MARILYN STRICKLAND: DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION, AUG. 25, 11:16 P.M. >>>

Obama delegate and Tacoma City Council member Marilyn Strickland is done for with general session for the day, which she describes as an exciting one.

“Getting through security didn't take nearly as long as I expected,” she says, “but I was less than pleased when my kiwi fruit and orange were confiscated.”

Squirt guns, and now tropical fruit? Yeesh.

Our wayward delegate arrived at the Pepsi Center just before 2 p.m., and was through security within 20 minutes, sans fruit. Reverend Al Sharpton was by the entrance, surrounded by microphones and photographers.

“I waited for the commotion around him to subside and introduced myself,” says Strickland. “He was very polite and posed for a photo.”

Speeches ran the gamut from great to dull, and Strickland spent enough time talking to Hilary supporters to determine that rifts within the Democratic Party have been greatly exaggerated.

“I even spotted Hillary Supporters for Obama’ buttons,” she says.

Celebrity sightings, many of whom you won’t recognize unless you watch a lot of cable news, included:  Governor Jim Webb, Wolf Blitzer, Donna Brazile, Anderson Cooper, Katie Couric, Judy Woodruff, Suzanne Malveaux, Jesse Jackson, Jr., and Spike Lee.

“Governor Bill Richardson walked right past our state delegation and was instantly mobbed,” Strickland says. “He was a great sport, signed autographs and posed for photos.  He really seemed to be enjoying himself and looks much better with a tan and a beard.”

Sen. Ted Kennedy brought down the house when he promised to be there next January for Obama's inauguration. 

Michelle Obama hit a grand slam with her grace, beauty, intelligence and sincerity.  Many delegates shed tears of pride.

According to a press release from DNC organizers, 44.3 percent of the delegates elected to attend the Convention in Denver represent minority communities, 50.1 percent are women and 31.4 percent are either seniors or youth, making this the most diverse Convention in Party history.

The DNC band killed it, and the crowd got down, praise Jah. The playlist included hits from Earth Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin to name a few.  "Living in America" by James Brown was playing as the crowd made its exit.

“One nation indeed,” says Strickland.

LINK: DNC diversity
LINK: Weekly Volcano’s DNC preview