Conventional Wednesday

Walked all over downtown Denver this am — and tho there are lots of people on the street — things are quiet — sleepy even. I grab a spot on a shady bench near one of the convention bus stops to blog to you and watch the world go by. On one corner a guy hawks Obama shoeshines. “World’s only Obama shines!” Six raggedy-looking PUMAS walk down the street chanting “Hillary, Hillary!” They’re followed by a fistful of McCain people calling “He’s not ready!” The guy sitting next to me on the bench is wearing a live snake for a necklace. He watches the puny protests, impassive. Three middle-aged couples roar by on Harleys waving McCain signs and screaming at the top of their lungs. “AAAARR!” Belching exhaust, they literally stink. Snake guy moves on. Earlier, a knot of gawkers formed around a cafe where Annette Benning was having coffee for a cause. I was too short to see and not interested enough to muscle my way in. Nicolosi would have got that shot. I was interviewed by high school students working on a project. They asked me what I thought of George Bush. “Worst president ever,” I say. “Ever?! Wow!” says my interviewer, underlining it in her notebook. “Yup,” I say, “read your history.” They ask me what I like about Obama. “He’s smart,” I say. She nods, serious. More questions: Will it matter that he’s black? What’s the most important issue? Why are you a Democrat? When we finished, they thank me for taking the time to talk. “Stay smart,” I tell them. “We will,” they say in unison — like at a pep rally. An old guy wants to talk to me about overpopulation. I tell him, “you’re preaching to the choir … I’m all about the ZPG.” He gives me the thumbs-up and walks on. Up the street, a grayboy leafleteer-coordinator monopolizes his hot-girl vol. He’s passionate about the cause. He’s talking fast. Looking into her big sleepy eyes. 300 people walk by while he talks at her.. She doesn’t hand out a single flyer. Down the pedestrian mall, a Barack look-alike sells Salsa dance lessons and when two girls dressed as streetwalkers join in on the demonstration, a TV crew stops to shoot. K-pix later. Lots of smokers on the street. Lots of cameras. Lots of cellphones. Lunchtime, lots more credentialed people milling around. Time to walk again. Below: Me ready for the day. And sad PUMAS.