Wow. It's been a day and a half so far...

[TygrBright]

...and I'm still at the Pepsi Center. Or BACK at the Pepsi Center, with The World's Most Wonderful Human Being.

Elad & Hissyspit were going to the meetup-- I wanted to go too, but the chance to see Bill Clinton and Joe Biden speak was a strong inducement to continue my bloggerly duties tonight. Elad generously donated the other Hall Pass and I invited Himself "Oh boy, come along! We'll get a chance to actually see everything and stuff..."

I am mildly crowd-phobic. Himself isn't phobic but he really, really dislikes crowds.

I hadn't been here Monday night or last night, so I had no idea what I was getting into. In spite of impressive logistics, we spent a long, hot time in line waiting to go through security. And when we finally got through, and got into the Pepsi Center... HOLY COW! I have NEVER seen so many people in one place. I hadn't realized that far, far more Hall Passes were distributed than there would be Cheap Seats available. Apparently you have to get here by five or so at the latest to get a cheap seat.

The concourses were mob scenes. I've seen rush hours on the Beltway that were easier to navigate. We shoved our way through the entire circumference of the uppermost concourse-- no dice, no seats. And we were both hungry and wanted to eat and the lines at the Dippin' Dots and nacho stands were kilometers long. What to do, what to do...?

>>Joe Biden's name was just placed in nomination with a big "YAAAAY!" that got laughs and appreciative imitations down here in the Blogger Dungeon.<<

So we snuck down to the Club level-- where the crowds were even worse, partly because the concourse is narrower and more people were standing around the many private bars and buffets and big-screen monitors. But we were able to make our way to one of the food stands and ended up with better grub and very little wait. Then more crowd navigation, halfway around the concourse to the Press elevators. A long wait there while Very Important People and their Secret Service escorts co-opted several elevators.

Now we're in the Blogger Dungeon (I'll post pics later or tomorrow) and I'm at a table while he is sitting with the patience of a saint on an uncomfortable sofa and we're waiting for Biden to speak: Here he comes!

more later. Joe's talkin' now and I wanna lissen.