To Bug, and To Be Bugged

THERE WERE TWENTY THOUSAND PEOPLE in the arena that night, and here i was, bright and cheerful in my bright yellow "USHER" vest, standing out, a person of real importance and authority. Big time college basketball game, president clinton expected to arrive at halftime.

I had alreaqdy angered the secret service. A very serious looking young man in suit and tie, with dark sunglasses and lapel pin, was walking with a very serious looking german shepherd along the concourse, during  pregame, sniffing for bombs. Very special, highly trained dog.

All i had to do is stand there, doing my job, minding my own business, and ignore G man and dog. But no, not me, much too easy. "You should see MY german shepherd" I offered, and the young man glanced at me, then glanced away, and kept walking, possibly saving my life.

But it was true: my pet shepherd made his look like a flea, and not a very pretty flea at that. Of ocures, my german shepherd made rin tin tin look small, and ugly. R.I.P. sweet wolfgang...

Then clinton arrived, and took his seat halfway up the lower grandstand, accompanied by applause. He waved all around, then sat down. He was directly across the arena from me, and, a few minutes later, when all was wuiet, i noticed the president was looking my direction.

Again, I couldn't resiet. Robustly i waved at the president, and, lo and behold, he waved right back,m bright yellow vest coming in handy. But i had to be sure. So, i waved again, with equal robust. He saw this, and responded, this time with a much more tentative, reserved hand motion, as if to say "saw you the first time, buddy." I still hope he wasn't annoyed.

Can you imagine how much of this sort of crap someone like the president of the united states must put up with? Well. most of the time, they probably enjoy it, and are well used to it. But if people like that can put up with stuff like that, then i sure as hell can listen to my three cats scream at me for yet another breakfast, and not become too terribly annoyed.