Convention Wrap-Up

Wow.
Incredible.
Awesome.

Anyway, here's another embed of the full video of Obama's historic acceptance speech. Watch the US become a better place right before your very eyes:

(Hope I'm not overdoing the pro-Obama vibing, Marisa . . .)

Does Deron ever read this blog anymore? I doubt it. Will he mind if I quote him here? We may never know. In any case:

"I thought the speech was just right -- not a masterpiece of oratory this time, but tough and smart. And the delivery was better than the speech itself. Basically rendered all my petty criticisms irrelevant; he smacked McCain so hard that nobody's talking about Doric columns anymore."

Well said.


Other highlights from the convention? What did you like, reader?

Both Clintons were great, of course.

Surprise hit, aside from Gov. Schweitzer (see previous post)? Would have to be John Kerry, no? In case you missed it:

Love that line about McCain needing to finish debating himself before he debates Obama.


And Nobel laureate Al Gore continues to shine in his role as elder statesman (and, yes, bittersweet reminder of what almost was . . .).




[I'm hooked on updates lately. 19:19 29 August]
An anonymous comment on the previous post reminded me that Schweitzer's speech really was great. Just watched it again. Woo!


A couple of choice quotes from the speech (from the official transcript):

"We simply can’t drill our way to energy independence, even if you drilled in all of John McCain’s backyards, including the ones he can’t even remember."

And my personal favorite:

"Barack Obama understands the most important barrel of oil is the one you don’t use."

That's it baby; let's go win this election!

Big Sky Speech

Now I was pretty impressed with Sen. Clinton's speech last night--there were some great lines, like "no way, no how, no McCain"; and that bit about how fitting it is that Bush and McCain are meeting next week in the Twin Cities.

Here's hoping people take her advice . . .

But aside from that, did you see Brian Schweitzer's speech? I'm not sure about the bolo tie thing, though I suppose I get it . . . anyhow, My oh my was the gentleman enthused. Fun to watch. And fun to agree with. (Well, except maybe that clean coal stuff. Whatever.) Please enjoy.




[Update 18:14 27 August]
How about this neat trick--want to watch the convention live? Feel free, courtesy of msnbc:

[Update 08:48 29 August]
That video should now be locked on Obama's speech--don't want to let just anything from msnbc on here, right?

Great New Blog; Great Old Film

So I hear that Eric and Christy have been doing some blogging lately about life on Woodland Ave. Brilliant. (Great template choice too!)

Please visit at woodland-ave.blogspot.com.

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In other news, Emily took me to see Godard's Vivre Sa Vie at SIFF yesterday. Good stuff. Some incredible framing techniques; and that Anna Karina sure is pretty.

Anyway, here's a great scene from the film, if you have a few minutes to spare:



Well, I hope you're well, reader. Looking forward to the convention? I'm sure we'll have more to say about all of that soon . . .

Hi Mom!

Had the pleasure of showing my mom around town last weekend. I think we were all pretty tired after all the sight-seeing, but I had fun, and I hope everyone else did too!

Mom and Emily at Pike Place



The weather's been great--a little hot, maybe, but look how clear the sky was when we went to get my mom from the airport.



Mom enjoying some views from the SU campus



By the fountain in the quad



Who's that well-dressed fellow standing between the library and the engineering building?



In the Chapel of St Ignatius (hope it's okay to photograph that . . .)



Enjoying a croque monsieur at Café Presse



by the P-Patch garden in our neighborhood. Maybe this photo will help me remember to sign up for a plot next year


We also visited Emily at work:

Yancy and Emily in one of the gardens maintained by the sisters who live at St Joseph Residence, the building that also houses the Providence Archives



Waiting for the water taxi in West Seattle



The next day, we had a great (if large) breakfast at Coastal Kitchen and then walked up to Volunteer Park.

Yancy and Emily in the park


We happened to be there during Susan Robb's exhibition of her piece Warmth, Giant Black Toobs

I don't know a whole lot about the piece, but I know I like it. For a bit more on it, try this post on capitolhillseattle.com






Later that day, we took a walk through Pike Place (see top) and then took a look at the Olympic Sculpture Park



On Saturday, we drove up to Snoqualmie Falls

Also enjoyed a fun brunch at the Salish Lodge--great idea, Emily!



Hike down to the base was pretty, even if the view at the bottom was, well, maybe not worth the work . . .



Took a short detour on the way home to taste some wine in Woodinville. Emily and I recommend the 2002 Red Willow Syrah from the Columbia Winery (note: that link is to a pdf)



Took a quick walk through the UW campus



And of course had to see that troll up in Fremont




Ended the day at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks up in Ballard. There's even a fish ladder there! How do you find the fish ladder? Follow cute signs that look like this:




Emily watching the fish use the ladder



Please come again soon!