Birthday Weekend! YAY!!

So, I just turned 36.  Thirty. Six.  I'm never going to be someone who doesn't admit to my age, but I will admit 36 sounds old (yeah, yeah to all those older than me who are grumbling--but you know exactly what I'm talking about!  And, I don't mean old as in "it's all over!", I mean old as in "*grimace* I need to start acting like more of an adult")  Another birthday just offers another opportunity to remind myself of my goals and make sure I'm on track to achieve them.  And, it means lots and lots of FUN!

The Celebration started Saturday.  While B was at work, I met Jill, Lainey and Scott at the Denver Zoo.  I was honored to accompany them on Lainey's first trip to the Zoo.  It was hotter'n Hades, so most of the animals were hiding out or not doing anything.  But Lainey still noticed a few.  Like this zebra:

Who just kind of stood there.  For a really long time.  But, hey--she got to see him up close.

And when we got to the elephants, they (there are 2) were sharing a cozy little pool, so she got to see them up close, too!  And at least they were entertaining.

So after the Zoo, Brian presented me with my birthday present (mostly because he couldn't wait):

*BIRTHDAY PRESENT NOT PICTURED*

It's a lovely picnic basket from Crate and Barrel, filled with delightful items such as:
*a picnic blanket
*bamboo silverware
*bamboo plates
*large plastic tumblers

I am SO excited to use it!!  And will be soon!

Then we hit the road.  We spent the night at Jill's in Eagle (since they were in Denver for the weekend) which was lovely.  We cooked, ate and sat outside until the moon rose over the hills behind Jill's house and it got too cold for the likes of me (old bones and all).

Sunday morning, we got up early and headed to Steamboat Springs.  If you've never been there, I highly recommend it.  It's got beautiful surroundings, an adorable downtown and plenty of goings-on. 

B dropped me off for an hour-and-a-half massage at the Waterside Day Spa, which faces the Yampa River.

That's me, pre-massage, standing with my Starbucks next to the river.

I haven't had that many massages, but I can tell you this one was awesome.  I had a sore back and shoulders from work which disappeared after my massage!

And, I would highly recommend scheduling a massage for over an hour.  You need the extra time to truly relax!

I chose a lavender and lemongrass aromatherapy treatment.  When I met up with B, he kept telling me how good I smelled.

After my massage, I met B on the golf course and spent the next few hours riding around and watching him play.  Not only was the course gorgeous, but I really like watching B play--pretty sexy to see your guy in his element!

There was also plenty to look at (apparently 10+ holes of golf doesn't completely hold my interest):

This bird kept doing these crazy dives over the water...

The river was high...

And these mysterious specs turned out to be hang gliders (I took a picture so I could zoom in to see).

After the golf outing, I felt woozy.  I think it was a combo of: just having had a massage, not drinking enough water, drinking instead a Mike's Hard Lemonade, and scarfing down a leftover cheddarwurst in the car.  Just a guess.  But I was determined to eat dinner downtown, so we stopped by the Safeway and I got Advil and Dramamine, a magical combination.  I felt better shortly, even if I wasn't all that hungry.  We ended up at a steakhouse where you select your meat and then they send you over to the grill to COOK IT YOURSELF.  It sort of defeated the purpose of going out.  I mean, B cooks me gourmet meals all the time.  He wasn't too psyched to pay someone else so he could cook.  AND *suddenly enraged at the memory*--we each ordered Cokes and they came out flat.  So I told the waitress, who then brought out two more and said something to the effect of "there's nothing I can do about it".  And then the couple of times she checked back with us, I saw her glance at our untouched Cokes at the far end of the table but she never asked us about them.  That's bad service, people.  Had I been leaving the tip, I would have tipped 15% with a note about the Cokes, but SOMEONE doesn't believe in leaving less than 25%.  Harumph.

We left after the salad bar and crab cakes.  Then we watched the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory before we fell asleep.  God, that's a weird movie to fall asleep to...

View from our hotel room.

Monday we headed to Freshies for breakfast.  It was PACKED on Sunday when we drove by and the crowds didn't lie--it was GOOD.  I had an omelet stuffed with guacamole and cheese and B had the 2 eggs *yawn*  On the way out, I eyed a coconut white chocolate cookie, but decided against it.  I am still kicking myself.

The plan for Monday was to hike Fish Creek Falls.  

What we understood about the hike was that you can hike 1/4 mile and see the first falls, then continue on the trail for another 2 miles and see the 2nd falls, which are, as described to us, "totally worth seeing".

I should explain that while I love to hike, I have not been working out at all this summer or spring.  (See my post on my last trail run.)  And B is a smoker.  So, while I am out of shape, I sort of relied on him being MORE out of shape.

Here's me at the overlook.  Since that's as far as this trail went, we realized we had to go back down the 1/4 mile and take the OTHER path to the base of the falls.  *already tired*
















After spending quite some time on the historic bridge at the base of the falls, we decided to forge ahead.  Keep in mind:
*it was hot.
*it was steep.
*it was rocky.
*everything I just mentioned.

This was my view for most of the hike:

What a trooper B was.  Besides rigorous sweating, he was FINE.  I mean, he admitted the hike was tough, but he certainly didn't have too much difficulty with it.


I, on the other hand, would breathlessly beg hikers on their way down for information on how much farther the 2nd falls were.  They all lied.  "20 minutes" turned into what seemed like days (which, in retrospect, couldn't be because B estimated it only took us an hour to get up there).  And then we would turn a corner, expecting to see them and it would only be yet another switchback.

On the way, there were some volunteers working on the trail, cutting down trees and such.  It made me think of Carrie and the summer she spent doing the same.  I can't imagine how tough that must have been, Carrie!  But thank you and to all the volunteers who make the trails passable!

So, anyways.  We FINALLY got to the 2nd falls which were, in fact, worth it, but only for the sense of accomplishment--we both thought the first falls way more impressive.

It was a great hike and we both expressed out interest in hiking more (yay!), so look for more posts re: hiking!!

We took Hwy 9 through Kremmling to Silverthorne on the way back.  The prettiest part was Green Mountain Reservoir--it was HUGE!!

It literally went on for miles!  Which made us wonder where the water goes.  And if it weren't WELL past the time I usually leave for work, I would look it up.  Alas.

We did stop at the Outlets in Silverthorne, but had to cut ourselves off when our first stop cost us $50+ (new pillows and bath sheets!).  Once home, B grilled BBQ chicken and corn and I made a rockin' wedge salad.

It was a WONDERFUL birthday weekend!  I am so spoiled--not only did I get an entire weekend of fun from B, but I get to continue the celebration tonight with my mom and Thursday with most of the Denver peeps!  Fun!  Fun!  FUN!!!

OK Go

I love them.  Am hoping to copy some of their moves for next Thursday's picnic!

Lala's Wine Bar

Tonight, Karen and I are going to Lala's.  Lala's is one of my faves.  They just got it right:

• Location - just south of downtown, around the corner from Gov's Park and down the street from Bones and Benny's.

• Happy Hour - wine by the glass is $5 before 7, I think.  Wednesdays is Ladies' Night.  $2.95 Cosmos, Limontinis, Fragoltinis and $3.95 Glasses of Mad Housewife Cabernet and Chardonnay

• Menu - they have good eats, all for less than $10.  And their $4 flat bread apps are AWESOME.

I haven't been to Lala's in a while.  The last time I was there, I was with Kim, Kelly, Heather and Megan.  The waitress asked if we wanted to be in their promo video for Ladies' Night.  I had already had a glass of wine, so I answered for the group: HELL, YEAH!




Watch for us:

0:44 - we're sitting at the bar in the back
1:54 - that's me waving my arms like an orangatun!
2:14 - that's us toasting...  to us!
2:30 - Megan.  Laughing.
3:42 - us again!

It was ever so much fun until this happened:

Yeah, the night did not end well for me. 

But that was AGES ago!  I'm QUITE looking forward to tonight!

Trail Running Begins Again

Last year, Sarah, Megan and I ran a few trails.  This was after Megan and I had started boot camp, so I felt pretty good about my performance.  Last night, however, the fact that I had done some backsliding in my fitness was very, very apparent. 

We went to Apex Trail, near Heritage Square in Golden. 

The trail was steep.  And rocky.

I think we started from the other end.  I am GUESSING we went 2.5 miles.  I should ask Sarah.  She ran all of as far as we got; I had to stop 1/3 of the way in for fear I was going to either have a premature heartattack or sprain my ankle and force some people lighter than me to bear my weight back down. 

It was a BEAUTIFUL evening.  We got as far as the Enchanted Forest which looked really beautiful, but by then we were done.  It would make a lovely hike, except--BE WARNED--there were a TON of mountain bikers.

A TON.  They're all very nice.  And are all good-looking men.  ALL.  Sarah kept making fun of me because we would give them the right of way on our way down (and their way UP) and I would, as she says, get all chatty: "Hi!"  "Hi."  "How's it going" "*breathy* Good.", etc.  On OUR way up, though, I couldn't even say hello when I was first running.  I'm hoping Sarah will get me out on more trails so I can improve my fitness over what's left of the summer!

Scenes from Summer (So Far)

These are all photos from campus. Have I mentioned how much I love working on a college campus?!

Eagle/Pride Weekend

I am intent on making regular blog posts in order to 1. ensure I am doing fun things this summer and documenting it and 2. to encourage fellow blog writers (Heather) to regularly update their blogs so I have something to read throughout the workweek.

I started the weekend by going to visit Jill and Lainey in Eagle.  It's always EXACTLY a 2 hour drive from Denver, even when, like Friday, I hit an obnoxious amount of traffic through the narrows on I-25.

I-70 has got to be one of the most scenic highways in America.

I was only able to take a few pics while driving.  Which, if it isn't, should be against the law along with texting, but I don't want to incriminate myself.

Like I said, a beautiful drive...

This is the sign that always throws me:

It's for Eagle-Vail which is past Vail, but 20 minutes BEFORE Eagle.  And no, they don't run together.  I think Eagle Vail is a completely different town.

Friday, we walked to the Eagle Fair which happens every Friday at a big park in town.  Jill and I weren't all that interested in the food or other items for sale (like homemade goose down pillows), so ended up walking to Moe's for some BBQ (SO thankful Jill's not a vegetarian anymore!)

At the Fair, though, we took Lainey to the looking zoo* (*also known as the petting zoo, but the animals were kind of stinky.  Besides, Lainey was content to watch the animals from outside the fence.)

She especially liked the chickens.

The next day, we walked a bunch and generally enjoyed a beautiful summer day.  After Lainey's first nap, she showed me how she can scoot a toy car along the floor, push a chair and carry my shoe.  She will be 1 year old next month!  I can't believe how big she is getting and how much she's learned already!

It was a short trip to Eagle and I drove back Sat night.  Sunday morning, B and I went to watch the Pride Parade along Colfax downtown.  It was huge!  I haven't been for a few years, since my favorite gays left Denver.  It has grown considerably since then.  Which makes me happy.  I mean, what's not to like about The Gays?!

For one thing, they give away some pretty cool stuff.  Here's me with a bottle of water, an energy drink and some flip flops I managed to scoop up.

For another, they love to (and CAN) dance:



And, apparently, they love a good pun:

The War of Art

Not much fun going on here at work, but I am leaving for Eagle soon!  Whee! 

Karen updated her blog with this post: Fighting the Blahs: Overcoming Boredom

I felt like she wrote that for me since I am usually complaining about being bored.  Or boring, but same diff.

She links to the website of the author of The War of Art.  As Karen explains, "The book is about breaking through your blocks-- blocks to anything you know you need to get done--whether it's writing a book, a blog, sticking to a diet, going to the gym, starting a business. These are the tasks or goals that have a funny way of luring us into resistance, and resistance, according to Stephen Pressfield, is the enemy to accomplishing our dreams, however big or small."

 Here is an excerpt to give you the basic idea:

"THE UNLIVED LIFE

Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance. 

Have you ever brought home a treadmill and let it gather dust in the attic? Ever resolved on a diet, a course of yoga, a meditation practice? Have you ever felt a call to embark upon a spiritual practice, dedicate yourself to a humanitarian calling, commit your life to the service of others? Have you ever wanted to be a mother, a doctor, an advocate for the weak and helpless; to run for office, crusade for the planet, campaign for world peace or to preserve the environment? Late at night have you experienced a vision of the person you might become, the work you could accomplish, the realized being you were meant to be? Are you a writer who doesn't write, a painter who doesn't paint, an entrepreneur who never starts a venture? Then you know what Resistance is."

I think the main symptom of Resistance is boredom.  Feeling bored makes me feel paralyzed.  I can't even THINK of what it is I've always wanted to do!  And my boredom is directly tied to procrastination.

But the point I wanted to make is this: we perceive these external blocks to our achievement of our goals.  Like my sister who complained that she was going to stop searching for a job because there aren't any out there because of the economy.  If she stops looking, is it really the fault of this outside force known as The Economy?  Or what's keeping me from starting a healthy lifestyle (better diet, exercise): mainly, the ice cream in my fridge.  And the Oreos in the cupboard.  But once THOSE are gone, THEN...  well, then there will probably be something else.  So *gasp* maybe it's actually ME just not choosing vegetables instead of ice cream that's holding me back!  Or what keeps me from completing all of my tasks at work: distractions.  But *again: gasp* maybe it's ME logging onto Facebook instead of starting that spreadsheet! 

I guess it all goes back to this mantra: Just Do It.  Don't think too much about it, don't consider whether you WANT to do it, just know that doing brings you closer to your goals.  And remember that those outside obstacles probably don't exist.

Vance Kirkland Museum

Today, I spent 45 minutes and $7 at the Kirkland Museum downtown.  I used to walk by the museum and former art studio every day on my way to work when I lived in Cheesman Park and worked downtown.  It always stood out because it's flanked by rows of shops (Fashion Nation, Wax Trax).

I don't know much about Mr. Kirkland, although I assume we have him to thank for all the yummy snacks at Target* (*not my joke, but I thought it was funny).  I know he headed up the art school at DU for a good long while.  (In fact--I saw the name Elizabeth Yanish Shwayder on a couple of sculptures--I presume the DU art building is named for her.)  I also know he was a huge supporter (and teacher) of the Colorado art scene for the better part of the 20th century. 

The museum contains a ton of Kirkland's works which span a bunch of different styles.

This is the first one that really caught my eye.  It's called Red Rocks (1942).  It totally reminds me of this painting:

which is Georgia O'Keefe, about the same time period.


This also caught my eye, but I forgot to get the name of it.  "Dreams of Something":

The white clouds had tiny bubbles in them and gave the effect of being smoke trapped in between the painting and a layer of glass.

But this was my favorite.  It's "The Mystery of Explosions On The Sun Six Billion years B.C.".  It's from Kirkland's The Dot Paintings/ Energy in Space Abstractions period.  I saw this on the website and that's what made me want to go to the museum.

There was also a unique display of Kirkland's studio setup:

"To create large, abstract paintings with his unique oil and water mixtures and later dots, Vance Kirkland had to place them flat on a table.  Since he then could not reach the center of a painting (he was 5'2"), nor could he bend over a painting for 10 hours a day, he lay across straps that were strung from the ceiling, about 1 1/2 feet above the painting.  He would already have attached skateboards to the painting's wooden stretcher... and could take a cane or hook and pull the painting back and forth.  He also could lie in either direction in the straps.  ...he did not like to think of his paintings as directional, as having a bottom.  'There is no up or down in space,; Kirkland stated, 'and this is as close as I'll ever get to being an astronaut.'  For the same directional reason, he hated to sign [these] paintings."

Besides the prolific works of VK, the museum has a sh*t ton of pottery and decorative arts.  There are furniture pieces everywhere and the long-winded docent who greeted me at the door thought to warn me not to sit on any of them. 

Like I said, I made it through in 45 minutes, but I tend to go pretty quickly through museums, only stopping for what catches my eye, AND I was alone, so I am thinking some more thoughtful peeps could spend a couple hours there (there is also an hour long video program in the basement).  I would definitely recommend going during a weekday as it was awesome to have the place virtually to myself (and able to snap a few pics I'm sure the docent wouldn't have been happy about). 

I was also impressed at how much art the museum has NOT on display:

A woman who followed me out asked where Colfax was and whether there'd be a place to get coffee, so I directed her to the Tattered Cover at the old Lowenstein (*whispered* Lowenstein) Theatre about 12 blocks east.  (There were also a couple of set designs by none other than Mr. Lowenstein in the museum.  Apparently he used them to get into Yale's MFA program without an undergraduate degree.  He was then asked by Helen Bonfils to work for her theatre company...  etc., etc.)

Maybe I shall revisit the ol' TC one of these days since I haven't been there in a while...