Barack Obama @ Xcel Energy Center

A woman does Sudoku in line for the Obama rally at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN.

I showed up around 2:45 p.m. and was on of the first 50 people in line. These people were behind me.

Someone handed out anti-abortion propaganda, which ended up on the ground as soon as the reader figured out what it was.

The line was rearranged and instead of being on the side of Xcel, we got to be right in front.

Girls play UNO while waiting.

People ended up stashing their umbrellas in the trees/bushes outside Xcel.

Doors opened shortly after 6 p.m. (event was listed as doors at 7 p.m.) and people were filling the arena until right before Obama took the stage at 9 p.m.

It was fun to watch the press scurry around.

Jumbotron also aired McCain rambling on about nothing, and Amy Klobuchar (everyone was yelling so loud, we couldn’t hear her on the speakers).

A girl sends a text message to a friend while waiting for Obama to take the stage.

Barack and Michelle Obama came onstage shortly after 9 p.m.

Barack had to wait several minutes for the applause and cheering to die down so he could get down to business.