Close encounters of the Neocon kind

So I decided to do a bit of shopping after work on Tuesday, September 25th. I went to Ann Taylor for about an hour, tried on a few tops that were on sale, and resisted the urge to purchase! Yay!

I then proceeded to Borders. After browsing for about 20 minutes, I noticed several ear-pieced men in suits, and each had a blue pin with a gold star on it. My first thought was that they were protecting an Ambassador, but I couldn't think of a country that had a flag resembling the pin. My next guess was a Senior Cabinet Official, so I kept looking around to see who they were guarding. They were in circular formation.

I then noticed a short elderly man browsing in the New Hardcover section, at the front of the store. He did not look like any Ambassador I had ever seen. I was less than 10 feet away from the mysterious gentlemen, and I thought, "That kinda looks like Dick Cheney," but I dismissed my observations.


A courier then approached me and said, "That's Dick Cheney!" Naturally I had an OMG moment. He was browsing for maybe 20 minutes, then of course people started taking pictures, whispering too loudly, etc. He picked a few books, maybe 5 or so, and then stood in line. There was a gap in front of him as well as behind him. I could not see who he paid with, but I moved near the door, so I could get a good look at him. As he approached the exit, my jaw dropped, and I turned tomato red as he looked in my direction! I couldn't think of anything to say for a variety reasons:

1. I was nervous, too nervous to even wave
   
2. My mother taught me to respect my elders, regardless of what they do or say
   
3. I was afraid of being tasered by 8 Secret Service men, at least 8 that I could see. Two were outside the store.
   
4. When Cheney looked at me, I was holding a big "Obama: Countdown to Inauguration Calendar," and a copy of The End of America: A Letter of Warning to a Young Patriot, by Naomi Wolf. I bought it per Catherine's recommendation, and it discusses how this country is becoming a fascist state under the current administration. It's also ironic that when I purchase such a book, that I run into the Vice President. The calendar was a birthday gift for Elizabeth, who is madly in love with Obama. Yes, Dick Cheney, saw me holding these two items in my hand, I'm sure he thought I was totally crazy!!!

I see Cheney exit the store and get into his black sedan. I dropped everything and RAN after him, so I could see him drive off. It was quite the spectacle and the sirens were sooo loud! I went back into Borders, and of course everyone is telling their tale. When I paid for my lefty items, the gentleman at the register informed me that Cheney used to frequent this Borders before 9/11, sometimes with his wife, and that the had not returned until this month. Apparently Clinton was a regular shopper!

The Secret Service men guarding Cheney were a lot older than I thought they would be. Older and fit, aged 40-50s. Obama's Secret Service detail looked considerably younger, all around my age, and cute :)!!!!!

T'was one of the highlights of my weeek. I respectfully ask that the DNC and my lefty friends NOT disown me. Am easily star-struck :).

Barack Obama deserves his own post :)