While walking home from my training last week my eyes fell upon a lawn sign for Portland's mayoral candidate Sam Adams.

There was something about the way it was worded. "I'm with Sam...because Portland is for all of us". The sign colors were red, yellow and white which reminded me of McDonalds. The word "all" was written in red and underlined in yellow. But my eyes did not really catch that. Instead what I saw was the "us" part.

"Who is the "us" that is being referred? White men? Particularly white gay men? What?" ...thoughts went through my mind.

I promised myself that if I were to meet up with the campaign people I would tell them is was a poorly worded sign due mostly, again my thoughts, to the fact Sam was running against a (I believe) first generation Japanese man. There were racial connotations to it, for me anyways.

Then my mind wandered even further out on its own and I began to ponder if Sam was coupled. And if so then what his partner was like etc. And if he wasn't coupled then who on earth could he possibly date? I mean it'd be hard I figured, given all the attention to his sexuality in the media. Anyone Sam dated would be quite possibly be scrutinized.

What kind of impact would being elected have on his social life?

Since returning to Portland I'd read some things about him in the media. Nothing that stuck too much in my conscious mind. One night in January I found myself sitting right across from him at a Q-Center function where he spoke. I remember do something silly like winking at him. I also remember having MJ Petroni lay his head on my shoulder and then asking me to rub his shoulders.

Fast forward to last Tuesday night. I'd been asked by my friend John if I wanted to go to Salon Q with him. I'd been before and didn't mind it but wouldn't go out of my way to attend. My horoscope said I should get out and socialize this month so I decided 'what the hey'.

John was out of sorts and I was tired from working on my feet all day taping the Portland Planning Commission meeting. We grabbed some food and I just gorged myself. I'd skipped lunch and felt ravenously hungry and indulgent. Surely Venus was spinning in my chart somewheres.

After so much broo-ha about getting to Salon Q at a certain hour we were, of course, early. Way before most people. Sam Adams happened to be there with his campaign people handing out stickers, mingling and just doing what needs to be done. Such as asking people for money and to volunteer.

John's friend Tusk (or was it Husk?) was there and he attempting to engage me in some conversation. I wasn't into much partly because I just wanted to sit down and there was no place really to go. As soon as a spot opened up I excused myself and went for it. Over the next 20 minutes I just watched the crowd.

After awhile I told John I was ready to split but that I wanted support him in getting his needs met. He seemed uncertain as to what that might be then ditched me for awhile, which he later said was accidental. Whatevers.

I sized up everyone in the room and decided the only person I wanted to meet was Sam Adams. So I introduced myself and wished him luck on his campaign. I also asked him about the stress of his living his private life so openly as a public servant. He was very forthcoming with his answers and quite engaging.

I spoke with him a couple of times then throughout the night and have to admit he was the highlight of my evening by far. Interesting. Daring. Humorous. Once he thought he was embarrassing me and he immediately apologized but it was unnecessary. I found myself wanting to entertain him, make him laugh and even poke at his seriousness a bit. He took it in stride. Loosened up and was really a lot of fun.

At some point he inquired about the plug in my ear. I removed it so he could see the piercing.

"That must hurt" he said.

I kept saying it didn't and by that I meant the stretching took place over a long period of time and doesn't really hurt.

It wasn't until today that I realized that he was right. It did hurt. Not when I stretched it but recently because I'd had to re-stretch it. So he was drawn to point out the part of me that was most pained on my body I realized. Perhaps he is very keenly sensitive too?

Could be.

He told me his sexuality is mentioned a lot in the press. I did some online research and found the proof. It was really over the top and justified my earlier feelings of injustice that this man cannot just live his life. I mean he should be able to enjoy dating like the rest of us poor slobs. Just because he's running for mayor shouldn't disqualify him from having love in his life.

My thoughts anyway....

Good luck Sam. Here's to your winning.