Weekend in review – YearlyKos 2006

What a weekend! More than I imagined. As a member of the Digger community said to me today – this netroots progressive community has turned into a genuine movement which has the feeling of the 60s. Community. Family. Those words to me were the central theme of this gathering. Yes, it was politically motivated. Yes, there were panel discussions on education, foreign policy, feminism, media, health care, energy etc. Heavy topics. Roundtable disussions on getting out the progressive vote in the various regions. Speeches by sitting politicians and candidates. DNC chair Howard Dean. A “date” with former Virginia governor Mark Warner in the form of a fancy party at the Stratosphere nightclub with nice food and open bar (ahem!). All things which sound like I went to a political convention. But it was so much MORE than that. I met people who I have “talked” to on DailyKos for the past year and half. I met writers who I respect and sometimes just am in awe of (KidOakland!!). The blogfathers were all there. For ALL the big sites and many of the smaller spinoffs. And to a person they were warm, gracious, and treated everyone equally. The event was pulled off by an all volunteer staff who have never done anything remotely like this in their lives. The even chair, Gina Cooper, is a teacher!! Not an event coordinator. Yet it was one of the most well run conventions I have ever attended. We laughed and talked and ranted and hugged and cried and laughed some more. I attended a Sunday interfaith church service. Voluntarily! Shoot, I was one of the people passing the collection bag. 1000 attendees – I have no idea how many total once you count the speakers and panelists and vendors and volunteers. All I know is that I feel as if something historical just happened. I am thrilled beyond belief that I was there. Forgive this stream of consciousness as I just try to get my impressions down on just too little hours sleep over the past 4 nights. I have very few pics. My camera does very poorly indoors (must get new one!) but others took so many great ones and I know they will share. More later…sleep…