Hello, Tom Potter
Almost literally bumped into Portland Mayor-Elect Tom Potter at a friend’s holiday open house this afternoon.
Damn crutches.
He’s a very vivacious guy. What are you supposed to say to a public figure when you meet them in a relaxed, unofficial setting? “I enjoyed voting for you” sounds pretty lame, and I couldn’t think of anything else because my foot was hurting and I was looking for our hostess so I could say good-bye. He offered to get me some cider, but I politely declined.
[/story of brief brush with local personality]
Although I voted for Potter, I don’t know if I’d recognize him in a crowd; he’s kinda got that average middle-aged white guy look about him. Fancy you, rubbing elbows with our new mayor!
This reminded me of a time I was doing an OPB radio drive about a year ago. The woman sitting next to me went across the room to get something to eat. At the craft table, she started chatting with Maynard Orne, the president of OPB. When she came back to her seat, another volunteer and I asked her if she knew who she had just talked to. She said, “No, but he said he works here. I asked him what he did and he said he was in administration.” I love it.
I went to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral for church a few weeks ago and ran into Jim Francesconi… like you, I didn’t say much to him. “I voted for the other guy” was the only thing I could think of and that didn’t sound right at *all*.
That’s cool! I completely understand the awkwardness factor – thankfully, Tom’s a very easygoing guy from what I’ve been able to observe. His offer to get you cider doesn’t suprise me…