I really don't think there would have been a fundraising pitch at the end

Look out, Navin R. Johnson. Yours truly is somebody now.

You see, my Congressman took time away from a live town hall meeting to call and invite me to join in.

Because my input is important like that.

The only trouble is, I wasn't able to take the call. I was either singing my toothbrushing song to my son:

The more we brush our toofers
our toofers
our toofers
The more we brush our toofers
The cleaner they'll be

Or drying my daughter's hair in Daddy's Beauty Shop.

So I actually missed my chance to became part of my Congressman's brain trust. But he was kind enough to leave a highly personal message in which he refers to me as something like, "Dear Registered Voter" or "Dear Resident of Certain Zip Code." Both of which are old knicknames of mine.

So let this be a warning to you, kind readers. Don't make the same mistake I did. Don't let your "familial obligations" or "responsibilities" stand in the way of your shot at glory.

Or in the way of your chance to participate in a live town hall meeting. By telephone.

Your Congressman needs you. Your country needs you.