Voting for Change

I have been a Democrat since I was in junior high grade and my mom gave me a "Friends Don't Let Friends Vote Repubican" tshirt and watched eagerly as Bill Clinton took office the first time. One of my homework assignments was to color in each state red or blue as the results came in that night. It makes me sad to see how low John McCain has fallen. Literally selling out everything he believes in to win the election. I believe that Obama is a real leader, focused and brilliant. Although he's leading in the polls right now we all remember how Al Gore won the popular vote but still lost the election. We need a landslide at the polls this year.

TOP 5 REASONS OBAMA SUPPORTERS SHOULDN'T REST EASY

1. The polls may be wrong. This is an unprecedented election. No one knows how racism may affect what voters tell pollsters—or what they do in the voting booth. And the polls are narrowing anyway. In the last few days, John McCain has gained ground in most national polls, as his campaign has gone even more negative.

2. Dirty tricks. Republicans are already illegally purging voters from the rolls in some states. They're whipping up hysteria over ACORN to justify more challenges to new voters. Misleading flyers about the voting process have started appearing in black neighborhoods. And of course, many counties still use unsecure voting machines.

3. October surprise. In politics, 15 days is a long time. The next McCain smear could dominate the news for a week. There could be a crisis with Iran, or Bin Laden could release another tape, or worse.

4. Those who forget history... In 2000, Al Gore won the popular vote after trailing by seven points in the final days of the race. In 1980, Reagan was eight points down in the polls in late October and came back to win. Races can shift—fast!

5. Landslide. Even with Barack Obama in the White House, passing universal health care and a new clean-energy policy is going to be hard. Insurance, drug and oil companies will fight us every step of the way. We need the kind of landslide that will give Barack a huge mandate.

Just another beautiful day in San Diego...

I spent a warm and pleasant afternoon in the western portion of Point Loma. Ate lunch at a great local bakery called Con Pane on Rosecrans. They make incredible bread and one of my favorite indulgences is their grilled cheese sandwich – melted brie and gorgonzola on thick slices of rosemary bread. Delicious but certainly not lo-cal. If you go by there you should stop at the new Fresh & Easy market. I would describe it as the anti-Costco. Now, don't misunderstand, I am a fan of Costco's wide aisle's, endless samples, affordable prices and giant tubs of candy, but I live in a tiny apartment with just 1 other person so I really don't have anywhere to put 500 rolls of toilet paper. Fresh & Easy is more of a European-style market with it's real-person sized products, everthing with in reach and affordable pricing. The idea is that you should be able to run and run out with something for dinner that night.

After my tasty grilled cheese and before going to the market I took a nice stroll along the small, but lovely Shelter Island and took a few shots. It was very pleasant to walk in the warm sun and watch sail boats and birds go by.

YSC Fundraiser

The Young Survival Coalition is a group of women under 40 who have survived breast cancer. They're goal is to educate physicians as well as newly diagnosed women about the specific concerns that young women have. The concerns of a woman who is 30 (marriage, pregnancy, etc) are not the same concerns of a woman of 60. They work tirelessly to provide education and support to the San Diego community in general about breast cancer. Today they held a fund raising luncheon in Rancho Santa Fe and I was there supporting friends and taking some photos of the event. There was a lot of smiling faces, a lot of pink and a whole lot of great prizes to be raffled off.

This is a reminder to all women out there - make sure to Feel Your Boobies!

The Solution Deck

I have mentioned my talented friend Andrew Rossillo before, but this time it's in relation to an interesting job he brought to my table. He's been working closely with Alexandra Holmes, a life strategist and consultant with a twist. I immediately liked her because she believes that we are the sum of our life choices and that if you don't like your life, then make other choices. She created this deck of cards that combines a little bit of the mystical with self empowerment. Even if they don't help you make that important decision, they are a beautiful set of illustrated cards in a rich red textured box and I just love the gold debossed text.

Cindy's Fantastic TTD Session!

After returning from their honeymoon the Wyshack's and I visited our favorite beach in La Jolla and got down and dirty in the surf. The gown Cindy wore for the ceremony she donated to an organization of breast cancer survivors and the reception gown she decided to get nice and soggy before having it dry cleaned and stored. Cindy and Keith were willing to get fully soaked and it made a really fun Trash the Dress session as well as a good work out for me as I dodged the in coming waves.

Please Welcome Mr & Mrs Perrault!

Nicole and Josh were married on August 1st at Linden Place in Bristol, RI. Picture Gatsby at a New Orleans jazz party sipping mint mojitos with lots of Rhode Island east bay pride. It was elegant and fun and full of laughter, family and love. I had the incredible joy of being Maid of Honor. Nicole and I met 10 years ago as fresh-faced Frosh at Northeastern and seeing her and Josh come together in marriage was wonderful, magically and the most natural thing ever. Josh happens to have the same birthday as me (Feb 29) and is kind, funny and like a brother to me. My heart literally was soaring to see them married.

The weather was clear and beautiful and HOT. We moved the chairs for the ceremony into the shade because we would have all melted if we had to stand in the sun. After eating and dancing we were all very very warm but it just made the day more memorable.

Fine local photo photographer Gabrielle Marks and her husband did a fantastic job documenting the event but here are a few photos that I took as well.





My brother and his girlfriend Carrie were guests and my mother performed the ceremony. It was a full McGuire event!

Nicole's nieces, Paige and Brooke, were also in the wedding party as a Junior Bridesmaid and flower girl. They are both delightful young women.

Nicole & Josh at Colt State Park

Nicole and Josh had their rehersal dinner at Colt State Park in Bristol, RI which is acres and acres of beautiful public water front land along the bay. The weather was predicted to be stormy but instead it was warm and beautiful. I always love it when the weatherman is wrong in a good way.