There we were in Las Vegas last year.
Me and my new friend at the top of the Stratosphere. (And they say Chicago is the 'windy city'!)
Actually, I hadn't seen this incredible photo of me and sidepocket's better half (waving hi guys!!!) on top of the world until a couple of days ago when they arrived in my inbox.
A little blurry was the explanation for its delay.
Hey, you can see our smiles, can't you? That's all that matters, then!
It's quickly become my favorite of all the pics in my collection from last year. A collection I wanted to share once more with everyone as we embark upon another stratospheric gathering of hearts and minds. As I wrote last year in my post-convention photo essay, We Were ALL at YK2006.
And we're ALL going to be there together, again, this year...
Yes, you read that right: We were ALL at YearlyKos.
You, me, everyone who's part of our movement was there. Oh, sure. You might have had to physically stay home caring for your mother, or perhaps you were swamped with work. Maybe funds were too tight (as they are for a lot of us in Bush's America), and that's what kept you from trekking to Vegas this weekend.
No matter -- you were there with us. We were all together as one.
There aren't going to be any 'us' and 'them' camps. As a sprinkling of diarists worried in the days leading up to the convention, we're not going to rate up anyone's diary just because they were there -- and we're not going to neglect anyone who couldn't make it. (Heck, who can know for sure who was there and who wasn't? There were so many of us, you just could not meet everyone even if you tried.)
You may not spot yourself in any of these pictures, but be assured, you were right there the whole time...
On Saturday night, I ran from table to table snapping photos and quickly saying 'hi' to as many people as I could before the program began. Unfortunately, I didn't catch everyone's name/handle. If you spot yourself in one of the photos, and you have time, please point yourself out to everyone else. Would love to hear your unique experience of the convention, too. So much was happening at once, no matter how much you did, you still missed out on entire adventures that were occurring simultaneously somewhere else. :o)
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Below: Some of the bling we received this weekend; a handsome tinfoil hat, and two smiling, beautiful faces. Sam Seder signing his new book, then me and Ellicatt the first evening (smiling because we're wearing 'matching' outfits...ruby tops, black pants, and black sandals...although the colors of our tops were a lot closer of a match in person than in the photo). Markos, of course, and his beautiful family; Arianna Huffington and a big fan; the martini-making YearlyKos Ice Sculpture at the Warner party on top of the Stratosphere. More warm Kossacks. And the big panel: The CIA Leak Investigation. [l-to-r: Larry Johnson, Ambassador Joe Wilson, Dan Froomkin, Jane Hamsher, Murray Waas, Christy Hardin Smith (ReddHedd), and Marcy Wheeler (emptywheel)]
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Below: A tip of the hat to the great Iraq issues panels that YearlyKos presented (I'll have much more reporting on these panels in the next few days). The War, Foreign Policy & Activism panel: Ari Melber, Alex Rossmiller (a former intel officer who'd volunteered for Iraq duty) and Lakshmi Chaundhry joined Arianna Huffington. Gen. Wesley Clark not only hosted a party (missed that one darn it), but he also spoke at the Championing Science presentation moderated by Darksyde himself.
While the Booman and My Left Wing gangs were partying at Circus Circus, I missed that fun for a chance to see the incredible, riveting, mind-bending winner of this year's Best Feature Documentary, Tribeca Film Festival: The War Tapes. (GO SEE IT when it comes to your town; a true masterwork. Trailer: here.) That's Iraq vet Zack Bazzi [Zack is currently serving in Afghanistan] -- one of three troops who were given cameras to shoot footage of what their life was like while serving in combat -- sitting to the left of Executive Producer Chuck Lacy and Supreme Promo Guy Alex Urevick-Ackelsberg. The View from the Ground: Iraq Veterans on the War and Returning Home panel featuring members of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) was the main selling point of the conference for me. What an honor to meet founder Paul Rieckhoff, along with fellow vets, Abbie Pickett (who I was able to speak with at some length), and Perry Jeffries.
Another Iraq vet and one of our Fightin' Dems, John Laesch, was all over the conference (bottom right). I've never seen anyone work so hard to meet so many people; at this rate, he's sure to beat opponent Dennis Hastert. Laesch took some time out to sit down and speak with me at length, too; we may do some work together for his campaign. Please consider donating to it; he sure has earned a little love from us as much as he was out and about at YearlyKos.
A big heartfelt thanks to all the veterans that made it out to YearlyKos. It was a great experience to be able to thank them in person for their service and sacrifices.
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And speaking of heroes, this one's worth too much to mix into a collage.
For everyone who crossed paths with Ambassador Joe Wilson, it's always the same story: he's the sweetest, most down-to-earth guy around. Mingling with us at every opportunity. This pic was snapped as my husband and I were heading up to get our Blogosphere at the Stratosphere party passes from our room. As we were waiting for the elevator, Joe Wilson stepped off (alone). No one else was around. He stopped and shook our hands, and asked us where we were from.
We could tell he was heading over to Gov. Warner's party, too, because he had the pass in his hand. I had my camera, and broke down and finally decided I'd ask if I could get my picture snapped with him. Only problem? I looked at my husband and said, "Would you mind taking a picture of us?" instead of asking Ambassador Wilson if he'd mind getting his picture taken with me! Smooth, Ilona. We all laughed. What a true gentleman -- and we already know he's a true patriot. America's lucky to have him.
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Below: The next pics are of the Stratosphere and Gov. Warner's party that you've heard of ad naseum by now, I'm sure. That middle photo, btw, shows my husband getting as close as he got to a Vegas show girl while we were there (I think!)...
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Below: Oh, boy. What a mish mash I've made here. We've got Howard Dean's morning speech, as well as pics of the premier of The Big Buy: How Tom DeLay Stole Congress. Fittingly, I've mixed in a photo with Jim Derych who used to be a Rush fan, but has now made his Confessions of a Former Dittohead. Which reminds me, the top picture bears a resemblance to some guy we all love and know, doesn't it? Maybe not as good as Will Farrell's impersonation of Bush, but the bit was really funny and the guy did a solid job. We were in stitches...
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And now, some of my favorite shots; some of the beautiful people that make up our 'little' community here at Daily Kos:
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And, believe it or not, much more (can you take it!?) over at ePluribus Media...including more Joe Wilson, the Young Turks, BarbinMD, Kay Shepherd, LeftyLimblog, Timroff, standingup...:o)
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Looking forward to sharing time with you guys again.
Both those coming to Chicago (safe travels to everyone), and those I'll catch up with in this year's photo essay when it's all wrapped up. And if you see me with my camera, don't forget to smile!
As if you could help yourselves, Kossacks...