My flight to Denver on Saturday was great. I slept the whole time. I was tired. A week of getting school ready to open and a flight the next day wears on you. It's Sunday morning/afternoon; I'm rested and feeling great. I have spent the last two hours sifting through what seems like a trees-worth of paper (I can't imagine what it must have been like before the convention 'went green').
There is so much happening--concerts, socials, receptions, galas, marches, protests, parades--it's endless. There are protester trainings in the park on how not to get injured when you are being pulled or pushed away by riot police (I'm not in those trainings, by the way). There are police on every corner, hybrid buses, free bicycles to ride from event to event, volunteers with signs that say, "Questions...I can help." Denver has really pulled out all the stops for the convention. I imagine that the convention is a real shot in the arm for the economy here.
One of the many exciting opportunities for me here in Denver as a delegate is that I have been invited to some invite-only events with California elected officials. I have one event with each Senator (although Dianne Feinstein isn't here b/c she broke her ankle last week), two events with Bay Area Representatives, and a sit-down conversation with Lt. Governor Garamendi. Mayor Gavin Newsom is sponsoring a concert with, among others, Death Cab for Cutie. Hopefully, I will have an opportunity to talk to some of them or their "people" about issues related to education and No Child Left Behind. We'll see.
There is a chance I may be able to take my computer to the convention floor and blog straight from there. How cool would that be? I hope it happens. I'll keep you posted.
My schedule today is the least hectic of all the days. At 2:00, I will be attending an Interfaith Service to kick-off the convention. At 6:00 there is a concert/party sponsored by the Denver Host Committee benefiting the relief efforts in New Orleans.
It's all very exciting...and the convention hasn't even started.
Until next time...
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3 comments:
Oh...Erik...I'm bummed that you're not going to the protester training. think of the gems you could have shared with us! J/K. Have a great time at the opening events.
Katherine
I can't believe how awesome this opportunity is, B. Seriously. Oprah would be proud!
Wow Erik. I could feel the energy when Michelle spoke all the way back here in San Jose.
What an experience you are having!
Lisa
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