Calgary Banff

We just got back from Calgary/Banff - it's strange going back to a city you grew up in as a child. Everything seems so much bigger in a child's memory.
Ate/drank at Briggs then we went to the hockey game - in the same Saddledome that was there 25+ years ago. I liked the feel. And first time on the glass...i liked it, and didn't. Couldn't see anything going on, on the other side of the rink.

Off to Banff the next day - we paid for the shuttle to pick us up - i think if we were ever to do it again we'd either rent a car, or just uber to the airport and take that bus direct. No uber but Taxi's were readily available (and reasonable).
We loved the Juniper hotel - a little bit outside of city center was perfect - i think Banff town itself is just on that verge of being a little too touristy.

First day we got dressed and just went to the Fairmont (the castle) yes touristy but gorgeous views - their waldhaus pub was a gem and the dinner at Vermillion was wonderful. Sit at the bar for the view. Went up the 8th floor - rumors that the Shining was inspired by that ghost story. Didn't see a ghost bride. 

2nd day - Breakfast at Juniper yum (and lovely) Greg A. from tours by locals was great - picked us up at 8:30...Lake Louise is super tourist spot, maybe because it was iced over there was nothing that really stood out...several other spots in/around Banff felt better. Minnewanka...ate lunch at the art centre, great view otherwise meh.
Dinner at Bison was pretty good. And we decided to rent a car instead of taking the 6:45 shuttle back. Best decision we made AND the shuttle graciously refunded us back 100%.
Back to Calgary - Viv and Mark picked us up - curling, sitting at the bar upstairs, dinner downtown - we tried to go to a speakeasy Betty Lou's but it was a no go.
We had a great time - will we go back? Probably not... but so glad we went.

Q1 '19 pc chair mexico city

wanted to keep up with this at least once a month to refer back to - i'll try for once a quarter.

Recap:
I’m now my precinct’s precinct chair- it feels very...American…i'm okay with less tangents and drama though… holy moly talkers, and drama…

Took Jamie to see the Book of Mormon - not bad. Can't say there wasn't a lot of truths
 I've figured out I'm not a musical gal (and Jamie definitely isn't a musical guy). I feel like I should've liked it more, I'm just not much of a "shock value" type gal.

I was passed out dead asleep on a Tuesday a few weeks ago and Jamie walks in to ask if I want to go to Mexico City on Friday - i said sure! Easy/cheap flight. Once you get over the traffic and that there are millions of people in a Very large city to take it for what it is -we really enjoyed it. Me, surprisingly...I never had any interest. Food tour was a MILLION times worth it.  Tacos and Pulque and crickets. There's a LOT of history too (some of it mine)...but we practically ran through the Aztec Templo Mayor for want of time...so glad we took our uber drivers suggestion to do this. Definitely rideshare. We stayed in Polanco, next time we'll try a little closer to the city...Roma, Condesa? 

I've seen lots of really good old bands, read lots of really good books -  really want to've kept up on my quick reviews so I can remember - but with the library and elections stuff I'm totally distracted.

Not gonna lie, I love the self stuff...but it's a solid foundation feeling - ? -  (for lack finding a better way to describe it)  getting involved in things and meeting people i NEVER would've out of my bubble.

We met with a financial planner - i think thats a good plan - while at the same time mind boggled that people do that. Privileged indeed. It certainly helped Jamie, he's always stressed out about retirement, I can't get on his page regarding retirement.... - but he's never had to wonder if he'll have enough money to eat/pay bills either...so...i'm not sure i'll ever get on his page when it comes to this.

We leave for Calgary/Banff next week - it's been over 25 years for me...should I call it a home town if i only lived there my elementary years? i dunno...

about dem Dems...

And so I lost every race I personally “upper level” invested in. (Well my HD is still holding out, we’ll see there. Not holding my breath.) 
Disappointed? Yes. Surprised? no…
And really I’m glad I took yesterday off for a couple hours of reflection (and patching of reserves).

I was gonna write this my “new girl wade into politics adventure” to the Texas Dems site, Democrat Party, Texas Latino and Texas Women’s orgs I’m a part of -  but for now it looks like everyone is in my same boat -  throwing ideas about, and raging etc. And it’s gonna go into a big black hole ….so I’m going back to what I know, just sit back and wait it out ...BUT still...why not throw it out here just so I can “all-in-one” vent.

Dear Texas Dems, gonna come right out and say it – would dearly love less of a shitstorm for 2020…
Since the presidential election I took notes on my “new girl here” journey. I sat on the sideline for months as an observer.
Nobody’s asked my opinion and I realize y’all’ve “been here for years” and “Dem suppression/apathy” and “no funding” etc…but I’d be remiss not to at least attempt to try to reach out to let y’all know where I feel where things went wrong from “the new girl perspective”.

I write this as a previous “fringe” girl who’s always voted the spectrum …until the last presidential election.
I “spun” for months, went to the march, found a huddle and got INVOLVED.
I’ve met AMAZING wonderful ORGANIZED people.
I still consider myself a fringe girl (as I will never forevermore just “follow blindly” - I want to know exactly who is speaking on my behalf and raise hell if they don’t do what they promise)
So yes even now, as a less “fringe” Dem – there were GLARING concerns.

Here are a few:
1) Precinct chairs -  I didn’t even know what those were! These are VITAL, especially since most people have no interest in straying far from their homes. Turns out I don’t have one (which was a process in itself to even find) and after researching the role for myself I lost interest.
Why? I loathe the “mandatory” 40 minute drive to McKinney.  Yep that was my dealbreaker.
Also I don’t feel I deserve the position -  I didn’t like block walking and I’m not a phone person. Which was constantly pushed.
when I talked to somebody at the collin dem office about my “different” ideas to engage as a “de facto” contact… I was told “don’t try to re-create the wheel”, do the volunteer 101 training (which was beyond boring). I felt compelled to disengage for not being able to find my “spot”. I took the poll greeter/watcher training last week. Again – BEYOND boring…and well in their defense… Didn’t help that I was hungover (yay Max Stalling) but  There has got to be a better way to include/guide anyone that’s interested in becoming involved! This is public relations 101! (yes this is my PR degree chiming in)
2) The assumptions: it’s super frustrating how it’s just assumed that everyone knows the elections process. I.E. - what the primary is and why it’s important. That you have to register and vote in your county. The new/maybe actives can’t get on board about something they know nothing about. So instead of asking questions they disengage. My advice (as a friend of the library volunteer) is: partner with the library system (become “friends of the library” volunteer), it already is an achor for each community. Start with a few and thread civic engagment/information in however community events they choose to lead.  THIS IS A SLEEPING GIANT OF A NETWORK OPPORTUNITY.
3) It needs to be clearly outlined why donations are important. I want to know what my money is used for. And I want to know what happens to all of it. This ESPECIALLY for POC!!!
4) I want an opt out option for receiving emails/texts when I donate $  -  I was inundated, bad user experience and this from someone firmly on their side!
5) Seniors – they are an underutilized beasts! Retirees have the time…I gave 200 of my postcards to one “self-professed disgusted Republican” I’d met and she finished them in TWO days!!! If one-on-one efforts are made so relationships are built and they asked to help as they can….they’d be an INSANE benefit!
6) Not a fan of the private groups that have admin’s monitoring every post – if it’s over 3k then maybe, otherwise it comes across elitest. Let people vent!
7) If a person volunteers they should know exactly where there candidate is at all times and there should be clear concise marching orders – I begged for calendars so I can “pop in” and help social media promote them. Tell me when to switch my frame on my profile. Tell me when/and what to post on Nextdoor! Tell us what to do!
8) Along those lines  - Nextdoor – there’s got to be a guideline for a more unified approach here – so many good intention-ed people would post things that were NOT helpful…
9) Bi-lingual flyers that people can print out on their own. But make sure all pertinent information is on there dates etc - That HELPED!!!


Postcards
- to save time I did my own “all-in-one”,  and donated postage. Couldn’t find a contacts to give me addresses, had to have my HD candidate reach out to a nearby precinct chair for addresses.
- naturally I wanted to stick by my precinct but didn’t want to duplicate efforts if it’s already been targeted?
- to that end, my area doesn’t feel at all targeted -  I was happy to lead the charge but who would I tell? How do you know all I’ve done?
- streamline ideas:
o addresses need to be easier accessed to volunteers (especially new ones that don’t have a clue who to reach out to).
o Unified targeting database so if/when people want to volunteer duplication isn’t wasted and overall visual of what’s happening.

More insightful things I've learned -
you have to keep hunt/pecking...don't expect a response, so when you get it, it's super nice.
For those that have "been here" hear them out, take the gold points and remember a lot of them are tired...

the duke buys a bride - sophie jordan - she was being sold at auction, and so it goes.
love and other words - christina lauren - they really tortured them this one.
dr. strange beard - penny reid - never thought about what it'd be like to remember everything. I have such a terrible memory...worse than average. I think it's definitely worse the former.

annnd others....and we continue.