DNC Green Team - Day 3

Whew, I'm feeling this in my body today; I'm a bit tired and a little sore. Greening is hard work! Having said that, my soul is flying!!

At the beginning of Day 3, I was excited to get back there, even felt good enough to do a mile on the exercise machine before I left.

I got there in about the same manner as the day before (having trouble finding a place to park). On the train, I sat across from an out-of-towner and a local business guy.

The out-of-towner asked the local business guy questions about the light rail route, where he should get off and how to get to the Pepsi Center. Not surprisingly (or maybe so), the business guy couldn't answer any of the questions, saying that he usually doesn't take the light rail and is unfamiliar with the route. (Ding!) I then helped out the out-of-towner and got a sincere thank you.

This is so my point, people are being exposed to mass transit, thankfully. Maybe this business guy won't take it again, but maybe many more will. One step forward!

After we checked in, went through even more training, we were then divided to go to the Pepsi Center again. (I was worried that I'd be stationed at the Convention Center since I was at the Pepsi Center twice already.) At this point, we actually had our credentials and were ready to board the bus. If you'll remember, Day 1 took us nearly 3 hours to get to our post, Day 2 was 2 hours, and Day 3, 1 hour!

I sat next to one of the team leaders who was brought in from Seattle. She was amazed with Denver and asked tons of questions. It was great to brag about our city. We also talked about the volunteers and who was here to make a difference for others and who was here for their own agenda (getting into the convention). You can sure see who's in it for which reason.

When we arrived, I was assigned to the same media tent I was in the first day, but next to Bloomberg News. I was able to watch the nomination process while the interns were running errands for the writers.

Shortly after we were stationed, I took a water/bathroom break and decided to look around. As I was walking back, I was approached by the team leader. Feeling guilty about not being at my post, I quickly told her I was on a little break. She said, I have a proposition for you... I immediately told her I'd do whatever she needed. She then said the unbelievable, "How would you like to go in?" "Are you kidding? I'll stand by the bathroom to get in," I excitedly responded. She said someone had to leave and that I would be taking her post. My heart was fluttering!!! After thinking I was as close as I'd get, I couldn't believe my great fortune!

Well, I got the proper credentials and was escorted to my post. I was to the speaker's right on the 3rd level!!!!! I couldn't contain myself! Delegates, politicians and a few local people I know passed by my station. People thanked me for doing this and for my time. I was an intricate part of the DNC!!! Wow! There was a large screen TV in front of me and it was crowded with people that weren't able to get into the full arena. Although I wasn't able to really hear the speakers (I watched them later at home), I felt the energy. A whole arena filled with positive, hopeful, excited, energetic, enthusiastic people. Can you imagine the energy?

When the leader came by to give me a break, I refused. I was so grateful to be there that I didn't want to leave my post. I felt like I was the luckiest person in the world!

And, beyond all this, I was still educating people. A gentleman came up and asked which bin to put his container in. It was a compostable PLA 7 plastic, so it went in the compost bin. He asked why and I went into the whole thing...it is made of corn and compostable. He listened intently and then asked how I knew this. I explained that I'd been trained by the company doing this (more on them later). He told me that after all he had learned in the past few days, this information was the most important and interesting. I was gleaming! As a teacher, I always relish on teaching people new things!

At the end of an incredible evening, I broke down my station. I was proud that I had 3 compost bags, 2 recycle bags and 1/3 bag of landfill! Goal! I acquired several "Obama/Biden" signs and a half dozen American Flags; some new friends; insight as to who was there and why; how popular flip-flops are these days (more on shoes and fashion later); and how important my job really was.

I stepped into the Arena while crews were cleaning and breaking down for the move. Some media types were still milling around and doing their shows, and I stood there for a moment taking it all in. Even without the crowds, the energy lingered.

What a momentus occasion! I was there for Clinton, Kerry, Biden and even a surprise visit by Obama. The consensus when people were leaving was... "What a night!" And, I couldn't have said it better!

Stay tuned for the final day (although I don't know what can top this one).