YearlyKos 2006
I was downloading photos from my camera to my computer to use in an earlier KTK when I discovered a treasure-trove of pictures taken at the very first Netroots Nation, called YearlyKos at that time. They triggered so many memories of fun and excitement that I decided to share some of them. Some photos are of the giant video screen rather than the people themselves; apologies for their fuzziness.
I had been on Daily Kos for two years and I clearly remember reading about the proposed convention of bloggers and turning to Mrs. side pocket and saying "I want to go to this". We signed up and drove to the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Our Prius was new at the time and as we drove across Death Valley I wondered whether the dashboard thermometer display would show 3 digits. Sure enough…108°.
There were 1,200 attendees, and featured prominent Democrats such as Harry Reid, Howard Dean, and Barbara Boxer, as well as three possible contenders in the 2008 Democratic primary: retired General Wesley Clark, New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, and former Virginia governor Mark Warner.
Nobody really knew what to expect from this gathering but as it unfolded it was a resounding success. More and more media attention occurred as the days passed. One of my favorite memories was a panel including Markos and other luminaries. Someone posed a question regarding some sort of proprieties or other and Markos said, and I quote, "Who gives a shit?" I was delighted and captivated and have been ever since.
Young, casual, and confident Markos.
Gina Cooper along with a few others was responsible for the creation of the convention and served as president for a period. I was delighted to discover that she was a neighbor.
Gina Cooper
Hunter spoke. He looks the same today.
Howard Dean. 50 States strategy, yes!
Random scenes in the corridors were so amazing.
Joe Wilson talking to George Lakoff.
I became politically active working for Wesley Clark, whom I admired greatly. So here he was!
Me and Wes.
One of the best things about this convention was making new friends. We were sitting in a restaurant and another couple saw our neckbands and asked us to join them. It was rickeagle and suzie who in turn introduced us to so many others.
Lasting friendships. Recently they came to visit us which was pure pleasure.
Mark Warner,presently U S Senator from Virginia, who seemed to be exploring a potential Presidential run,(maybe still is) invited us all to a giant party in the Stratosphere which he rented, and supplied all the food and drink. It was fantastic. My first chocolate fountain ever.
Looking down was very scary.
The food was fabulous, a cornucopia of exquisite variety.
All you want, and more.
At the party we met Kossack Ilona and had a great and memorable conversation. We decided to go up on top of the Stratosphere.
Mrs. side pocket and Ilona.
It was windy when I took this flashless photo.
I was so technically clueless at that time that I couldn't e-mail the photos, so I printed them out at the drugstore and presented them to her at the next year's Netroots. I apologized for the blurriness and she said no, she loved them.
The final morning featured a multi-denominational service with virtually every mainstream religion represented. Including an atheist. Ceiling Cat had not manifested yet so was not represented…..but was watching.
Great line from a Clancy Brothers song:
"Every religion was represented'
The Protestant, the Catholic, the Jew and Presbyterian".
Hope you have enjoyed this glimpse of the first ever bloggers convention. I have been to every one (so far) and each has been the highlight of my year in many ways. I'm not signed up for next year and I'm still unsure but the future is never set in concrete.
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Kitchen Table Kibitzing is a community series for those who wish to share part of the evening around a virtual kitchen table with kossacks who are caring and supportive of one another. So bring your stories, jokes, photos, funny pics, music, and interesting videos, as well as links—including quotations—to diaries, news stories, and books that you think this community would appreciate. Readers may notice that most who post diaries and comments in this series already know one another to some degree, but newcomers should not feel excluded. We welcome guests at our kitchen table, and hope to make some new friends as well.
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