anticipating today

i would say that there is a collective held-breath here in chicago, waiting for tonight's rally.

public notices are all over the place - there seems to be a city-wide effort to make this work as smoothly as possible. Here's some of the info we've heard so far about tonight's preparations...

• Local officials are expected anywhere from 1 to 2 Million people to show up for Obama (in contrast to 2000 for McCain at a country club in Arizona).

• The rally is going to take place at Grant Park, Chicago's water-side downtown park
  
• 65,000 people have been given tickets to enter the gated-off area, while the rest are allowed to stand outside and observe all speeches on screens.

• The Mayor has been quoted as saying "If people want to be there, they should" - as such, the police will NOT be turning anyone away from the park.

• Gates will open at 8:30 pm - the city will essentially shut down at 3:00 pm in preparation for the congestion downtown.

• Obama's speech (for better or worse) will take place after 10:00 pm - probably later
• In terms of security - Chicago has cancelled all police requests for days off, and firemen have been told to keep their gear with them whether at work or at home.

• The coast guard will be patrolling Lake Michigan and other waterways

• Those people who are allowed inside the gated-off area are NOT allowed to bring signs or banners.
  

So, where we currently sit is among those million people waiting outside the gate, looking wistfully at the 'official' rally. We're planning on getting decked out in full Obama-attire - something that seems to be available at every street corner for 10 bucks (stickers, buttons, and the ubiquiotos Barack T-shirt).

Tomorrow is when the real fun begins. For now, we watch and we wait.