Doug Van Pelt

GMA.08.02

I'm in the only internet/wifi hotspot at the GMA Convention in "GMA Central," where the exhibitors have booths set up, the magazine/publication bin is and I'm waiting to check email for the first time today. Here's hoping I can download everything before I head over to the lobby for a shuttle to the Tooth & Nail dinner. Today I had sit-down conversations and interviews with Michael from the band Red, Krystal Meyers, the guys in Since October and Bruce and Arthur of Living Sacrifice. I "jawed" a little bit with Mike Herrera in the hallway. It's been a fun day. It's about to kick into overdrive as the T&N dinner segues me into the Compassion dinner, where I'll have a chance to reunite with the Uganda bloggers again. I had dinner with a bunch of them last night, which was wonderful. I saw one performance at a showcase, too. It was the band Luminate, who have stepped up their production ... and sound a little bit more melodic and worship-centric than previous songs.

After the Compassion International dinner there is our showcase, followed by about six other showcases around town. It'll be a late, late night (and then I was gullible enough to accept an invitation to a breakfast early tomorrow morning).