Watch your Ego

All politicians have egos, particularly after winning a hard-fought election battle. I must confess, I too was pumped up quite a bit after winning my election to the state Senate. It was enforced by the fact that I had been invited to be the parade martial at the pre-rodeo festivities in Liberty, Texas. I was told to dress western; so I put on my finest cowboy-looking coat, hat and cowboy boots. As I arrived in Liberty for the parade, I was assigned to sit atop a Cadillac convertible and lead the parade. It is truly ego boosting to ride through a crowd of people wishing you well, waving high-fives and obviously feeling you are an important person. A little later, however, I had a serious come-down.

As we reached the end of the parade route, I was to exit my 'chariot' and ascend the platform of the reviewing stand for my final farewell to my new-found fame in Liberty. As I crossed the courthouse grounds, I was approached by beautiful young lady who was very provocatively dressed. Having a pretty face and huge blue eyes, she looked at me and asked, "Are you really Senator Parker?" Puffed up beyond belief, I filled my chest with pride and said, "I sure am." Expecting some adoring conversation from this new-found fan, I was shocked when she looked up at me and said, "You sure look a lot fatter in person than you do in your pictures."