Part 2 Demfest 2006

Part 1 is here and more DemFest and Howard Dean posts here. If you have photos from DemFest and would like me to post them, please e-mail me at howardempowered at gmail.com

OK, so the plane lands safely with fire trucks and ambulances ready to rescue us.

On Saturday morning it was decision time. The opening speaker was a "mystery guest" but we wanted to have a decent breakfast. Marcia voted to see the presentation. I recommended, with input from Paula, that we eat at Denny's. Our pride was on the line, we could eat a warm breakfast with protein and possibly miss Howard Dean if he were the mystery guest, or we could have another missed meal and see someone we didn't even care about. We understood our risk because if we were eating instead of seeing Howard, we crushies would never live it down. True crushies were sorted out. Lois, Paula, Jennifer, Barbara and I succumbed to hunger. Marcia would never let hunger get in way of possibilities. In the end, our pride is still intact.

The evening "Blastout" was the big event of the fest. It was preceded by a BBQ which would have been lovely except for the atypical sweltering heat. The outdoor arena sloped steeply down to the stage but it gave excellent visibility to all seats. Unusual for a Dean event, there was assigned seating. Because we had bought out tickets on-line that meant none of us could sit together. This was disappointing because there is nothing like seeing Howard Dean while next to a crushie. I ended up making, "new best friends" with people sitting next to me. Al Frankin opened the event (I wonder what it cost to have him around for 2 days!!) There were several excellent musicians ranging from country to instrumental guitarist. My favorite outspoken female politician, Maxine Waters, was her usual inspiring self. I always feel like I am at a liberal revival when she is the speaker. The comedian, Mark Malon had me in stitches. I love line about Bill Gates having a giant bank account up in space that deposits all that time that "disappears" while we are on the internet.

There is nothing like Howard Dean in a room full of his supporters. He was at his best, reminiscent of his campaign days. Howard entered with shirt-sleeves rolled up, ready to inspire us. As he came on stage Marcia, who secured front section seats, moved forward and stood directly at his feet. You must see her incredible pictures.

Hopefully someone has the transcripts of what Dean said but tc described it well in her Dean report "Do you know what Americans really want from their government?" He paused half a second and someone called out "Truth and Love!!" Howard responded, "That's an interesting way to phrase it, but that's right. People want to know that their government will tell them the truth and respect them enough to care about working with all of them instead of trying to divide them."

By the time of the Bloggers breakfast, we had already found each other several times. Darrel was not able to be present, but the speakers recalled the first blogger"s breakfast. It was interesting to go around the room as we each introduced themselves. Several people said they used to blog or they hope to start blogging. Hope the do.

The spontaneous meeting put on by DFA at Sunday lunch was one of my favorite events. It was lead by Tom Hughes, Arshad and of course Jim Dean. It opened with everyone introducing themselves, plus what the most significant thing that happened to them in the last year. I wish this would have been video taped for Howard Dean. I never fail to be overwhelmed by what Gov, Dean has inspired. Paula stood up and thanked Jim Dean for supporting her husband during a difficult time of their campaign. Someone else followed this with praise for Jim. During all of this Jim kept turning a deeper shade of red. Arshad efficiently moved through his agenda of planning and networking.

It really is a disservice to San Diego not to visit the Pacific Ocean, so 5 of us trekked over to the lovely Coronado beach. It is a very deep beach so just hiking down from the street was a days worth of exercise. I have never been swimming on a California beach so I couldn"t pass it up. I walked inside the exclusive Coronado Hotel like a guest and changed into my bathing suit in the restaurant bathroom. The great waves were worth it. We closed out Deanfest with drinks at the beach bar.

It looks like the new plane will eventually get me home around 24 hours after I arrived at the airport. Back to the realities of the world.

Alternate link for comments