Aug/080
Getting my politics on.
I’ve spent so much time this week, trying desperately to take in as much of the craziness that is Denver during the DNC that I can. Worried that after tonight, Denver will suddenly seem so incredibly tame once more that I’ll become some sort of Convention groupie, going on road-trips for any type of political get-together just to soak in just a fraction of the energy, no matter what side of the fence you fall on, that is created by something like this.
I snapped a few more pictures over the last two days. There’s so much going on, everywhere, that my fragile ADD almost gets the better of me as I try to just take a damn photo instead of standing around like a deer in headlights. Of course, when I do get a photo-op, it’s usually restraining myself from throwing a few drop-kicks on the dozen other folk wielding cameras and clamoring to take that Pulitzer winning shot on their phone.
Here’s a few photos I took just on my walk home the last two days.
An incredible band playing on 16th Street Mall. Wish I could explain in pictures how talented these guys were. They literally stopped everyone in the tracks. Even cops in full riot gear were stopping to listen.
Same band inspiring a few onlookers to start dancing. Not me though, I'd hurt someone swinging these limbs about.
This old guy had more moves than I'll ever have. Missed my photo of it but he was doing the running man for a bit.
While I'm flattered everyone thought I had imagined this up, here's proof. There were 3 of them, all protesting Democrats and their love of Bird Watching. These people were hilarious.
An ice sculpture outside of the MOMA building on 15th street. Very symbolic piece of art. Too bad 3 idiot teenagers had to be chased off by cops after trying to knock it over. Hope they accidentally get flagged for a full-cavity search by the Secret Service at some point.
These kids were insanely cute. Just needed to have 3 puppies nearby and they'd have covered ever base. Had a free lemonade stand on the 16th Street mall with a tip jar saying "Obama. Making Lemonade out of Lemons". Very clever parents at work here.
Saw at least a dozen of these on my walk home today. Water fountains hooked directly up to fire hydrants.
These two were being lofted over one of the highly secured entrances to what most were calling "DNC Ground Zero". This was right at Speer and Wazee, below them were heavily armed Secret Service guards and cast-iron siege fences sprawling down the entire side of Speer Blvd. I was about to take a picture of that when I was asked to move away. That's right, I intimidate the Secret Service. I've been doing pushups.
Just a huge MSNBC banner attached to the Kacey Fine Furniture building directly across from the Pepsi Center.
This is just a few blocks from our place. They have the last Steam Locomotive built sitting out on display there. Figured my Dad would appreciate that.
The last steam locomotive built in 1944 is on display a few blocks from us at Union Station. They release the whistle every hour or so, pretty intense.
Damn. Right. Vote Yes on Initiate 4th and 1.
Hoping to have a bunch more tomorrow as Nicole and I are going to be at Invesco Field to hear Obama’s acceptance speech. Figuring that’ll be a really incredible experience all around. Hoping they let us bring in a camera as there’s a crazy long list of things, thought normal, I’m not allowed to bring.
For instance, no flamethrowers. Damn the man.
Aug/080
Taking in the sights
Other than being harassed by a hippie security guard who chastised us for walking our dog, Nicole, Koda and I had an enjoyable walk around Denver taking snapshots of all the little events happening around downtown.
We walked right alongside a Peace march, had to re-assure Koda that the guys dressed up as a Donkey and Elephant weren’t trying to mug us, had to wrestle just to have our centimeter’s worth of room on the sidewalk as 3 out of 4 people tried to play “Guess the breed of your dog”, tried to not gawk too heavily at the patrolling squads of full-geared Policeman, witnessed at least 34 living statues and watched the live airing of Hardball with Chris Matthews a block from our apartment.
All this while flashing our political intentions via our dog’s bandanna. That’s right.
Koda showing his political leanings
Nicole in front of a live filming of Hardball
Very cool shot Nicole took at the MSNBC stage
Very cool shot Nicole made showing a Peace Protestor's shirt in front of a patrol of Police.
Some anti-capitalist's protesting near the ESPN zone.
A Peace march was walking right beside us, all dressed in pink.
Several of these patrols were up and down the streets on our walk. Very much appreciate the fact they're out in force to be honest.
Union Station in prep of the DNC, has at least a dozen trains lined up and by the look of most, are prepping for some Political speeches from the rear of these.
Really nice shot of the Denver Clock Tower against the midday sun.
The building here 3 months ago had been a steadily deteriorating building on the 16th Street Mall that had once been a department/wig store. They just finished up remodeling it a few days back, just in time for the DNC.
One of the dozens of street performers that were on the mall.
I’ll post a few more of my favorites up as I get time.
Aug/080
DNC in my backyard
Nicole and I have been spending most of the weekend walking around experiencing the DNC activities here in Denver, the majority of it happening directly in our backyard as we live between Union Station and the Pepsi Center.
Just about to go on a big walk around Downtown, this time with our camera to try and get some snapshots of what’s happening around us. One of those very cool moments that I’d hate to just watch on TV when we’ve got MSNBC setting up shop a block away from us.
Times like this make me happy we’re living right in the middle of things. I’m not usually one to promote my political views but having all of this happening around me is pretty inspiring.
As well, just confirmed that Nicole and I received credentials to go see Obama’s acceptance speech at Invesco. I’m almost just excited about seeing Obama in person than I have been about going to any concert or sporting event in recent memory.
Feel like I’m about to be part of some large historic event.
Aug/080
So True
Nicole found this video tonight and I’ve seriously watched it 5 times already. It’s so absolute in it’s observation about the criminal enterprise of the Wedding Industry that it makes me laugh and cry horribly at the same exact time.
Edit: There’s also this video from the same show that once again, should get a damn Oscar. I am now incredibly addicted to this BBC3 show.
Aug/080
Trying out Host Gator
Decided that having 5+ calls with Network Solutions and the severe load time/database issues I was getting as a feature with my hosting package should have been followed by, at some point, some sort of progress. Seeing that there was none, I took the sagely advice of a certain Andy Klock and set up a hosting plan at Hostgator.com.
So, spent this evening exporting and importing to a new server. So far, so good. Just need to move out a few things around still but already, it’s noticeable on my end the improvement.
Aug/080
Fixing the comment problems
Seems after the last update I did to the modified theme I have that the front page link to comments per post disappeared. I’ll be fixing that over the weekend.