I get by with a little help from my friends...

I'm very independent. It's almost painful for me to ask for help. I'm told I get that from my father. Many were the times growing up when my mom would observe me attempting to do something by myself that would have been much easier accomplished with a little help. "You are so your father's son" she would say with a shake of her head. To be on the ballot you have to get at least 300 but no more than 750 registered voter signatures. The easy way to do it is to hijack a couple of friends and stand outside grocery stores and polling places. My local polling place alone would have netted me at least a couple hundred. I have staunchly refused to do this because I don't want to be "that guy." You know the one I'm talking about. The one you see coming and turn the other way? The one that has you fumbling in your grocery cart as you leave the store rather than make eye contact? Never being one to do things the easy way I set out to get every signature myself. One at a time, going door to door. Since one of my campaign themes is "hard work" I figured what better way to show how hard I'm willing to work for my constituents? With the filing for office opening next week, I'm at about 240 and holding. Fortunately as I've grown older I've found that sometimes you can change your mind without compromising your integrity. When people ask you for a petition so they can get signatures, what are you supposed to say? "No thanks. I don't want your help?" That doesn't exactly jibe with my desire to be accessible and willing to listen and work with my neighbors. Plus I think it's just plain rude. I have finally broken down and accepted offers of assistance. A couple of good friends in Hyde Park are gathering a few signatures, a couple of more friends from Union Hill are picking up some, and today the good folks at the Brookside Barbershop asked for a couple of petition forms to keep by the cash register. They offered, without being asked. It's not so bad to admit you need help. Not bad at all. I could get used to this...