The Connector - Fall 2008 - (Page 17)

RWAU Fall 2008 ’m a new mom. I think that most people that have been acquainted with new moms can attest that we, as a group, are sometimes irrational and emotional. I’m no different. As excited as I was to be invited to the Water Rally in Washington DC to help get the continued support of our legislators for our federal funding (and well, hello, it is Washington DC… fun!), I was an emotional wreck over the idea of leaving my 8 month old daughter Alexandra and my husband Tyson for six whole days. Separation anxiety was an understatement. My solution, to keep myself as sane and tear-free as possible, was to bring along a little bunny that Tyson had given Alexandra that she loves to represent both of them on the trip. Wherever I went, the bunny went, so in a little way they were both with me. The group of people (RWAU board, colleagues and the Water Taste Test winners) that went along with us were all parents as well so they were sympathetic to a brand new mom leaving her baby. Oh, I’m sure they thought I was completely off my rocker, but they humored me and even joined in finding new and exciting places for me and my “bunny pic”. I explained to Dale, our Executive Director, that I intended to bring this bunny before we even left. Since he’s been meeting with our legislators at these Water Rally’s for years, I wanted to see what he thought about me getting pictures of the bunny with our senators and congressmen. I thought it would be fun, but I also knew this was a professional event and I didn’t want to make the wrong impression. Dale told me that he thought it would probably be okay to ask, but we would have to gauge it on an individual basis due to the senators’ and congressmen’s valuable time. We had appointments with three congressmen in the morning and two senators in the afternoon. During our morning appointments, I was fortunate to be able to have a picture with me, the bunny and Congressmen Matheson and Cannon; Congressmen Bishop had to go to a meeting and didn’t have the time for an individual picture (but the bunny snuck in the group picture anyway). As we were walking to our afternoon appointments, we ran into Senator Bennett on the street corner. That was fun and unusual, as there are tunnels connecting all the office buildings for the senators and congressmen to the US Capitol. We were set to meet with him in about 15 minutes. While in the meeting, we found out that Senator Bennett was needed in another meeting so we would be meeting with his legislative aid only. I was disappointed and felt I’d missed my opportunity for a bunny pic with him. After that meeting, our group went to the hall and discussed our game plan for our meeting with Senator Hatch, which was next. Just then, Senator Bennett walked around the corner and came to talk to us. I asked Dale if I should ask him for a bunny pic, and he thought it would be okay. So I walked right up to him and said, “Senator Hatch, will you have your picture taken with me?” He smiled, and replied, “Well, I’m Senator Bennett, but sure.” Almost immediately after I spoke I realized what I’d done and my face went an alarming shade of red. I tried my best to recover, to explain we were just talking about Senator Hatch and somehow the name must have stuck in my head. However, I normally speak pretty fast; add instant adrenaline and I’m sure nothing I said was even somewhat comprehensible. Nobody likes to be The Connector Making an Impression I Diana Waite, Website Administrator Bunny with Congressman Cannon Bunny with Congressman Matheson 17

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Connector - Fall 2008

The Connector - Fall 2008 Table of Contents President’s Message Executive Director’s Comments Letters From Readers Legislative Update Rural Water News Making an Impression Diana Waite Love Your Neighbor Erin Borger Sanitary Surveys – What to Expect: Part II Chuck Jeffs Water Wise Utah Mary Dickson Where in Utah? Index of Advertisers

The Connector - Fall 2008

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