First update from Boston

[Blaukraut]

Teaser only! I'll leave it to Tay Tay et al to give everyone the play-by-play tomorrow.
It was more than we ever had hoped for or imagined. Lets just say that after-party drinks (courtesy of Theresa) and a strategy session with John Kerry in O'Connors, an Irish pub adjoining the hotel, were involved. We Kerrycrats have been recruited for a mission, so to speak :-)
Much more to follow later, including pictures. And trust me; there were tons of pictures taken :-)

[JI7]

1. WHATTTTTTTT?

that is sooo amazing. i'm so jealous (in a good way).

i want EVERY detail.

[politicasista]

2. me too.

That was cool of JK and Momma T. :hi:

[Blaukraut]

3. it was incredible

I don't want to give too much away - best to leave that to the posting professionals. lol However - we were taken completely by surprise by the personal recognition we got at the party and afterwards. I've always loved the senator, but meeting him in person sealed the deal for me completely. He is everything we always say he is - down to earth, natural, funny, and engaging. The young 'uns were starstruck :-)

[ProSense]

12. Awesome! Soooooooo envious! Thanks for the glimpse.

Can't wait to hear and see more. Meeting JK in the manner you all did, wow!

[muse]

4. Very cool

I'd heard rumblings of this. Glad to hear it was all true!!

[TayTay]

93. Hi Muse!

Long time, no see. Where ya been keeping yourself. It's wonderful to see you post in here again! Don't be a stranger for goodness sakes!

[muse]

109. Been busy, Tay Tay, but that's no excuse!

I hated I missed the Boston event. :(
Especially since I heard murmurings of the good things that were going to happen. I can hardly believe it all turned out as good as it did. Yall are the golden ones, that is for sure!!

[ray of light]

5. sounds awesome! Good for all of you!!!

Can't wait to hear the details!

[fedupinBushcountry]

6. How wonderful

Can't wait to hear about the Kerrycrats mission. You guys must be on cloud nine. Totally awesome.

[wisteria]

7. Damn, I knew I should have gone-It sounds like an incredible time.

I can't wait to hear more.

I'm so excited I misposted. This is in reply to the original post. Sorry.

[Vektor]

8. I can vouch - tonight was a Lover's Haiku come true.

More than I ever dreamed possible.

Seriously. Let's just say - John Kerry is DEFINITELY the man you "want to have a beer with."

Or three.

Have to catch a plane back to California in the AM - more later. Pics and all.

SO. IN. LOVE.

[ProSense]

88. Your comments...

are most enticing. I look foward to your recap.

[emulatorloo]

9. I am glad I woke up in the middle of the night to read this.

Can't wait to hear more --

[sandnsea]

10. Oh AWESOME

I can't wait to hear every detail... been on pins and needles!!!!!

[europegirl4jfk]

11. I'm not surprised

Glad to hear you had such a great time. And I'm not really surprised that Kerry cared about you. After all what we have heard and seen from him I was absolutely sure that he is this kind of guy. Can't wait for the details and the pictures.

[beachmom]

13. That is so awesome, and kind of what I had in mind (but more so)

when I imagined how everyone's evening went. I KNEW he would want to hang out with you guys, as you're (really we, but we couldn't all be there)what keeps him going and keeps him fighting. Can't wait to hear more, and the mission!

[babylonsister]

14. How exciting! I can't wait to hear the details! You

lucky people who were there; we're waiting! :patriot:

[whometense]

15. Here's my first two cents.

I have a ton of work this morning, so will post more later. I could hardly sleep last night - too much to take in. The pub visit was amazing. We had the full attention of JK's senate aide and Teresa's personal assistant, and were truly treated like VIP's. I want to write more, because it wasn't just us there - we were representing all of us, and now JK knows we're here. Words can't express what it felt like to see how much he appreciates our efforts. It was beyond moving.

He was very candid. I'm struggling to figure out what I can write here - I want to tell all of you everything, but there were things said that I'm not sure we'd want to put on a public board.

I just wanted to let you all know that it's like you were there too. JK asked us how many of us there are - it was pretty hard to come up with a number.

Oh, and - at least three hugs. :D

[beachmom]

16. Thanks, Whomtense. One question:

I completely agree that anything "sensitive" shouldn't be put on the public board. Is PM'ing secure? Or better yet. Maybe we can PM you our e-mail address, and you can tell us more, which won't be shared with the public. Because I selfishly want to be as "in" as I can be, and want to know what the senator's thinking. Is this possible? (And that goes for everyone who went on Sunday).

Speaking of which, we were talking about assembling an e-mail list anyway. Maybe this project would be worthwhile.

On edit:

One thing at a time. An e-mail list is a big endeavor and everyone would have to be properly "vetted". At this point maybe PM is the way to go (and possibly giving an e-mail address if you don't think PM is secure enough, but on an individual basis). Okay, as you can tell I'm bursting with curiosity, and I just gotta know!! LOL.

[whometense]

19. I was sort of thinking

an email list would be the best way. I don't know how it could be vetted exactly, but there are a pile of regular posters who we know well enough to not worry about.

I wouldn't mind starting to assemble a list if you want to pm me your email address. We can start, anyway, and figure out how to handle it later.

I'll just add that, even though I'm not as effusive as Vektor, it was a stunning experience. And that coolest thing for me was hearing him actually say things I was already pretty sure he was thinking.

We talked a lot about the blogs etc. He was very curious - you know all those stories about how he peppers his aides with questions?? Well, last night we got to see that side of him in person!!!

[kerrygoddess]

27. See my post here -

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=273&topic_id=57816&mesg_id=57848

[ginnyinWI]

45. Wow, Whome!

First, thanks to all of you for representing the rest of us to JK and Teresa!

Second, it's a very good thing that it's Christmas season, because I suspect more than a few of us are going to be turning GREEN with envy now!! Just add a few holly berries and we'll be set for Christmas!

Can't wait to hear the whole thing both here and "elsewhere"!

I'll PM you my email. I agree that people should be screened but I'm not sure how--length of time as a member should be part of it, I suppose.

[paulk]

56. pm's can be read by the mods and admin

as far as I know - so it's not secure...

[whometense]

75. Good point.

Thanks for reminding us of that. It's not that effective a tool, either, when you're dealing with more than two people.

[karynnj]

18. Wow! That sounds beyond what anyone anticipated

Maybe some of you who did go could among yourselves create a summary that could be PMed or email if there's any concern on the privacy of PMs to any of us who would promise never to refer to it online anywhere?

It sounds like a wonderful experience for all of you and I assume that he would have had to do very little, other than smile and be there to make everyone happy. (The only thing that would have surprised or shocked me is if all of you would have posted that you were so dissapointed in him.) So, it's great to know that he appreciates having internet supporters.

Congratulations on the hugs!

[blm]

34. Write it into a PM to those of us who need to hear it.

And you better believe I need to to hear it.

I also think you should still put up an overview here at DU forums because more people need to become familiar with the side of Kerry that no media wants them to see.

[ProSense]

35. If you don't mind, I'd like to know too.

Please, pretty please.

:bounce:

[Goldeneye]

17. I was trying to take a break from posting,

but screw that! I want details.

Sounds like some serious Kerry lovin'. :loveya:

God, I'm jealous.

[whometense]

20. I'm an idiot.

I can't believe I didn't say this first off, but he was blown away by the cards.

JK called Roger (his aide) right after the party (he must have opened the cards right away), and he was so touched by them that he wanted to know about all the postmarks.

I'm thinking this is going to be very piecemeal - people posting little things as they think of them. But one of us will have to take the time to give details on the birthday party - which was public, and which can be fully reported. And which was also cool (though something of a nightmare for the camera-shy.)

Oh, and Teresa? - wow. But you already knew that. ;-)

[beachmom]

22. Piecemeal is good. I was going to say that I really want

everyone to put in their own words how everything unfolded, since you all will have your own take on things, and remember different details. Long essays work, too. I would love it if people remember stuff all week long and just post as they think of it.

I'm sitting here, having just cleaned up my 2 year olds dirty diaper, and realize that a great senator, former presidential candidate, and hopefully future presidential candidate read a card that I signed personally, and I am just tickled pink! This is no doubt the best Christmas present I'll receive this year -- knowing that JK knows we're here, fighting for him, writing LTEs, going to battle with Kos, and he really appreciates it!! As a stay at home Mom, I sometimes feel without purpose (yes, I know being a Mom IS a great purpose, but on a day to day basis that somehow gets lost), and this year, I assigned myself the job of fighting for JK, and now he KNOWS, which makes it real. Thanks so much to everyone here for thinking of the card, organizing to go to this fundraiser, and being able to connect with the Senator. After I spent a lot of time putting together my LTE to The Economist and then them not printing it (yeah, I know it was against all odds), it's just heartening to know that my effort wasn't for nothing. What we do is important.

[whometense]

33. Boy, do I know what you mean.

I stayed at home with my kids for about twelve years. I don't regret a second of that time, but there were moments, days, when it felt like my brain was turning into mush.

I wish you could have seen how touched he was. You know how we always talk about him just moving forward, not dwelling on the bad stuff. Last night his gratitude let us see just a glimpse of how hard that must be for him. There is zero self-pity there. Just none. But you could tell how much it means to know there are people out there, unpaid, doing this labor of love because they just believe in him.

What we do really is important.

[europegirl4jfk]

23. Wow, what an amazing experience!

We are totally curious to hear all the details, and I think it will take days if not weeks to take it all in. *g* And an email list for the more delicate details is a good idea. I have a Yahoo group with some friends and the experience with it is very positive. As long as you moderate membership and don't put the group in the directory, it's really private and secure. If you want any advise or help, please let me know. I will PM you my email addy anyway. Oh, and thanks for doing all this! It's really appreciated.
:loveya:

[Mass]

24. You're right - a yahoo group that is only accessible to subscribers

and where subscribers are vetted is probably the best way to go, but it is also a lot of work to vet people who have access and moderate.

[europegirl4jfk]

28. IMO and after what I experienced, it's not that difficult with Yahoo

I mean we aren't talking about a group with several hundred members here and a lot of rules to respect. Right now we are 30, maybe 40 people here? Subscribers would have to be confirmed but once people are members they don't really have to be moderated when they post messages. In my friends group we trust each other and we have put all the members on moderator status, so that if there is a problem anyone of us can act. If only people who post here and those who have been recommended by another group member can subscribe, it should be fine. You don't have to make all the group members moderators but at least the regulars here or those who went to Boston or a group of volunteers, so that there are several people to manage the group and it isn't to much work for every single one of them. Well, that's just an idea. Of course, Whome and the others can do whatever they judge is the best.

[Dr Ron]

66. Yahoo vs Forums

I've managed both Yahoo Groups and Invision Forums. Either could be set up with private messages which only members can read.

Yahoo Groups have one advantage in that they can be set up to have all messages emailed and people can handle it entirely through email if preferred. I prefer Yahoo Groups for small groups with a handful of messages per day.

Invision Forums and similar forum software probably works better for larger groups. The downside is that you have to actually sign on as opposed to working out of email, but you can organize by topics.

It looks like many have already joined the forum Pamela set up, and this might be the best way to go now. It looks similar to the Invision board I've used. In case there are any unexpected limitations with this (I'm assuming she set up a free board), I do have a paid invision account for the Kerry Reference Library and could set up a hidden discussion forum there.

[kerrygoddess]

26. Dr Ron's Kerry Library

Can quickly and easily be set up with a private forum that only vetted members can access. That might the easiest thing to do since quite a few here are registered there already I think. We have a lot of work to do and it's better that some of it is done under the radar.

[fedupinBushcountry]

29. Yes

that works very well. We had a private forum for Kerry blog mods after the campaign, to keep involved. The private forum IMO is the best way to go.

[kerrygoddess]

40. I set up a forum on Dem Daily

I'm working on getting it arranged for a private forum.

[kerrygoddess]

43. Link to Dem Daily Forum

The link to register is here - http://forum.thedemocraticdaily.com/index.php?

Once you register I will set up permissions for each member in the private Kerry Forum.

I'm also going to post a link to the Dem Daily Forum on the Blog sidebar for easy access.

[beachmom]

47. Hey KG. I registered but it said something about receiving an

e-mail. Is that automated? Because I haven't received one. Anyway, I can't log in yet. Is that related to you needing to set up permission? Hope this isn't just a matter of me being too impatient! Just want to make sure I did it right. Thanks!

[kerrygoddess]

53. Try logging in now

I reset it so everyone should be able to self activate once they register, then I only have to set permssions to the private forum.

[karynnj]

Thanks for setting this up -registered and in JK group

[europegirl4jfk]

30. Sounds good

If this is easier than a Yahoo group I'm all for it. And it already exists and doesn't need to be created. Do you have a link? I don't think I've seen the library before.

[emulatorloo]

37. keep me posted n/t

[Mass]

25. This seems to have been a great experience -

Just let us know what you can let us know publicly at your pace , and if there are things to feel more comfortable sharing elsewhere, just let us know.

Happy to hear everybody had a good time.

[LeftyLizzie]

21. My jealousy

is through the roof right now. You have no idea. Y'all were hanging out with JK while I was stuck here studying for finals (please do allow some self-pity for the moment). I go to school at Georgetown Univ. - which is just three blocks away from John and Teresa's house. My friend and I had a goal for the year, which was to meet John and Teresa. Well, we did that already, but it was very brief. Our next goal? We want to have dinner with them. (Or at least Teresa, because we're pretty much obsessed with her.) We can't quite figure out how to achieve this, but I'm sure we'll work something out ;)

[karendc]

31. I am so happy for all of you!

And so glad all went smoothly.

[whometense]

32. No small thanks

to all your efforts! They are very much appreciated. Everyone was so attentive - it was way beyond what any of us expected. Thank you so much.

The only glitch was that due to the storm the orchid we ordered for Teresa didn't arrive till today, so we're now scrambling to get it to her somehow. Do you have Maggie's email address? If so, could you pm it to me?

[fedupinBushcountry]

50. How did I know

somehow, someway you would make this a great adventure. What a sweetheart. :grouphug: to you.

[Luftmensch067]

36. I was there, too, though not as part of the "group"

So glad I got a chance to meet all of you who were there, though, to have faces to put to the names!! I'm thrilled for you that you got to hang out with the Senator afterward and, like everyone else here, can't wait to hear more about it!!!

[Blaukraut]

38. Here's a little more detail

Hubby and I met up with Tay Tay around 5 PM in the Park Plaza. We hung out for a while, while everyone else was getting ready. The party itself was spread over 2 rooms on the second floor of the hotel. I guess the first room was the more official one, and ours appeared to be somewhat more casual. It was mostly standing, bar, and buffet.

We met up with Roger, JK's aide, who greeted us, made some small talk, and asked us to make sure we were gathered as a group at about 6.30 PM, when the official program was to start.
A live band played Christmas music, and we all mingled among each other. By the time JK and THK were making their way to our room from the first room, the place was packed.
Maggie, THK's aide, asked us to make our way to the side as a group - hide, if you will :-)
JK and entourage made their way towards the stage, shaking hands, chatting, and greeting people. We were on the opposite side of his path, as planned.

Finally, the speeches began. First up was the finance officer for Friends of Kerry - his name has escaped me. He spoke for about 5 minutes. Then Theresa came up.
Let me preface her speech with some remarks; This woman is incredible! Her warmth spread throughout the room like a light. She is absolutely lovely, and a wonderful partner for JK.
Theresa spoke a little longer, talking about some issues, and some more personal subjects. She made on of her famous quips that have half the room gasping in shock, and the other half laughing - I can't remember what preceeded the joke (someone else may fill in the gap here), but her remark was something along the lines of leaving some decisions for JK, so he gets to keep wearing SOME pants in the family. As you can see; typical Theresa :-)

Finally she told JK she had a special surprise for him - 12 bloggers from across the country, blogging at Democratic Underground (yes, she mentioned it by name), flew in, braving adverse weather, to come see him on his birthday. She then proceeded to read each of our short bios we had sent in earlier, read our screen- and real names, and thanked us for all our hard work!
The entire room turned towards us and applauded every single person mentioned. I can't speak for anybody else, but I was somewhat mortified. lol

After Theresa's speech, a kids Tabernacle choir, later joined by Kids for Democracy, formerly known as Kids for Kerry, sang 'Happy Birthday'.
Then the big moment arrived; JK came up on the stage, thanked the kids, hugged them, and thanked his wife. And here comes the biggest shocker; Once he got to the podium, he asked for the bloogers to come up on stage with him! So there we marched, again to massive applause, and made our way to the stage, where we were hugged by both Theresa and John. After Vektor and WEL got done mauling him ;-) he started speaking - off the cuff, I might add!!

His speech was amazing! Warm, personal, funny, and moving, all at once! He joked about the Repub's legal troubles, among other things, which got a ton of laughs.
At one point he spoke of the election and said; 'We didn't quite make it' This was answered with a loud chorus of voices; 'yes you did!!', to which Theresa emphatically nodded her head. I was thinking; 'You go, girl!' She apparently believes that the election was stolen. At least that was my impression.

Jk mentioned a lot of things that are not being discussed in the media - such as his people sending food and other aid to Katrina victims by the plane load, and that nobody ever mentioned, or cared about, these already poor people before the disaster. He said that some of the kids got their first pair of sneakers ever from disaster donations!

I can't recall all of the speech - others will have to fill in what they remember!
Ok, let me take a breather and I'll get back to you with more! Anything too delicate to put out in the forum, we'll figure out a way to convey to all the Kerrycrats. Some of it is important info, and needs to be told!

[blm]

41. My heart is thumping right out of my cheat.

I hope every one of you has details up the wazoo.

[Blaukraut]

42. You should have been there!

You are one of his most dedicated supporters I know! You would have loved it :-)

[blm]

81. I heard a couple years back that some

of his senior aides knew my work at DU. I wasn't too shocked as heard some of my regular points used, but certainly not enough of the overall theme of JK as a warrior against government corruption.

[whometense]

48. We have so many details

that you guys are going to be begging us the shut up in a few days. :-)

[beachmom]

52. Never, my dear friends, never!! n/t

[blm]

80. Not on your life, baybeeeee......

.

[beachmom]

44. Holy Toledo!! So you guys were basically, with the exception

of the b-day boy himself, the stars of the evening! Wow. Obviously, this was what Tay Tay was murmuring about that she was planning something special, but didn't want to say anything lest it didn't work out. It's kind of hard to believe in a way. I feel like we've been mostly invisible (by the way, I identify with being a bit mortified having the spotlight shown on you, especially since you weren't expecting it. But now that it's over you can bask in the glory!). Now suddenly what seemed to only exist in cyberspace has come to fruition, and the reality of what we've been doing is sinking in. That's cool, too, that it was a surprise for him. Did he understand that you 12 are only the tip of the iceberg? I guess he must since you guys mentioned in another post about him asking how many. I suppose what I'm doing here is hoping that he knows that ALL of us were there in spirit, if we weren't able to actually get into Boston yesterday. (Okay, I'm being pathetic somehow trying to get myself into that party, but just humor me, at least a little bit!!)

Thanks for the recap. Looking forward to more!

[Blaukraut]

46. Don't you dare say you're pathetic!

We carried the torch for all of us here! You were with us in spirit, as you said, and JK is well aware of our group now! Trust me, last night was worth it, if only to raise awareness and knowledge of the importance of bloggers. As far as I could tell, JK is extremely interested in what we have to say, and does not underestimate the power we can potentially have.

[beachmom]

51. Okay, that is just very cool. But I still can't believe it!!! n/t

[whometense]

49. Yup.

When my husband asked me this morning how it went, I said that we were JK's birthday present.

And yes, he's now very aware that we were representing a much larger group.

[ProSense]

57. Wow! This is captivating.

I remember reading about the planned trip and secretly wishing I could go.

Now I can see this why it doesn't pay to be shy. I'm making a few other assumptions here, but I love this group.

Your personal accounts are simply fantastic and are feeding my excitement and envy. Mostly though, I'm really glad you all had a great time, and am happy for the connection to JK and THK through you.

[rosesaylavee]

95. Wow. You do know how lucky you were, right?

Thanks for sharing... glad he knows that there is support out here for him in the boonies.

[TheDonkey]

107. WOW I've missed a lot

sounds like a lot of fun and I'm sooooo jealous.

[jenndar]

39. Oh, that's so exciting!

I always think it must be so important for JK and THK to get to work with people who really, really believe in what they're doing. I'm so glad you all got really great access last night.

[WildEyedLiberal]

54. I TOUCHED HIM

*DIES*


:evilgrin:

Seriously, it was AMAZING. Everything I hoped for and more. Damn. Just, damn. That's about all I can manage to articulate right now. Damn.

[fedupinBushcountry]

55. Articulate, articulate

please, we are dying to here about your experience. :popcorn:

[ProSense]

58. Seriously, I look forward to you finding your voice.

:hi:

[DoBotherMe]

59. Ain't he bee-you-tee-ful?

I understand your verklempt--I too have a hard time articulating my feelings of being near him. I've posted before about my close encounters here in Iowa. Still have pix of him on my dressing table mirror. Dana ; )

[emulatorloo]

65. LOL n/t

[jillan]

103. more more - I am dying to hear more

You must've wanted to die right then and there.

[LeftyLizzie]

104. Amen! We want more!

I'm sitting here in my dorm room studying for finals and writing papers. Have mercy on me and share some Kerry love!

[TayTay]

106. And yet she lives!

Hey kid! Not only touched him, but got the hugs and kisses and the seat next to him. That was so cool! Espcially considering what you were wearing. (Ahm, but that is your story to tell.)

I loved meeting you! You totally rock, espeically for a yung'un. (Us East Coast Moms are very protective of our yung'uns.)

[Blaukraut]

60. details, part two

After the speech JK started to mingle – give autographs, hugs, have his picture taken with people, etc. The bloggers got their fair share of pictures with the Senator, so I believe we have some very happy women in our group today. I’m sure they will tell you their tales!

I think it took JK another half hour to extricate himself from the throng of people – WEL, you there???? Lol – and make his way out the door.
Tay Tay, Globalvillage, and I decided to have a quick smoke when we ran into Vanessa Kerry by the stairs. Of course we had to have our picture taken with her :-D

As we exited the hotel, whom else would we run into but our esteemed JK himself, standing in the foyer with a couple of aides, waiting for his ride. As we were smoking, he came outside, waved again, said goodnight and thank you and got into an SUV to go home.

When we got back upstairs – I kept leaving my poor hubby alone with all the women – we decided to head to O’Connors – an irish pub next door – to have a couple of drinks. As we were waiting for everyone to gather and change, up came Roger, JK’s senate aide, and decided to come along for drinks.

Imagine our surprise when he told the pub manager to put everything on Theresa’s tab!!
I was rather impressed – of course – and decided to take it easy and not be greedy. Lol
We were led to a nice, big wooden table surrounded by stools, by a fake fireplace – it was hotter than hell!!!

After a while, the rest of the gang who still had to change rolled in, and we proceeded to drink, talk politics, and be merry. Roger shared an interesting story with us; A town called Menden, in Massachusetts adopted a town in Mississippi (as usual, the name escapes me) and collected donations to send down there after Katrina hit. Among other things the town donated a police cruiser, 25k Dollars, and Roger got New Balance to donate sneakers for everyone. This was all organized by Roger and JK’s people. Again, all without a big fuss, and self-congratulatory backslapping – under the radar! That’s our Senator!

The group got more and more animated and noisy as the drinks and appetizers rolled in.
At one point, Roger got a phone call – John Kerry! We all naturally had to scream ‘Hi Senator Kerry’ into the phone, and we were told that JK got a kick out of that J
I was getting rather buzzed at that time. All I had to eat all day were 2 candy canes at the party, and I was drinking beer on that empty stomach. I was reduced to eating a mini octopuss – aka calamari just to have some sort of food to mix with the beer. Lol

I think we were all getting a bit suspicious about Roger and his constant top secret phone calls, but little did we know what was going to happen!
At about 11.15 big screams erupted from our tables, you could hear jaws hit the floor, as the man himself – JK – along with his finance officer and a very hunky friend (drool) came round the corner!!!!!

Hubby is more observant than I, and noticed a couple of security detail guys, as well.
I had to actually turn around to check on WEL and Vektor, to make sure they hadn’t passed out. Lol
JK grabbed a chair, sat at the head of the table, and ordered a Sam Adams! Loyal to the hometown brew!!

More to come in the story!

[DoBotherMe]

61. OHMYGAWD!

I'm hyperventilating...seriously. OHMYGAWD! D ; )

on edit: Was the hunky guy Marvin!?!?!?!

[fedupinBushcountry]

62. How awesome

:popcorn:

[ginnyinWI]

63. keep it comin'!

Oh that was so much fun to read--I can just picture it all. :bounce:

[ProSense]

64. OMGosh!

This is more than I can handle. But, please, more.

[europegirl4jfk]

67. Oh, what a cliffhanger!

That's really mean. (just kidding) But I won't go to bed tonight before I have all the details, that's for sure. :bounce:

[WildEyedLiberal]

68. Actually he had a Bass

He kept trying to get someone to bring me a Sam and Vektor another Guinness, to no avail.

HE.SAT.RIGHT.NEXT.TO.ME.

Sorry for the intermittent posting, but I have a final tonight - but yes, it really was THAT AMAZING.

[ProSense]

70. Good luck

with your final. But when it's over, more details are in order or my head will explode.

[LeftyLizzie]

71. Where do you go to school?

I've had finals today, too - which is why I couldn't be in Boston. How lucky that you were still able to go! I'm quite jealous.

[WildEyedLiberal]

72. University of Illinois

Finals start today. I have three exams and two papers due by Saturday x( but at least I can float on the happy memories of seeing JK.

[LeftyLizzie]

76. Yeah, I have a crazy week, too

My finals started today, too. I guess I'll just have to live vicariously through your meeting with JK (though I can't complain too much since I did get to meet him a couple of months ago!) Good luck with your exams - and even if you don't do well, your JK memories will last a lifetime!

[Blaukraut]

74. you're right

Hubby just told me it was a Bass, too. I'm getting old and my mind is failing me. lol

[JI7]

111. that IS amazing

it seemed like he was very flirty. and everything i am reading is just the JK i see on tv and read about from others.

now i just need to meet him and include my own story with it.

[beachmom]

69. It just sounds like an evening of surprises! Just when you thought

it wasn't going to get better . . . it does!!!

Looking forward to the next chapter!

[DavefromPrinceton]

78. Wow!

Congratulations to all! Boy am I jealous. You all must have been(and will remain) in absolute heaven!

[LeftyLizzie]

79. Was Teresa in the pub with you guys?

Or was she elsewhere? My JK obsession is accompanied by a THK obsession, so I like to keep track of both of them :).

[whometense]

91. No, she didn't come.

They were having a family party for JK back at their house, and I imagine she was busy with that.

[babylonsister]

86. .

:wow: :wow: :wow: Oh my goodness! I would have well and truly freaked! What a great story!! I hope lots of pix were taken!:applause: :woohoo: :applause: :woohoo:

[kttmmom]

102. OH.MY.GOD

I can't believe I was too shy and too lazy to make arrangements for the kiddies, husband and dog to live without me for the weekend. You guys are the greatest!
stupid :banghead: stupid :banghead: stupid :banghead:

[TheDonkey]

108. Now that's good time politics!

this is so exciting to watch haha. I only met Kerry briefly once and was about to faint. I can only imagine this close-up time.

[kerrygoddess]

73. Word has it

JK was impressed.

I started a strategy session forum in the Kerry Forum on Dem Daily. There's a lot to talk about!

[Blaukraut]

77. details, final part

Now, there really isn't that much more to tell - at least here in the forum.
After a while of chatting, we all closed in on JK, huddled around him, and started a 'strategy' session. I won't go into any detail here. It was an extremely candid/speak your mind sort of conversation.
I believe we duly impressed the Senator once we delved more into detail about what it is we do here, and our numbers.

I can only add that he was with us for a good hour and literally had to be dragged away by his people at the end. Everyone got treated to another hug and handshake. I think a good time was had by all. It was enlightening for ALL of us, JK, and the bloggers :-)

Well, I hope that everyone else in the group will also share their personal experiences with you! They have much to talk about :-)

edited to remove some things :-)

[kerrygoddess]

82. Well ...

I did what I can to set up a safe, secure environment for wveryone to discuss thigs. So it's there and quite a few have registered and are hoping for more news that can't be shared here. I hope that everyone who was there will fill us all in.

[babylonsister]

87. kg, thank you so much for that! I'm sure once the dust settles

your forum will be used. And may I just say that I look for your posts and ALWAYS kick them to kingdom come! Thanks for the constant info; I think it's so helpful and keeps our guy out front, which is good. The more people read, the more they'll realize how effective he has been and is. :toast:

[kerrygoddess]

89. I hope everyone

realizes the spirit in which I set up the forum. I wanted so much to be there last night but I simply could not afford it. I know there are many here who work very hard to get stuff out on the blogosphere and have for a very longtime that would also would have liked to go.

In order to help JK we all have to work together - a private forum makes it easier to share this stuff and get everyone on the same page.

[wisteria]

97. i appreciate your help. I wished I had gone too. I did get an opportunity

to sign the card though. I'm frustrated right now. I want to know what was said and how I can help JK further.

[rox63]

90. Thank you for laying out the events

Kerstin, thank you so much for laying out the events of last night. I am still so blown away. It will take me a day or two to process everything. Today was a flurry of getting people on their way home, as well as walking (we couldn't find a cab that could hold all 5 of us) to and from the Heinz/Kerry home on Beacon Hill to finally deliver the long-lost orchid and the chocolates to JK and THK.

[babylonsister]

92. Orchids, chocolate? Do tell!

:applause: :woohoo:

[rox63]

94. We heard that Teresa likes orchids

So we ordered a lovely orchid plant to present to her on Sunday. Unfortunately, FedEx misplaced it, and it didn't reach the hotel until Monday morning. So we made a special delivery to Casa Heinz/Kerry this morning.

The chocolates were more for JK, since he's apparently something of a chocoholic.

[babylonsister]

96. Awww, you ladies

really rocked! You make me proud! :grouphug:

[sandnsea]

98. That's perfect

I'm so glad you guys did that, I bet it meant so much to them. What a weekend, I'm surprised anybody can sit down long enough to type anything!

[Firespirit]

114. Actually...

I brought the chocolates for the group to enjoy, but we were so busy with other things that we didn't have the time for it. And then by Sunday night, when he showed up and treated us to his marvelous presence in a casual setting, I'd decided to give them to him rather than take them back with me. I knew he had a sweet tooth. ;) I do hope that THK allowed him to eat them even if she won't, despite how bad they are for him, and also I hope that they are good chocolate. We are of course limited in the monetary value of a gift to a member of Congress.

[rox63]

83. I am exhausted, thrilled and amazed

It was such an amazing weekend. I may not be able put many coherent thoughts about it together tonight. I'm running on very little sleep, and I have an early morning tomorrow as I head back to work. But it went beyond my wildest hopes for this event. WOW...Just WOW! :wow:

:woohoo:

[ProSense]

85. I'm so happy for you. n/t

[Klimmer]

84. Awesome job Kerrycrats! I should've signed the West Coast Card-- darn it!

Incredible. Excited about hearing all your stories and inside scoop. Very cool.
Here is to all of you . . .
:toast:

Now back to my grading. Grades are due tomorrow.
(Teaching is wonderful, it is the grading that sucks.)

[muse]

99. I assume Vektor has died and gone to heaven

and we won't be hearing any more from her.

Seriously, Vek. How could you possibly keep yourself together and not explode - just DIE - from the unbelivable GOODNESS of all of that??!!!!

[WildEyedLiberal]

100. Vek and I had simultaneous implosions

I think I melted. It was simply too hot to handle.

[Vektor]

113. He sat right between us, almost as if he was familiar with our literature!

:evilgrin:

We both had uterine implosions. I'm surprised he wasn't killed in the blast.

[Vektor]

112. I did die.

A thousand hot sweet deaths.

I really can't find the words yet.

[jillan]

101. I am so excited that everything turned out the way it did!

You guys are awesome - just awesome - I can't wait to hear more and to see the pictures.
I am so happy that you were there to represent us and show JK how much we love him.

That is the best that you were treated as guests of honor, and even better than that was that Kerry came in and had a beer with all of you.

I am so excited, please post more and more.

But can you start a new thread? This one is over 100 posts! lol

:toast: :toast: to all of you!

[jillan]

105. So do any of you think

that maybe we might have someone special start lurking around this site?

God I hope so!!!

just in case:

WE BELIEVE IN YOU!

[WildEyedLiberal]

110. I hope so!

I better tone down the kink. :o

;)