Day 1: Here Comes the Cavalry
Arrive in lovely Nashville and went straight to the Downtown Nashville Hilton – which is next to the Country Music Hall of Fame. So we are in the heart of country music, which is pretty cool since as my Green Team colleagues know I kinda like some country, like the Dixie Chicks.
We all registered – felt like first day in College – my fellow students were a real varied bunch: real scientist, climatologists, environmentalist from various NGO’s like Sierra Club, Environmental Defense, students, Moms, attorneys, engineers, corporate folks (Wal-Mart, Aveda) artists, teachers, actors, authors, politicians and other politicians, film makers, publishers, a token ad guy and, yes, a magician!
After we registered, I finally met my mentor Ken and other GREEN group members, which was pretty cool (Ken is a real nice and genuine guy – very impressive and dedicated to the cause like all the other mentors).
Then we had orientation – sort of giving us a run down of what the next few days was going to be like.
That evening we all went to the Union Station Hotel (grand old railroad station – think Grand Central Station on a smaller scale but just as grand, converted into a hotel).
This was our first introduction to Al Gore.
After we had all helped ourselves to the buffet and a few beers (cash bar, by the way) Mr. Gore arrived. And to a standing ovation gave a few introductory remarks.
He thanked us “for answering the call.” That we had been selected among many very qualified applicants, and we were the best and brightest out there (really made me feel pretty special – who doesn’t like to be called brilliant?).
He encouraged us to learn not just from him, but from our fellow students “learn from one another that passion that you all feel…”
He encouraged us “to open up to the chance to figure out how we can put our collective wisdom to use”. To raise to the CHALLENGE. Thinks of better ways of communicating that passion.
He spoke at length about how when he first started, he was the lonely soldier started talking about global warming. He felt that people would see what he was trying to say and say yes, we must do something about it…but nothing happened. He kept looking over his shoulder saying where’s the Cavalry?
“Well, you are my Cavalry – you have arrived!!!”
Great way to spend the first opening day, no?
He than hung around and, of course, 90% of all 200 of us showed no shame, and went up to him. Despite of the organizers asking us don’t abuse his time and so forth – well, that was pretty much ignored! Fellow students where asking photographs to be taken with him (I would have too, of course, but did not bring my camera that evening like an idiot! – but don’t worry I did make up for it – after all, there are two more WHOLE days to go!
We all registered – felt like first day in College – my fellow students were a real varied bunch: real scientist, climatologists, environmentalist from various NGO’s like Sierra Club, Environmental Defense, students, Moms, attorneys, engineers, corporate folks (Wal-Mart, Aveda) artists, teachers, actors, authors, politicians and other politicians, film makers, publishers, a token ad guy and, yes, a magician!
After we registered, I finally met my mentor Ken and other GREEN group members, which was pretty cool (Ken is a real nice and genuine guy – very impressive and dedicated to the cause like all the other mentors).
Then we had orientation – sort of giving us a run down of what the next few days was going to be like.
That evening we all went to the Union Station Hotel (grand old railroad station – think Grand Central Station on a smaller scale but just as grand, converted into a hotel).
This was our first introduction to Al Gore.
After we had all helped ourselves to the buffet and a few beers (cash bar, by the way) Mr. Gore arrived. And to a standing ovation gave a few introductory remarks.
He thanked us “for answering the call.” That we had been selected among many very qualified applicants, and we were the best and brightest out there (really made me feel pretty special – who doesn’t like to be called brilliant?).
He encouraged us to learn not just from him, but from our fellow students “learn from one another that passion that you all feel…”
He encouraged us “to open up to the chance to figure out how we can put our collective wisdom to use”. To raise to the CHALLENGE. Thinks of better ways of communicating that passion.
He spoke at length about how when he first started, he was the lonely soldier started talking about global warming. He felt that people would see what he was trying to say and say yes, we must do something about it…but nothing happened. He kept looking over his shoulder saying where’s the Cavalry?
“Well, you are my Cavalry – you have arrived!!!”
Great way to spend the first opening day, no?
He than hung around and, of course, 90% of all 200 of us showed no shame, and went up to him. Despite of the organizers asking us don’t abuse his time and so forth – well, that was pretty much ignored! Fellow students where asking photographs to be taken with him (I would have too, of course, but did not bring my camera that evening like an idiot! – but don’t worry I did make up for it – after all, there are two more WHOLE days to go!
posted by An Inconvenient Hugh at
11:56 PM
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