse's only been in the job a couple of months. I was very impressed with him. It was a pleasure to talk politics with someone on the same wavelength. Not too easy to find in Baldwin County.

I did suggest he get in touch with Stephan Black, the founder of Impact Alabama. He's the grandson of Justice Hugo Black.
If you don't know about him, do a google. He could be one of the next political powerhouses in Alabama.

[Syrinx]

3. that's a shame to hear

I guess it's getting to where you have to be wealthy to enjoy a weekend at the beach.

Is that bar next door gone too? I think it was called the "Barefoot Lounge." I was there one Friday night with my friend Aaron. They had a singer that asked for requests. Being in a Jimmy Buffett kind of mood, I yelled out "Let's Get Drunk And Screw." The singer (a dude) replied, "I'm working right now. Let's talk later." That was a little embarrassing. :)

Between us, we consumed about a case of beer and four dozen raw oysters, and then walked out without paying. I thought Aaron had payed, and he thought I had. Man, after drinking that much beer, it was quite a challenge to walk down those steps. The building was on stilts, and the stairs were way steep. We made it though. We settled up when we returned Saturday night.

I'd wish the gulf coast would step back in time. Some of my fondest memories are of playing on the beach as a child in the seventies. Staying in cheap mom and pop flea-bag motels, visiting the tacky souvenir shops full of seashells and airbrushed tee-shirts, and the rides at places like the Miracle Strip and Petticoat Junction in Panama City. I guess all that stuff will have to remain a dusty, black and white memory forever. And that's a shame. :(

I read an article about Stephan Black a year or two ago. I really don't remember a lot of details, but I remember that I was impressed by the man. I hope he makes his mark; we sure could use someone like that these days.