John Hickenlooper’s campaign contacted me to acquire rights to a photo I took last year at the DNC.

‘goes to show you never know when or where a photo might be used.

For the past four days I have been waking up at 6am, trekking down the mountain from where I am staying in Evergreen and heading into Denver to cover the DNC. Mornings were a fuzzy blur of credential lines, endless walking and quick food. As bad as that sounds the access and visuals of the DNC were very exciting.

I have thousands of frames to sort through but there were a few favorites so far…

At Invesco Field on the last night of the Democratic National Convention.

My first view inside the Pepsi Center Monday morning.

Michelle Obama and her daughter Malia at a stage rehearsal in the Pepsi Center in preparation for her speech later tonight. Denver, CO 08/25/08.

Dennis Kucinich on the jumbotron at the DNC.

Colorado Senator Ken Salazar on the floor of the convention.

Hope.

I took Wednesday night off fromt he convention to attend a press conference and rally for Ralph Nader..

DNC Chairman Howard Dean made a unanounced appearence at a small conference I was covering.

At Invesco Field on the last night of the DNC. Denver, CO.

At Invesco Field.

At Invesco Field.

At Invesco Field on the last night of the Democratic National Convention.

Denver looks ready, at least.

I flew into Denver a few days ago and have spent some relaxing time with my wonderful hosts in Evergreen: a town about an hour west and high in the mountains. Twisting, guard-rail-less roads that fight soft shoulders with hundred foot drops beyond abound. Fox and elk roam the aspen and pine lined, dirt roads. It is a nice change from the hustle and haze of metro Boston.

A few details regarding my credentials for the DNC had to be ironed out and, thankfully, were. Yours truly will be providing still images for  a program on Air America.  It will be the sort of access that most freelancers dream of. I certainly was dreaming of it when I applied for personal credentials to the DNC way back in February (and promptly awoke from said slumber when I was rejected in June… ).

Today I drove to Denver proper to cover a press conference being given by a group called Recreate ’68.  The group was founded to bring about the sort of youth involment and passion that the 1968 election so (in)famously inspired and they have become a conduit for many of the alternate and protest groups that are one their way to protest at the DNC. Much controversy surround R68 and despite repeated statements by their main spokesman, Glen Spagnuolo, that the marches and protests will be nonviolent and are integral to a working democracy many here are worried.

Glen Spagnuolo of Recreate-68 holds a press conference detailing the groups schedule of events, speakers and marches in protest of the upcoming Democratic National Convention. Civic Park, Denver, CO.

The press conference was held in Denver’s Civic Park and though lightly attended there were national and local media present.  The group outlined their schedule of events, speakers and marches but the main point was to announce a special concert by a reunited “Public Enemy” and the appearance of Cindy Sheehan.

The concert will be free in Civic Park, Tuesday the 26th…think anyone will come?

Cindy Sheehan, the slain soldier’s mother turned peace activist will speak at an event this Sunday morning on the steps of the Colorado State House.

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Denver is abuzz with the convention with banners and signs everwhere and more Obama trinkets and T-shirts for sale than you can imagine…more on that, later.

~jr