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As you can imagine, we've all been very busy over the past few days. We're all going about 100mph in about 100 different ways. We can see the city of Denver changing by the hour. More protestors, more vendors, more media, more people! The students and I are taking it in the best we can.

I wish my family could be taking this in with me! 

Here are some highlights for the last 24 hours...

Today was something of a light day for me, as I chose not to venture into the city after our small group meeting. We had two very exciting guest speakers today, Ms. Elbra Wedgeworth, president of the Denver host committee and Special Agent O'Connor of the Secret Service. Ms. Wedgeworth talked about what it took to get the convention to come to Denver (and I'm glad she was so determined, because it is a beautiful city), and Special Agent O'Connor talked about what being a Secret Service Agent entails, focusing on the campaign process.

The past two days have been absolutely terrific. Both yesterday and today,
we got an insider's perspective on the Convention from the very people who are
making it happen. Yesterday the executive producer of the Convention, Ricky
Kershner, talked to us about the production side of the Convention, as opposed
to the political aspect of it. He himself said that he was not very political,
so it was a different perspective then we had been exposed to. The next speaker
was Reverend Leah Daughtry, the CEO of the Democratic National Convention

Another crazy day in Denver...

Kelly and Sam went downtown to see Nancy Pelosi at her book signing and low and behold...a tv crew from Denver wanted to interview both of them. Although they were both interviewed, through the magic of tv editing only Kelly's was used. She did a great job and represented ONU and all of Ohio quite well. I'm such a proud academic dad!

I'm sure Kelly will blog more about the Pelosi book signing (and Sam's role in trying to keep order there).

I got my fieldwork placements today, and they are the most extraordinarily awesome placements I think I could possibly manage!

The past couple of days have great. 
Starting with Monday when I was told I had been selected for the credentials
for Obama’s acceptance speech, coupled with all of the new people I’m meeting;
I’m having a great time.  Last night I hung out with the Mexican
delegation, nearly the entire night at a Moroccan restaurant, and some girls
from New York.  It turns out that the Mexicans are a part of this youth

 The students and I have been kept very busy these past few days.  We've already heard from the CEO of the Convention Committee, the Executive Producer of the Convention, the Director for the Inside Logistical operations of the Convention, and the Director for the Outside Logistics relating to the Convention.  We've heard a great deal simply about what it takes to put on a convention...interestingly, we've heard very little about the political foundations relating to this Convention.  I think we will get quite a bit of that story next week (at least from the speakers).