Just back from Mile High

We were lucky enough to get tickets to Obama's acceptance speech to attend this great historical event tonight. Here's a little of our experiences:

Over the last week, we had been really worried that getting down there was going to be a nightmare and that maybe it was best to just give up our seats (we couldn't get out of work/school before 4pm and then I went and got myself on crutches!). Well, we decided to go for it anyway, time restraints and injuries and all. Some gods must have been smiling on us b/c we couldn't even get out of Fort Collins until ~430 - but somehow we got past the I25 closures just in the nick of time (515) and then, believe it or not, we found parking within limping walking distance. Security took about a half hour (cops were handing out water bottles and lanyards!) and we were in the stadium ~6pm! The only problem was food - we didn't have dinner and were told that we couldn't bring anything to eat into the stadium, and, of course, the concession stands were running out of everything but soda and water. I waited 45 minutes for 2 of the last brats (no healthy choices), and we got to our seats just when Gore was starting. All the speakers were on fire. The crowd around us was really enthusiastic except for some college-age kids sitting in front of us. We chatted with other supporters and clapped/hollered/booed at all the appropriate times. Obama's video came on and we were handed out signs that said "change" to wave. As you all know, Obama then kicked ass with his oral ninja skills - we all hollered some more, clapped, weeped a little, and then there were fireworks!!! (interesting aside - we were way, way up at the top and were sitting right under 2 agents that were scanning the periphery with the biggest binochs I have ever seen!) We left, had to circumvent a bunch of sideroads to get back on I25, and then made it home ~midnight.

One last personal note and then I will get lost for the night. When I heard Obama speak at the last convention, it was the first time in my life that I believed in the American dream. I know that it is corny to say - but it is true - Obama gave me hope that there could be something better for this country. However, despite canvassing and calling for campaign, I've had a difficult time describing why I support Obama besides that he is a democrat and I agree with him on most issues. Tonight, I think I realized why I feel a connection to this person. I was raised without a father and had a mother who gave everything - and I mean everything - for my education. In many ways, I, too, feel like I am more defined by the absence of my father. My mom pushed me and pushed me b/c she believed, rightly, that education was the only way to get out of our poverty. I was also raised to always care for those who have no voice, the oppressed, the forgotten. That's led me to animal medicine and I hope one day to be a conscientious and effective disease researcher. This is my American dream, to rise out of poverty, be the first in my family to go to college, let alone attain 2 doctoral degrees, to become a professional whose children will never have to worry about where their next meal will come from, and to, hopefully, make a difference in this world. I thank Obama for helping me believe that my American dream can also come true.

Thanks for your time, and Go Obama!!!

1) What the heck is a "lanyards"
2) How did everyone get out of that place?? Did it take forever?

Thank you for relaying your experiences you lucky duck!

lanyards are those little rope things that hold badges, keys, etc. and go around the neck (at least, i think)

yes, took quite some time - longer than it took to get in. it was over ~915, we got to our car ~1015, and got home ~midnight.

:hi:

It's so great to hear the experiences of DU'ers who actually got to go!! ~~~

And thanks MrsP on the "lanyard factoid"!! ~~

wasn't too bad. Really things ran very smoothly for the whole trip. The worst for us was standing in the security line to get into the convention hall/Pepsi Center.

Thanks for posting!

:hi:

how lucky to be there.

You can see it in their eyes - he renews hope and he reawakens the dream, you can see it in folks' eyes that their visions of what can be are rekindled - they believe in themselves and what they can do to know the dream and help others realize their own.

Here is to your dream and all you have done for his campaign and for us. :toast:

thank you and welcome to DU! :hi: :patriot:

and thanks - i'm off to bed as i have a histo quiz in the am

:hi:

Now let's all get fired up and ready to go!!!

he inspires me to be a better person.

I'm too tired to put into words now just how honored I feel to have been there, to be part of history. To be surrounded by so many beautiful democrats, my party - the party of inclusion. The party whose leaders have always inspired me - but today was truly special.

You will remember this forever and thanks for the report!

We want our dreams back, and tonight even though it was Barack's words and his voice, he was reclaiming the dreams of everyone in this united brotherhood and sisterhood. He genuinely wants to be a President that teaches us to endure struggles together so that we never let the dreams die for those who have yet to learn and dared to make their own way. Lovely story mrs p. :hi:

it's get to have a first hand report. :-)

but i'm going to start kicking all the pro-obama threads. palin is already getting old...

:kick: