Monday, the first day

Registered in at 8 AM eletronically. Got a pass card with a photo ID, which needed to be scanned every time you went into the coOnvention hall.

Started at 9, but we went through the US and Canadian national anthems, heard the NY drum and bugle corps, welcomes from several dignitaries. Oh, and an opening prayer too.

By 11, we got down to business. Nominations and elections of officers: everybody was relected by unanimous vote. Ed Hill, Intl President. Jon Walters, Intl Secy-Treasurer, Robert Pierson, Intl Exec Council President. (Yeah, Jenn, male, pale, stale) We sat through the nomination speeches and the acceptance speeches. Broke for lunch for two hours.

Came back, hear more speeches. John Sweeney, President of the AFL-CIO. Bill Burga, Pres. of Ohio AFL-CIO. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa. He was a good speaker, very interesting to listen to.

Finally, keynote address from Pres. Ed Hill. Good ideas, good choice of words but lacking in inspiration, I think. In fact, the whole day I think I heard more cliches than one should have to listen to.

Then, the 6th District Caucus. I swiped in with my card, then snuck out early and went and rented a bicycle so I'd have some transportation and a little more independence. Nice bike, Releigh. Cleveland isn't the most bike-friendly city. One bike lane, over the bridge. Nice weather, though.