Baked Alaska and Delaware Punch

What ever happened to Delaware Punch? Remember, it was that super sweet grape-like flavored drink that came in a purple and pink can. It was known as the “soft” soft drink since it wasn’t carbonated. My mom used to love that stuff. I thought it tasted like perfume. Not that I have ever consumed perfume. You know what I mean. Now, baked Alaska is something that I have never tried. Where in the hell do you get baked Alaska? I don’ think I have ever seen it on a menu. I do like the flames. Is that normal? Someone should have had a bi-partisan viewing party for the VP debate with these two things served up for guests. Someone would surely get lit on fire by the baked Alaska flames. Good times.

Did you join millions of Americans and watch the VP debate? I was working during the debate, so I missed most of it. What I did see was fairly entertaining though. I went to a few different places to take pictures of people watching the debate. My first stop was at a viewing party hosted by the Barack Obama campaign. The venue was held at a night club which was as dark as a cave. There was a sizeable crowd on hand but I didn’t stay at the even very long since it was so dark, I didn’t want to kill people with the inevitable use of a flash, which I am not a fan of. The crowd was pretty raucous, booing, hissing and often laughing as Sarah Palin spoke. I don’t think anyone actually listened to what she was saying. As I left the Obama event, I noticed people overflowing onto the street at an Irish Pub across the street. They seemed a little more civil as they watched the debate but this is San Francisco and people were certainly poking a lot of fun at the republican VP candidate as she dodged questions and in some cases changed the subject. More pictures of the back of people's heads as they watched TV. I wish they would stand with their backs to the TV so I can see their faces. Would make a much nice picture.
On my way to my final spot, a laundry, I listened to the debate on the radio. I was becoming increasingly annoyed with the “you betchas” and the “gosh dangits.” I understand the whole “wanting to appeal to the working class” but come on. I thought I was listening to Edie McClurg (the woman with the high pitched voice from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Planes, Trains and Automobiles). Man, what an annoying voice. And that accent is getting old.
At the wash and dry in the Mission District, several Latino families were doing their laundry as Palin and Biden duked it out on three of the six televisions in the building. Nobody was watching the debate. I guess it is difficult to follow a debate when the sound is down and you probably don’t understand English. They seemed to be enjoying the other TVs with Telemundo and Mexican soap operas.

Billy Joe - DNC Day 3

It is Arctic cold in the Pepsi Center this morning. They crank up the AC so when the crowd comes in the body temperature will balance out the cold and everyone will be comfortable. At 10 in the morning when nobody is in the hall, it is not comfortable. I’m filling in for my co-worker Mark Wilson on the main riser, better known as the “Cadillac” riser. I sat there for close to 3 hours waiting for an unexpected guest to do their walk through and sound check. Melissa Etheridge came out to rehearse her one song performance. She’s doing a medley of Americana songs, like Born in the U.S.A. and God Bless America. Very Patriotic.

Many things are happening today. The first big event was the convention roll call. The delegates officially cast their votes for who will be the party’s presidential nominee. It’s a long drawn out process, kind of boring actually. Both Obama and Hillary are in the running. There was plenty of excitement surrounding the New York delegation. Hillary was slated to announce New York’s votes and the scrum of all scrums surrounded the microphone in the delegation’s area. It was packed tight. I am so glad I wasn’t in the middle of that.

When New York was called to vote, Hillary walked out from the bowels of the Pepsi Center with New York Governor David Paterson and U.S. Senator Chuck Shumer. Hillary asked the convention chairman to cease the voting process and name Barack the nominee. No shenanigans from ol’ Hill as some thought there might be. How is that for unity? The crowd went nuts, people were breaking down and crying. It was quite the scene.

The day dragged on until Bill Clinton took the stage. The convention floor erupted at first site of Bubba. Democrats LOVE Bill Clinton. It was by far the loudest that hall had been since the convention started. The most surprising thing was that he was actually on time. Bill is NEVER on time. The standing ovation lasted so long that Bill actually said that people should sit down, he wanted to keep things moving. The crowd pretty much ignored him and kept cheering. He responded by saying “I really like this.” A typically stellar Bill Clinton speech followed. This is turning into the Clinton Show. People are now jammed in every open area of the convention floor waiting for the Buh-Buh-Biden to deliver is acceptance speech. The fire marshal isn’t happy. Red signs with “Biden” on them are distributed amongst the crowd. Biden’s son Beau announced his father who came out to thunderous cheers (not as loud as Bill’s though) and hugged his son which appeared to bring tears to the senator’s eyes as he slyly pulled a tissue from his pocket to wipe his eye. The speech itself wasn’t bad. He didn’t stutter, although I wish he would have, just to hear what that sounds like.

The speech ended in normal political speech fashion. His wife came out, they waved. It was cute. But that wasn’t it. Just like Steve Jobs always says at MacWorld. There was one more thing. I got the email from the campaign before the start of Biden’s speech that Obama would be joining his new running mate on stage. I think this was the only thing that could trump Bill Clinton’s adoration from the crowd. It was insane. Arm in arm, they waved to the crowd. Kind of weird move to have them both together a day before Obama makes his acceptance speech. Sort of like the groom seeing the bride on wedding day. After the long day with little food, we were going to try and find somewhere to eat. It was pretty late, around 10:30 so our options were limited. We ended up giving our freelancer Max Whittaker a ride to his hotel about 20 minutes south of downtown. He said he knew of a good Mexican place near where he was staying which piqued the interest of Spencer and Sandy. When we got there, it was closed. Max asked a worker if he knew of any thing that was open nearby and he responded immediately with “there is an Old Chicago about two blocks away.” Determined to not eat at another Old Chicago, we settled for a Perkins.

A Whole Different Animal

My cab driver, Ken, who resembles a younger and bigger Danny Glover, leans back in his seat as we pull away from my house. Ken’s seat is so far back we are almost sitting next to each other. His Bluetooth headset illuminates his diamond earring as it blinks blue. “Where you headed today?” I tell him that I am heading to Denver. “Ahh, the convention. Barack screwed up. It’s over, man. McCain won.” His reference to Obama’s choice of Joe Buh-buh-binden for VP continued with “he’s just another white guy, shoulda picked Hillary.” I have a feeling there will be many folks sharing Ken’s sentiments. I wonder if Ken got the text, I forgot to ask.

I’m flying Frontier Airlines, the wildlife themed airline that features pictures of bunnies and other fluffy creatures on its planes. Their slogan is “A Whole Different Animal” – Mrrrrow! Since their online check-in wasn’t working I have to stand in line to check-in for the flight. Seems like every time I have to stand in line to check-in, I stuck behind a family with 6 kids and 20 pieces of luggage which are all over the per-bag weight limit. Today, I am behind 2 families like this. Kids are running all around, bags are everywhere. Thankfully, they didn’t start to unpack and rearrange like most do.

The plane has TVs that you can watch satellite programming for $5.99. They allow you to watch for free during takeoff. Obama’s first rally with Joe Biden is on CNN. Obama has been speaking for about 5 minutes and is just about ready to bring Biden on stage when the TV shuts off. The free trial is over. I try to swipe my card to continue, it won’t work. I was so close. With the TV now off, all I can hear is the whimpering puppy behind me and the screeching kid across the aisle. Something smells. I think one of the aforementioned has gone to the bathroom.

They just announced that margaritas are available for six dollars. Also listed on the in-flight snack menu is Hector’s “Nacho Ordinary” Chips. It goes on to say “Hector (apparently a Mexican grizzly bear) himself chose this salty favorite: crisp, crunchy chips dusted with nacho cheesy goodness. Gracias, Hector” Margaritas and a bear named Hector? I’m not getting the Mexican/wildlife connection. “A whole different nationality of animal.”

Our landing was perfect, I think that is a first for any flight I have had into Denver. I now wait for my co-worker Spencer Platt to arrive and then we will take our soccer mom van to the hotel. Welcome to Denver.

Text? What Text?

For the better part of Friday night, my eyeballs were glued to that green flashing light on my Blackberry waiting for it to turn red. I had to shoot a picture of the text message from the Obama campaign that would reveal his choice for VP. The green turned to red throughout the evening. All sorts of messages were coming in. I got Obama’s traveling press schedule, the daily barrage of Gov. Schwarzenegger emails, a reminder from my boss, etc… When was this Vice President announcement going to come through? What if I don’t get it?

At 10:00 pm, I looked at MSNBC and that red “breaking news” banner emblazoned the top of the page “AP confirms that Obama has picked Biden.” I picked up my Blackberry – still flashing green. Interesting.

I awoke at 6:30am and once again checked the Blackberry. Still flashing green. No text. Not even an email. I’m not loved.

In the end, the text never came and I had to have it forwarded to me to take a picture of it. I bet McCain got the text. Wait, does he know how to use a phone?