#18 Shake Hands with a President

Completed – February 13th, 2003

On February 13, 2003 President George W. Bush paid a visit to Mayport Naval Station to speak with sailors. You would think that since the head honcho was around, that security would be beefed up and it would be hard to meet W. That however, wasn’t necessarily the case.

Throughout the years I’ve been able to weasel myself into situations that lead me to meeting people. For instance, after wandering around the Omni Hotel I managed to end up on the floor where Destiny’s Child, Sisqo and 98 Degrees were all staying before a concert I was attending. A few years later, at the same hotel, I ended up meeting a very cranky Britney Spears.

I’ve easily convinced The Hilton in Atlanta that I worked for Hanson and they literally led me to the place where the guys would be entering through a back entrance and showed me to their room.

I have even ended up on the field during the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts football game by simply going down a set of stairs that were unguarded. While I was down there I got a text from my friends that I attended the game with, asking me where I was. I snapped a picture and sent it to them. “Get up here immediately!” they replied.

I did as they instructed and then again walked down to the field undetected.

My wandering has landed me in some pretty cool situations. However, I didn’t think meeting Georgie Porgie would be so simple. My mom was given access to the pier where he would be speaking as she was responsible for the catering that day. I hopped into the back of the catering van and tagged along as a “volunteer”. Rather than helping get the food ready, I wiggled my way up to the barricade and patiently waited for President Bush to speak.

Jeb Bush went on before his brother and walked right past me. When I secured my position in the front, I had no idea how awesome of a spot I had picked. The President would have to walk right past me both coming and going from the podium. After W. gave his speech, he walked past casually shaking hands with proud American citizens. I extended my hand and he graciously took it. I remember how soft his hands were.

“How are you doing Mr. President?” I asked him.
“I’m alive,” he responded with a smile.
“Well, that’s always a plus,” I replied.

He smiled and proceeded to sign a magazine cover someone flung over my shoulder.

It was that easy.

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