Barack Obama's Acceptance Speech: An Inside Look (adventures)

As you know, the DNC was in Denver all last week and I stopped by 16th St. Mall on the last day to capture history while it was in town::



I was about two blocks away from the MSNBC makeshift studios when I was whisked away by the LightRail to Invesco Field for Barack's acceptance speech that night.


Except the LightRail didn't go ALL the way to the stadium (that stop was closed). So I conveniently waited in a serpent-like line of credential holders about 2 miles long. Everyone of us had our credentials in hand, eagerly awaiting admittance to the best free event ever in the history of Denver.

Met some students from Iowa (where the whole thing started), talked to someone about the conventions of the 60s, passed countless peddlers selling campaign buttons and T-shirts... 2 hours later, I was in! I watched the televised version of the entire evening afterwards, but ya know, it didn't even come close to what it was like inside the stadium, live, in person. People assembled from all over the country, reporters from all over the world. Press boxes from all the major news channels, the top names in Democratic politics, celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg, Stevie Wonder and Sheryl Crow, Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson, Al Gore, oh and me. All in one space! The weather was postcard-Colorado beautiful. Slight breeze, summer evening stillness. And for what it was worth, I had an amazing view::




I took binoculars because I knew everyone would look like dyed Q-tips from that height. I caught sight of Rev. Jesse Jackson, Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer (and his bolo tie), Brian Williams and Tom Brokaw from NBC, and of course all the politicians (including the now-infamous delegation from Party Town!). As the shades of evening drew on, and as Barack spoke::



Although I was there, the convention on the field still seemed like a world apart. The spectacle and the size of this event was so beyond me that I almost had trouble connecting to it. Although I heard every word of Barack's speech, I still had to work to soak it all in. 84,000 people were there! And almost 40 million Americans watched it on TV. More than the Olympics opening ceremony, more than the Finale of American Idol. And I was there. Still can't believe it.


I do have my critiques though, as far as presentation (hey, it's me!). The fireworks after the speech were tame. The confetti and ticker tape shower were so localized, only above the stage, that it looked ten times bigger and better on TV (it never reached beyond the stage in fact). I LOVE that they handed out American flags to nearly everyone in the stadium (along with Change signs), but they skimped on the larger cloth flags, the ones that require someone to hold and wave it. I saw maybe a dozen in the whole stadium. I saw one guy in the upper stands, though, waving his with such enthusiasm, like a true revolutionary. He made it on the CNN homepage that night!

If the DNC had interspersed a hundred large flags throughout the sections, with volunteers waving them in all their glory, to balance out the ten of thousands of smaller flags, man that would have been a rare sight. I don't know. I can't criticize the DNC committee too much. I just keep thinking of that Claude Monet painting of the French flags in ridiculous abundance on a Parisian street, full of people celebrating a French exposition of something::



I guess after that night at Invesco Field, I have a newfound reverence for the American flag and what it represents. I wonder (to quote Michael Phelps) how "at a loss of words" some Americans would be if you asked them what their flag meant to them. Would it even be an instantaneous response for them? Or would they have to think about it for a second, because they really don't have to on a daily basis?

I stayed for a while to check out the Press boxes::


I sat in the horse's mouth way up there, what a view! Katie Couric is somehwere in that herd of people. For the most part, the press was so done with the DNC, ready for Round 2 of political coverage with the RNC in St. Paul, MN, next week.

I'm excited to see what the Republicans have to say (or not say), especially in the midst of oncoming Hurricane Gustav at the other end of the Mississippi River (online telethon, anyone? seriously, they're thinking about doing that). But I'll tell you one thing: the GOP will have to try pretty hard to top what I saw at Invesco Field!

DNC At My Doorstep!! Day 1

We've been waiting for the Democratic National Convention for a couple years now, and it is already leaving its mark on the city! Being only a 10-minute walk away from the Capitol Building has its rewards. It's far enough away that I wouldn't even notice the DNC at all, but close enough that I can stop by and soak in the politics!


And I walked right into an anti-war protest march that commanded the attention of the entire 16th St. Mall.


Going back to my Magnum roots::




That giant 131-foot blade above him is part of wind turbine manufactured in Colorado by Vestas. Signs of things to come!


I've never seen so many police on one street. Police on horses, police hanging onto vans with full riot gear, I think I saw Robocop too. Amazing scene. Everyone had a camera, and everyone was taking pictures of everyone else who had cameras! This is our Olympics! Bye bye Beijing! All the eyes of America are upon us.

More images from the DNC coming later this week. I'm excited for Thursday, as I'm one of the 75,000 lucky ticket-holders to Barack Obama's Acceptance Speech at Invesco Field! Historic night.

Laura & Frank have the most amazing backyard (wedding)

Last Saturday, I helped out fellow photographer Nicole Roche with a very cool wedding in Conifer, CO. Conifer is nestled within the foothills and on your way to the Rocky Mountains, and what a view from their balcony! The entire wedding was held at Laura and Frank's house high up on the mountainside. Looking south you could spot Pikes Peak in the far distance. It's one of those backgrounds that make photographers go "oooh... ahhh!"


The wedding party was small and intimate. Just the immediate family and the very closest of friends. Frank pulled off the James Bond look perfectly!







And I usually don't say this about just anyone, but Laura not only had a really effusive smile, but a really contagious laugh that would make everyone else laugh.



Details all around (isn't that the sweetest wine bottle holder thingy?)


Beautiful home, Colorado-style::


Dinner was catered by Las Margaritas in Denver. They make the BEST ceviche in the city. Seriously? I wanted to take some home. But I was a guest so I took a picture instead. Look at this spread!


Brides, here's a cool idea:: they printed out photos of each guest and attached them to cards where the guests could write down their salutations.


The way this couple from San Diego interacted throughout the afternoon really caught my eye. You know what was also caught? The flower bouquet! She was right there ready to catch it, and the guy had the most surprising look on his face. We all heard wedding bells. No doubt.


The almost-kiss. Ever classic::


I love it when kids like to have their picture taken. The eyes have it!



I get goofy sometimes. I'm not sure if they were laughing with me or at me. Either way, it was fun!


Some of my favorite portraits of the happy guests::




This is Laura and Frank's backyard!


Thank you both for letting me document your day! And thanks to Nicole for dragging me along...

Healthiest foods on the planet Earth, Part 2

And now, the conclusion.

A couple weeks ago, I listed six of the healthiest foods on the planet. They also do a pretty amazing job of helping people lose weight and actually feel younger. They were spinach, salmon, tomatoes, olive oil, green tea, nuts and seeds, especially walnuts. Here are eight other super-healthy foods that will help combat that nasty trifecta of hypertension, obesity, and potential heart disease.

• • Blueberries and raspberries. These fruits are so high in antioxidants that I can't even express my joy in words. Watch for when the grocery store puts them on sale this summer, and then stack up. Just freeze them and you'll have a huge supply.

• • Yogurt. High in calcium, protein, low in sugar (don't buy if it has more than 15 grams of sugar). This is the perfect breakfast. Add a bunch of fruit and seeds to it.

• • Goji berries. This superfruit is small, red, chewy, dried like raisins, and has an earthy-tangy taste to them. It has 15 times the antioxidants of blueberries, and 3 times that of pomegranate. I get them in bulk at Whole Foods for $12.99/pound, which sounds expensive, but a pound lasts a while. Just snack on them! Stir them into yogurt. Bake them into muffins and breads. On a related note, the Asian fruit called mangosteen is really high in antioxidants as well. It's finally finding its way into America. At Whole Foods I was surprised to find a liter of mangosteen juice, but for $16.99. Gah. Or was it a quart? I forget. The variety of exotic, healthy fruits in the world is astounding, people. For those who have been to Southeast Asia, or tropical countries around the world, you know what I'm talking about. Some stuff you'd never find in American grocery stores. Like cherimoyas from Peru. Durians from Hawaii. Delicious, they say!

• • Quinoa (pronounced KEE-no-uh). This small grain from South America looks like couscous. Super-high in protein for such a little grain. Just boil them in water or add them to soup on the stove. It'll soften up, adding a subtle nutty flavor. They're ready when most of the grain has turned translucent. Before then, they're crunchy. Quinoa is perfect for vegans who need more complete proteins in their diet.

• • Coconut water. This is nature's Gatorade. After long, intense workouts, it replenishes your body with potassium and magnesium, which were depleted during the workout. Also, it helps rebalance the electrolytes in your bloodstream (that's a good thing). Just drink a tall can after running your 6 miles at the park, along with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (for the protein and carbs), and you'll be like, "Damn, I feel great!" The perfect recovery. Don't exercise? Coconut water is a delicious summer drink.

• • Red wine. Studies shows that the resveratrol and polyphenols in red wine are heart-healthy and anti-inflammatory (good for your bloodstream). Don't like red wine? You can get the some of the same antioxidants from grapes or red/purple grape juice (sugar-free, of course).

And finally...
• • Whole-grains. All-purpose white flour, of course, comes from pulverizing (or refining) wheat, probably Earth's most ancient grain. But during this refining process, the nutrients of the wheat's bran and germ are lost. On the other hand, when you eat breads and pastas made from whole wheat, the nutrients remain. So now eating that double-decker BLT with 100% whole grain bread won't induce so much guilt. Eat breads, pastas, and cereals made from 100% whole wheat or whole grain. They are high in fiber, which will make you feel fuller for a longer period of time. Ever have a delicious white sugary pastry for breakfast and feel ravenously hungry an hour later? Switch to whole wheat alternatives and you won't have those hunger pangs so soon. More importantly, the nutrients from whole grains help protect against a whole host of cancers. Many many studies show that excessive consumption of bleached white flour products are linked to weight gain, and even the precursors to diabetes.



Since my last blog (a couple weeks ago?), I've lost another 3 pounds. That's not much, but I'm convinced that along with moderate exercise and portion control, taking advantage of the healthiest foods out there plays a huge role in how long, and how well, you live. Investing in your health has a huge payoff. You live longer!

And your outlook on life will probably be on the brighter side. Yes, we are mortal humans with back problems and ice cream isn't going to kill us, and the inner beast of man will eventually destroy us all because we're barbarian animals obsessed with territorial control and possessions, and there's probably another planet-pulverizing asteroid hurdling through the depths of cold, heartless space and headed straight for Nebraska, but hey! That doesn't mean we can't enjoy the fruits of this palatable planet and prolong the inevitable lifelessness. Try gojiberries and tell me how you feel. You will feel alive.

You can find much more information on all the healthiest foods at The World Healthiest Foods. No need to memorize what the chemical differences are between zinc, Vitamin A, and folate. But rather, know the reasons why fruits, vegetables, Cheetos, and whole grains are the cornerstones of the healthiest cuisines around the world. Mmmmm..... now go.

Deal of the century at Bed Bath & Beyond

After co-shooting a fab mountain wedding today in Conifer (what a view of Pikes Peak!), I walk in to Bed Bath & Beyond in search of a brand-new bedsheet set, and what do I find?


Jackpot! The exact ruby-red color I was looking for, awesome herringbone design, 600 thread-count bedsheet set and it's my mattress size! $100 retail marked down to $69.99, no one bought. So it was marked down half-price. Still, no one. So they put 50% off marked price, still no one! Then 75% off marked price, and I walk in and grab it!

But that's not all. I had a 20% off coupon on top of that. So what cost $100, I bought for only $9. At checkout I was thinking, "Now what did I do right to deserve this complete bargain?" Oy, it's tough being me.

Coming soon, the Conifer wedding::


...Stay tuned.