Current mood:

excited

At the Democratic National Convention
As I type this I'm seated in the middle of the California Delegation at the Democratic National Convention. There is something surreal about that.

So how did I get here? Well, I was elected a Kerry Delegate early this year thanks to a lot of support from friends. Let me paint the picture for you. Imagine a large arena with stadium style seating. The seating is divided by States with red, white, and blue signs to portion off each delegation. All delegates sit within their delegations. Each State arranges this differently. Some have assigned seats while others, like California, go for the more open seating approach.

Elected officials mingle with delegates. In my row Attorney General of California Bill Lockyear sits with his wife.

We've just been asked to stand and watch a digital camera which has taken a picture of the whole convention. Say 'Kerry' the person on stage says. Much of the audience responds ' Kerry' while the rest replies with an impromptu 'Edwards.' This continues for several minutes until the picture is done. Now a band is playing 'Dancing in the Streets' and people are swaying to the music. The intensity of 15,000+ people is quite amazing. There is nothing like it I've experienced anywhere else. This is only day one. We haven't gotten to anything more exiting than a speech from the Mayor of Boston.

Apparently I spoke too soon. Just as I typed that the Chairman of the DNCC was announced. He's now speaking and I'm going to listen. More soon.