Barack and Me

I just read that Roland Burris has been nominated by Blagojevich to replace Obama in the senate. This struck me because I've actually met Burris. In fact, he's been to my childhood home a few times. My father, Jerry Beguelin, MD, was a early supporter of Burris and we had fundraisers at our home back in the 1970s. I have a vivid memory of the event. One of the Harlem Globe Trotters attended. I remember he had these really cool blue sunglasses. I commented on them, and he actually gave them to me. But I digress.

This is the second time in as many months that I've found myself connected to our President Elect. Last month I was watching Obama's news conference where he announced a bunch of cabinet nominations. It turns out his nomination for US Attorney General, Eric Holder, was actually my lawyer a few years ago. (A long story that I won't go into here.)

Holder was working for Covington and Burling at the time. My college roommate Stuart Irvin also works for this prestigious firm. I called him to chat about this coincidence. It turns out Stuart is also an alumni and parent at Sidwell Friends. Guess who else has kids going to Sidwell? Turns out Barack Obama's daughters will be attending Sidwell next month.

In another coincidence, my daughter's best friend from grade school is also attending Sidwell Friends.

Small world.