Team "Blue Oasis" preparing for Denver...and Writing Raven is on board!

I know this was discussed early last week, but I'm excited to announce that Raven will definitely be part of our "Team Blue Oasis" attending the Democratic National Convention in Denver!

Heck, I'm excited and frankly stunned that we actually have a team!



I have never been more excited about our "team" than when I applied for credentials yesterday to "The Big Tent" blogger extravaganza!

The Big Tent will be the place to be for new media journalists, bloggers, reporters, and non-profit leaders covering the Democratic National Convention in Denver this summer.

We're creating a 9,000 square foot, two-story structure that will house the work space for journalists, bloggers and new media, a Digg Stage with prominent national leaders, as well as a Google Retreat with a YouTube kiosk where you can make your own YouTube videos. The Big Tent will be open throughout the Democratic National Convention, Aug. 25- 28.

In the New Media Lounge, your pass will be a ticket to to enjoy all the benefits of the blogger / new media lounge, including free WiFi, work space, television-coverage, as well as free food and drinks. And you get to hang out with some of the top bloggers, new media journalists, and non-profit leaders in the country.

And in the Public Space, you can participate in panel discussions with top national leaders on a range of hot topics. There will also be workshops on blogging, community organizing, and new technologies.

The Big Tent will host sponsored happy hours each day from 4 to 5, followed by live coverage of every minute of the Democratic National Convention until 9 p.m. each night. When the Convention ends each day, the Big Tent will still be going with late-night entertainment, including concerts and films. Check back at BigTentDenver.com for additional details as the convention nears.

Can you say, "geek paradise?!"

My team consists of me, Writing Raven, Monocot, Kaerick and of course, the only one who DOESN'T have an internet name, my 10-year-old daughter/photographer Morrigan! As it doesn't appear that my daughter will be able to join me on the floor of the Convention Center (I haven't totally given up hope), this will be a nice alternative.

As you may all recall, Raven contacted me as the result of a column I wrote for the Anchorage Daily News on race and diversity in the DNCC Blog Pool. Raven's new blog is "Alaska Real" and I believe she's the first Alaska Native blogger who is actually focusing on Alaska Native issues.

I'm pleased that we as the Alaska member of the State Blogger Pool will bring a gender and culturally diverse team.

Here are the stats for the record:

4 female (80%) and 1 male (20%)
3 Caucasian (60%), 1 African American (20%) and 1 Alaska Native (20%)
1 disabled (20%)

Per Alaska's 2006 Census:

- Female population 48.3%
- Black population 3.7%
- American Indian and Alaska Native population 15.4%.
- Persons experiencing a disability 12.4%

We beat the stats! I hope that other State Blogger teams do the same!