Have I been griping about the inexcusably long lines everywhere we went in Denver?

Yup, I have.

But was there an upside to loitering on a sidewalk for nearly an hour Thursday, waiting for the privilege of boarding a packed shuttle bus to be ferried to hear Barack Obama's big speech?

You bet there was.

Meet  Matt Walters, from Brooklyn. He's head of Jews for Obama. He's also an actor and has a part in the soon-to-be-released film version of "Marley and Me." (He plays Owen Wilson's cubicle mate.)  

I wish you could see how cute he is, but like all professional photographers idiots with cameras I had to make a choice. Mine was whether to capture his chisled cheekbones, or show you his yalmulke...

If  you saw today's New York Times, you couldn't miss the color photo - above the fold - of an emotional member of the Virginia delegation.

"June Van Ostern."

I just ran into this newly minted celebrity in my hotel corridor. She gushed that it was an "honor" to be on the front of the Times.

If only they'd gotten her first name right.

It's Jane, not June.

Geez. I thought The New York Times never made mistakes. Who's writing their captions, Jayson Blair?

(Jane blames her penmanship for the mix-up. The photog asked her to write down her name. She didn't have her glasses.)

One thing you don't expect to see at a Democratic Convention is a beret. Remember Monica?

So when I saw Robert Blue's choice of headgear I was tempted to make a smart remark. But then the Franklin County delegate stood up. He's about 10 feet tall.

Instead, I politely asked if I could take his picture.

Uh-oh.

Remember that happy, Kumbaya mood I was telling you about? It's evaporating.

Everyone in the Virginia delegation wanted one of these Tim Kaine signs when organizers began passing them out at breakfast.

Perfect for waving when the governor gives his introduction-of-an-introduction-of-an-introduction speech tonight around 8 o'clock!

Then one disgruntled delegate rose and demanded to know why they had to carry these things around all day. Why not just pass them out at the football stadium tonight like they do for other delegations?

Turns out these aren't the signs the delegation is supposed to wave at Kaine tonight. These are to take home and mount over the mantle.

Take 'em back, the delegates groused.  So grim-faced volunteers circulated through the room, collecting the sad smiley signs. 

Half an hour to go before the Virginia delegates start diving for danish. Can you stand the excitement?

Here in the lobby of the Crowne Plaza, Democratic luminaries from the Old Dominion, Washington DC and New Mexico wander around in their casual wear. Why, just moments ago I caught a glimpse of Washington's infamous Marion Barry as he got on the elevator.

His T-shirt?

I don't know what it said on the front, but the back read: Marion Barry Always Fighting For Crack The People.

Vincew!

Vince - send me an email at kerry.dougherty@cox.net and will work out the delicate Water Bottle Exchange!

Virginians. Through a lens longly.

Told you The Pilot had the very best view of the backside of every speaker.

Wait a minute. What's Wolf Blitzer doing in the Colorado delegation?

Everyone is in the house tonight.

Brian Williams and the gang.

Yawn. These guys.

Even some foreigners.

Who would've guessed?

This hat is so heavy, it slides down over her eyes. I fear for her safety on Denver streets.