14ers

On Saturday 10 of us got up between 4 and 4:45 a.m. and drove west to climb two 14ers (14,000 foot mountains). It was a beautiful day, we couldn't have asked for better weather.

The two mountains we hiked up are called Gray's and Torrey's. They mark the second and third 14ers I have "bagged" as the common terminology goes.

I had my trekking poles along which totally helped on the journey, especially on the way down. The one major secret to climbing these...are you ready....is to envision what and where you are going to eat when you are done. Nothing more satisfactory then eating anything you please after completing such feats.

Here are a few pics, such as "Orange Monster". Yes that's me. hahahahhaah And then our group on top of Gray's, the first mountain, and then Torrey's, the second mountain.

Then let's not forget Hazel and Me! hahahaha. Awesome.

Flatscreen

So I got a new flatscreen monitor in my oficina toay. It is wonderful. Since I don't have my camera here, I drew a representation of myself using the flat screen monitor doing two wonderful things, eating grapes and eating raisins. Enjoy!

5 days, 5 shows

I haven't posted a lot on here lately, but I have been going to a lot of shows--5 for 5 the last 5 days actually. Here's a lil rundown:

Thursday night: Went to Illegal Pete's downtown, to see Ghost Buffalo, a Denver band, play. Illegal Pete's has great burritos, and it was Tom's birthday (he's in Ghost Buffalo), which made it even more fun. You can also check out their music here: http://www.myspace.com/ghostbuffalo I liked it, they are pretty rockin', and seem to really love playing together. For ya all in Denver, their next show is July 29 at the Hi-Dive.

Friday night: Hit up the Ogden theatre on Colfax to see Denver band DeVotchKa. It was their CD release party, and the place was packed. Not only that, they had two women hanging from ropes from the very high ceiling doing cirque du soleil type moves. It was so fantastic, and their music is beautiful. The highlight for me had to be the tuba (or maybe it was sousaphone) player with the red Christmas lights on the top of her tuba. They also had an accordion, which was much to my delight. If you get a chance to see a show of theirs, don't pass it up, they're on tour now across the states I believe. http://www.myspace.com/devotchkamusic

Saturday night: Headed down to Larimer Lounge, one of my fave dive show venues in town, to see Tilly and the Wall, an Omaha band whose sole percussionist is a woman who tap dances (their website is very fun by the way). Plus they have two other female singers, who seem to totally enjoy performing, which is always refreshing when you go to a show. Though everyone in the place was crammed up near the stage to see the fab lady tap and dance, and I was near the back trying to avoid the nasty smell of the men's bathroom, it was still great. And I picked up a CD for only $10. Again, totally fun, and worth checking out: http://www.myspace.com/tillyandthewall

Sunday night: Went down to the Fillmore, one of the bigger venues in town, to see the Raconteurs, (a lot of people know of them as Jack White's new band). This show was probably the most rockin' of the ones I saw, and also was kicking of their current tour. The set was short and it was loud (gotta remember ear plugs next time) but Jack White is a really great guitar player, and the intensity he had was quite invigorating. For being a new band that has played relatively few shows together as one unit, it was really fantastic. Their website is awesome by the way, very old school Atari.

Monday evening: Twist and Shout, the most renowned record store in town, has in-store performances from time-to-time, and last night Alexi Murdoch played. It was fabulous--maybe 20-30 people there, and I think he played about 8 songs. I'd never been down to an in-store before and it is totally worth it, though I imagine depending on who plays the crowd size varies a lot. Got to chat with him briefly afterwards, and he said he is planning to come back to Denver in the fall with his band, and I hope he does. Check out "All of My Days" if you can, that's my fave song of his right now. www.myspace.com/aleximurdoch I also liked that he has a very British accent and wore a Mickey Mouse t-shirt. If I'd only remembered my camera.

This is Truth

I came across this today, and I'm sharing it here because it is truth, and we all need a little truth sprinkled in with everything every once in awhile.

I honestly think that some people do just go to the coffee shop so they can have loud, personal conversations in the midst of several strangers. It's quite the interesting phenomenon. I mean if you tried to do that at the library they would boot you out so quick, but at the coffee shop, you just have to turn your iPod up louder to drown it out.

What's worse, is I may have done this before...but I'm sure I didn't talk that loud. hahahaha.

This is from toothpastefordinner, a great website.
Direct link to cartoon, here.

Footlong

hahhaha This TOTALLY made me laugh this morning. Check out Footlong Hotdog Medusa at Natalie Dee today. Sheer genius this woman. hahhaha. I am still laughing.

Hippo Fabulous Mail Bag

Sometimes my mom does awesome things, like send me a book in the mail entitled "The Happy Hippopotami". This is great for a variety of reasons:

1. The plural use of "hippopotami" rather than "hippos" or "hippopotamuses"is clearly superior
2. The happy hippopotami like to rollerskate
3. The happy hippopotami like to eat ice cream
4. It's always great to get something in the mail besides credit card applications
5. I had no idea there was such a book written about Happy Hippopotami, but I sure as heck am glad there is
6. See #2
7. See #3
8. This helps prove that hippopotami are truly versatile creatures
9. 

New 'Do

I had a little chop chop done yesterday. A little shorter, a little sassier. Just wanted to share!

Day 13 of my 13-day Birthday Celebration

Day 13, Monday, 6/19/06: My birthday celebration came to an end today. It was a little sad, since I had to say goodbye to some good peeps I had hung out with at the fest-i-val. Notice several of us at the right here. However it was an overall fantastic time, with promises made to meet up again next year.

I also had a mountain dew and a hershey bar for breakfast, which is something I haven't done for years. Which made the day awesome in itself. The only thing better would have been to see a yard hippo.

Days 10-12 of my 13 Day B-Day Celebration

Day 10, Friday, 6/16/06: Today was fabulous because I went on a 6-mile run at 9000 feet in the morning, and then saw more great music all the day long. Check out the Greencards, based in Austin, TX, made up of a few Aussie's and a Brit that sing up some really great tunes. I also enjoyed dancing to Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers set, they are poppy but have a wonderfully electric live show. The Decemberists were also great, seeing them outside at Telluride was a definite plus. Drive-By Truckers provided some southern rock headbanging later, but I was kinda out of it to really enjoy. Shouts of "Happy Day After Your Birthday" also echoed through the valley that day :)

Day 11, Saturday, 6/17/06: Today was filled with fab music, especially Yonder Mountain String Band, who I don't think I had ever seen before. Totally the best dancin' of the festival went down. Go see them if you have a chance. Missy Higgins was also great, she is super popular in Austrailia and I love her voice. Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings wrapped up the night and were totally dancetastic. Talk about sharp dressers too and she has got the moves! I also got to wade in a creek today, as did Senor:

Day 12, Sunday, 6/18/06: Today was a Nickel Creek kind of day. If you have not seen them before live you are missing out. So much fun! We went into town and saw them play with about 8 other musicians at a small stage, and later that afternoon they played the main stage. Then still later, some of us went to the after show where Chris Thile (mandolin player from Nickel Creek) played and was joined by many other great musicians from the festival. Also my friend Alana got hit on by the drummer from the Barenaked Ladies, and 6 of us stayed up until early Monday morning. John Prine also played earlier that night, and I bought some pink fat pants. They are sweet.

Day 9 of my 13-Day Birthday Celebration (or the Actual Birthday)

Day 9, Thursday, 6/15/06: This was my actual, real birthday, where I hit the big 2-7. HOLLA! It was a fabulous day, as many friends would yell out "Happy Birthday Leah!" or "It's Your Birthday!" Which of course, made me happy. Laura and Kate also made me a hippo b-day t-shirt which was quite fun. I went on a fabulous run that morning and then hiked to a waterfall. Here's a pic of me all up in the waterfall:
Following the hike, I enjoyed a day of music, dancing, and whiskey in a waterbottle. Maggie and Justin also surprised me with a great cake, which all of us promptly demolished after watching Bonnie Raitt wrap up the first day of the festival. Bonnie's set was also responsible for me meeting a fine young man from San Fran, who helped grant me a birthday wish. I also saw Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band play, who are an extremely fun live band, with fiddles and banjos and the like. All in all, a super-fab day!

Days 6-8 of my 13-Day B-Day Celebration

Day 6, Monday, 6/12/06: Kate gave me an awesome, amazing pink and green picnic basket, before she left for Telluride. I meant to take a pic but I forgot--I will try and update one tonight!

Day 7, Tuesday, 6/13/06: I went out for lunch with some super-fab co-workers for my B-Day--Renee, Katie, Tim, Danelle and Tracy. They are awesome and we had mexican food, as I love chips and salsa, and sat in very decorative chairs.
Later that night I played in my first sand volleyball game of the summer season, and our team totally dominated. Also, the Twins beat the Red Sox with a walk-off grandslam in the 12th inning. Talk about a great day!

Day 8, Wednesday, 6/14/06: Laura and I packed up my lil Hollywood (aka Ford Foucs or FUP 2) and headed down the highways for the 6 1/2 hour drive to Telluride, Colorado for the Bluegrass Festival. We arrived around 4:00 pm, found Kate and Adam, and set up camp. We enjoyed some delicious beans for supper and also met the fabulous Lackey family who we camped, danced and frolicked with for the next 5 days. That night we took a trip up the Gondola to the other side of the mountains to catch the nighttime view. Adam fell asleep, but I was WIDDDEEE awake. hahahah.

Days 2 - 5 of my 13-Day B-Day celebration

Day 2, 6/8/06: Our softball team won our first game of the summer season! And my friend Karoline had a b-day/going away party celebration. Another great day. (Karoline is laughing in that pic).


Day 3, 6/9/06: I ran almost 9 miles in the morning, and then I went to the Rockies game that night! They lost but it was soooo nice out. And Laura gave me a great Camelback packback so I can hydrate while I hike!

Day 4, 6/10/06: I went on a date! That's right, sure did. And I drank beer in the park, played catch, and watched this large family play cricket in the park. It was awesome. Later that night I had drinks with Craig and Laura, and a gyro sandwich. Hmmmmm. Also this was Stacy's b-day, so I had a drink for her. hehe.

Day 5, 6/11/06: I went to REI and bought trekking poles! As well as some new sandals and a blue chair. Happy early birthday to me! I also watched a movie, went to the pool, and to the park again, and we brought pizza to the park. Oh how I love day 5 of the b-day celebration.

13-Day Birthday Celebration

My birthday is on Thursday, June 15th, but this year it has been even better than normal because the b-day celebrations began last Wednesday, June 7th. And they will continue through Monday, June 19th.
Why you ask? Well, first because at work we celebrate all the birthdays each month on the first Wednesday of the month.

Here is an outline of day 1 of my 13-Day Birthday Celebration. More days to come:

Day 1, 6/7/06: We had ice cream cake at work courtesy of Annie, who won her own baby pool. Her and el bebe Cozette even came to the celebrations! And Cozette met Senor Misterioso for the first time. I left work early to go to the Rockies game, which the Rox won, and Senor made it to the game, too. Later that night, we had wine night at Katie's, and the winos surprised me with a Hippo ice cream cake and an REI gift card! So awesome. Notice my look of Happy Surprise.

Senor's Sunday Adventure

I forgot to bring Senor Misterioso home to the SD a few weeks ago AND forgot to take him hiking, so he has felt ignored. That is why I brought him to Jazz in the Park a few Sunday's past. (Every Sunday night in the summer there is jazz in the park near my house, and tons of people come with food, blankets and wine etc. It is great fun). Notice how Senor likes to get a lil crazy, diving into the cheese dip and into the wine. He did make friends with Julia though, my friend Allison's daughter. Senor made it into the pocket!

Hike hike hikin' it

I'm a little behind in my postings but on June 4th I went for my first hike of the warmer weather season out here in the CO. This was most exciting because I also just bought new hiking boots (yes they are the orange ugly one's over there). Mountain man John, Laura, Kate and I adventured out in Frisco to do the hiking. Notice the beautiful view we had once we stoped and had some snacks, which included cheddar bunnies. Sadly, I have no photos from the about 25 times I almost fell going back down. But I did just by trekking poles, so I will no longer fear such danger! Wa hahahahaha.

Best Find Ever!!!

I went home last weekend to the SD to visit my parents. My aunt and uncle also were visiting from Wisconsin. Aunt and Uncle like to go to antique stores, and I went along last Saturday morning to one in Canton, SD.
Please feast your eyes on the Best Find EVER at an antiue shop: Purple Hippopotami Salt and Pepper Shakers! $1 each!!!! So like TOTALLY AWESOME!

Bowling

Last night I went bowling and I got a 147. Then I got a 117. I think 147 is probably one of, if not the best, score I have ever earned. For some reason, the booty shaking music didn't start until 9, which was confusing. I think we did all leave as either "We are the Champions" or "Crazy Train" was playing though.

WOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

Since I forgot my camera, here are some words of wisdom from www.toothpastefordinner.com

Some days my head is too big

To even wear a hat! Check it here:

http://www.nataliedee.com/052506/massive.jpg

Dream Kitchen

Holy kitchen awesomeness! Totally check this out, Ikea Dream Kitchens.

Thanks to Peeps for sending me the link. I think I like the one with the pink stairs the best. But I actually just like the song the best. haha. Make sure to turn up the volume!

I like the one with the fireplace, too. What's your fave?

Colorado Colfax Marathon

This past Sunday, 10 of us ran in two relay teams in the First Annual Colorado Colfax Marathon! It started east of Denver, out in Aurora, and went all the way to Lakewood, west of Denver. People ran down your favorite street and mine, Colfax Ave. The relay was broke down like this: 10K, 5K, 10K, 5K and 12K.

Our team names were hippoJOGamus and hippoRUNamus, following in the hippo tradition which started in August '05 with the hippoPUBamus. Team hippoJOGamus consisted of me, Liz, Lucia, Alice and Maggie and team hippoRUNamus consisted of Justin, Annie, Lloyd, Marisa and Kate. That is all of us in the pic. Just like that Streets song goes, We're So Fit and Don't We Know it.

We had a blast running and also totally appreciate our two team drivers, John and Joe, who both got up super early to shuttle us to the relay exchange zones and to the finish line. They are totally rad.

Of course later that afternoon we had a big party/BBQ which was quite the success, with a fruit watermelon being voted Favorite Food. Also, we only had 1 PBR left out of the many, many beers which seems to signal a scucessful party.

A highlight of the race for me was running the first 10K, and half of it with a grey-haired man named Bob who told me about the shrapnel in his right lung and how he used to fly helicopters. And yes, I was running the same pace as this probably 65 year old man, but I still exceeded my goal time!

Fun fun fun. Perhaps more races in the future, as well.