We’re gonna give this live blogging thing a try.

11:15
So far the convention center is filling up, but there are plenty of people milling in the halls.

11:45 – Here at our “anti-government” rally we just seditiously said the pledge of allegiance and sang the national anthem.

11:50 – The speakers have started.

12:00 – continuing overview of current legislation, including a confiscation bill currently in the house. (Link will be posted later)

12:01 – Thirdpower just volunteered me to help collect donations while he blogs. Otis Macdonald just walked in.

12:28 – Very generous folks here. Filled up my 5 gallon bucket; sometimes change, sometimes 100s, and a surprising amount of $2 bills.

12:36 – Otis MacDonald time.

12:41 – Cool! I’m sitting next to Mary Sheppard’s daughter.

12:43 – Mary Sheppard takes the podium

12:45 – “If being beaten and left for dead is what it took to help this cause, it was worth the pain.”

12:50 – Now begin the marching orders. Be polite, obey all laws, how to lobby. Be firm, but polite. Be in the bathroom, the committee rooms, the lobby, the hall, even the coat room. We want a gold sticker everywhere a politician turns today.

12:55 – Don’t rise to baiting.

12:58 – What to expect of security. No knives, keep your keys and metal objects in the given envelopes to speed up the metal detector/x-ray line.

1:01 – roll out!

1:40 – Made it to the Capitol. Thank you Brandon Phelps for speaking and Sponsoring the current Carry bill.

1:45 – Didn’t even have to go outside to see my senator. Sen. Sam McCann came out to the mic and I shook his hand.

1:59 –  Here’s one of 4 lines for security. I couldn’t fit the whole thing into one photo. It’s at the Stratton building. There’s a tunnel into the capitol, so it gives us another entrance to split a few thousand people between.

2:32 – Finally  through security. Spoke with my Rep’s secretary. He was meeting with other IGOLD people. I know where he stands and there was quite the line to speak with him

2:36 – Secret passage

2:48 – The line for Speaker Madigan’s office wraps all around the rotunda on the 3rd floor.

3:09 – Finished making all the rounds. Sen. Cullerton’s office had quite a line as well. His secretary was taking comment cards out in the hallway and was declining requests to speak with the senator.

7:09 – Finally home. Had a nice dinner at Bennigan’s with Thridpower before he went home. I then stopped off at my local cigar shop for a smoke.

I also got to meet up with Don Gwinn during the march – always fun to see him.

(edited in a post for the security line. I was having connection problems and previously uploaded it as a separate post. Also a couple typos, of which I’m sure there are more – darned touchscreen keyboard.)