haha - good story in a comment on gakwer

I grew up all over the United States, but graduated high school from a little rinky dink bordertown in Texas. About 19 years ago, I was away at college, and when I got my absentee ballot, I saw no one was running for mayor, so I wrote my name in. And, yes, I was elected mayor. It was an almost entirely honorary title. The town was unincorporated, and didn't even have fire or police. It paid $300 a year, and I was mayor for 4 years. I came back after college and became a school teacher for a while, and around town, the people called me "Miss Mayor." And then I got the hell out of there and went to grad school and then law school in better, more exciting cities.

But I have to admit, even to this day, I still miss the status. Really. I miss being called "Miss Mayor." I miss everyone knowing my name (although the town had less than 700 people). I miss the slight deference people paid me, and I miss the small courtesies I was afforded. I got to go to a Texas mayors conference with the mayors of Dallas and Austin and Houston, and I was treated as an equal. It's odd. It was a joke at the time, but when it was over, I really missed it and I still do.

Anyway, I just mention this, because when I see someone who had a little bit of power or a little bit of status going sort of nuts as they enter their decline, I sympathize. I get this sick feeling in my belly sometimes because I used to be mayor of nowhere, and now I'm just a girl in the big city (well... Austin). And Jim Carrey used to be the BIGGEST MOVIE STAR IN THE WORLD. And now, I can't remember the last time he was in anything good. His moment has passed, and it's all downhill from here. And if this video is sincere and not just some Andy Kaufman-esque joke, then... I sort of know what it's like to have it all and then go slightly crazy.

I hope that didn't sound nuts. I'm feeling slightly maudlin, and I'm going to open this second bottle of wine. (Edit comment)