President Obama - 2

Good Evening Everyone,
Sorry for the delay in sending this out, but I was so tired at the end of yesterday I couldn't think straight. Who knew waiting in line could be so exhausting...LOL! I hope many of you were able to watch some of the president's visit...Sorry I didn't make the T.V. cameras. For everyone who may be curious; the following is my experience of his visit and a continuation of my last e-mail...
While most people received their ticket on Monday and I knew I was getting one, I didn't actually have it in my hand until late Tuesday morning. The city counsel woman (Katrina Foley) who graciously shared one of her tickets with me wasn't able to meet until about 11:30. Consequently, I didn't line-up early because I thought I needed the ticket. I was actually dressed and ready to go at 8:30, I hated waiting (you know what a POOR waiter I am), but the confusion around the ticket caused it... FINALLY, I left for the event. I got there and was pleased to see plenty of crowd control and that the line wasn't too bad. Stepping up the security definitely helped, but created a lock-down feeling. Law enforcement had totally cool Segway's and the vehicles being driven were covered in Kevlar. City buses were placed end to end around the perimeter of the fairgrounds. O.C. Sherrifs were everywhere. As we walked inside, sharpshooters assembled their rifles on the roof. Local police were friendly but I can't say that of the Secret Service. Those guys (and they were all guys) are huge and good looking but not fun. They didn't talk or smile. They did have the obligatory ear piece and sunglasses. Another "unfun" group was the press. I sat across from NBC's Patrick Healy and a familiar yet unknown guy from ABC. Neither engaged the crowd and the ABC fellow talked during Obama's Q and A period...I thought he was rude.
Finally after the patriotic stuff - Pledge, Prayer and National Anthem, President Obama showed up. The crowd went wild!!! My first impression...he's tall, thin and OH SO SEXY! His hair looked great. It is so refreshing to have a person who can construct complex sentences and deconstruct complex ideas. He's warm, engaging and very down-to-earth. He takes responsibility and wants others to do the same. He's COOL. He spoke for about 20 minutes and then opened the floor up to questions. Almost all the questions were well thought out. The exception was the first one...totally lame and I thought the woman should have been shot for wasting such an opportunity... Her question - Are you going to run again in four years...OMG! He has been president for 58 days and that's the question you ask him?...How completely dumb. One in 10 Californians have lost their job and this dumb woman is asking about four years from now. I hope she was just really nervous and forgot her real question. I mean come on, we had ALL day to think of something relevant, intelligent and deep...The president was very kind with his answer. I wouldn't have expected anything else.
I tried hard to ask my question but I was just too far back for him to see...I was interviewed by The Daily Pilot. The story and my answers are on their website, Alan Blank is the writer.
Too soon it was over...President Obama worked the entire front of the room. I heard woman say as they left, "he kissed me" or "he had a great handshake" (like he would have a dead fish handshake???). I tried to get up there but he had moved on to the other side. I'm thinking that seeing him up close, MIGHT(?) have been better than the time I met Barry Manilow - LOL! Everyone was in a celebratory mode as they left. I was left with the impression that people were very happy to be there. I certainly was. Although, I joked with a very nice young woman (shout out to Michelle) that the next time the president came to town I would be better prepared.
As with all major life events, I learned a few things:
Urban camping is great! Good to know you can get along with a blanket, pillow, two bottles of water, two tangerines, one banana and a PB and J.
Just about anybody will lend you their phone and everybody has one.
Always raise your hand to ask a question...even if you are in the back and probably won't get picked.
It's empowering to call The White House. The operators are here in the USA, they haven't been outsourced...I asked.
It pays to get to know your elected Representatives.
You should always have good hair, you never know when someone is going to interview you.
AND number one - Most of you know, I haven't been very spontaneous for the past few years and yet most of the past two days were unplanned. I have forgotten how much fun spontaneity can be. I hope to remember...
If you got to the end of this, thanks for indulging me. I did take pictures and will send them separately. I still marvel that such a great person wanted to be our president. And, that despite many obstacles we were able to see his possibilities and elect him.