Doors opened at 6, so we left the hotel at 6:20 and caught a cab. It took us 30 minutes to ride 6 blocks. We had to walk the last two to the Convention Center because the streets were blocked off.
The room was huge -- you could get a nice size trade show in it. There were several stations to purchase drink tickets and about twice that many bars. There were about 10 buffet tables with penne and tortelini pasta, vegtables and rolls. Food was good, but no butter for the rolls! Two VIP sections -- one set-up auditorium style and another set up restaurant style on either end of the room -- had the only chairs. There was a section for the press facing the Presidential seal next to one of the dance floors. A band stage was to the left of the Presidential seal, in between the VIP auditorium seating area and the dance floor. The opposite side of the room had another dance floor with a DJ set up. There was a table near it with memorabilia for sale.
We arrived just after 7. Already several hundred people had arrived. We had some drinks and some food. The room was cold, but we figured it would warm up. We walked around and a New York television reporter asked if we were from New York or New Jersey. We said "no," but I heard her comment to her camera-person that my companion looked like a beautiful debutante.
There was some music playing in the background, but a little after 8 the first act came on stage to play. It was Wyclef Jean. The crowd went wild. He was awesome. He played about 5 songs.
We did not run into anyone I knew, but saw Gov. Tim Kaine and Sen. Chuck Shumer. There were people I thought I might know, but the room was pretty dark and I couldn't place anyone. We estimated a few thousand people were there.
The DJ played for a while and people started to dance. Everyone on the other dance floor was just hanging around talking. Then the DJ stopped and the second band took the stage. Their playing was a little screechy for our tastes, so we decided to get another drink. After we finished our drinks, we noticed they were setting out some snacks and so we meandered over to the table. Just as we started to fill our plates, an announcement came on saying that the next part of the program would begin shortly. We rushed over to the dance floor by the stage and waited, hastily devouring our snacks. We were pretty far back, behind a lot of tall people. Finally Vice President and Dr. Biden came. The Vice-President thanked us all and quoted Irish poet Seamus Heaney. Dr. Biden was in a beautiful red gown. They danced to Van Morrison's version of "Have I told You Lately."
Lots of people went to get drinks, so we got a bit closer. About a half-hour later another announcement came on about the next part of the program. A color-guard came in and the band played "Hail to the Chief." It was very exciting and I thought how the last time I was in a room with Barack Obama he was a candidate and now he was President. It was very moving and made up a lot for missing him take the oath earlier in the day. He told us the campaign and administration was about us, but the guy in front of us kept yelling it was about Barack. A space opened up between the guy and me and some woman filled it trying to get out. She sat down in front of me and we ask her husband if she needed help. He said she didn't want to draw attention away from President and Mrs. Obama, who had just started to dance. A man went to get help, then some people asked for water for her. The woman was lying on the floor now. I tried to get through the crowd, but the man who went for help was returning with someone. The dance finished and the crowd started to disperse. A little more excitement than we anticipated -- no really taking in the moment this time -- but it was wonderful to be there.
Real long lines for the coats, but we dread the walk back with our aching feet. We walk the two blocks to the security check and I notice there is one cab with his light on. We have to wait for a motorcade (not the President's) to go by. I knock on his door, since he hasn't moved in the traffic. He takes us, but said it will be slow due to traffic. I said it's inside and our feet ache, so that's fine. Takes us about five minutes to get back to the hotel (as opposed to 30 to get to the Convention Center).
We were tired and achy, but we went to bed happy.
I wish I could have been there with you...We would have had a great time. PS...If you want some help with the blog you got my number. :) Catherine and I were thinking about you while you were there.
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