Just over six months ago I was sworn in to the City Council in Olympia, Washington. Being an elected official is a lot like having a baby (which I’ve done 4 times) you just really have to experience it to understand how odd it is. It is exhilarating, exhausting, exasperating, and rewarding. All that and it’s boring sometimes, too.
But, lately it’s been frustrating. That’s because people have increasingly taken to telling me who I am and what I think and they’ve got it wrong. I’ve been easily misunderstood all my life. That’s not really such a curse. It can make life interesting. But, when hundreds of people you’ve never met in person can mistunderstand you in a more than one way at once, it is a little crazy making.
Maybe some blogitude will help with that. We’ll see.
RIS
4 responses so far ↓
1 Jeff // Aug 29, 2008 at 8:08 am
Rhenda,
Such an interesting post. I also find elected office to be all of the things you have outlined. But you’re right about people “deciding” who you are. I wish it were not so. Unfortunately, I think it’s a hazard of the game.
I’m not complaining…I enjoy the job. I think it’s toughest when friends become adversaries…even if only on a single issue. Sometimes they let it go once the issue is dealt with, and sometimes they remain adversarial.
Meanwhile, it’s a pleasure sitting beside you each week.
2 Rhenda // Aug 29, 2008 at 9:35 am
JK - working with you is the brightest part of the job.
3 Jeff // Aug 29, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Can others post thread topics here?
4 Patrick // Sep 2, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Do you guys have any pictures of the new City Hall kickoff event you can post?
I was gonna head down with my camera, but I have a paper due so I couldn’t.
I hope it was fun.
You must log in to post a comment.