Finally things here in Colorado are getting back to normal. Luckily I was not affected by the traffic nor the closure yesterday of the I-25 for Obama's historic acceptance speech. Kevin was shooting a wedding, so I watched the DNC on TiVO - with a bag of Cheetos and Peanut M&M's. I thought it was an amazing speech. But with someone like Obama I think we come to expect great speeches. I confess I too got swept up in the moment. I admit - I am quite giddy. I try not to be. After all, in November I get to participate in my first US Presidential election. Selecting someone to one of the most powerful jobs in the world needs to be serious business. It should not be motivated by giddiness.

So now the show business is over. Now I want details. I want Obama to tell me exactly what he intends to do if elected, and how is he going to do it. Give me some details. Please. Instead of speeches, I want debates. Lots of them. I need to compare and contrast. I need to see how Obama reacts when put on the spot. And please - Obama handlers make sure he is prepared. In some of the debates with Hilary I thought he came across as not being prepared, and almost annoyed that she was beating him.

As for Obama's choice of Biden for VP. I get that he is trying to give some balance to the ticket. Someone who would be suited to be Commander in Chief if needed. But why not Hillary? The old saying - keep your friends close and your enemies closer is applicable here. And so what if you can't stand one another? I can't believe that JFK liked Johnson, or Reagan actually liked Bush snr? So I think his choice of VP pick is wrong headed. But we shall see.

Now McCain. First off, I can't see myself voting for a guy who is yet to discover computers, or even know what "google" is. When I first heard of that McCain had selected a woman as VP I thought great!. But why Gov Palin of Alaska? If you are attacking Obama on the basis of his lack of experience and the fact that he is not ready to lead, why would you select a woman who definitely lacks experience and wouldn't be ready to lead? So therefore, the only reason you are selecting a woman, and this woman (and not a woman who is better qualified) is because all you are interested in is her gender.

Mmmm.

I don't think I like that.

It's arrogant, and patronizing and very very paternalistic.

Republicans I am not stupid. I am not going to vote for someone solely because they are a woman. I want the best candidate for the job.

So McCain two thumbs down on your choice of VP.

If you are interested in learning more about Gov Palin go here.

Finally it is here. The months of preparation, and the agony. Day One of Denver's DNC opened. Kevin and I have just finished watching the highlights on TiVo. Senator Edward Kennedy gave a magnificant speech. For a guy teetering on his death bed he gave a riveting speech - better than Senator John McCain on a good day! There wasn't a dry eye in the house (including Kevin and I.)

I was waiting to see how Michelle Obama would handle her speech. I remember the disaster of Theresa Heinz Kerry's speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention - what a disaster! Michelle's speech was pitch perfect - a nice balance of her life, but lots of why she wanted Barack to be the next President. Michelle included a tribute to Hilary which I thought was very classy. Then it finished with a nice touch of having a live feed to Barack in Kansas City.

Tomorrow Hilary is due to give her speech. Can't wait.

Like most households we have thanks to the joy of TiVo been avidly watching the Olympics. My most favorite event is track and field especially the relays. The heats are extremely exciting. Of course it is old news that USA's hopes of making the finals in the 4 X100 men and women were dashed. But boy that made for exciting television. Some sports simply do not translate well into the televised media - like water polo. I prefer indoor volley ball to beach volley ball. I want to know why the women's beach volley ball show off so much flesh while the mens don't. What's with that?

Did you know that the Tug of War used to be an Olympic sport? So did Golf, Rugby and Polo (the horse kind.)?

And did you know that "jeu de paume" was also an Olympic sport?

BMX cycling is also fun. Although its kind of hard to take a BMX Olympic Medalist seriously. It's not exactly grown up is it?

This week's episode of Project Runway was hilarious. For those who don't know Project Runway is a competition amongst fashion designers who are given a challenge each week to compete in, and then the judges decide who is in, and who is out. The gorgeous Heidi Klum moderates and dispatches the losers with a European kiss goodbye on each cheek. This week the designers had to design a dress for drag queens. Mr Style - the wonderful Mr Gunn told Mr Tanning Salon that his design looked like a teradyctal at a gay Jurassic park. Hilarious!

Then last, but not least the upcoming DNC in my neighborhood (if you call actually living 25 miles from downtown Denver- being in the neighborhood!) How can we forget the DNC? Denver's Mayor has urged all locals to come on down and share in the atmosphere. Is he insane? Why would anyone want to go to Downtown DEnver during the convention - $10 parking is probably going to be $50 (that's if you can find parking.) No way. This Mountain Girl (hahaha) is planning to stay outside of Denver. What I will see of it will most likely be TiVo'd.

However, yesterday Friday I was at a seminar at I-270 and Quebec at the Doubletree Hotel - only to find evidence of the DNC there. (This is not close the action at all.) One lone T Shirt Stand selling Obama T Shirts on Quebec street. The Hotel had their Welcome mats laid out, and were preparing for the delegates.

Thank God for TiVo. 4 Hours of an Opening Ceremony - is too much!

Kevin and I have just finished watching our fav part - where we get to critique the different countries' uniforms.

1st Place:

Cameroon

Bright, creative and different. Didn't look like they were dressing for a job interview.

2nd Place:

Ethiopia

Loved the detail.

3rd Place

New Zealand. Black with Maori like patterns. Very cool and looked different but good.

Honorable Mention:

Lesotho. I loved the hats, and the traditional wear. And Namibia. Although Kevin thought their uniforms were a little too busy for television.

Overall:
Most countries went for the "sports jacket" look which was good. I think that at an opening ceremony the uniform should not be too casual. The Central European states have an annoying habit of wearing their flags. Note to designers - unless you are British Virgin Islands don't wear your flag!

Worst Dressed:

1st Place

Spain.

Eehhh! What were they thinking?

2nd Place

Hungary

Why a white and red blotchy pattern? They even carried the pattern to their hats. Horrible.

3rd Place:

Turkmenistan
Horrible green suites. Ugh!

I thought USA Team's uniform was appropriate. They were definitely smart, which I think is a good thing. Also did think that the South African team uniform was pretty good.

Overall I think the Chinese did an amazing job. It was a very impressive ceremony. Pity that these things have to go on for so long, but that, I suspect is the nature of the beast.