My Sometimes Interesting Blog

President Bartlet

2008-10-15T13:42:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I love being involved in politics because you get to meet some amazing people. I was the "official" photographer at a fundraising event last night with special guest Martin Sheen aka President Bartlet from West Wing. He was very gracious and unbelievably patient with everyone who wanted his photo taken with him. He even gave some one-on-one time with the volunteers who, for the most part, had to stay downstairs handling the tickets/guests/registrations. My favorite part, though, was when Rep. Erin Murphy went up to him and was talking about her faith (she's Catholic as is Mr. Sheen) and he gave her a rosary. Amazing!

Joy Bubbles

2008-09-29T19:19:00.000-07:00

Nothing as cute as a child learning the magic of bubbles.

Video of Baby Nika with Daddy

2008-09-27T21:16:00.000-07:00

Okay, I've been very bad and haven't updated for quite a while. Baby is getting big - as in crawling, getting into everything big! But she's still oh-so-cute! Here's a little video clip of her with daddy, just relaxing after her bedtime bottle...

Cutest. Baby. Ever.

2008-05-05T17:18:00.001-07:00

Veronika - at almost 8 weeks old. Can she be any more adorable? Of course as I'm writing this, I'm picking baby spit-up out of my hair...

And introducing...

2008-03-29T09:47:00.001-07:00

...Veronika Li-Ya! I'm proud to announce the arrival of our daughter. Born March 3, 2008, 9 lbs and 13-1/2 oz and measuring 22 inches long. She's absolutely adorable - Kristofer and I are incredibly smitten with her!

Baby bump!

2007-12-03T06:05:00.000-08:00

It's getting bigger all the time! Since last I posted, we have found out that it will be a girl. Yay! We've picked out a name already - Veronika Li-Ya (Nika or Nikita for short). Li-Ya came from a combination of my mom's nickname and my mother-in-law's name.

I'm fat...

2007-09-27T15:57:00.000-07:00

...and I have the belly to prove it!

It's Official!

2007-08-03T17:13:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't updated the blog in like - forever. Been busy with things - including this piece of news...I'm expecting a baby!!! Yep, right now it's due Feb. 29, 2008 - so a leap year baby possibility. We went for the first ultrasound today, and everything is checking out normally. Good heartbeat of 160 and it's measuring 5 days ahead of schedule. We're very excited...it's going to be an interesting couple of months!

My New Co-worker

2007-01-08T17:19:00.000-08:00

Never one to miss an opportunity to embarrass a fellow co-worker, here is a clip of one of my new co-workers. In case you missed it, he's dressed as a cow and is being chased by the camera man during a live news shot.

Election Night

2006-11-18T10:49:00.000-08:00

Election Night at the State Office Building. Most of these people are DFL staff.

Media department had their own little gathering on Election Night.

Computers were on so we could update the results immediately.

Rep. Margaret Anderson Kelliher hugs Rep. Alice Hausman after Speaker Sviggum conceded that the Republicans had lost the majority of the Minnesota House of Representatives. Margaret will be the second woman Speaker of the House.

Rep. Cy Thao along with DFL staff watch the big screen for the latest election results.

Daily Show clip of Glenn Beck interviewing Keith Ellison

2006-11-17T18:59:00.000-08:00

I couldn't resist posting this video clip of the Daily Show, because, well - Glenn Beck's a tool. I had the honor of working with Keith Ellison when he was a State Representative and I have to say he's a man of immense integrity.

Grand Tetons

2006-08-23T19:39:00.000-07:00

I was in Idaho a couple of weeks ago and was able to get some great shots of the Grand Tetons. Beautiful views!

Senator Bayh and Me

2006-07-10T18:56:00.000-07:00

Yep, it's my pal Senator Evan Bayh and me. We're like this! (I'm crossing my fingers in case you were wondering). Actually I didn't even know who he was when I met him. How politically astute am I! Hee hee...sorry Senator I didn't realize you were a U.S. Senator from Indiana who comes from a prolific and powerful political family, and a presidential hopeful (I googled his name after I met him).

Anyway - Sen. Bayh was in town for an Amy Klobuchar event and then did a press conference with Matt Entenza. Matt was showing him around the State Office Building and I had several opportunities to take his picture with some legislators who happened to be around. Rep. Katie Sieben (who is running for State Senate) actually took this photo of us.

My husband

2006-06-21T17:49:00.000-07:00

I love my husband!

Memorial Weekend

2006-06-03T10:43:00.000-07:00

Summer fun = two nieces, husband (who's really just an overgrown child - and I say that affectionately) and lots of water on a hot day.

Fun with Photo Booth

2006-05-31T18:30:00.000-07:00

I'm still learning all the cool stuff that's on my new MacBook Pro, like the Photo Booth program that takes pictures with the built in iSight camera. It has some cool effects, like this comic book effect that makes me look waaaaay cooler than I really am.

On Top of the World

2006-05-21T08:41:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to climb to the top of the Capitol Dome on the last night of session this year. Here is a close-up of the Quadriga - the Golden Horses. One of the intangible perks of the job - as this opportunity to climb the Dome is not open to the public.

Surprise!

2006-05-17T18:20:00.000-07:00

My niece - best facial expressions ever.

Editorial Cartoon

2006-05-12T23:49:00.000-07:00

This is an editorial cartoon that I sketched out one day out of frustration at the House Republicans. For those of you who follow Minnesota politics on a state level, there was a bill debated recently on the Minnesota House floor about property tax relief. The original bill, by Republican Rep. Phil Krinkie, basically allowed rebate checks to be mailed to property tax owners (coincidentally, the timing of the check arrivals would be right before the election). DFL members attempted to amend the bill to make it more substantial. However, each amendment that was presented was shot down by the Speaker of the House by ruling it not germane - a thinly veiled disguise at not even allowing the amendment to be voted on by House members. Makes you wonder what they are so afraid of - it actually passing?

DFL Fundraiser

2006-05-11T17:22:00.000-07:00

Another photo from the DFL fundraiser with Sen. John Kerry.

Give me a Hand

2006-05-10T08:14:00.000-07:00

I love fat, pudgy, kissable, baby hands.

Photo was taken at my Uncle Charlie's 60th birthday party. It is however, not his hands in the picture - but my baby cousin Sammy's.

John Kerry and Al Franken

2006-05-09T09:14:00.000-07:00

Sometimes with my job connection, I get asked to volunteer as the photographer for some local Democratic fundraisers. The last one I did had Sen. John Kerry as the guest speaker. Part of the "grip & grin" session, I shot this photo of local celebrity, comedian and satirist Al Franken with Sen. Kerry. It's rumored that Franken might actually run for the U.S. Senate in 2008.

Ooooh, my very first blog post...

2006-05-08T19:41:00.000-07:00

My introduction post where I state something very witty and pithy. Instead I'll just babble on and post some pictures that I've taken. This picture was taken at the Como Zoo Conservatory. (Don't ask me what orchid, or what shutter speed or aperture setting I had it on - I never remember.)