Most of Thursday was spent arriving early at the arena and preparing equipment. Also finding a restaurant for a real meal before we are stuck inside for the night. Because of the security, it’s difficult to come and go from the arena so we go out at noon to a nearby Thai restaurant. Many of the businesses close to the Tampa Bay Times Forum are almost empty, we think residents who usually come to the downtown area stayed away. There were only a few tables occupied at the Thai place, though the food was good. Later on around 6 p.m. I have a hot dog in the arena, the other food at the concessions didn’t look so great.

 The slogan for today is “We Believe in America”.

Yesterday the “balloon man” showed up for interviews and a demonstration of how to tie a balloon. Here he is blowing up a blue balloon. He organizes the balloon drop that has become the usual way to end a convention. Many times it’s the main photo in newspapers and magazines, so I spend a hour or so setting up my cameras and lenses for those few seconds when the balloons come down.  

Photographers are able to set up “remote cameras”, unmanned ones that we can trigger with radio devices from a long distance. Here I am on a too tall ladder making final adjustments to our camera. I ended up having to change batteries and re-aim the camera since the new tradition seems to be extending the stage out another 15-20 feet for the final night of the convention when the nominee speaks. This happens at both conventions, so it’s one more thing to plan for. This camera should get a photo of the nominees on the stage at the end with the balloons coming down.

It’s about 6:45 p.m. now, the speaking starts at 7 p.m., with the main ones at around 10 p.m.