The Citizen's Observer Patrol volunteers were honored at City Hall yesterday, and I was present at the ceremony. Madame Mayor read a proclamation, issued us a certificate, and we had our group picture taken in full uniform to celebrate our crime-fighting contribution to the community.

I glanced around at the audience in Council Chambers and thought to myself "Good grief. What a pathetic collection of decrepit old farts."

Then I realized, with a start, that I must have looked indistinguishable from the rest of them.

In a related development, I also received a signed letter from Barack Obama, addressed to me personally, by first name, thanking me for my contribution to his Presidential campaign--and asking me for more money.

Besides the letter, I also received as a gift a print of the Official Inauguration Ceremony Painting, along with (are you ready for this?) a Certificate of Authenticity.

Ceremony is everything.