While we like to be out attending festivities every weekend during this time of year, we rarely make an effort to meet new people. I'm not sure if it's because I feel it's intrusive or if I'm just too lazy. Either way, we come home after each event having enjoyed ourselves but never expending any energy to meet someone new.
The same process would have taken place this time as well had it not been for Nancy. She initiated a conversation about my iphone, asking if I liked it. Her companion Dave had one and she just did not get what the big deal was all about. One topic led to another and before you knew it we were well on our way to a mini conversation. I must confess when Nancy first started talking to us, I was a little annoyed. We came to do what we do every year and here was this person across from me refusing to stop asking questions.
It was at this juncture that I wondered about her politics. Now where did that come from?? I am a very conservative individual and found myself labeling Nancy as a liberal because she just kept yapping. Did I not look sufficiently disinterested in continuing this conversation?? I must confess that after awhile, Nancy wore me down and I actually found myself enjoying her enthusiasm for life and wondering why I did not embrace this tactic.
Nancy stated that she owned her own business which caused her to travel quite a bit. She uses this opportunity to meet people in the airports and hotels. It does not appear that she is looking for long term acquaintances because she referred to it as the "no deposit, no return" philosophy. She does not ask for last names, addresses or phone numbers. Nancy simply enriches her life a little more by having touched the life of a stranger.
All too soon Nancy left our table dancing her way down the isle with a semi inebriated stranger. Laughing and reaching out to seize the moment. I was a little bereft at the loss of her energetic zeal.
Soon after my husband and I also left. As we were meandering thru the throngs of people and checking out the various vendors my husband noticed the Mayor of Silverton, OR, Stu Rasmussen, a transgender man. Some of you may have seen him in the news for his risque attire at a youth function. It was at this particular moment that I decided to take a page out of Nancy's playbook and chase the mayor down and introduce myself.
While I admit that I believe Stu's attire to the youth function was totally inappropriate and most obviously out of step with the city's dress code, I must concede his right to examine his inner self and live his life accordingly. After all the city voted him mayor by a landslide knowing exactly who he was. I found the mayor to be congenial and he even consented to have his photo taken with me, knowing full well it would probably end up on the internet. My suggestion to Stu would be to dress more conservatively while attending public functions.