The DNC: Convention Do's and Don'ts

While preparing for the MOMocrats trip to the Democratic National Convention, I was only certain of one thing: I had no idea what I was in for.

Of course, I knew that there would be a multitude of fascinating presentations, all competing for my attention simultaneously. And I knew that there would be crowds... and road closures... and protestors. And I had an inkling that I would need to be flexible, because I would have very little control over my time.

I just did not have a clue how EXTREME it would all be.

So, as a public interest to anyone else who is fortunate enough to have a similar opportunity to witness history in the making, I offer this list of Do's and Don'ts for Surviving a Political Convention.

DO try to pack light... but DON'T sweat it if you forget something you think you need.

I'm one of those people who tries to anticipate EVERY eventuality. I stuff my rather large suitcase and laptop bag to the brim, and I STILL manage to leave something ESSENTIAL behind. I'm learning to just shrug my shoulders and accept it.

DO plan ahead... but DON'T expect to stick with all the items you've carefully laid out for youself.

Generous Cynthia Samuels - who has attended every convention since 1968 - advised us before coming here to bring "grown up clothes." She reasons that politicians and officials will be more likely to grant us interviews if we look like serious journalists (as opposed to jeans and sneaker-clad soccer moms).

And so I packed my bags with lots of business casual slacks and blouses from the petite department at Ann Taylor and Banana Republic. No problem.

But once we got to Denver, we discovered that just about every road leading to the Pepsi Center is closed for the duration of the convention. So are most of the nearby rapid transit stations. We are running from place to place on foot. This is not a problem...

...except that those "petite" slacks I bought are STILL about three inches too long for me to wear with comfortable shoes (something I should have checked BEFORE I started to pack). I need to wear them with heels, which makes all that running around a bit problematic.

On top of that, those businesslike women's slacks have NO POCKETS. This means I must either carry my cell phone in my hand or keep it in my laptop bag (and thereby never know when I am receiving a call or text or email message).

Today is my first full day at the convention and my feet are killing me.

Tomorrow, I'll be in my trusty old jeans and sneakers.

DO plan your day according to where they are offering free parking, food and wifi... but DON'T be afraid to pay for those things if you need to.

When we realized that the lot we'd been assigned for parking was way too far from the action, we opted to shell out $20 for a space near the convention center. And when we could not find a place to sit in the Big Tent, we ditched the amenities being offered to bloggers, and walked over to the nearest Starbucks.

The Big Tent is a wonderful idea, and I hope to get to explore it more fully. But it's packed! And it's hot. And I have a feeling you have to get there pretty early in the day to be able to take advantage of the wifi, Google Lounge and special events.

And while I appreciate the free food, I am having carbohydrate-induced jitters from the delicious Chipotle burrito they gave me. Tomorrow I'll be checking out one of the lovely looking dining establishments just around the corner.

DO get as much sleep as you can - but DON'T be upset when the alarm goes off just a couple of hours after you finally went to bed.

This is the nature of the beast. NOBODY is getting any sleep while they're here, and not for any of the good reasons. We didn't finish working last night until after midnight. It took us three hours yesterday to pick up our convention and Big Tent credentials because of a civil disturbance that prevented us from getting back to our hotel, and that put us way behind schedule. When faced with situations like that, you just have to remember that thing about being flexible and go with it.

I'll sleep when I get back home.

Comments

[Cynthia Samuels]

Go Donna! I'm so sorry about the heels! You are doing a great job at handling the nonsense. AT least everyone is going through it - all the heavies on TV are bitching about the security too. And I agree re the sleep -- this is once in a lifetime and it sounds like you all are doing a magnificent job! The tweets are so cool.