Read on Twitter
(1/n) It was the evening of April 11th, 2019 when I looked at my wife and said "Don& #39;t ask how I know this but I& #39;m supposed to go to Indiana and join @PeteButtigieg & #39;s campaign." Twenty four hours later, I was in South Bend. I spent the day before the announcement trying to find..
(2/n) ..the campaign. My plan, ill conceived, was to act as if I was always a part of things. Surely everyone would see how handy I was! Hearing only the word Studebaker, I ran across town to the museum. The docent looked confused when I announced that I was there to help and...
(3/n) ..could he kindly point me to where the setup was happening. Learning there was a museum and a factory, I ran back across town to help. Now it was the union workforce who was confused when I declared I was there to help and that they should put me to work. They asked me...
(4/n) to leave and, free labor or not, as I was not insured. As I was preparing to leave and regroup, I saw the campaign staff descending a staircase and attached myself to the back. Surely this was my big break! It wasn& #39;t big, but it was a break. A kind soul gave me the email...
(5/n) to contact to help the next day. Announcement day was electric! The energy and excitement I saw was contagious. I thought my travel from Oregon was impressive until I met someone from France that knew they had to be there. Before the trip, I assured my family and friends...
(6/n) ..that I was there to help and could care less if ever saw Pete up close. Yet somehow, I slipped onto the risers and can be seen wildly waving my American flag and cheering at the top of my lungs. Up until then, the thing that took my breath away was the full eclipse that..
(7/n) travelled across America in 2017. In some ways, this was better. It wasn& #39;t Pete himself who was spectacular, although his speech was grand. It was everyone else and the way they looked at him with such joy and hope for a better American story. It was an amazing event to...
(8/n)..to be a part of. For a few weeks after that day, I worked tirelessly to break in to the campaign. I fell in love with the city. I became a morning fixture at @PEGGS_SouthBend where I never tired of their friendly faces. The Chicory Café was closer to the action, but it...
(9/n)...it was Peggs that had the people, coffee and food I never tired of. I stayed at the @AloftSouthBend, where I had a great view of downtown from the corner suite they upgraded me to. It was my friend at the front desk who, after I informed him about working on analysis..
(10/n)..for Pete and that I saw a secret way to deliver it to the campaign headquarters but was afraid to use it, said, in so many words, go big or go home and why did I fly to South Bend if not to be bold! I printed my analysis, put on my tie, and snuck into Pete& #39;s campaign...
(11/n)...office, again trying to act like I always belonged there and where was my desk. After a confusing exchange with the unfortunate person manning the front desk, I was swarmed by staff and asked to leave. I don& #39;t know if Pete ever saw my analysis since he was driving to...
(12/n)...Iowa at the time, but I was happy knowing I did what I came for. In the end, the campaign didn& #39;t need another data analyst (to be fair, I also offered to dog sit as I& #39;m great with dogs) and I bought my plane ticket home. I spent a small fortune on my adventure, and I& #39;m..
(13/n)...sure Mike Schmuhl would rather I just skipped the trip and made a contribution. That& #39;s not how I roll, though, and I was confident in my conviction that I needed to offer my most valuable asset to help Pete win, my work. Was it worth it in the end? Absolutely! I made...
(14/n)…friends with big hearted people I never would have met, I experienced a new town, covering most miles on foot, and I am the only person I know outside of South Bend who has attended Dyngus Day at the West Side Democratic Club. The truth is, I miss South Bend. One day...
(15/n)..I hope to return with Linda just to walk along the river, see a show at the Morris, and have another of Peg& #39;s legendary breakfasts. So thank you, Mayor Pete, for taking a chance on your country. You offered one of your most valuable assets, your service. As for me,...
(16/16)...I& #39;m just glad I made the trip. Who knows? When you run again, you& #39;ll probably find me at Peggs. I& #39;ll even buy the coffee.
As it turns out, n = 16.
