Thursday, January 13

The highlight errand of the day was running up to the third floor to a pop machine and writing on a notepad with a marker all the kinds of pop available.  When I got back to the Rep he thanked me and told me he'd ding again once he knew what he wanted.  It wasn't nearly as fun as de-icing wipers, but it did make me thirsty which is almost as bad as being numb.  I staffed the Natural Resources Committee meeting at 11:00.  Once again, it was simply introductions and approval of the rules.

I talked to Maynard about a letter that last year's pages left for us.  He said he has it, but he's too stubborn to let us read it.  It probably has all the helpful hints that have eluded us thus far.  Or maybe it's a list of the big no-nos of the House, half of which I've probably unknowingly broken.  Whatever it is, it must be pretty juicy, otherwise Maynard wouldn't care if we saw it.

Today was fairly (extremely) slow - several meetings and caucuses took place, so the floor wasn't terribly busy.  Once again, it was adjourned shortly after 1:00.  Tomorrow is Branstad's re-inauguration.  We were all given first shots at tickets, which are free, but I chose to decline because my mom would like me home ASAP.  On the plus side, I learned how to fax today.  All fax machines are different!!

Finally, the House pages have come together to form the G.P.A. (General Page Assembly).  As acting treasurer, I have the duty (privilege) of cashing in all the bottles and cans thrown into recycling boxes in our corners.  I even went beyond the call of duty and raided a couple of bins outside the chamber when (almost) no one was looking.  Hopefully by the end of the session there will be enough money to buy a pizza.  Even if it's a small and we all have to share.

P.S. I'm off tomorrow (Friday) and Monday for MLK Jr. Day, so there won't be posts.