I don't answer my home phone. Ever. If someone needs to call me, they use my cell. I get WAY too many calls, even though I am on the do not call list, offering me free maintenance on my heating unit. And I live in Arizona. And way too many calls for a once in a life opportunity to own a vacation rental. Even though I don't have any money to go on vacation, let alone buy a property to go on vacation to. You get the point. Then, along came Tuesday. It was a normal morning, getting my 2 year old ready for pre-school. And then realizing that he was just too sick to make it through a day there. And God knows what other sicknesses he would pick up at school. And then the phone rang....
Stupidly, I picked it up. I am so sorry that I ever did. As I stated before, I do not answer my home phone. I even surprised myself by pressing the answer button on the old panasonic cordless. And I remember thinking, "If it somebody selling something, just hang up. End of story. Don't argue, I have done enough of that this morning, between my job and 2 year old. Just HANG THE PHONE UP!"
The first things out the earpiece were "I have a simple 2 question poll..." And I intently listened. No, it was not a nefarious "push poll". It was actually as simple as he said. "Who will you vote for President, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, or John Edwards?"
I didn't even have to think for this one! As I proudly averred, "John Edwards." Next question, "How definite are you?" Well, I didn't have to think again! "100% definite" I stated with all the confidence in the world. And that was it!
Well, I did not fear answering the phone the rest of the day. Every time it rang I picked it up. Happily I hung up on everybody, from the Fraternal order of Police (sorry, I am strapped), to the pool guys offering me an "amazing deal!"(2 year olds and pools do not mix.) But each time I answered and said hello, I just knew that I had done something good today.
And then IT happened.
I knew John Edwards had not done well in Carolina. Even his home state had not taken him under thier wings. A true shame, in my eyes. But I was still willing to work hard for Edwards. I was still willing to do whatever I could to help John push his agenda. And it all came to an end.
Honestly, I am quite sad that Edwards has dropped out (and pissed that CNN headlines kept saying "John Edwards Quits Race" while others just drop out.) And now I need a new candidate.
So, back to watching all the debates, and I didn't have the inner strength to watch last night's. Got it on Tivo though. Should be able to catch up on it this weekend. Back to deep introspection of my core beliefs. Back to....well you get the picture.
But after all is said and done, I can't help but blame myself. Why did I HAVE TO ANSWER THE STUPID PHONE?