Karen and Brian's Blog

Convention "Work"

As many of you know, Brian was co-director of the DNS (Democratic News Service) Internet team during the convention a couple of weeks ago. He was responsible for coordinating tons of interviews between online media, the media darling bloggers, and senators, representatives, and other campaign surrogates. Karen was one of his 15 volunteers.

We started the week out on Saturday, at the Sheraton where many of the members of the DNC were housed and where we picked up our media party credentials. The Sheraton provided fancy refreshments in celebration of the convention, including these fancy cookies.

On Sunday, we got a bit of VIP treatment at President Clinton's booksigning at the Prudential Center. Karen got to see her old colleagues and we both got our books signed and engaged in a little small talk with the last greatest leader of the free world.

Senator Bill Nelson from Florida interviews with Tim Grieve of Salon.com

An interview for the convention website with Melissa Fitzgerald, "Carol" from the West Wing. She was representing Environment 2004 and spoke very well to a host of important democratic causes.

Jeanine Garafolo was stumping every time we walked by the Air America Radio booth.

Benjamin McKenzie, aka "Ryan" from the OC, not only spoke to the convention delegates, but he also interviewed for the convention's official website and was more than gracious to take some pictures with us after a very long day.

The bloggers were a favorite for the Daily Show crew. Unfortunately, we were never home in time to see how it aired.

Since it was the official 4 year reunion of our meeting, Brian and I took a few minutes out to capture ourselves on film.

Some of our high-profile hook-ups for the bloggers: Senator Harkin (IA)

The bloggers soak it all in.

Rep. Matsui (CA) "courts" the bloggers while he explains how the DCCC decides where the funds go in an election year.

Just one of the many news trucks

With so many VIPs walking around, this was actually an accidental shot of Rev. Jesse Jackson as I tried to shoot the news truck.

The media tent

Our entrance

Radio row

The DNS entrance

So we didn't get the best real-estate...

Remember, it was the FIRST time a convention had the Internet as a separate component...

Tired, but very happy, conventioners

Some views of the barricade

Wedded Bliss!

Bob Giannino, a colleague and friend of Karen's from Jumpstart old and new, and his partner, Brian Racine, officially became Mr. and Mr. Giannino-Racine back in May, on the first day gay marriage was officially allowed in MA. Two months later (to the day), Bob and Brian celebrated with a wonderful beach-themed reception at Concord Academy, where Brian teaches, and the two live with their son, Connor.

Congratulations Bob and Brian!

After the reception, a crew from Jumpstart gathered for some faux bowling. Brian was the high-scorer in both games, beating out some stiff competition. Good thing it wasn't a competitive group ;)

Build A Birthday!

For Grace's 4th birthday party, the gang (mom, dad, and Sara, Gracie's friends, their parents, Auntie Karen, Uncle Brian, and Gramme and Grampa) spent the afternoon at Build A Bear Workshop making their very own teddy bears, unicorns, bunny rabbits and super-dogs. The adults had as much fun as the kids did.

Gracie, forever on the cutting edge, chose Build A Bear for her party because it is just the coolest. Even the NYTimes magazine recently profiled the fairly new phenomenon, started by Maxine Clark, the former head of Payless.

Here, the Build A Bear Leader explains the stuffing process to the kids

Under the Sea

On our way back from Freeport we stopped at Higgins Beach to witness the famous 4th of July parade. This year's competition was expecially important and exciting because John came up with the "water-based" theme and a whole TEAM of people created the "Under the Sea" float that was the REAL winner!

Scarborough firetrucks new and old

"Under the Sea"

King Tritan leads the way

Grace, with friend Caroline, Mommy and Sara

Dan and Lynn with baby Evan Daniel hiding under the blanket

Sue Lucas as Ursula

Sue's John as Scuttle, the friendly Seagull

The Competition

Maine Vacation #2

Brian decided on the spur of the moment to turn our lackluster Independence Day weekend into a fabulous retreat in Freeport. He found an awesome B&B, Brewster House, right on Main Street in downtown Freeport. We spent all day Saturday shopping - and buying - lots of clothes and wandering around the town, with nowhere to be and noone to see. It was pretty fabulous!

Brian on "Greater Boston"

June 28 was the 2nd time Brian was on Greater Boston's Monday night dot.compass feature that focuses on different aspects of the Internet. The show, on WGBH, Boston's PBS station is a "nightly local program that examines the region's top news and newsmakers." This is the start of Brian's expertise being shared more widely - and his wife couldn't be more proud or impressed.

Maine Vacation #1

At the end of June, Karen took her first few days vacation from Jumpstart to join Cheryl and the girls at Higgins Beach in Maine where John's family has a house on the beach. We played, movied, beached, crafted for the July 4th parade, and more...a much needed escape and some good quality sister and niece time.

Sara Anne shows off her do

Best friends

The cutest almost 4 year-old in the world

Bug chasing time

Chillin' on the couch

The newest member of the Higgins family - Evan Daniel

Grace helps with parade prep

And Cheryl tries to help too

Beach time!

Melissa's Wedding Shower

On June 26, Cara, Melissa's best friend from childhood and her bridesmaid, hosted a "surprise" shower for Melissa at Cara's parents' house in Manchester, CT. Melissa was honored by family and friends. Becca tipped us off that if Melissa was wearing her flamingo dress, she had figured out the surprise. Who knew Melissa liked flamingos??

"This is ALL I get?!?"

"What do you mean, MELISSA's shower?"

The marshmallow stuffing begins...

Becca prays for Melissa to give the wrong answers.

"No rearrry, Brrian ras rive rousins."

Game over.

Shoes to match the flamingos

Becca FRESHens up for dinner

The source of Melissa's and Becca's good looks

UCONN roomies - all growed up

The hostess with the mostest

The "maid" of honor

Senior Management Team Retreat

The members of Jumpstart's SMT met for 3 days at the end of June in Boston at Hale and Dorr's offices to plan for FY05. Karen helped plan and facilitate the retreat, including creating these beautiful red binders.

Post-retreat festivities

Jumpstart Summer BBQ

On June 24, Jumpstart had a summer celebration barbeque for staff and interns at Wayland Town Park. Everyone had a lot of fun playing volleyball, water balloon tossing, kayaking, and eating!

John and Erin talk shoulder surgery

Kate, Emily, and Ali soak in the sun

The water balloon toss begins...

Kim smiles for the camera

The boys take over the grill

Katy and Jennifer

Meghan, Sarah, and Jennifer

Dave, Maren, Julia, Jessamyn, and Katey

Erin, Jessica, and James

Karen, Erin, and Marissa

Family Time on Fathers' Day

While we were in town for AJ's and Michele's wedding, we got to spend some quality time with the family at mom and dad's for Father's Day.

Gracie gives Brian his FAVORITE Rudy for "Uncle's Day"

Sara takes a break from it all

Best friends

Pop-eye and Olive Oil

AJ & Michele's Wedding

One of my best friends from high school got married on June 19 to a marvelous girl and they're now living in Boston! We can't wait to hang out with our newest local friends. Congratulations AJ & Michele!

Proud mother of the groom

Michele walks up the aisle

Receiving line time

Eddie, Carissa, Karen, Brian, and Mrs. Hannan

Mr. Jesse & mom

Nam (usher and photographer extraordinaire) & Brian aka Goob (best man)

The Big Speech

The first dance

Mr. Hannan with Eddie and Carissa