LOL! Well I was the poor lost FReeper who couldn't read the nametags anyway--because of the general dimness of the room and my poor eyesight. If I met anyone I hope they remind me what their screennames are!
How about nametags, the size of bumper stickers, and pasted on Freeper's backs!! I couldn't make out the names without snoozling up to their chests (I'm being polite), so I missed some who I spoke to!
What a great time I had! I didn't go to the parade or the ceremony itself, but watched the swearing-in and address on TV in the hotel. Then a few of us decorated the ballroom and diningrooms. Budget decorations but everything looked pretty and red/white/blue. The flags on the walls all had meaning, and the pictures and posters told what we were all about.
While we were working, I spoke to a hotel employee who thought we were a group from Arkansas. So I explained who we were and the Arkansas link. He was curious about FR.com. and asked some questions about us. He had a 'W' pin on his uniform, but I thought it was because he was an employee of the Washington Plaza. Later on I saw many Freepers with the same W pin --- so the guy was a Bush man!!
I spent a long time checking people in by pasting wrist tags on them, but when I was relieved, I simply circulated, hugging old friends and meeting new ones. There was one time when I simply had to get off my feet, and sat in the room outside the ballroom was. It was, of course crowded, and as I sat there, it was such a wonderful feeling to be with so many who are on my wave-length! Many, many I knew as I had Freeped with them over the years, but the others were "Strangers who were all my friends"!!
My sincere thanks to all those who carried all the planning and worries on their backs, these past weeks, setting up such a wonderful night.
And -- to Jim Rob and his wonderful family ----- we love and thank you!! You have done so much for this country with Free Republic. God bless you!!