On political geeks, quads and being almost old

My family calls me a political geek. I like to talk about politics. I take it as my responsibility as a citizen of this province to be informed and active, politically. I recognize that in my constituency, (where it takes little more than a job in the "patch," a four-wheel-drive pick-up truck and a quad to keep an entire culture from looking at, thinking about, talking about and doing anything about politics), I am an anomaly. I guess I should have bought a quad, but now I think I'm too old for that. 

Yesterday I attended a provincial Board meeting of the Alberta Party, where I've enjoyed getting my political fix for the past few years, as the secretary. I believe the Alberta Party is Alberta's political fix.  Some of the brightest and best minds I have ever encountered have come together to engage Albertans and to bring a better future to this province. 

After the meeting I followed a half dozen of them downtown. (I thought we were going for a beer - another great Alberta pastime, more popularly associated with quadding, but that is another blog topic.). We wound up next door to the lounge in one of the oldest buildings in Lacombe, eating wraps and drinking smoothies. 

As the political conversation(s) at the table swirled around me, I took in my surroundings. The old bay windows, the original ceiling.  Metal, perhaps, now painted white.  The new, aggressive pink and green paint on the walls. Modern and old, great juxtaposition. I recalled buying some pretty nice clothing in this building in a previous metamorphosis.

At my table there was an interesting juxtaposition, as well. Me, rural, female, and almost old.  They, urban, male and almost young. A small sample of the diversity of Albertans who have come together to articulate the present realities and future possibilities of our shared space. I felt welcome at the table. That's how it is in the Alberta Party.