Next Tuesday, my hometown roots and the in-law side of my family tree will converge... resulting in my trunk being in conflict.  Marty and I are going to attend a fundraiser with my father-in-law that is hosted by friends of my parents.  A Republican fundraiser - thus the conflict.  Not only is it a little weird to be going to the fundraiser in the first place, but it's a little strange to see these two (for the most part) separate parts of my world combine.  Especially in the most unlikely (for me) of places.

I've never attended a political fundraiser before.  I'm not exactly sure what to expect.  For example:

The food.  What kind of food do you get for a large sum of money?  I've never eaten such an expensive meal before.  The only fundraisers I've been to are pancake breakfasts and those are pretty good, so as you can see my expectations are high.

Will the Governor remember me?  Although I've never met him, I have sent him a few letters to let him know how I feel about gay marriage.  Based on his response, I'm pretty sure that we don't have the same definition of family values.

Will the Democrats understand my attendance does not mean that I've turned to the Other Side?  I envision streams of protesters lining the driveway of the fundraiser and someone slapping a "turncoat" bumper sticker on my butt as I slink into the event.  That won't happen, will it?

Will my dad understand that my attendance does not mean that I've turned to the Other Side?  Despite his apparent giddiness that I'm going to be there, I'm sure he knows that I'm only going as the date of one of his kind.  And also because my father-in-law asked me to.  Even if he knows, will he still tell everyone that I'm probably the only Democrat there?  Probably.  Will he still show me the secret handshake?  Probably not.

What should I wear?  If I hadn't totally worn out my "Vote for Hillary's Husband" t-shirt, you can bet that's what I'd be wearing.  Short of that, I just don't know what will work.  Something conservative probably, then I'll blend.

Please share any good Republican jokes you may have in your arsenal.  I may need them.  If all else fails, I'll just follow Meghan's tips for getting to know people at a party.  There will be a keg, won't there?