And first of all, I want to say to all of you who came by the booth for Bill Richardson and said hi, THANK YOU for being so great and kind, for trying the New Mexico State Cookie...the biscochito, and sharing your lovely stories and asking the tough questions. Ken and I had so much fun meeting you all!
It was a difficult choice for me to come to Yearly Kos. Not that I didn't want to be there, but I had some serious obstacles pop up in the three weeks before the event. First I sprained my ankle in a freak coffee related accident. Then my mother became seriously ill and was hospitalized for 10 days. Then, there was Sarah...
Sarah turned 7 on Saturday, the most important day of the whole event. I would like to thank Ken and the wonderful people at ePluribus Media for singing "Happy Birthday" over the cell phone for her, she loved it!
But Joaquin at the campaign was counting on me, so I came. I have to say it was all so well worth it. We stayed at Chinatown's finest "one star accomodation...The Chinatown Hotel...
When our cabbie, George, dropped us off in front of the hotel, we were exhausted and starving. We checked in, and asked Mr. Tony at the desk for a recommendation for a good place for dinner, and he sent us across the street.
We ate like fiends...
Joaquin really knows what to order...
and Ken and I were so tired, but the food was great, and the water revived us for the quick trip across the road, and for me the massive hike up four stories of hotel to my room...
The accomodations were a little funky...
and it took me an hour to get the AC to work (thought I would die that night for sure!)
But then the next morning we were off and running at the booth. I met the greatest people. We started handing out cookies and talking about the governor, and I think we really did make a difference. One of the highlights of Friday was meeting Ultrageek, and giving her my last Richardson button...wear it with pride girl! I also enjoyed talking with diarist extraordinairre apsmith who had just penned this great diary
Edwards, Obama, Richardson and Clinton on Energy. I did miss meeting some people I was hoping would be there, like Peace Voter, and was really looking for other New Mexicans. But everyone was so nice and wonderful, and we had some great conversations, didn't we?
The forum was incredible, and I found myself really appreciating just how deep our democratic bench is. There is not one candidate that I wouldn't support with my whole heart and soul in a general election, but I also had my beliefs in Bill Richardson fortified by this event. He was fantastic in the forum, which was the first of these debates to actually give him equal time. He was honest, he didn't pander, and he gained a lot of respect from the crowd. Afterwards, his break out session was in swing, and I stepped outside to call my daughter and found a crowd moving my way. The Edwards break out session ended after just a few minutes! Well, Ken and I started telling the people, "Hey! Richardson is still speaking! He is taking questions, go on in!" and a whole lot of them did, suddenly it was standing room only! I think he did just great, his stories were funny and interesting, he answered questions frankly, and he inspired a lot of hope. So many of you stopped me afterwards to tell me how much you liked the Governor that I almost missed getting to tell him how great he was myself...ALMOST!
He was touched when he heard that I was missing my daughter's birthday to be there for him, and gave me a great hug and said "Tell her happy birthday for me!" and went on to thank the other great volunteers who were there with us that day.
Oh and the following morning, waiting for my flight, I met Land of Enchantment! I didn't know she was there, and I was so glad to finally meet her. If you did at YK, you know she is a great lady!
It was a wonderful experience, though I must confess when I saw my Albuquerque reveal herself through the clouds once I crossed the Sandia Mountains I got tears in my eyes. I had missed home so much, and I have spent the past 24 hours being covered in kisses by my four children, Amanda, Sarah, Maddie, and William, and my wonderful husband Charles. It is sure good to be back!
See you all next year!