But Where's The Intrigue?

So last night I attended my first ever home owner's association meeting. There were discussions of management groups, budget reviews, considerations on topics such as entryway landscaping, etc. Honestly, it was more interesting than it sounds, but only because I had never seen one before.

I will say however, that it was almost painfully normal. My occasional viewing of Desperate Housewives, which I mostly watch because my lovely wife enjoys it, has led me to believe that there would be a seedy underbelly to the whole scene that someone as perceptive (or imaginative) as myself would spot in an instant. I don't mean something blatant - I wasn't expecting a gun fight to break out. I was thinking that there would be some sort of seepage though, like a hidden wound bleeding through a shirt, that would present itself as a point of interest.

Instead, it was a bunch of normal people discussing business stuff. What really got to me was the idea that maybe this is how everything works. I mean, if I were to attend the village meeting next week, it would be just like that, but with more people. Little political plays, but really nothing more than people concerned with property values and who has to shovel snow. Worse yet, what if the actual government works this way? Like, it's just a bunch of people sitting around talking about stuff, and each level it's just stuff that affects more people.

Okay, I know what you're saying right now - "Well, duh.". But come on, you can't tell me that some part of you doesn't secretly wonder what's really going on. I mean, it can't all just be people sitting around and discussing things. Obviously, at some point corruption enters the system, and we get that seedy underbelly I was alluding to earlier. (Which is a really weird expression now that I've said it twice - isn't a burger bun technically "seedy"? Is there something wrong with that?)

I digress. I guess the point I was trying to make is that our media is, as usual, misleading me into believing that there is a lot more going on here than there really is. I mean, between the television dramas and the news only covering scandal, you get to thinking that this stuff is everywhere (not unlike my use of italics today - hmm). Instead, I just find a bunch of seemingly decent people wanting to make sure that their kids (and subsequently, mine) aren't hit by cars or stray paint balls. Hardly the stuff of a saucy nighttime soap opera, no?

Well, I'll keep my eyes peeled for untoward going on around the neighborhood and keep you posted. So far, the only thing I've heard about is a creepy, long-haired guy who seems nice enough but sort of watches everybody like he's looking for something.

Here's hoping I don't run into that freak.