Caucus much?

The Frednardis spent much of yesterday at the Democaratic Caucus in a line, on a bench, standing around, or being shuffled from line to bench to standing around. Ahhh, the democratic process. I loved it. There are still many "civilized" countries that transfer power through violence and bloodshed, while Americans get to show up on a sunday afternoon, chat with neighbors, cheer for their favorite candidate, be counted and go home. It's brilliant! We're lucky. _laurie

In case you were wondering. I caucused for Senator Barak Obama. fmi: www.barakobama.com/issues/

NEWS UPDATE - Youngest Frederick Declares End to Mid-Life Crisis, Will Sell Motorcycle

SOUTH PORTLAND, MAINE  February 7, 2008 - Jim Frederick, youngest, smartest and best behaved of the legendary Frederick family, today officially declared an end to his mid-life crisis and will sell his motorcycle, a bright red 2005 Suzuki V-Strom 650, for $6500. 

"I feel I ran the best campaign I could under the circumstances, but the smokin' hot, 20-year-old babes flocking to me never really materialized like I had planned," said Frederick, 40 1/2 years old, at a hastily arranged press conference outside his small, poorly lit, beige cubicle. "Therefore my mid-life crisis couldn't gather the momentum it needed to sustain itself. And so, after much prayer and deliberation, I've decided to sell the motorcycle in order to spend quality time with my family planning a second bathroom, so that I may one day sit on the can in uninterrupted peace. That's more important to me right now."

In an exclusive interview following the press conference, Frederick opened up about the moment when he knew his mid-life crisis was in trouble. "It was on the strip in Old Orchard Beach last summer, when a comely young woman asked me to put my shirt back on because my alabaster skin - well, I think she might have used the term 'pasty' - was burning her Chihuahua's retinas. But it wasn't what she said, exactly, that got to me. It was the fact that she called me 'sir.' " Frederick's eyes moistened. " 'Sir.' I knew right then and there I had no chance of pulling in any more delegates. Plus there was a cash crunch. My wife cut off my gas money allowance."

Frederick declined to declare his support of any of his relatives mid-life crises, although he said, "I'm going to keep an eye on Andrew. I suspect that in a few years, he may rebel and get a corporate job and vote Republican. Could really shake up the establishment."

As far as the future of his beloved Suzuki, or "crotch rocket" as he insisted on calling it (much to the distress of his saintly, long-suffering wife Laurie), Frederick says he is not worried. "I have a feeling it may not go too far. In fact, right now, my brother Pete is reading this thinking, 'Hey, that is a pretty nice bike, and the price is reasonable, and I've got room in the garage.' "

After all he has been through, Frederick remains optimistic. "I still believe strongly in the mid-life crisis process. It may be ugly at times, but it's necessary for the institution of manhood. I will definitely be there helping my friends' mid-life crises, you know, doing my part by telling them that pony tails look great on guys, goatees are still in style, that sort of thing."

Tea at the Blaine House

Wednesday we got to hobnob with movers and shakers in Augusta thanks to Isabella's Maine Recycles Calendar Art (see recent blog entry). Jim's cousin Pat Norton (Director of the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis) gave us a tour of the capital building. It was an absolute treat to get an inside view of the legislature. If you ever get the chance, take it. Then it was off to the Blaine House for a ceremony and tea with Mrs. Baldacci and her dogs Mia and Sam. It was a great day.

love,  Laurie

p.s. Naturally we stopped in Gardiner for a trip into Reny's and the Isamax whoopie pie shop!