Obama Signs Stimulus Package... One Mile from our House!

I took this camera phone picture today on our way to work, as we turned from Montview Blvd. onto Colorado Blvd. There's not a whole lot to see, but notice the black SUV parked at the blockaded entrance to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. It happens to contain a Secret Service agent - we know this because we saw her leap out of the vehicle and vigorously accost a car that was trying to enter the parking lot (She was decked out in a black suit and sunglasses, just as you might expect!).

Of course President Obama was here in Denver to sign the American Investment and Recovery Act today, but I thought it was pretty cool that he was literally performing this historic task in our neighborhood.

It's a New Day for America!

Julia and I woke up to the sweet, sweet sound of our radio alarm - something I would normally never say - but this time it was playing NPR's live coverage of the Presidential Inauguration, with the San Francisco boys' choir singing God Bless America. What a great mood that put us into!

Though I am now at work, I am watching the Inauguration on CNN's live webcast. It is awe-inspiring to view the sea of people, covering the entirety of the D.C. Mall, waving and cheering in the freezing morning cold. Julia and I couldn't be more proud of our new president, and most of all proud of our country for choosing change over fear, hope over cynicism, and service over selfishness.

I couldn't resist attaching a blurry photo of our honorary embossed invitation to the Inauguration that we received, completely by surprise, from the Presidential Inauguration Committee. While we are not traveling to Washington D.C., we will definitely be framing this beautiful piece of history. Today is a great day for America and indeed the world. Remember where you are, what you're seeing, what you're hearing, and savor it - this is the change we've been waiting
for!

Change From a Fuzzy Distance

One of the most exciting things I experienced during this election season was the chance to see Barack Obama, up close, in a Pueblo rally.

I took the day off from work to drive a couple hours south to this Colorado town in which we had never previously spent time. I was surprised at how... gosh darned All-American it was. I drove past the high school with its football team practicing, with smokestacks from struggling factories silhouetted in the distance. It was a scene straight out of Friday Night Lights.

The rally itself took place in a honest to god State Fair, where I could see people of all ages, races, and backgrounds streaming in to see our next president (we hoped!). Everyone waiting in the long line to the rally was excited, and I made friendly conversation with a smart, politically active woman who worked in Boulder and a good natured kid wearing a Chuck Norris T shirt who went to the local high school. It was inspiring to be around all this great energy, and when we finally got to see Obama, walking to the podium just meters in front of us, the whole fairground practically shook from the cheering and excitement.

Unfortunately Julia couldn't come to the rally, but I did take a bunch of pictures, which I have posted to my new photo album site (by the way I definitely recommend using Google's free Picassa application to organize and host your photos on the web - it's really convenient, and again, free!). My pictures aren't very good, and they can't capture the feeling of actually being there, but I do attempt to inject some narration via the captions.

Thank you Colorado...

... for contributing to Obama's commanding victory, and for playing a leading role in the Democratic redrawing of the electoral map in the Mountain West. For that matter, Julia and I are proud of our former home, Florida, for going Blue - something I didn't think would happen in my lifetime.

Last night clearly marked a turning point in American history, and we feel privileged to have been a part of it. It reaffirms my faith in the intelligence and higher expectations of American voters today. As evidenced by last night's results, we respond positively to a candidate who speaks to us as an adult, and who treats complex issues with the respect and intelligent analysis that they deserve. We reject - resoundingly - a campaign that simplifies issues into "us vs. them" and tries to persuade us through fear and xenophobia.

Julia and I ate dinner at Sengers on the Fax, a classy but casual restaurant traditionally frequented by yuppy Democrats such as ourselves ;). We drank Miller lite while cheering along with the other patrons, every time Wolf Blitzer would announce another Democratic victory on the large screen TVs. Afterward we crossed the street to the hipster hangout Rockbar, which morphed into "Barackbar" for one night. They set up chairs for viewing CNN while serving free Heinekens to people wearing Obama gear. Everyone was in high spirits, even the Sarah Palin-costumed cross dresser we sat next to (she stayed in character, chiding us every time we cheered Obama).

When Barack came out to give his beautiful and moving victory speech, there was hardly a dry eye in the crowded room. When he was done, the DJ lay down some appropriately Obama-themed dance grooves, to which everyone was more than happy to shake their booties. It was a great way to share our enthusiasm with like-minded Democrats and the perfect way to release some steam after a seemingly interminable and nail-biting general election.

and..... cut!

The DNC is over and the city has settled back into normalcy. We had a fantastic time just being in the center of it all. Paparazzi were everywhere and for a short time Denver was very starstruck. I have to admit I was even strolling the streets with my eyes peeled for someone famous. Annette Benning, John Turturro, and others were reported at a restaurant I frequent for happy hour. Hillary and friends were staying at the hotel next to my office. Spike Lee was hanging out at a local Mexican restaurant my friend's boyfriend works. My coworker was making a phone call in the lobby of our building and Sean Penn walked right by with no entourage and a single cigarette. Ohhh, it was all so cool!
I really enjoyed all the merchandise being sold along the streets. There were Barack action figures, a medley of pins, and shirts of all sorts. Drake and I couldn't help ourselves and bought the Obama, "That's my DJ" shirt.
The Civic Center was used exactly for its purpose. Activists took turns on the stage chanting their messages while others set up in the grass. Someone's slight attempt to recreate the Boston Tea party made me laugh as the tea didn't even color the entire fountain.
One night we went to the park next to our house for a Young Dems party. The chance to see JJ Abrams was our real reason for going as he was on the agenda. We didn't see him but stayed through to hear Joey Pants (from Sopranos) struggle to relate his diagnoses of chronic depression to the importance of health care (uhhh.. vote Demorcrat right?).
I've uploaded our DNC photos. I know there's tons of cop photos but as Drake pointed out to me, "people take pictures of what is out of the ordinary."

As a side note, I also uploaded some photos we took during our visit to Charlotte, NC to visit Drake's parents.

veep veep

I have to say that I've been really at a loss on who should be Barack's VP running mate. Drake likes the idea of Kathleen Sebelius, Democratic governor of the very red Kansas, as she's been extremely successful in unifying the parties. Though, I'm more keen on a mate who has a stronger public presence. So much so that I was even entertaining the idea of Al Gore a couple weeks ago. C'mon, even republicans like Al. But after reading an editorial in today's Denver post, I think I've solidified my choice - Bill Richardson.

McCain and Obama will fight for the Independent votes in Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada. With Richardson, Obama can strengthen his victory in the West. When running for president, Richardson's platform was based on experience; real, well-respected experience. His strong record in foreign relations, energy, balancing budgets, economic vitality, and overall forward-looking progress is an ideal match for Obama.

So there I go. With only a few weeks left until the convention, I'm putting my support behind Richardson. Now I just hope his beard doesn't elicit the same silly reaction as Gore's did in 2001. Although, readers of the daily kos seem to like his beard as do I.

Still Alive

Hello out there! It's been a while since we last blogged, but we have not fallen off Mt. Galbraith to our doom. We have been extraordinarily busy with work as well as with fun. Just this week, my company was bought by the First Data Corporation (we have yet to see how that will affect my job), and Julia got accepted into DU, the University of Denver, for graduate school. Congratulations Julia!

As far as extracurricular activities, we had opportunity to see two excellent shows this week alone - Roger Waters, of Pink Floyd fame, and the fun international-flavored jazz band, Pink Martini, playing with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra (funny, two pink flavored bands in one week).

Roger Waters was amazing, playing the entire Dark Side of the Moon album, along with perfect renditions of favorites from The Wall and Wish You Were Here. At one point we were blessed to witness a flying Obama Pig zooming around the Pepsi Center while the band rocked out one of my favorite songs, "Dogs". Pink Martini wowed us with their virtuosity and seamless blending of old movie-based jazz tunes, exotic foreign language pieces, and bold, modern renditions of Ravel's Bolero and Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. That is one classy and interesting band, and they looked like they were having a ball. Incidentally, in August they will be at the Democratic National Convention here in Denver.

Tomorrow, to round out the week of entertainment with some sports, we see a Rockies game vs. the LA Dodgers. Hopefully our home team can rally and get out of their slump.

As you can see, Colorado has more than enough to keep us busy. Till next time!

the time is now

This weekend I was asked a question I had never thought about before. Someone said to me, "So, when did you get into Obama?" I didn't know. After a few hems and haws and crinkling of the face, I narrowed it down to a period of time. It must have started after the 2004 DNC where Barack was the keynote speaker. At this point in my life I was just graduating college where I spent those years immersed in media and had a fervent hunger for politics. I remember snippets and references to the speech all over the news and from that moment on it became a snowball of media coverage until today. I can't remember not being 'into' Obama, because the more I learned about him the more my admiration for him grew; so it was only natural to support the idea of him running for president when it was first introduced.

At the time of the 2004 speech, I don't think anyone, including Barack, thought he would be the top presidential (not just democratic) candidate for 2008. But the people are speaking louder than ever. This is the time. This this his time. This is OUR time. It must be now. I truly believe if we let this great leader pass us by at this very moment in history, that it will be too late for our nation to recover and rebuild to the respected posture we once modeled.

Obama is what the world needs now.

Don't Forget to Vote

I wanted to remind everyone who doesn't live in one of the states that already held a presidential primary or caucus, to vote! As implied in our blog's title, we live in Colorado, and like over 20 other states, our caucus takes place February 5. If you also live in our great state, please take a moment to figure out how to caucus. It's a rather baroque process, and not as straightforward as a primary - as we found out, having moved from Florida.

You can find out here the location of your caucus (yes, the link is through Barack Obama's site - we are unabashed supporters of Obama - but I would emphasize that we would rather you vote, even if it's for someone else, than not vote at all!).

obama rama

After Bush's reelection in 2004 I lost confidence in the voters. How could any person make a conscience choice to keep that administration in office? But on Thursday, when Barack swept the Iowa caucus, that confidence returned. For the first time in years the people are speaking out. They want their country back. Frank Rich of the New York Times echoed my feelings exactly in his recent column, when he said, "AFTER so many years of fear and loathing, we had almost forgotten what it’s like to feel good about our country. On Thursday night, that long-dormant emotion came rushing back, like an old dream that pops out of the deepest recesses of memory, suddenly as clear as light."
Barack's victory speech had me in tears. Tears of joy, hope and the extraordinary feeling that history is being made. This man will lead our country the way it should be led. His genuineness, strength and ability to unite are what Americans deserve after seven years of Bush and we shouldn't demand anything less.
Go Barack!

Mile High Fourth of July

We hope everyone is having a great and relaxing Fourth of July week! We decided to forgo the usual beer and food-laden activities, which usually leave us sated and patriotic, but just as often bloated and lethargic. Instead we decided to go on a healthy, calorie-burning hike through the beautiful Colorado front range.

Julia got me some great gifts for my birthday, including The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama (could he be our next president?) and a couple of excellent hiking guide books for Colorado. We dove into the hiking books and chose Button Rock Preserve, a 5.9 mile hike near Boulder that brought us to beautiful rolling meadows, a giant gushing dam, and the usual beautiful rocky mountain vistas. Our only complaint was that a large portion of the hike seemed to take place on rocky roads suitable for vehicular traffic, as opposed to true walking trails.

On the way home we happened to see a banner on Mile High Stadium advertising a July 4 Major League Lacrosse game and fireworks show. How could we resist? One of the reasons we moved to Denver was because we love to try new things, and we had sure never attended a professional lacrosse game, much less one at the palatial home of the Broncos.

We decided we had to give this a try, and we weren't disappointed. Lacrosse is a surprisingly fun game to watch. It's kind of like a soccer or hockey, but extremely high scoring (The Denver Outlaws beat the Chicago Machine 22-14, huzzah!). A fight even broke out at one point. Add fireworks to the mix, and what more can you ask for at a live sporting event?

As a final note, my last post was a rather crestfallen look at the state of Colorado Rockies baseball. Well since then, they have proven me wrong by winning like crazy, culminating in a series sweep of the Yankees, and now a sweep of the Mets, marking the first time in over half a century that an MLB team has swept both New York teams in one season. As Julia's aunt Mary from Maryland wrote us, "You think the Rockies are bad?! Check out the Orioles AND the Nationals." Touche.

I swear I used to hate sports. Something about the high altitude (lack of oxygen?) in this state must be turning us into crazy, outdoors-loving, extreme sports-hungry jocks. Colorado will mess you up!

Update: Here are our July 4 photos, newly posted by Julia.