Becky Miller Updike is the Director of the Office of Strategic Initiatives at Tennyson Center for Children as well as the Director for the Colorado chapter of Every Child Matters. She is fortunate enough to be attending the Democratic National Convention this week. Becky will be doing a daily blog about what she is encountering at the convention. Here are her thoughts from Day 1.

Above: Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) speaks at the opening night of the DNC.

Not a bad day for a rookie blogger

Monday, August 25, 2008
Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention in Denver

Okay, now that I’ve officially finished my first official day at my first official convention, I’m going to start this blog with a few pearls of wisdom that I picked up along the way.
1)      I’m not going to re-hash everything you can see on TV or online.  This is more an attempt to give you a bird’s-eye view into a normal person’s experience of living in a democracy.
2)      Bring a digital camera or your own personal film crew… do not rely on your Blackberry camera.
3)      High heels are pretty, and really weren’t created for human feet or conventions-- which require a lot of walking.
4)      Always have something amazing to say in 5 seconds or less in case you find yourself face-to-face with Maria Shriver.

First things first.  My day started with walking the kids to school then driving downtown for the convention.  The downtown commute that typically takes 7 minutes took about 18 minutes today, which wasn’t bad considering the extra 50,000 people in Denver this week.  I made my way to the credentialing headquarters, which is located on the 16th Street mall in downtown Denver.  You can probably picture it now: I spot the address—1585 California Street. I spotted it because of the line of people standing in front of it, and they spanned the half block that I could see—until I turned the corner and saw the other half of the line, rapidly filling the next half-block.  I grabbed a spot in line and found myself in a conversation with the gentleman behind me.  Our hour together in that line revealed many admirable and interesting things about him, including the fact that our ancestors are from the same part of Italy, and his wife was the former Attorney General of New Mexico, and would be speaking at the DNC in the evening.  He was there to get her credentials, his, and those of her staff. So this line wasn’t just for the rookies like me.

Once past security and into the Convention Center, there were many things to see and do.  Several groups were holding caucuses, which to my surprise, were open to the public and available by just signing in.  In addition to the caucuses were several booths—a Congresswoman signing her book… vendors giving away free stuff… official Obama booths selling—well, Obama stuff… and no shortage of people wearing red- white and blue stuff from head toe, and most wearing several campaign buttons.  A few even had interesting hats to accent the look.  My favorite was a 3-D depiction of the Mackinac Island Bridge—all in colorful felt. (Mackinac is in northern MI—it’s lovely. Go there sometime.)

The next step was a move to the Pepsi Center for the 4pm start of the evening ceremonies.  The streets were all blocked off for the blocks surrounding the area, so folks either walked or rode in rickshaws.  The long walk culminated in a security line, much like airport travel.  The guy in line behind me had some sacred tribal drumsticks in his bag that he carried for goodluck.  It took about 4 security guards to determine that his drumsticks were harmless and would be permitted in.  Luck, perhaps.

The Pepsi Center is the home of the Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Avalanche, and I’ve been to see the Avalanche play hockey there a few times.  The number of people there tonight may have more than tripled any crowd that has been there before.  I decided to walk around as much as possible, in hopes of seeing some of the who’s who.  Within minutes I saw Dan Rather, and got his photo.  Seconds later, Caroline Kennedy casually passed by.  I passed the camp of every news outlet imaginable including NPR, You Tube, Fox, CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS, BBC and more.  I saw lots of people whose names escaped me.  I recognized some folks from the Jon Stewart Show, taping a skit, and also Gayle King (Oprah’s best friend), Gov. Janet Nepalitano (AZ), and Bill Richardson, Governor of New Mexico and former Presidential Candidate.  Gov. Richardson was kind, as he noticed that I was trying to snap his photo on my tippy-toes, from behind a crowd of people.  He stopped walking, reached out and shook my hand, and asked if I got a photo.  I shook my head yes, thanking him, but to my later disappointment-- the photo was blurry.

The closest brush with fame all evening came is a small hallway on the 2nd floor of the Pepsi Center.  The crowd had bottle-necked, and I realized why when I saw Maria Shriver at the center of the crowd.  I would have to pass her to get through.  I quickly tried to snap a photo, but it too was blurry, so in my last seconds before passing her, I grabbed the last Every Child Matters fan from my purse and handed it to her.

Me: “Maria, here’s an Every Child Matters fan for you. Thanks for all you do.”
Maria: “Thank you” she said, accented with her huge, beautiful trademark smile.
I wished I’d said something more profound, but those moments come quickly.

The remainder of the evening was spent watching historical speeches.  Senator Ted Kennedy made a surprise appearance, which had the entire stadium of people on their feet, and several in tears.  His speech centered around his sense of new hope for our country, despite his diagnosis of cancer about which he did not speak.  As people waved signs bearing the single word “Kennedy”, I jotted down his words about his brother. He spoke about the need for Americans to look toward greatness, and said “when John Kennedy thought of going to the moon, he didn’t say it was too far.”  I likened that to the ECM aspiration that all children in our country might someday have access to quality health care, education and abuse/neglect prevention.  Michelle Obama’s words capped off the evening well, when she said “All of our children’s future is my stake in this election.”  I hope that is indeed the case, for whoever enters the White House in January.

Overall is was a long but exciting day at the DNC.  Tune in tomorrow, for more inside scoop… and this time, with better photos and comfortable shoes. Until then.... sweet dreams & brights awakenings, from Denver.

Read Becky's blog from Day 2 by clicking here.
Read Becky's blog from Day 3 by clicking here.
Read Becky's blog from Day 4 by clicking here.

©2008 Tennyson Center for Children at Colorado Christian Home
Tennyson Center for Children at Colorado Christian Home
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