Pet Rock: The Pop Culture Blog

DENVER - There's quite a huge glare on my computer screen right now as I type, so if there are any typos, I blame it entirely on poor visibility rather than poor spelling.

And that's the only complaint possible as I just settled into my press seat in Section 131 of Invesco Field (the end zone at the open end of the stadium).

What does this have to our ongoing and somewhat random ranking of reasons to love America? Let me explain it matter of factly.

I'm sitting in a football stadium, witnessing the most historic political moment of my lifetime with my own eyes. No press box glass to send my view askew. No indoor air to keep me from fully embracing the true atmosphere of this moment. I'm a few first downs away from history.

And I've got power and an Internet connection at the same time. From a seat in a football stadium, I can witness the majesty of this moment and still connect to my servers back home to update our DNC coverage.

To be clear, this isn't about politics or partisan journalism or experience or change or attack ads or foreign policy or anything else of that nature. This is about standing on the doorstep of American history my grandchildren will read about in their social studies books, and documenting it at the same time from a laptop. What a world we live in these days. And that's what makes this Reason No. 4 to love America.

And Stevie Wonder is going to perform live! Holla!

There are those girls that you consider cute. Those that you consider pretty. Those that you consider hot.

And then there's the rarefied air of "I hate you, you ruined my night you're so hot" hot.

Put Amber Lee Ettinger in that last category. You know, Obama Girl.

The woman who set off the Internet world with her sultry "I Got a Crush on Obama" video on YouTube did an appearance Tuesday night at Spill on Market Street, a few minutes from the Pepsi Center.

It was part of BarelyPolitical.com's video coverage of the DNC. She interviewed a bunch of revelers. I interviewed her. Fair trade for me.

Now go peep obamagirl.com for more delightful videos from Ettinger.

DENVER - If not for the T-shirt I saw Sunday night, which I'm keeping quiet for now until I can find where to buy them for the masses, this would be No. 1.

But alas, this T-shirt spotted on Market Street after opening night at the DNC will have to settle for No. 2. Still, it's quite rich.

DENVER - I broke free from the media center for a few minutes Monday afternoon to explore the area surrounding the Pepsi Center. Everyone always says these conventions bring out the real whackadoos.

Armed with the camera and the press pass - which is necessary to cross half the streets around here this week - I stumbled upon this joker.

Turns out his cause -- Trick or Vote -- sounds interesting and (thankfully) non-partisan. Peep the quick vid below.

DENVER -- Seeing how Pet Rock is all up in the Democratic National Convention here, it seems fitting to celebrate Old School Tuesday with some political fun.

I couldn't find a TV edit version of this video to embed it here, so you'll have to click here to watch the "None of the Above" scene from Richard Pryor's classic movie "Brewster's Millions."

We know you'll enjoy it, even if you have to have a new window pop up on your screen to watch the clip.

DENVER - I'm sitting in the media center here on Monday night watching Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi delivered her speech on the opening night of the DNC.

She's not the orator that Barack is, but then again, who is? But I can't help but stare at the television and wish Pelosi were Kristen Wiig doing her Pelosi impersonation on "Saturday Night Live."

Once I stopped laughing at that (OK, I still haven't but I've regained my composure), I went to SNL's Web site to find that clip and embed it here for, but I got sidetracked with SNL's Whack-a-Pol. It's hilarious. Click the screengrab below and enjoy.

I met this dude on the phone today, a fella by the name of Drew Lutton. He's a cartoonist and animator for the Rocky Mountain News. Don't ask me how a phone call led to this video, that appears to be the nature of politics. It really does make for some strange bedfellows. What?!? Nevermind. Watch this clip. It's hilarious.

Watch another of Lutton's DNC animations here.

Do you have the look of a model? If the answer is yes, then this isn’t for you!

MTV is launching a new reality TV show tentatively called “Model Makers” where 15 not-so runway ready women will vie for a chance to be a high-fashion model. Over twelve weeks, a team of trainers, nutritionists, and stylists will be on hand to help them to get that model look. And this reality TV show would not be complete without some high-fashion challenges and elimination rounds thrown into the mix.

The winner gets a huge prize pack, including $100,000, a professional modeling portfolio, a trainer, and a chance to jumpstart your modeling career.

"We are looking for beautiful, charismatic women who are willing to put in the effort to become a true model," says Michael Flutie, model manager and producer of the show.

Do you have what it takes? Go online to enter: http://www.mtvmodelmaker.com/

AP Photo

DENVER - Upon first scan of brainwaves, you wouldn't think Dirty South rapper Lil Boosie could ever be related to the Democratic National Convention.

But after security checkpoints on nearly every corner just to get near the major Secret Service security checkpoint, I found myself singing the lyrics to Lil Boosie's song "Wipe Me Down."

Maybe it was the 6 a.m. wakeup call. Maybe it was the heat. Maybe it's just the way my mind works. But maybe, just maybe, it was the three bag checks followed up with another bag check, an X-ray scan, a metal detector walkthrough AND a patdown.

Seriously, it makes taking your shoes off at the airport the most reasonable thing anyone has ever asked us to do.

Oh wait, here's the best part. The final security guard doing the pat down took a pot shot at me. I guess he didn't like my Jets T-shirt (dude, it was hot and a long walk and I didn't want to sweat up my real shirt).

"The Jets?!?" he said emphatically.

"Why, what team do you like?" I asked.

"I'm a college football fan, but you're wearing a Jets shirt so I figured I'd make fun of you."

"Well, sir" I responded, quickly gauging how much I should try to get away with. "Your gun is bigger than my gun, so I have no choice but to take that from you. Have a grand day."

DENVER - Pet Rock scored the sweet deal of covering the Democratic National Convention out here. OK, so I'm really out here to run the politics page of our site (and drum up some quirky videos), but politics is pop culture, especially in this election involving Paris Hilton/Britney Spears videos and text-messaged VP nominees.

The 20 or so folks who told me "Dude, it's one crazy party" (give or take a curse word) were right. Of course, they left out the part about Monday-Thursday being one crazy work day. But on Saturday night, they threw a big media party at Elitch Gardens, a sort-of Six Flags-y kinda place.

Some pretty fun stuff. Have a look at the video me and Photographer friend Tommy whipped up. The next-to-last scene is our favorite. We'll have more fun all week, interspersed with our regular Pet Rock goodies from the rest of our of Pet Rockers that you all know and love.

- La Monica