The Sista/Brotha/Running Hood

Sooo here's the thing. Since the new year I have become a runner. Well, maybe I'm using the term "runner" a little liberally. I have started running, but what to me is running to most is, to be quite honest, jogging, or sometimes at best, shuffling really fast while sucking air in and out like a hoover vacuum cleaner.

I breathe hard, I stride out, but at the end of the treadmill run I am still at about 5.7 mph (about an 11 minute mile) which to those of you who are REAL runners you will know, this ain't so fast.

However I have discovered something utterly fantastic when I go running in the park. All those other running fools, they are pulling for me, and for all the other runners out there. That's right, they know what it's like to actually drag your butt to the park and run that big, fat circle, while dodging goose poop and breathing in exhaust from cars. They know the sacrifice, they want me to succeed. They helped me run up the hill past the zoo not just once but twice yesterday. Twice! (FYI the zoo hill is like, totally hard for me but I am slowly--literally slowly--improving). And even when my iPod died not even half way through my run I kept going, because I felt the support vibe. They thought I could do it. I didn't want to get kicked out of the secret runners are awesome club.

See I set this goal for myself about a year and a half ago that I would run in a 5K race in 2005 (well, that didn't happen, for unforseen reasons like, I was too lazy, drank too much whiskey, and ate too many breakfast burritos at Pete's Kitchen at 2:15 a.m.) and so I reset the goal for the '06 and told people I wanted to do it (oh accountability factor how you motivate me) and now I am going to be running in a 5K on May 14. And the best part of this 5K (well there are a few best parts): 1. There is free beer AND hot dogs after it; 2. It's sponsored by the Rockies so each runner gets two free tix to a future game; and 3. Free t-shirt. 4. Post-Race Party in Coors Field!

Not only that but a bunch of us Denverites are going to be running in relay teams or volunteering during the Colorado Colfax Marathon on May 21st. Most exciting, I know! And yes, there will be a big party after that in our backyard with beer, whiskey, hot dogs and maybe even ice cream cake.

And that's whatta gotta say 'bouts that.

Snappin' Dogs

So two weeks ago we ventured down to the new neighborhood hot dog restaurant if you will, called Steve's Snappin' Dogs. I had been anticipating with glee this visit for some time. Though the dogs were a bit overpriced and kinda messed up my belly the next day, I would go again, especially when it is nice enough to go outside. Steve's also got Best New Store on Colfax in the Westword. Here is a photo diary of Steve's.

Bad Knee

Today my bad knee hurts because I ran on it too much and now I feel like a geriatric. I feel like it is haunting me now. And I wasn't even running from anything, I was just running on the treadmill. RARRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!

Leah's Food Pyramid

So my favorite website, www.nataliedee.com, inspires me all the time. Yesterday it inspired me to make my own version of the food pyramid (click here to see Natalie's). This gives you a kind of general idea of my food intake.
It used to be cherry coke, doritos and beer. Oh what a long way I have come.

Funny Times at the Old Man Townie Bar

So most of you in D-Town or that have visited me in D-Town know that I used to go to the Squire a lot (The Squire is a dive bar along East Colfax for those of you who don't know--as townie as a city bar can get I would say). I used to go like, a few times a week, at least. Well last night Laura and I revisited it--for the first time since October--which was great cuz it was $2 you-call-its, and you could get top shelf stuff, not just well, which was wondeful. Here are some funny things that happened there last night:

1. We walk in and James Blunt is playing. Most of you have probably heard the "You're Beautiful" song. I admit, I like the song, not my fave by any means but sure it's sappy, it's heartfelt, it's heartbreak, it's about miss opportunities, all ingredients for a good pop song. But playing loud in the divey-ness of the Squire? Crazy! Weird! Then I talk to Sudi, the owner of the Squire, and I was like, "Sudi did you play James Blunt?" (Jokingly) and he was like "yeah, I love him" (this was serious). Point being, don't make fun of the music unless you are SURE the person you are talking to did not play it.

2. We were there from 10:30 til 1. James Blunt was played at least 4 more times. That just ain't right at the Squire.

3. An older man, perhaps 50-55 years old (later to find out his name is Howard), stopped me and was like "Miss, I just have to ask you a question. Did you play sports in high school or college? Cuz you look real athletic. I bet you played basketball or something." Me, laughing: "Yes, I did play basketball and volleyball in high school, but not college. I played intramurals there." Howard: "You didn't play in college? That's crazy! You should have cuz you have real great legs. I like athletic women." Me, still laughing: "Uh, that's nice, thanks" And I cheersed him and was on my way. Nothing like getting compliments from old men at the squire.

4. Before we left, Howard came over and gave Laura and I a hug. I told him I might put him in my pocket cuz that's where all the good people go. He seemed a little confused. He's out of the pocket now.

5. An older man, maybe around 70-75 came in on one of those cart things you see people riding in in Target sometimes. His name was Ken and he about fell off his barstool 2-3 times, which scared me (he got off his cart thing to have some beers and sit at the bar). But we cheersed with Ken and he seemed quite pleased.

6. There was a dude with a navy blue and white polka dot sweater on. He told us he has gotten kicked out of the PS Lounge before, another dive bar in our neighborhood that we love. After talking to him for a bit, I wasn't surprised about that.

7. Jack, another 60ish-70ish year old man, came in and was most excited to see me. We used to play trivia together sometimes at the squire. Jack is missing more than a few teeth. He gave me a hug and seemed pleased to make the reconnect, as was I.

8. I was told that I had a limp. This perplexes me. Has anyone else noticed I limp? I really need to correct that if I do.

I think that's most of the funny things. The biggest bummer is I forgot my camera. Cuz if this could have been a photo essay, I guarantee you would ALL have been more interested!

How Urban Are We?!?!

Stacy's made it back to Denver! Here we are on a nice spring-like afternoon downton D-Town. We were looking for Senorita Misterioso but we couldn't fine her. But we sure were stylin'! And check out Stacy's shades. HOT HOT HOT!!!

Tooting a Horn

So Saturday night got a lil crazy up in the mountain town and I ended up not playing just one but two brass instruments, that's right, tuba AND trumpet.

I loved it and I danced and Senor Misterioso loved it all, too.

Woo hoo!

Let Me Eat Cake

This is what I had for lunch today. It was totally and completely awesome:

Click on the cake to go to the Coldstone Creamery Website

It was freaking amazing!!!!

Baby, it was cold outside

So I went skiing Saturday in Breckenridge, CO with my buds Kate and John. And to put it mildly, it was FREAKIN COLD. Here are a few pictures. I know we mostly just look like Martian Mountain Monsters because no skin is showing, but it was a good time, especially since we hit the slopes at like 8:45 a.m. You guessed it, there was nooooo going out the night before. Not when you are as hardcore as we all are. hahahahahah. Really though, it was fun, minus the bone-chilling, frost bit nose temps. RARRRRR Cold!!!

The Ground to the Hog Day

Happy Groundhog's Day!

I love groundhog's day. I love it so hard. One of my fave days of the year, hands down. I even bought flowers for myself in celebration.

Today Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, so it looks like 6 more weeks of winter. However, it's been so freaking nice out here in Denver, who cares? Plus the mountains are getting tons of snow so it's totally fine with me if the winter hangs out for a bit longer (man I never thought I'd say that...I am becoming soooo outdoorsy!)

To get news of Phils prediction, just click here. Also here is a fabulous quote from that article, "Phil is incapable of error. If he says six more weeks of winter, you can take it to the bank," said Mike Johnston, one of the 15 members of the Groundhog Club Inner Circle in Punxsutawney, site of the annual Groundhog Day ceremony.

Also check out groundhogs.com for some more fun groundhog facts!

Sleepy Pup

HAHAHAHAHA
You all have to go and see this poor sleepy pup. Thanks to Marissa and Naomi for bringing this to my attention! (You will need your sound on and QuickTime to watch it).

Hot Dogs are Awesome

Hot dogs are totally awesome, especially at 2 a.m. in the mountains. Also, there is a new hot dog stand opening two blocks from my house. I will document it as soon as I get down there to get one. Woo Hoo!

Trivia Winnings

On Wednesday night the wine night crew got together at the Atomic Cowboy (a local bar in my 'hood) and kicked some butt at bar trivia. I also learned what a "Wilhelm Scream" is (I thought it was just a punk band). We would have won round one except I gave these two old guys 2 answers about Law and Order, so we lost by 1 point. (I still feel bad about that). However, we totally steamrolled people in round 2. Among 8 of us we won a $15 gift certificate to the Cowboy; a Miller High Life hat; and a "I Am the High Life Man" t-shirt which I will wear with great pride and a swagger to match. hahahahaha Thanks to all the "phone-a-friends" who helped us with a few tough questions. Here are some pics of what we won:


Notice, the PBR with the High Life Gear ....


Kate, Annie and Maggie display the winnings


We were planning to play the Sex and the City trivia game, but got sidetracked by the real trivia.

The Library

I love going to the Denver Public Library . If you have have not gone you should find your local branch and get there! You can put everything you want on hold online, check your account, renew items online etc. They have a surprisingly great selection of CDs and DVDs, not to mention books (yeah, obvious I know). Anyway I totally love it and you should too!

Sometimes

Happy Tunes

Songs that make me happy:

"Being Around" by the Lemonheads

"Tables and Chairs" by Andrew Bird

"Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" by Paul Simon

"Wish me well (you can go to hell)" by the Bouncing Souls

"Outdoor Type" by the Lemonheads

"All I want for Christmas is You" by Mariah Carey

"Forever in Blue Jeans" by Neil Diamond

"Rainbow Connection" covered by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes

"A Shot in the Arm" by Wilco

"I'm My Own Grandpa" by Willie Nelson

"Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" by Bobby Dylan

"Whiskey River" by Willie Nelson

"Daddy Sang Bass" by Johnny Cash

and of course that old favorite, "Yard Hippo" by Leah and Kate and Stacy

Natty D

Today I want to share my favorite webiste: http://www.nataliedee.com/ Thank you, Kristin W., for bringing her drawings into my life.

She is brilliant. Also, she was just interviewed by some online UK webiste. Check it out if you are so inclined. It is funny:
http://www.mookychick.co.uk/interviews/nataliedee.php

I think my fave cartoon ever of hers is this though:


Check it here: http://www.nataliedee.com/123004/though-of-the-day.jpg

I always want my friends to pull me around town in a red Radio Flyer wagon. Then this one day in October I was at a farm outside of Denver and my friend Kate actually DID pull me around in a red Radio Flyer. It was awesome. I might even have a pic of that too.

B-n-G

Hmmmm...Wish I had myself some of THAT! Biscuits and Gravy. Totally Awesome. Except at the Double D--they are gross at Denver Diner. But such a nice photo! It would do Willie Nelson proud (I ate these after his show in September).

The Chronic WHA WHA

I was pleasantly surprised this morning to find an email from my friend Kristin that had a link to an SNL skit that is freaking hilarious. My friend Lloyd first told me about it last week--if ya'all haven't seen it, check it out here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch.php?v=IggTu7kV7No

(If you're at work, probably want to use headphones).

TOTALLY made me happy on my first day back to work after the 3-day weekend. BOOYEAH. BOOYEAH. BOOYEAH.

I'm trying to think of something funny happening to me lately. Oh yeah. Last night I was at yoga, and I was trying to do this Bowl Roll thingy where you lie on your stomach and you grab each ankle and pull up on your legs and then try to roll to each side. Yeah sounds complicated, right? Well I was trying to roll on my side right as the teacher walked by and I couldn't do it, I kind of just fell back--stomach to the floor, futilely--and then he laughed at me in his Scottish accent, and then I started laughing and had to lie face down on the floor cuz I was shaking so hard. And laughing during yoga is a big No-No. Needless to say, I had to take a few minutes to halt my laughter. Here is an illustration (that yellow thing on the side of his head is supposed to be his ponytail):

Excited!

Oh wow, I am so excited to go to the rodeo tomorrow night I can hardly stand it! Here is an illustration of myself to match my mood (I'm not sure why my legs are so short, but you get the idea).
Woo Hoo Rodeo Dance!
I hope to find a cowboy to dance the rodeo dance with me.