Well, the best laid plans...

However, I DID expect the Press Room to be packed. I got there about quarter after 8 (starting time) and the upstairs was at gridlock -- legal seating capacity had been reached (and all of the Leftist Marching Band wasn't even there yet). I waited in line for about a half an hour, chatting with friends, enjoying the balloons and cameraderie, telling young people unfamiliar with the history of The Press Room about the ballroom liquor license and why that necessitates (for legal purposes) the live music from open to close and about the various sessions, including our weekly Friday one which Tom (Curmudgeon) has presided over for 25+ years and our monthly sea music singaround, etcet. Not to mention the great jazz, the Hoot Night, the poetry sessions and slams, etc.

Anywho, I'd been on my feet for 8 hours at work, closing the shop at 8:00 and after waiting in line for a half hour with the line not moving at all (no one could go upstairs until someone left), I bailed.

History has definitely been made -- and I'm glad I've been part of the celebration in some way. I'm looking forward to not having to apologise to the rest of the world for our leaders and maybe having the country of my birth be respected again in the community of nations.

Linn

It was fun -- I'm glad I went --