DNC Fail

on September 6, 2012

As you guys probably know, the Democratic National Convention is right here in Charlotte. And last night will, unfortunately, go down as one of the greatest missed opportunities of my entire life. How often can you say that (hopefully not very often!)?

I really wanted to see Obama speak tonight, but didnâ€™t realize until a few days ago that I would actually be out of town. So then I set my hopes on seeing Clinton speak last night, but that event was even harder to get into because of the venue size. Obamaâ€™s Thursday speech also got moved to the smaller venue, and my buddy who works with the Democrats e-mailed me to say that she had new tickets to give my brother-in-law, who was going to go to Obamaâ€™s speech. Well. Thatâ€™s how I read the e-mail.

At 8:00 last night, I get the following text from my friend:

Are you in the arena?

I paused, gasped loudly, and ran to my computer to check my achieved mail. Sure enough, the email that I thought read, â€œThe Presidentâ€™s speech got moved, but I have new tickets, if you want to pick them up tonight,â€ read:

You might have seen on the news today that the President’s speech was moved from Bank of America to the Time Warner Cable Arena. I realize that’s a total bummer, but what I can tell you is I do have tickets for tonight if you are able to come.

So. That means that at 8:00 PM, I realized that I had tickets to Billâ€™s speech and couldâ€™ve seen not only Bill but Obama, too (thus doubly fulfilling my dream of actually seeing any President in real life). Complete and utter fail. It was obviously far too late to arrange a babysitter, drive to Uptown, find parking, pass through all the police checkpoints, and get into the arena. I was SO tired (zombie mommy!) when I read her e-mail that I just skimmed it and missed THE MOST IMPORTANT DETAIL. And that is why they call it mommy brain.

Like I said. It will go down in history as one of my largest FAILS ever.

Does syrup make up for it? Well, a little bit.

But Iâ€™m still pretty gutted.

{ 43 comments }

Julia September 6, 2012, 9:56 am
awww, that totally sucks. I’d be gutted too!
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat September 6, 2012, 9:57 am
That does look like one amazing breakfast. 🙂 I was lucky enough to see Obama speak at Pitt before the last election – and it was a great experience.
Ali September 6, 2012, 10:01 am
Oh no! That SUCKS! It’s something though that I would totally do and I don’t even have a child. I’m just that busy and stressed from work! 🙁 My elementary class went to see Bush Sr. when he was nearby but I never actually got to see him since it was standing room and we were all kids and thus short. Heard him. Would rather have seen Obama now though!
Maren September 6, 2012, 10:07 am
ughhhhhh!!!! Caitlin! What a total bummer! Man, I hate to see what my brain is going to be like when I have a child…it’s already mush!
Elisabeth September 6, 2012, 10:14 am
TOTAL BUMMER! I would love to see Clinton speak some day. Feeling sad for you 🙁
Kendra @ My Full-Thyme Life September 6, 2012, 10:20 am
That stinks!!! So sorry!!
Presley @ Run Pretty September 6, 2012, 10:20 am
I feel your pain (just not as severely). I used to be so detail oriented. Now that I have a ten week old, I forget even the biggest of things… like brushing my teeth. Yeah. That happened.
Chelsea @ Dine & Dash Diaries September 6, 2012, 10:28 am
Oh no!!!! I have moments like that all the time, though, and I’m not even a mom. I once had to reschedule an interview (in which I was the interview-ER) just a couple hours after scheduling it because I was so, so beyond exhausted and forgetful. We all have those moments. Would definitely have been cool to see Bill and Barack, though!!!
Katie - Life Discombobulated September 6, 2012, 10:31 am
Oh no!!!! 🙁 I would be SO upset, too! Did you at least get to watch the speech on tv? It was a great one. I hope the syrup made you feel better…
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More September 6, 2012, 10:32 am
Bummer! That’s totally something that would happen to me!
Stef September 6, 2012, 10:34 am
Oh, that sucks! I would be upset too! But your breakfast does look delicious. 🙂
Whitney September 6, 2012, 10:38 am
Sooo sorry for your mishap!! 🙁
Erin Margaret September 6, 2012, 10:40 am
I’m sorry Caitlin, that really sucks. 🙁 But its still cool you got to go and see the arena the other day. Many people would have loved that opportunity so you did not fail 🙂 PS. Don’t give up hope! Its election year after all
Sarah @ Yogi in Action September 6, 2012, 10:44 am
Aww- Caitlin that sucks! I’m sorry to hear that! Maybe next time?
Jennifer September 6, 2012, 10:45 am
Aw man, I would be bummed out too. I’m so sorry.

I’ve only seen one president in office in person and that was George W throwing out the first pitch at the start of the college world series. That was his first year in office.
Katie D. September 6, 2012, 10:48 am
I saw George W Bush at a rally waaay back in 2004. It was pretty exciting!
- Melissa September 6, 2012, 4:35 pm
  I did too…in Orlando, it was his kick off to re-election. I am so mad that I don’t have any pictures though (we were like 5 rows from the stage) b/c I figured security would be so tight that they wouldn’t allow any cameras, etc and I left everything except for my ID in the car. Total FAIL but once I realized my error it was too long of a walk to get back to the car and have any prayer of getting in, much less getting such a good position on the floor.
Natalie September 6, 2012, 10:48 am
I’m so so sorry! Did you at least get to watch it on TV? I think he may have given us the bump we needed!
Beth September 6, 2012, 10:52 am
What a bummer!

I’ve seen both Clinton and Obama (Clinton at a Gore event in 2000, Obama I randomly met on the street when I worked in DC) and it’s amazing the draw someone like that has. You’ll get another chance!
Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed September 6, 2012, 11:08 am
Bummer 🙁 Well, at least you got some extra time cuddling your little man!
Megan September 6, 2012, 11:09 am
Oh! What a bummer. So sorry you missed. However I’d bet money you’ll get another opportunity like this some time in your future.
Sonia the Mexigarian September 6, 2012, 11:12 am
So sorry Caitlin, but don’t give up hope! I’m sure you’ll have chance to see the president again soon and maybe the first lady. Being healthly food and fitness oriented as she is, it’s only a matter of time before you cross paths 😉 Here’s hoping that you do in the future!
Megan September 6, 2012, 11:15 am
Not an Obama fan, but seeing the president, or a past president would be really neat. That sucks that you missed that. I hate it when I miss small- but SUPER important- details.
Kris September 6, 2012, 11:34 am
Such a bummer! I stayed up to watch his speech. I had a chance to shake his hand when he came to our community in Williamsburg, VA back in the 90s. It was fun to see him in a casual setting, with a very small group of people greeting him.
rebecca @ blueberry smiles September 6, 2012, 12:40 pm
Awwww, that really sucks!! I thought his speech was great last night. I’ve seen Carter, Clinton, and Obama in person and all were great.
Angela September 6, 2012, 12:49 pm
Sorry you missed it! I know how much you wanted to go.
On a positive note, you are a great story teller and always make me laugh!
Erica September 6, 2012, 1:04 pm
Fingers crossed that you’ll get another chance! If Obama and Bill manage to make it to a little town like Roanoke, VA several times (where I’ve seen both of them), I’m sure they’ll both be in Charlotte again at some point.

Fun story: Mitt was in town (Norfolk) for a Rally thing with Ryan and I was out for my morning run… In my Obama t-shirt 😉 I just smiled and waved as I ran by .
Devon | the food bitch blog September 6, 2012, 1:07 pm
I got to see Clinton & Obama in Orlando in 2008. It was seriously one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
Lauren @ Educated Mind, Healthy Body September 6, 2012, 1:22 pm
Aww, I’m so sorry Caitlin! That really sucks 🙁 When Henry grows up, you can tell him it was his fault you missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity… haha
Liza September 6, 2012, 1:22 pm
Ohh Caitlin I would have been so disappointed/annoyed with myself too! I feel your pain! I guess Mommy Brain IS real 🙂 Don’t beat yourself up too much. Like a lot of people said… fingers crossed for another chance someday!
Amber K September 6, 2012, 2:20 pm
Such a bummer, but hopefully you’ll get another chance to see a past or future President.
lauren September 6, 2012, 2:35 pm
i think you’re doing alright in life if this is your largest fail 🙂
Shari September 6, 2012, 2:39 pm
Oh boy, I’d have been majorly disappointed, too. But like others have said, hopefully you’ll have another opportunity since it’s an election year. I had the chance to see – and meet – Hillary Clinton during the 2008 election and it was seriously one of the coolest experiences of my life. I’d been to two rallies of hers previously, so knew to get there early and secure a spot in the front. Even so, I’m pretty sure my mouth fell open when she walked off the stage and directly to us. Just getting to shake her hand and talk with her was amazing 🙂
Tara September 6, 2012, 2:41 pm
Aww bummer! This is just me thinking out loud (because I realize other people think it’s a big deal), but what is the appeal of being in a huge crowd where you can’t see much if you’re far away, you have to deal with numerous security issues, etc.? I guess this is why I hate concerts too/massive sporting events too. I just don’t get the appeal considering I have a better view from a big TV. I guess I just don’t get the whole “energy of the crowd” thing. Am I totally alone in thinking this way?

I think movie theaters are the perfect size:-)
eliza September 6, 2012, 2:53 pm
Umm I missed shaking Obama’s hand because I had to use the bathroom in New Hampshire before he was elected president. That is a fail.
Beks September 6, 2012, 3:31 pm
I know you wanted to see him (them?) in person, but you probably had a better seat by watching it on TV (if you did, that is).

Side note: I realize Blue is the Democratic color, but I kind of think that the people speaking should wear a different shade of blue so they don’t blend into the background. My work TV was showing a recap of last night on Fox News today, and the newscaster was basically a floating head with floating arms because her dress matched the blue that they used to decorate the arena. Pretty amusing. 🙂
annecalista September 6, 2012, 7:34 pm
You should move to NH, or just take a vacation here during a primary or a campaign. Obama has been here twice in the past six weeks I’d guess, and is coming again tomorrow. I saw him three times during the last campaign, and got a hug and a picture w/him at a small-town meeting! He was super nice, btw.
Ellen @ Wannabe Health Nut September 6, 2012, 8:20 pm
Oh man, I’m bummed FOR YOU. If it had been a missed opportunity for The First Lady’s speech I really would have felt for ya. Syrup does have healing effects, as does Trader Joe’s bons bons and almond butter-oatmeal. Looks yummy!
Verlin September 6, 2012, 10:46 pm
I feel so bad for you — maybe kick something (that isn’t living).
Charise September 7, 2012, 8:43 am
Oh man, that stinks! I live in Ohio, and the president, VP, and first lady (and Romney, but, meh) make trips here all.the.time. It never works out with my schedule though, and plus I haaaaaaaate huge crowds, so I haven’t seen any of them.
jamie@everydaydolce September 7, 2012, 11:02 am
Bummer. That is totally something I would do, too, though!! His speech was awesome 🙂
Jill September 7, 2012, 11:09 pm
This reminds me of the time I was on vacation in the Bay Area and didn’t bother to answer my cell when I got a call from an unknown number. When I checked my voicemail, it was the reservations desk at the French Laundry saying that they had an opening for the day I was on the waiting list for!! Of course when I called back the reservation had been taken. I still get made at myself for not picking up that call.
Addy September 12, 2012, 8:54 am
Caitlin, I’m still so bummed this did not work out!!! Last week, I was also running on about 2 hours of sleep each night – so I can understand the sleep deprivation. It was wonderful meeting you and hope our paths cross again!

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