No I have not gained weight...it's the amount in pounds that I lugged to the Erie airport this morning at 5am! It's more than I usually take to the airport for a week long trip. My neighbors weren't happy with the sound of my bags filled with media gear thumping on the staircase in the hallway. In fact one neighbor actually came out to see what all the noise was about. It probably wasn't the best way to make friends since I'm new to Erie. (I'll bake her some brownies, I swear.)
The Erie sunrise was spectacular from my window seat on the plane, and I've the got the pic to prove it. 
First to Detriot then to the "Mile High City." And boy was the airport nuts. I met delegates from every state you can imagine. Some already dressed in their convention gear. My favorite was the "grandpas for Obama" group.
Once I made it out of the airport with my clothes, camera, tripod, computer, and millions of other cables (my friends call me a dork for a reason) I made my way to the hotel.
I have been planning for this convention for more than a year...but still my hotel is a half hour away from the Pepsi Center where the convention is being held. But at least I'm not alone...at the last minute I found my way into the PA delegation hotel so I could be close to the local delegates that I'm here to cover.
When I arrived I waited in a forever long line to find out that I had been bunked up with a random woman from some random state. I wasn't too happy but I worked it out. (haha no I'm not staying with a stranger...I got the room I was signed up for!)
None of the local PA delegates beat me to Denver...so I got right to business.
First a cab to pick up my credentials at a hotel downtown. When I got there I found out they were moved to another location. Then, when I got to the second location...they were missing one piece of info so back to the first credential hotel I went.
After a bit more waiting in line...I got what I needed and hit the streets to shoot some video so I could show you all back in Erie what it looks like here.
Then to the convention center media site where WSEE has a humble plastic table, chair, and internet connection. It may sound bare bones but that's all you need to do some great reporting these days.
All of my DC buddies who are also in town started calling me asking if I would be at "this" party or "that" party. But not for this working girl.
By the time I got our workspace in order and wrote, edited, and sent my story into the station...I was the last lonesome reporter in the whole media workspace. I did have a rather kind security guard to keep me company though.
12 am Denver time...time for me to get back to my far far away hotel. This is the part where I tell you I walked a mile uphill to find a cab...okay fine it was only a quarter mile but still it was uphill and dark too!
Now I'm back in my room getting ready for another day, another story. But this one is bigger than usual--this is going to be a 200 pounder. All the political heavyweights are finally checked into their hotels tonight, and despite what you might think I'm sure they too are anxious for tomorrow's start of the 2008 Democratic Convention.