Where the Elephants Roam

With only one day (praise Jesus!) left in the convention, I guess I should post some pictures of our RNC workspace.

They really rolled out the red ($360) carpet for us here.

This time, instead of working in a freezing tent, we're in a freezing gymnasium. Also, the overhead lights have gone from non-existent, to interrogation-bright. I believe I've lost all sense of time.

Here's a handy map of the Xcel Center complex. It's not handy at all because the complex is actually more of a giant maze and not one of the 4,000 volunteers wondering around here have any idea where anything is.

A view of a another gymnasium-type workspace adjacent to ours. The random car down there is some sort of promotional thing. The journalists walking by it can barely afford bikes, so I'm not sure it was the most brilliant marketing strategy.

The convention floor. This is the view from the press stand.

Tomorrow, all of these balloons will fall on John McCain's head.

And, finally: proof that I'm actually here (and that St. Paul is windy).

Happy Hour

One of the cons of working in the tents is that we live in an icebox. One of the pros is that there's an open bar:Yeah, I'm not kidding. Captain Morgan sponsored this lounge/bar area in our tent. It's pretty nice. Sofas, snacks and all the alcohol you can drink.

The thing is - the bar is only open when the convention is in session. This is when I (and most journalists) are working. It closes the moment they slam that gavel on the podium.

What. A. Tease.

On the plus side, they gave us T-shirts...

...which we are using to stay warm. I'd rather have a complimentary gin and tonic do that job.

The Captain himself has been seen wondering the area. I'm kicking myself for not getting a picture earlier this week (like Wonkette did). As I was grabbing my free Diet Coke just now I asked the bartender if she expected an apperance today. She cryptically repiled that the Captain "and his entourage" (?) show up on their own time. Ah, Pirates.

Freezing Us Out

These...

...are the current bain of our existence here in the Media Pavilions. Sure, during the day they keep the tents cool in the 90-something degree Denver heat. But when nightfall hits, these suckers stay on, and arctic climates take over.

Nuts to that.

My bureau chief actually attempted to prop open the doors last night to bring in some much-needed heat to the tents. I wonder what the DNCC would have to say about us air-conditioning the Denver night.

We were so desperate for warmth during coverage last night that one of our correspondents went to K Mart to buy us blankets.

Unfortunately, blankets were too expensive, so he bought Martha Stewart towels instead. It's a good thing.