My "Presidential" Day --

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
My "Presidential" Day --
2
Tue, 09-09-2003 - 5:39pm
What a long day!! I left here at 9:30 to meet the friend doing the newsletter at the Naval Air Station to get the disk I needed. Of course, I couldn't get on base, because Air Force One was Landing there. Every intersection between there and Alltel Stadium had a policeman there to block it off when the motorcade came through.

I was at St. John's Theater by 10:20 even though we weren't supposed to be there until 11. There were already some people in the parking lot when I got there. Guess they didn't want to risk being late either. We got our "staff" tags that tell it was for the President's visit and the date (a nice souvenir) and instructions for checking photo ID's for people to ride one of the 5 city buses. I got to work the VIP bus with the politicians (and some others) on it, so that was neat. I rode the bus for 3 trips getting people. On the first one back, I saw the President's motorcade pass. There were two huge limos with flags on the front, several black Suburbans and several white vans. Plus, I counted 23 motorcycle police, 14 police cars, and 1 State Trooper SUV!!

We waited forever for him to get there. I knew he'd be late, because the lunch was supposed to start at 11, and his motorcade didn't pass until 11:40. We were packed in the school auditorium, so it was hot, especially with all the media there and big TV lights set up all over. He spoke for about 1/2 an hour and joked with the audience. He has a great personality. Afterward, he had pictures taken with a number of people cheek-to-cheek and hugged the principle and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He's very down-to-earth. Jeb was there too, and W. made jokes about them and their parents.



We couldn't leave until the Presidential motorcade left. There were 3 charter buses for the press with a police escort, and our 5 buses couldn't come until they loaded and got out of the way. Several of us, including the band director from Rob's school, decided to hoof it back to the theater where our cars were parked. Someone said it was only 5 blocks. HA! It was more like 10. We were racewalking in 92 heat with the sun out (finally). I had on slacks with stockings, a sleeveless sweater, and a suit jacket I took out. My shoes had 2+" heels, but at least they were chunky and the shoes were stretchy microfiber. I have a blister the size of Rhode Island on the ball of my right foot. This one woman who is married to the police officer who was helping us at the theater was walking with me, and after we'd gotten about 7 blocks, her husband pulled up in his police car and gave us a ride to the theater, so I got to ride in the back of a police car too. I got back to my car at 3:10.



Since I hadn't been to the bathroom since I left home and had had 2 hardboiled eggs at 6:30 this morning, I stopped at a Chic Fil-A. There were a bunch of Secret Service in Uniform guys there. I heard one mention Fredericksburg, VA, so we struck up a conversation. He was originally from Gainesville (and a Gator fan), but lived in Prince Georges County MD and has relatives in Charles County near my sister and niece. Small world. He was at Pope's Creek for steamed crabs last weekend. Sure made me homesick for up there! I asked if they were going on to Ft. Lauderdale with the President, but he said no they were flying back. He has another group of Secret Service guys for that part of the trip.



Went to the printer a little before 4 and got home about 4:30. I am beat!! Should have a sample of the newsletter to approve tomorrow AM and the final ones to hand out by the end of the day or first thing Thursday morning. Only problem is it takes 3 days to make up the 3-color shells we'll use each month for the newsletter. Since we don't have 3 days until this meeting, the first one will have to be all black-and-white. It's a shame, because the logo looks so good in color. I'll have to see if I can copy it for you to see.

Hey, with all that walking, I sure got in my cardio today!!

Rhonda

       ~~Rhonda~~


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Avatar for imthebigsister
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 09-09-2003 - 6:47pm
Sounds like a hectic day, but you obviously enjoyed it. I admire your energy - and you do have it!

How does anyone walk 10 blocks in 92 degree heat and sun, wearing pants and hose? I would have melted into the sidewalk. I can only imagine the size of the blister you'd have if you hadn't had something between your shoes and your foot.


iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2001
Tue, 09-09-2003 - 11:40pm
What a day you had!!Sounds fun and interesting.

Miss P