Creeping up the backstairs, slinking into dark stalls...

You may, or may not, have noticed the book I am currently reading listed over there on the left. In case you haven't, I won't waste your time going to look, I'll just tell you, it's "Backstairs At The White House". Its about a black woman and her daughter who both worked at the White House over a stretch of some 50 years. And during the move, I found the book I had read 30 years ago, and started re-reading it.



Back in the late 70's, NBC made a miniseries of the book. Even though I only about ten, I vividly remember watching it. I loved it, loved it so much I went out and bought the book and read it all then, which as something of an achievement since the book wasn't written for prepubescents.

I was totally captivated by the whole thing. I don't recall if I had an interest in presidents first, or if I got that interest from watching the miniseries, but I do know that ever since then, the American presidency and the men who occupied the office has held an endless fascination for me. I'm pretty sure the topic I have the most books on is American Presidents. And I remember that after watching this miniseries, again at the age of around ten, I could recite the presidents, in order, from Taft (1908-1912) all the way to the current president. And in the ensuing 30 years, I've learned all the president in order, and of the 20th century presidents, I know their wives, their Vice Presidents, and sometimes, even their opponents. Also, I majored in and got my college degree in Political Science mainly because of my interest in the presidents. I also attribute my obsession with politics to my love of presidents.

And to think, all of that flowering from a tv miniseries 30 years ago. Kids are so impressionable.

POLT Listening to "Lips Like Sugar" by Echo And The Bunnymen

Bush: Hard as a rock, but dumber. - bumper sticker