Fresh Eyes on the State Of The State
Keep in mind that my post on Gov. Perry's State Of The State will be tempered by the fact that I was actually working, for a change -- instead of checking out shoes, wardrobes, tans, etc. etc. But yes, dear readers, I've got some thoughts anyway. You can find them after the jump.
1) First off, I don't think I'm ever going to get used to the way Speaker Craddick whacks that gavel. The crack is so loud it makes me jump every time. And he's not a big guy. You don't expect him to have that kind of windup.
2) It also still strikes me as totally weird how, when you're in the House Chamber, the Senate has to get permission to enter. What if the House just didn't invite them in? Would they stay out there, bottlenecked in the hall? Would they throw a fit and go home?
3) You know that game where you have to take a drink of beer everytime a certain Simpsons character appears on the screen? That's how I feel everytime I hear that Lt. Gov. Dewhurst is the "top cutting horse rider in the Texas Senate." (I actually assume those credentials cover the entire Legislature -- I can't even think of a close second). Or that Anita Perry has been Rick Perry's wife for 25 years, but the love of his life for 40. (Apparently they met at age 9 at a piano recital -- really sweet love story, if a little overplayed at public speaking events. But I'm a woman, so who's counting).
4) As a reporter, you have to follow the copies of Mr. Perry's prepared addresses closely with a pen in hand, because as his staff notes, he "frequently deviates." Checking out my copy of the address from yesterday, this is no understatement. "Does not" is often replaced with "dudn't." "I will" becomes "I'm gunna." And conversational "Ya knows" and "Matter-a-facts" are tacked onto the front end of sentences.
5) Love the Festivus reference, which is either a Dan O'Keefe (Reader's Digest) or Seinfeld reference, depending on your generation. The Popeye reference to Wimpy and his burgers was also key.
