OK folks, the wonderful and lovely wife is now in bed, so I have some free time, and nothing on the schedule for tomorrow besides errands and spending quality time with my Valentine.
Today was very surreal, and one that maybe only Tim O'Day would predict. I was very fortunate to have him as a unusual fan. He knew I wouldn't mail it in, I came up with angles that even his staff wouldn't have thought.
And one Al Lutz would have written as an April 1st article.
So I get the Voice of OC article in my morning stack of stuff, and my stack is getting big again.
So today was the Anaheim Business Awards at the Hilton Anaheim. This is one of those big attendance events, over 40 tables of 10 folks.
I was invited to attend and sit at the DLR table, along with the TDA Government Relations CM's plus the S.O.A.R. Executive Director, Jill.
Now, I knew this in advance, and said in another thread that something was up.
And I should have realized it, but didn't think about it. If anyone has watched the recent award shows, where potential award winners sit at these tables. Well, my table is where the A+ celebs sit, I mean front and center, with only the City Councilmembers table in front of us.
And wow, I was treated like I was one of those, where a lot of folks came up to discuss things.
Yes, I help control a bank account that is currently 7 digits, with a recent Disney check. (That is required disclosure info).
So I know why some politicians want to say hi.
But it was more than that, the first person I saw when I came in was the Mayor, who said Hi, and then asked me if I could help him out. Cryptic, but not unusual. I have known him for years, and have worked on some volunteer projects, and attended many meetings.
So the Chamber president comes up, says hello to the rest of the table, but I get singled out. I am at the top of the list to work on a new Mayor's Task Force dealing with West Anaheim. Basically a request you can't refuse.
And this singling out continues, quick Hi's to the DLR CM's that provide the money, a quick Hi to Jill, the S.O.A.R. boss, but then straight to me. Two councilmembers didn't attend, our favorite Dr. and my problem child, Denise. At least she just switched from Republican to NPP, as did her staffer Cynthia Ward.
One spent quite a few minutes with me after the event, Trevor, which I appreciate, as we discussed the insane RINA numbers (17,000 new housing units in Anaheim in the next 10 years).
Jill and I spent some time talking about our favorite Union 11.
And then I had two CM's asking me about Denise and how it is in trying to deal with her. Not something I would have brought up, but well, West Anaheim is front and center for multiple reasons, and I am now a very big dog in that arena. Lisa and I laughed at that over dinner. Just how did I become a major power player.
So, getting back to the article, I asked the table if they had seen it, none of them did, so I got to sit and watch them read it on their phones, and watch their expressions. Amazing, Jill was fun. But one of the CM's left the table for a few minutes, I presume to alert others.
This type of thing is expected from the Voice of OC, but the article had so many other things in it, and felt like it was written by UNITE HERE, then slightly adjusted to try and make it more balanced.
I wish I could share what was said, but that is a no-no.
I just want to know (as does my wife), how a kid that was lucky enough to have frequent visit to DL, starting as a kid, to reporting on the place, one that caused some very senior CM's to not be fans of my work, to now one that is looked up to, not just from the DLR decision makers regarding political spending, but now by the politicians.
I can say, I take it seriously, and but let alone hard effort to it, but with my heart and soul.
And it is those early years that created what I have become.
And in reality, both Lisa and I aren't sure what I have become, as even thinking about it is strange.
I really wish I could talk to Al, and see what he would have written about the current me versus 20 years ago.
There would be some zingers, and I would be the subject of the jokes.
But I know he would be proud, because all we wanted from the CM's we reported on was that they cared. Those CM's got positive comments, even if a few things didn't work out.