Friday afternoon, about 3 pm, I knocked off work early and joined my carpool companion Evan Day for a trip down to the City of Hampton, which was the site of the 2008 state Democratic convention.  The following is a brief timeline of events:

3:13 pm  We're speeding down Ox Road, heading for 95.  Radio is playing. 

3:47 pm.  We're sitting dead still in traffic on Rte 95 in Prince William County.  Does this ever change?

4:33 pm  We're across the Rapahannock at Fredericksburg and the pace is picking up again.

6:16 pm  Now we're caught in traffic on Rte 64 in James City County, about 20 miles away from Hampton.   While we wait it out, I see several cars with bumper stickers and paraphenalia, heading for the convention.  It's like Mardi Gras, but not that much fun.

7:07 pm  We get to the Embassy Suites.  I check in, say hello to a couple friends, and step into the elevator.  I'm sharing it with U.S. Senator Jim Webb.  He shows me a picture of his 1-year old daughter.  She's a knockout.

7:30 pm.  I meet downstairs with Delegate Adam Ebbin and some friends.  We share a ride to the waterfront, where Delegate Jeion Ward is having a party at the Marina Hilton.  A jazz band is playing and the buffet has fresh seafood.  I load up several plates of oysters and shrimp. 

8:49 pm.  The speeches are over and the music is back on.  The DJ is playing "The Electric Slide."  There are 50 people on the dance floor.  Exactly one of them is a white male.  Yeah, it's me.

9:30 pm.  We're back at the Embassy Suites.  Taking the advice (as usual) of Delegate Lionel Spruill, I am upstairs sharing a beer at a reception sponsored by the "Unity Slate" for DNC Delegates.  I'm not sure if there's a "Disunity Slate" -- if so, I'll gladly vote for it.  Til then, I'm enjoying free drinks.

11:00 pm. The party is going strong.  But I'm not.  I've been awake since 5 am, so I go back to my room and crash.

Saturday ....

7:00 a.m.  I go out for a morning run.  The sun is already rising over the Chesapeake Bay and beating down on Hampton.  There are also no sidewalks along the street where I'm running.  I go 2-3 miles without getting hit by a car, then turn around and head home.

8:30 pm.  Breakfast at the Hampton Coliseum is sponsored by the Virginia Young Dems.  I'm on the Board of Trustees, which means I have to make a hefty donation ... but I also get a free breakfast.

9:45 am.  Statewide hopefuls for 2009 are crowding the halls of the Coliseum, catching the delegates as they come in and pinning on lapel stickers.  Has-beens and wannabes mix freely.   Here come Steve Shannon and Creigh Deeds.  There goes Tim Craig of the Washington Post. 

10:00 am.  Chairman Cranwell calls us to order.  The speeches begin immediately.

11:30 am.  The speeches are going full steam and the crowd is roaring.  Upside:  Democrats have a candidate in every U.S. House district.  Downside:  That makes 11 speeches, before we even get to the keynotes.

12:45 pm.  The convention breaks.  Delegates are hanging outside, smoking cigarettes, talking on cell phones and enjoying the 100 degree heat.

1:30 pm.  The convention is still dragging on.  Voting for at-large positions will happen soon.  Without a dog in that fight, I hop in the car and make a quick getaway.

2:15 pm.  Sitting in gridlock on Rte. 64, right around Ft. Eustis Blvd.  It never ends!  

5:30 pm.   I'm back home.  Another weekend in the Hampton.