In The Air, Change!

Joe Biden: "We don't have to accept a situation we cannot bear. We have the power to change it."
The collective sense in Denver these days is mounting hope, and the usual media ploys of distracting readership with "glossy" issues is fading.
We see people getting their news now from each other, Twitter, Blogs, proven sites that adhere to integrity. Gone are the days of shuffling out one's driveway in a bathrobe to grab the local morning paper, blindly, obediently reading it over coffee. People now sit in their cubicles following the world (sorry boss, you need to know that), they balance laptops in bed at night and read a multitude of voices, and reactions. People now process the information on their own time, from who they come to trust, and even share their reactions, and develop conversations in Comments section, and this is why people are feeling hope. They finally feel like they are contributing to the dialog, the process, and certainly the outcome of the election.
So exciting.
Note the speeches, the "we" in all this. Not the "I promise" which, sometimes turns out to be a lie. Participatory citizenship. This is new, exciting, and it seems to engage everyone I have spoken to. Change for sure. Cindy McCain's half-sister is going for it. We all are.

DNC, update

So the orange lady sang, and everyone gets to go....get some rest or party hearty..... depending. There are tons of parties, live music, happenings. But some people actually worked today.
There are also a lot of gals in high heels who had to traipse around Denver, (overheard, "John, wait up, I have lady shoes on") maneuvering through stalled cars and randomly expanding secure perimeters. Those pesky demonstrators. Yes they are flexing their democratic muscles but do they have to delay all events?
Everyone looks tired. Even the rickshaw guys, who are pocketing hundreds of US bucks a day pedaling swells through the sweltering streets, need breaks.

DNC, So Green

Earth-friendly and Ready

Denver is looking good! All clean, green, shiny and, despite some scuffles downtown tonight, very friendly. Key events have been scheduled throughout the day, many open to the public/media but previous arrangements seem essential. Then sometimes not. Policies seem to vary.
One refreshing oasis in the overwhelming heat/overload today was The Starz Green Room, over on the Auraria Campus, an enlightened film center at all times, and a hotbed of ideas during these convention-hosting times. Film screenings, open discussions by "informed, involved and involving panelists" makes this a must-get-in.

Getting Around
The best way to maneuver Denver's random, one-way this street, blocked for security that street system is to nab a free bike. The brilliant folks at Bikes Belong Coalition have set up a free bike plan throughout downtown for the week. Did I say free? Forget walking, taxi or rickshaw. Just go in to one of the seven eager stations with your ID and credit card, and within minutes you are rolling out on a brand new cruiser, with a helmet and bike lock in the cute pouch on your (ask for a bell) handlebars. So fun. So green (idling SUV's guys!) So easy. Done playing? Drop the bike at any station. Need to roll? Go grab another. I like it!

DNC....It's a Circus!

So patience, my friends.....I got frozen out of "The Big Tent" today.....credential nightmare there, as it is around town. Hundreds of bloggers, along with major media personnel were allotted access to the plush, air-conditioned, free beer, rub shoulders with others tent, sponsored by Digg, Goggle, and lots of other household words. But, not LuluMom. No laminate, no in.
But I'm not bitter, at least not now that I've found the MySpace Cafe, with outlets, and wireless, to upload images from around town.
So all the world seems to have descended upon this funny cow town to see, be seen, and of course get this groovy Obama guy into office as our 44th President.
And through words, costume, banner, truck, bike, people have a lot to say. That's democracy for ya. Anyway, the cops seem pretty chill, people are polite and wonderful, all well.
More later as I upload todays images, and tell you about a wonderful film.

Off To Denver

Ready, steady, off I go to tackle timely, real news, real time, real tech..... I will be posting from Denver this week. My first political convention.
So much, so much going on! What to see? Follow? Attend?
Let me know what you want covered.
Meantime:
I will follow my nose for news and blog what's fun, important, or merely shiny.
Look for bits and bites, as I send y'all a Rocky Mountain Hi.