(no subject)

[sageandsea]

alphaskye or andromeda6, I don't remember which, mentioned at coffee Saturday night that John Kerry and Howard Dean were coming to town today. I figured since it was downtown that it would be during the day, and promptly forgot about it since I work way the hell on the other side of town.

Around 9, beloved CJ called me at work and told me that the thing began at 5, and if I got off early enough we'd go! She took me when Bill came to Portland, lo these many years ago, and it was wonderful.

I snuck out of work (well, it's not really sneaking if you tell them you're leaving) at 4.30, and by 5.30 we were packed like flippin' SARDINES on the sidewalk across from Pioneer Square. I'm not even claustrophobic, and I had a hard time breathing after about an hour. It was worth it, though; Kerry was a very energizing speaker and hearing Dean was fun. There was some speculation (and some fervent chanting) in the crowd that a Kerry/Dean ticket may materialize.

Coolest thing? That Dean and Kerry both came up to the Kids Corner and shook hands/signed autographs for we poor unfortunates who couldn't get into the fenced area.

Scariest thing? The damned snipers on Nordstroms and in the clock tower.

If anyone saw which people hanging out the windows Kerry was talking to when he said "don't fall," and what they did in response, please let me know! I couldn't see the stage, or the windows, from where I was.