Checking the Box

The other night I attended a fundraiser for Hillary. A couple of friends had talked me into it, hinting that the casual gathering, at a private home in an exclusive part of Bangkok, might be graced by a phone call from Hillary’s husband.

I’m generally not too big on cocktail parties, and I’d never been to a political event where I was tapped for money before. It was funny to me that my initiation to this American institution would take place outside the States.

About 25 people showed up, some seriously into politics, others there for the food. Few were committed to the candidate, which was fine with me. I’d probably be satisfied with any of the Democrats.

I enjoyed the mingling more than I liked talking about the election, which in my mind is still way too far off to be stimulating. Bill didn’t ring, but we did have a speakerphone conversation with Madeline Albright.

So I’ve checked another box on the list of life experiences. Along with eating shark fin soup and riding an elephant, it’s one of those rites of passage I can say I’ve done and therefore don’t have to make a habit of.