First, the logistics...

[Pics] We (Laurie, Sam, Joy and I) left my house (about 15 blocks north of Invesco) around 1:15pm…after a quick pit stop for some burritos and tacos to go…we reached the venue and proceeded to follow the herds to the initial checkpoint to get into the security line. While waiting in line, on a sidewalk, a bunch of folks started "cutting" along the grass…people were getting really upset, saying things like "Obama doesn't like cutters!" and "Ya'll must be Hillary supporters!" Other than that, it was a peaceful wait. We made it past checkpoint and wound around some serious Disneyland gates, walking and talking for a radio interview (I think) and some free water (thanks, coke!). We entered the security tent (complete with pumped in AC that was running well after the event was over…wonder what Al Gore thought of that?) and bam…inside the gates of Invesco by 2:15, in our section/seats by 2:30…only 5.5 hours to go. (Note: We somehow timed our entrance just perfectly because I've heard and read that the lines started backing up for a mile and it took people 2.5+ hours to get in.)

Laurie and I quickly did some research on the merchandise inside, because the stuff being sold/given away outside was amazing (specifically, the "Protect Yourself from John McCain" condom from Planned Parenthood, Obama in a Bottle and the Obama stress ball that I purchased on the way out). I was looking for a hat since the sun was blazing, but alas, there were none to be found…we did, however, find a few great stickers and an obama car magnet. We also started the day off right with Dippin' Dots.

The program started about 3pm…among the first speakers was Nancy Pelosi who was set to call the meeting to order…we were here to conduct business after all. Apparently, her prompter wasn't ready so she stood there for a few seconds looking like a deer in headlights before she could read "Welcome. I call this meeting to order." Or something as equally simple as that which, in my humble opinion, she should have been able to do off the cuff.

Some highlights:

• Shawn Johnson, Olympic Gold Medalist, came out to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. She appeared barefoot and everyone was hoping she would do her floor exercise on the blue carpet runway of the stage but alas, no luck.
• Jennifer Hudson had a touchdown with a stirring rendition of the National Anthem.
• Lots of Colorado democrats…blah blah blah blah
• Ray Rivera on stage…THREE times.
• John Legend and will.i.am "recreating" the "Yes We Can" video (which you can view at your leisure on the right-hand side of this blog) was absolutely a highlight. Loved it.
• Sheryl Crow rocked the house.
• The Texas delegation was fun to watch…not only did I see a lot of rhinestone texas stuff (reference the girls gone Wyoming posts for my own rhinestone texas stuff) but they seemed to be having a grand 'ol time.

• Poor little Wyoming had possibly the worst seats of all of the states, rows and rows and rows behind Guam, which, correct me if I'm wrong, isn't actually a state.
• Laurie's friend Helen was volunteering and told Susan Sarandon she couldn't come on the floor without credentials…that's one crazy liberal so kudos to Helen!
• Al Gore was FIRED UP. Seriously…take the pressure of running for office and the guy is a pretty good speaker. He was "environment" light too…because, don't yell at me, but all of the green talk around this convention made me want to litter (and I drive a Prius)!
• The concessions seemed to be struggling keeping people fed for the 10 hours everyone was there…I was in two lines where the concession ran out of food before I managed to find some nachos with that healthy delicious bag cheese.
• The people handing out the American flags would get mobbed everywhere they went.
• Bill Ritter desperately needed a lozenge.
• Whoever the media people were right on the far east side of the stadium…whose name was not plastered like the major networks…needed to turn down their light voltage.
• They had some "real people" telling their stories which were awefully scripted making them seem a bit insincere…except Barney Smith. That guy has a fan club now…the stadium started chanting his name after the (also scripted) line: I want a President who stands up for Barney Smith…NOT Smith Barney!"
• Every police officer on the planet was at Invesco last night…literally lining the streets blocks around Federal as the crowd let out.

Then…the moment came. They showed a brief biography video of Obama and I was still wondering who would introduce him because we had already seen Joe Biden and Michelle and the girls were seated up front already. The video ended…and all of a sudden…there was Obama walking on stage. The crowd went nuts.