Several days after the majority of diaries from Yearly Kos have been posted, I come bearing a few more pictures. I had originally planned to travel back to where I go to college and post from there, but after finding out my new place has some issues (lack of a/c, the toilet doesn’t work, and the internet connection sucks as well) I had to travel all the way back to my parents house, where I am finally free to get on the internet and post while wearing my pajamas.
To put it simply, the YKos 2007 was amazing. Great people, great panels, great speakers, great times. Sure the alcohol was a bit expensive and a salad with cucumber and tomato was $8.00, but several people were so kind to me when they saw that I was a college student. I recall reading a diary before the convention from another student who complained about the cost of getting there, but after selling my soul to a new job, I could afford the travel. But while I initially worried about food and drink, I found that was simply unnecessary. People fed me their leftover (but delicious!) pizza and bought me drinks. Two people I really need to thank are trashablanca and sobermom. Thank you both so much! I’m sure you helped me out because you hate me so much, just like Bill O’Reilly says.
(Edited to remove a few pictures of myself)
When I finally made it to the exhibition halls, there was an interesting dichotomy between the Hillary Clinton and John Edwards booth. Clinton’s was small and not very interesting; just one person behind a table with a few Clinton signs. When I walked into the next exhibition area, I was immediately greeted with this.
Just walking around the convention center, you run into some pretty impressive people. When I first walked up to the registration table, I passed by some very famous blogger names. Nyceve, Jerome a Paris, OrangeClouds115, Cosmic Debris, SallyCat ... all famous names in my mind and there they were standing near the registration or walking around. My heart skipped several beats there. I was also able to snap a picture of Darcy Burner and Charlie Brown, who are both absolutely amazing people.
You’ve probably heard the story, but it’s too hilarious to not repeat again. Scout Finch was going on with the back of her nametag reading "Errin F."
At the convention, the patio was the place to be. If you want your name added or removed from the photos, just let me know here!
From right to left: Cedwyn, Common Sense Mainer, (unknown) and a brief glimpse of Ben Masel
Trashablanca and Eddie C
(l-r) One Pissed Off Liberal, Erevann (standing), Trashablanca, Delaware Dem
Above on left: FishOutOfWater
(L-R) Unknown, Delaware Dem, and Cosmic Debris
Although the bloggers were what really made the convention, here are some pictures of the presidential debate. I was able to grab some awesome seats since I was already in there for the Rebuilding New Orleans panel, so I was sitting literally right in front of Mike Gravel, Bill Richardson, and Chris Dodd. At the beginning of the debate I noticed a man sitting at the next table over holding up a sign but I couldn’t read it until he turned slightly about half-way through the show. Right up in the front row, he was holding a sign that read "Hillary: Stop Lying." And here I thought the buttons with a red slash through the words Clinton Dynasty were enough!
During the debate, audience members and Jeffrey Feldman asked questions, so here's one picture.
After that I hurried my way up four floors to get to the John Edwards breakout session. Despite practically running here, I came in to discover a room already packed. I also noticed the BlogFather himself, Jerome Armstrong in there, sitting right next to me. Sadly, no picture of that, but here is one picture of the large crowd in the room.
And finally, one last picture. This one is of the netroots candidates at the candidate party. Although none of them are from Louisiana where I live, I would be proud to say that anyone of these fine people represents me.
Hope to see y’all again at the next convention, the Netroots Nation wherever it may be!