Memories
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The soft September sun shined down upon the expectant crowd and dignitaries. The weather seemed to know that today was no time to act out, a day long delayed by the traditional constraints on any building project. On the south bank of the Christiana River, the Joseph R. Biden Presidential Library and Museum stands as a reflection of the expanded and newly reminted Joseph R. Biden Railroad Station across the river, just one small station of the former President’s most visible legacy.
On the grandstand, Mayor Baker, his sister Senator Owens, Senator Carper, Representative Castle and Governor Minner chatted amiably, displaying the trademark bipartisanship and intimacy of the small and sometimes overlooked state. In the front row sat the Biden family, most notably Beau Biden, already making waves in Delaware with rumors about political career of his own floating around Wilmington and down the high speed rail to D.C. as well. The scion of the family came up to the stage and took the microphone, introducing his father.
The University of Delaware band struck up with Our Delaware as the man of the hour bound forward on stage, with his trademark, boyish energy and smile. The former President hardly seemed like a man pushing 60, showing little aging from having served through one of the most monumental changes in modern history. The only outward betrayal of his age was the thinned, receding hairline. Today it seemed to be making a suspicious return though… Eventually, the crowd died down.
“Gosh, what a day, Delaware! Standing before you all today, I feel as young as when I first ran for Senate all those years back. I think about what a journey it was that took me here today, all the roads, all the tracks, I had to travel down…”
---
Sterile – sterile is the only word that fits a doctor’s office, hopefully. No matter the décor, when it came down to it, you are still sitting in a grey room of faded pastels, every inch colored for easy cleaning and a supposedly soothing atmosphere. To sit and wait in the artificial bubble when one is most prone on a biological level is bothersome to virtually all people. Senator Joe Biden was no different. Finally, the masochist in the white coat returned.
“Well, Senator, I will admit that you are exceptionally healthy for your age.”
“That’s no surprise to me but always good to hear, Doc.”
“Well, I wouldn’t break out the champagne just yet. Your blood pressure was slightly higher than we typically prefer… how is your diet?”
“My diet? I eat well enough.”
“And how often to get regular exercise?”
“Well, my chosen profession sort of keeps me busy.”
“I’m not joking, Joe. If we don’t keep this in check, and you develop hypertension, you’ll be at much high risk of stroke, heart attack, aneurysms…”
“Okay, okay, I get the picture. Cut the steak, more salads.”
“For starters, yes. Regular cardiovascular exercise…”
“[audible sigh]”
“Regular cardiovascular exercise is critical as well.”
“Well, if you say so, Glenn. I guess me jogging would make a good photo op.”
---
Variety
January 12, 2002
“Phil Hartman has been confirmed as signing on to the new Ben Stiller project, ‘Stump Speech’. Hartman will play a buffoonish Presidential candidate stuck in rural America, with his wife, womanizing son and chief-of-staff, when their campaign bus breaks down. Rumored to also be attached is Brendan Fraser as Hartman’s son. It is currently slated for a fall release to correspond with the off-year elections.”
---
The soft September sun shined down upon the expectant crowd and dignitaries. The weather seemed to know that today was no time to act out, a day long delayed by the traditional constraints on any building project. On the south bank of the Christiana River, the Joseph R. Biden Presidential Library and Museum stands as a reflection of the expanded and newly reminted Joseph R. Biden Railroad Station across the river, just one small station of the former President’s most visible legacy.
On the grandstand, Mayor Baker, his sister Senator Owens, Senator Carper, Representative Castle and Governor Minner chatted amiably, displaying the trademark bipartisanship and intimacy of the small and sometimes overlooked state. In the front row sat the Biden family, most notably Beau Biden, already making waves in Delaware with rumors about political career of his own floating around Wilmington and down the high speed rail to D.C. as well. The scion of the family came up to the stage and took the microphone, introducing his father.
The University of Delaware band struck up with Our Delaware as the man of the hour bound forward on stage, with his trademark, boyish energy and smile. The former President hardly seemed like a man pushing 60, showing little aging from having served through one of the most monumental changes in modern history. The only outward betrayal of his age was the thinned, receding hairline. Today it seemed to be making a suspicious return though… Eventually, the crowd died down.
“Gosh, what a day, Delaware! Standing before you all today, I feel as young as when I first ran for Senate all those years back. I think about what a journey it was that took me here today, all the roads, all the tracks, I had to travel down…”
---
Sterile – sterile is the only word that fits a doctor’s office, hopefully. No matter the décor, when it came down to it, you are still sitting in a grey room of faded pastels, every inch colored for easy cleaning and a supposedly soothing atmosphere. To sit and wait in the artificial bubble when one is most prone on a biological level is bothersome to virtually all people. Senator Joe Biden was no different. Finally, the masochist in the white coat returned.
“Well, Senator, I will admit that you are exceptionally healthy for your age.”
“That’s no surprise to me but always good to hear, Doc.”
“Well, I wouldn’t break out the champagne just yet. Your blood pressure was slightly higher than we typically prefer… how is your diet?”
“My diet? I eat well enough.”
“And how often to get regular exercise?”
“Well, my chosen profession sort of keeps me busy.”
“I’m not joking, Joe. If we don’t keep this in check, and you develop hypertension, you’ll be at much high risk of stroke, heart attack, aneurysms…”
“Okay, okay, I get the picture. Cut the steak, more salads.”
“For starters, yes. Regular cardiovascular exercise…”
“[audible sigh]”
“Regular cardiovascular exercise is critical as well.”
“Well, if you say so, Glenn. I guess me jogging would make a good photo op.”
---
Variety
January 12, 2002
“Phil Hartman has been confirmed as signing on to the new Ben Stiller project, ‘Stump Speech’. Hartman will play a buffoonish Presidential candidate stuck in rural America, with his wife, womanizing son and chief-of-staff, when their campaign bus breaks down. Rumored to also be attached is Brendan Fraser as Hartman’s son. It is currently slated for a fall release to correspond with the off-year elections.”
