A bunch of photos from today, raw, just resized to 640 x 480. Enjoy! I'm off to the evening reception next.

CNN Center Right next door to my hotel... Inside This way to exhibitions, champions and more ;) Alan Frew I ran into Alan as I was heading in for the morning's Judge Calibration meeting. Barry Jarrett Stylin' and profiling, as always ;) (yes, the shorts were de rigueur!)

Jeff Taylor A judge captain, Jeff Taylor mugs for the camera Cindy and Lindsey Cindy Chang and Lindsey Bolger at the Judges' Calibration. Phuong Tran A competitor in the USBC, and winner of the PNW Championships. Billy Wilson Billy's practicing in the back before competing.

Baristi warming up Baristi are warming up in front area before competition. Senior Judge John Sanders The senior judge checks out the final setup before competition starts. Dismas Smith Dis is done competiting, he's cleaning up but smiles for the camera Barista getting ready A competitor, feeling the pressure as she's about to compete.

Custom Reg The custom reg barber tampers ready for the final winners. Mark Pfaff Mark cleans and gets a machine ready for the next competitor. He competes tomorrow. Sandy Hon Sandy smiles for the camera before competing. Bronwen Serna Bronwen rushes by, but has a smile for the camera as she goes.

Trish Skeie Trish speaks at a panel / intensive training session on the different coffee cultures of the world Peter Guiliano Peter, of Counter Culture coffee, speaks in a Friday Intensive session. John Neate One of the sensory judges in the USBC, John Neate listens as a Barista speaks. Dismas Talks Dis talks to a camera crew after competing.

Judging The sensory judges doing their thing. Billy Wilson Billy preps for his round. Sandy Hon Sandy in the act of tamping as she competes. Judging Always As the competitors continue, the judging is constant.

Phuong Tran Setup Phuong's setup in the back. Phuong Setup More of Phuong's setup. Barista Setup Another Barista's setup in the prep room Another... Yet another Barista setup in the prep room.

Mo Judging Judges evaluate a signature drink. Billy Wilson Billy taking a requested breather before starting. Billy Wilson Billy shakes hands with each judge at the start of his session. Audience A good first day audience.

Judges Judges evaluate the espresso. Warming Up A barista warms up for her turn at competing. Billy Wilson Billy, super intense in his competition mode. First Prize Part of what the USBC is all about (but not all of it)

More to come!