The greatest fish story ever told
Let me just say up front – - stalking is mighty hard work! I have a real bad headache from standing in the hot sun all day long – - but well worth it!
First let me just give my thanks to my competent navigator, Reilly – without her, this stalking business would have been impossible. All stalkers need a side kick, I think! Thanks, girl!
So, I made the ride up to Fond du Lac – - followed the crowds and police cars, figuring that must be the place! I parked the truck about 4 blocks away from the building he was speaking in. I flipped on the radio and listened to his speech – - contemplating my next move.
I decided to get out of the truck..lock it up and start walking down the street, toward the building – - I would walk for as long as they would let me walk. I ended up on the street right outside the building – - I parked my butt in the grass, and waited.
An hour and a half later – - all of the sudden, pretty much out of nowhere there were three low flying helicopters….one military jet and a WHOLE bunch of black Suburbans. Out of a few of the Suburbans came military personnel in fatigues, helmets and guns. They just kind of situated themselves in strategic locations.
I snapped a really cool picture of a few of them – - I’ll upload later.
It was right after I snapped that picture that the batteries in my digital camera died. AND the battery for my cell phone died too – - my cell phone is one of those camera phones. I had NO picture taking ability, and therefore, no proof that I actually was a mere 15 feet away from the man when he finally came by! Sounds like a fish story, I know — but it’s true!
With all of the security situated – - the motorcade procession began. There were three big, blue GW buses. The first one went past with some guy waving from the front seat..I have no clue who it was.
The second one, however – - there was absolutely NO mistaking who that was standing right next to the bus driver. He was waving to the crowds, that President of mine. I’m standing on the curb…waving like a wild woman, and smiling ear to ear like a fool.
When his bus was no more than 12 feet in front of me – - he looked at me and waved. Overcome with excitement…I started wildly waving with both hands. He then sorta bent over to look with a “what the hell is THAT?” sort of look on his face….then he smiled, looked directly at me and started waving at me with both of his hands!
Some lady who was standing next to me (whom I do not know) grabbed me and gave me a huge hug and screamed “He waved at you, did you see? did you see?”
It lasted but a mere few minutes…and it was over. He was gone.
I walked the four blocks back to my car on a cloud. Alone. With no pictures to prove it. Goofy smile, ear to ear. Pretty damn happy that after 4 years and 7 other missed opportunities – - I finally came face to face with my President of the United States, George W. Bush!
So, my stalking journey that took me from West Bend to Kewaskum to Eden and finally to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin – - lasted about 4 1/2 hours total – - was well worth the effort for those few minutes of face time and the two-handed Presidential wave. It absolutely made my day!
–==UPDATE==–
Here are a few of the pictures I DID get before the batteries died:
July 14, 2004 - 05:53 PM on July 14th, 2004
Congrats Lisa. I wish I coulda been there too, waving like a mad man.
July 14, 2004 - 05:56 PM on July 14th, 2004
Thanks, Slobo! I wish you would have been, too – - at least then I’d have an alibi!
lol
July 14, 2004 - 06:40 PM on July 14th, 2004
Hmm… Maybe I’ll start stalking to see if he’ll be around me again!
July 14, 2004 - 07:28 PM on July 14th, 2004
I am utterly and completely thrilled for you, Lisa, but then you knew that already. I’m also happy to be your stalking sidekick. It was a lot of fun especially since it had such a great outcome. Congrats on the double handed wave from GW – - how awesome is that!
July 14, 2004 - 08:58 PM on July 14th, 2004
That story is just hilarious! Congrats!
July 14, 2004 - 11:11 PM on July 14th, 2004
I see it now…next line of business for Lisa the Stalker!!! I am so happy for you Lisa at last your dream you were right there.
July 15, 2004 - 01:04 AM on July 15th, 2004
Stalking is WAY too much work reserved ONLY for deserving men. lol
July 15, 2004 - 01:10 AM on July 15th, 2004
Next time, I’ll come out to stalk the Pres with ya, Lisa, as long as you come there with Rachel, mmm, thats a site no man can turn down, even
a true blue hubby like our Great Pres! He’s only human also, and has eyes, VERY perceptive eyes!
July 15, 2004 - 08:08 AM on July 15th, 2004
Being from Green Bay, myself, I can’t see why anyone would want to go to Fond du Lac. (J/K!)
I still have my ticket to see W when he came to Dubuque because I was working as a volunteer for the event! I was a split second slow volunteering to drive the press van for the event. (Maybe the was a good thing)
I understand W has 4 more Iowa visits scheduled, one for each Congressional district.
July 15, 2004 - 09:17 AM on July 15th, 2004
speaking of fish stories:
did you hear about Joe wilson and his lies? seems the President was correct in saying Iraq was trying to get uranium from Niger…
http://www.nationalreview.com/may/may200407121105.asp
July 15, 2004 - 09:21 AM on July 15th, 2004
Yes, I heard the story, but not from the partisan media. I was almost laughing at Savage as he talked about it. I thought he was going to have a coronary.
I would like to see the Bush Administration actually prosecute Wilson, Jenkins the deserter, and all those people who tried to get soldiers and sailors to mutiny, lob grenades into officer’s tents or desert.
July 15, 2004 - 01:36 PM on July 15th, 2004
Great pictures we dont get them in our liberal rag news papers like the SACRAMENTO BEE OR SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
July 16, 2004 - 07:53 AM on July 16th, 2004
Lisa,
You ought to try volunteering to work at an event where W is appearing. I did and I got a thank you signed by W himself! It was signed by a felt tip, not a ball point pen.
July 17, 2004 - 04:01 PM on July 17th, 2004
Sorry to say, snowy egret, but we aren’t much luckier here in WI. The local daily tabloid (Milwaukee Urinal-Sentinal) didn’t bother mentioning that the sitting POTUS was even in WI, let alone that Tues & Wed GW & Barbara were in Milwaukee – overnight at the Pfister.
BTW, I did see some nice pics of this West Bend stop that Owen posted over at bootsandsabers.com if that helps.
July 14, 2004 - 05:57 PM on July 14th, 2004
The Confessions of a Stalker
What a day!
I can’t blog about it again – - I already did once over at Right Voices..with the help of my trusty accomplice!
You can start reading about it here then here and then it continues right here…. we’re almost done – - but it continue…
July 14, 2004 - 09:43 PM on July 14th, 2004
Hangin’ With the Prez
Lisa found President Bush and waved to him. He waved back. Too bad she has no pictures as proof. “The…
August 28, 2004 - 06:24 PM on August 28th, 2004
GW!
Sean, Mark – pay attention!
I don’t know what time, and I don’t know exactly what location (YET!) – however, President Bush is going to be in West Allis, Wisconsin on Friday, September 3rd. You can go down to the Grafton Republican Committee offi…
August 23, 2005 - 07:49 AM on August 23rd, 2005
I’m a huge Bush supporter! I just love the man! Come to my city and I’ll cook for you. Heck, I might even put on my drag act, Marni does Celine Dion and give him a lap dance!