who climbed into the trees to get a better look at the mega screens.
People stood in a big fan in front of them and sat in rows along the
curb at street level. Families, including a surprising number of kids
under ten, are starting to find seats on the lawn. Here in the "B-
list" rally, we were allowed to bring in bags and blankets, so we have
that over our 78,000 friends. Food is not permitted... to bring in,
though Connie's Pizza thankfully bridges the gap for the hungry. Lines
for pizza and sodas are as long or longer than the people camped out
in front of the CNN displays.
In my quadrant, police took the unusual step of forming a double line
of modular fences to split the field in two. For the life of me, I
cannot fathom the reason for this, except perhaps to give them a place
to hang out and scan the crowd. Not far from here, super bright arc
lights create a pool of daylight no doubt attractive and useful to the
numerous camerapeople wandering the rally. I briefly considered
hanging out for camera bait, but mischief is far from my mind tonight.
Red states are starting to go for McCain, pushing him over 135. In
spite of the jump, CNN explains that his path to the White House is
increasingly perilous. People cheered when CNN brought up the Senate
race in Minnesota, Al Franken versus the Republican incumbent, what's-
his-face. I like those people. I read at dinner that Hillary Clinton
made her 75th appearance in favor of Obama while promoting Franken and
trying to push a 60 Democrat filibuster proof majority in the Senate.
Good on her.
CNN is showing Star Wars-level 3D graphics that lead me to suspect
that after this race they are going to assault the Death Star.
Meanwhile, the third person has tripped over my feet while I sit here
writing this. For the umpteenth time, I wish I had packed sneakers to
go with my black leather dress shoes, all-but invisible in the pool of
darkness formed by my body.
I was stopped on my way here for directions to Monroe, a challenge
since there is one way in or out of this rally and it does not cross
Monroe.
A Land Rover commercial just came on, voiced over by the actor who
plays Mohindet Suresh on Heroes. Just one problem with the soothing
British tones emanating from the tube: the actor is American
(surprise!). What a pity for that actor to achieve fame unrelated to
him as a person. I guess he has to settle for diving into his vault of
money a la Scrooge McDuck. Poor soul.
