July 14th
I hopped a southbound freight just after 3:00 AM. It was a pleasant night in Milwaukee and I didn’t feel like riding a boxcar. I climbed upon a slow moving flatbed packed with covered lumber. I reached the top and sat comfortably, the wind blowing my beard, my hair under my hat. ((You can see a picture of Robert with this hat on campaign headquarters’ myspace page in the wedding album) Edited by Campaign Director) I wrote a hand written sign on a large piece of cardboard that read: Robert for President ’08. Please drop me a line via myspace if you happened to see me. I stood and waved the sign at every railroad crossing, garnering some stares and even a honked horn. I decided on warmer days, especially as I work through the south, I would employ this technique.
Chicago: First destination, Hyde Park; I wanted to pay Barbra Ann a visit. I slinked through the blocks of the neighborhood, itself a small city. I stumbled across Jimmy’s, at least that’s what I used to know it as, it’s now Woodlawn Tap. I ordered a tall blond and a Reuben.
If it ain’t Robert, an old voice graveled as its owner’s pipes were polished with course sandpaper. I spun on my barstool and smiled. “Hey, hey…” I’ll spare the reader the details of the conversation with Blockhead Joe, an old drinking buddy of mine from my Chicago land days.
“You haven’t heard ‘bout Barbra Ann?” Blockhead Joe asked later. He went on to tell me see passed about a year ago after a battle with breast cancer. My heart stopped and a sick feeling knotted my gut. I excused myself and visited the restroom. I may have eight ex-wives, but I haven’t a harsh word for any of them. I never gave thought that any of them have aged, let alone pass. Suddenly, I was glad for the campaign and I didn’t feel the burden I did yesterday. When I emerged I deputized Blockhead Joe as my Chicago Campaign manager and we spent the day going from one old haunt to another, introducing myself and lying out my platform. It was a long day but I was inspired; I was at my best, as I often was with Barbra Ann.
Late Night: We closed the Clark Bar in Lincoln Park. I shook a lot of hands and received numerous pats on the back, but I don’t see any handshake or back pat as a vote. Most will vaguely remember the conversation, but hopefully it falls under another Sporty-ism… Have a night you’ll never remember with people you’ll never forget. I hope everyone will remember my cause. I’m at Blockhead Joe’s, I’m glad he found me, he helped soften the blow. I have a newfound vigor, and I have determined to press onward from Chicago. I have told Joe that I will stop back to campaign further. Blockhead gave me the look that says, I’ll see you when you get here, but I’m not holding my breath. Chicago is indeed a land with many votes, but I need to press onward, my goal the entire lower forty-eight before fall.
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