Tales from Tallahassee II: Regrets from a bad, bad dog

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While there was a lot done and accomplished in Tallahassee when Ladra went up for Dade Days, there are regrets, too. Naturally.

First let me say that I regret posting this so late. But there’s been an election in Coral Gables, posts coming about Doral and Sweetwater, and a lot of activity regarding the Dolphins stadium, so Ladra is busy.

Just like in Tally. Obviously, I regret that I didn’t have more time. It was a jam-packed three days and I’m already making plans to return.

It would have been great to meet with State Rep. Erik Fresen (R-Coral Gables), who I admire — despite his ties to charter schools (more on that later) — not only because he talks as fast as I do (that’s not the only reason, Representative), but also because he has an independent streak. Though we bumped into each other a couple of times when we were scheduled elsewhere, I kept missing him at his office and I wanted a few minutes of facetime.

Ditto with State Rep. Carlos Trujillo (R-Doral), who Ladra was going to softly spank for his parent trigger bill but more eagerly share notes on the Dolphins stadium issue and maquinitas ban he championed. I mostly regret having stood him up. My apologies, representative, for missing our appointment. Seems like every meeting ran late that afternoon and we were way on the other side of the maze-like building complex and all it’s bridges to. But hi to Alex Miranda,  Trujillo’s chief of staff. I do not regret meeting you.

I didn’t stop by Sen. Rene “El Salsero” Garcia’s (R-Hialeah) office but it would have been nice to dance salsa con el at the It’s So Miami fiesta at the Hotel Duval. Didn’t see him there — or anywhere, really. I’m sure he was at Rep. Eddy Gonzalez’s (R-Hialeah) pig roast, but I didn’t see him dance. I did see him dance a little on the Senate floor — or, rather, walk around and talk to his colleagues.

And while I may disagree on its merits, I regret not staying in the gallery long enough to hear Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla (R-Coral Gables) speak on his internet gaming bill. He is a brilliant orator and one of Ladra’s favorite people to argue with. And he has one of the best lines I have ever heard uttered (read: quoted) on the Senate floor: “It’s like comparing apples to mameys. That’s a Caribbean fruit.” You can almost hear him say, “…for those of you with no cultural clue.” I have always wanted to hear him live and will have to make a special point of it, next time. After all, he is family.

And, speaking of family, I must admit there was a twinge of regret in not seeing his brothers, former Sen. Alex Diaz de la Portilla and former State Rep. and school board member Renier Diaz de la Portilla, on the floor in the House. Made for a bittersweet visit.

I regret not stopping by the office of State Rep. David Santiago (R-Deltona) who posted flyers in the elevators asking people who had come from Dade Days to visit him in office 1003. “Are you from Miami-Dade,” the flyer said. “Then come over and talk with your pal and State Rep. David Santiago over at office 1003. I make time for all my constituents and friends from Miami!!!” The three exclamation marks are his. He also used a lot of caps.

But constituents? Yes, that is what I wanted to ask him. Because if anyone from Miami-Dade voted for Santiago, then that might be absentee ballot fraud.

I regret not having grabbed the microphone at the Mambo Kings party Wednesday night and belting out some Joan Jett song with Alex Dominguez, executive director of the Miami-Dade Delegation, on the drum set. Or join Miami-Dade Commission Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa, who sang the National Anthem at the Dade Days luncheon on Thursday.

Who knew that our Miami-Dade political people were so musically talented.

I regret not taking more pictures with the people I met and spoke with. I regret not having any stone crabs at the reception hosted by State Rep. David Richardson (D-Miami Beach) I regret that I didn’t have business cards (note to self: Just do it).

I regret starting the day later than I expected to. Every day.

And I regret ending the night earlier than I wanted to. Every night.

  Carlos Trujillo, Dade Days, David Richardson, David Santiago, Eddy Gonzalez, Miami-Dade, Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, Tallahasee