Cuddles

This is pretty much the best picture I've seen in a very long time. Cuddles the Hippo is 43 years old, lives at the San Francisco Zoo, and eats pumpkins for breakfast.
Check it here:

Zam-Zam-Zamboni

Laura and I went to a Colorado Avalanche hockey game on Monday night. I have discovered the best thing about hockey is the Zamboni. I took a picture of the Zamboni with my camera phone, but I don't know how to get it all up on the Internet, so here is a picture of a different Zamboni:

The only other thing better than the Zamboni at the hockey game is if the hockey players get in a fight, and since they didn't fight Monday night, Zamboni wins HANDS DOWN. Hands down, that's right. I would really like to ride/drive a Zamboni someday. That could be a great goal.

Regina and Rocky

I saw a couple good shows this weekend. I'm going to write about the second first, because it was last night, and it was lovely. Regina Spektor played the Bluebird, the venue that is literally a 30 second walk from my front door. If you haven't seen her, make sure you try to catch her when she is in your proximity. Beautiful voice, beautiful personality, and she wore a sparkly tutu AND could play the piano like nobody's business.

In addition, between the end of the show and the encore, she let a couple come on stage (fairly young, early 20's for sure) and the dude proposed to the chick right there on stage, he said after only knowing her 4 months. I'm generally not a fan of such public displays of proposal, but they were little punk rocker kiddies and it was actually quite cute as she (the chica) was genuinely surprised about her man's plans. Oh and she said yes.

Highlights were "Fidelity," "Summer in the City," "Baby Jesus", "On the Radio" "Us," Samson," "Sailor Song," "Your Honor," "Hotel Song" and "Better" (Yes, I really like her latest CD). It was delightful, and I even met someone who recognized my nataliedee t-shirt.

Then, the first show of the weekend, on Saturday night, was Rocky Votolato at the Gothic. I've been listening to a lot of his stuff the past month and half since my lil bro burned me most of his music. Plus, his latest album is entitled "Makers" after my favorite whiskey, so I appreciate that. And towards the end of his set he took not one, but two shots of the tasty drink.

The crowd was a little big for his mainly solo guitar performance and songs, but most people were appreciating it, and he did rock out on some. I think most were there to see Lucero who I didn't stick around for, on account of being out a bit too late in my 'hood on Friday night.

Highlights were "Suicide Medicine", "Montana," "Makers" and "Mix Tapes / Cell Mates." I got there and I think he was two songs in, but I was able to slide up to the front with no issues and slide out after. Totally worth $13. And no one cared when I sang along, because most of them were, too. And you all now, I do like to sing.

You better BACON believe it

Sometimes, I have ideas that some people may think of as strange. I however, don't think they are that strange. I'm the type of person who gets really really excited about what some may think are little things, for example seeing friends I haven't seen in a long time, finding $5 in a pair of jeans I haven't worn in a year, leaving work early on a Friday, and hearing certain Madonna songs unexpectedly on the jukebox.
Some months back I was thinking about how much I like bacon. To me, everything tastes better with bacon on it. It's a truth similar to, say, Christmas is always better with snow. So, I was thinking about bacon these many months ago, and thought, what would I NEVER put bacon on. Why, vanilla ice cream of course. So, from here, the idea stuck in my mind to try this at some point. There were really no takers until Stacy moved back, and she was all about the experiment. Which got me really, really excited about it all over again.
A few weeks ago we set the date for our Bacon Ice Cream to be Thursday the 12th (last night). At the start of Grey's Anatomy we began sizzlin' up that fabulous meat, cooking to desired crispiness. Then, we crumbled it and sprinkled it over that delicious vanilla ice cream. Stacy brought whipped cream for added flair, and we oozed a bit of chocolate syrup on for good measure.
THE RESULT: AMAZINGLY FANTASTIC. To quote Stacy "Thank you for the best ice cream sundae of my life." Laura's reaction, "I was a doubter, but I was wrong." Now I hope to make believers out of all of you, but I trust that many of you will not believe till you try it. Also I suggest actual bacon, because bacon bits are just gross in general.

Punk Rock Bingo

Tonight, Stacy and I ventured down to the Lion's Lair (a fabulous, small, dive bar a few blocks down the road) to play Punk Rock Bingo and drink $1 PBRs. Yeah, it was pretty much the greatest thing ever.
Stacy bingoed not once, but twice. The first time she won a certain Tickler device and the second time she won another tickler she gave to me (I had no idea there was such a thing before). hahahhhaah. Far and away the best bingo prizes ever. Not to mention that we made friends with the bartender and some of the regular bingo players, one of which was an approximately 55 year old woman who liked to tell dirty jokes and give high fives. Yes, it was as awesome as it sounds.
I may have found my Tuesday night post-baseball season activity that will get me through the offseason.
Holla holla!

Playoffs!

My Twins are in the playoffs and I am SOOOOO super-pumped. Not to mention they are the AL Central Champs! First game today at 11 mountain time--I am so listening to it in my office today.
GO TWINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Johan is pitching today. I'm hoping for a victory! He is a stud.

Half Marathon!!!

September has been a bit of a flurry of activities (I hope to post some of the other happenings soon) but I decided to get an update out to everyone on this event sooner than later. Yesterday Kate, Liz, Annie K. and I ran the Boulder Backroads Half Marathon! (in Boulder, CO)

It was a beautiful day, and the course started right at the Boulder Reservoir, with the Flatirons and mountains giving us a great view as we ran. Overall, I placed 1,692nd out of 2024 participants. Of the women, I was 995th out of 1272, and in my age group I was 186th out of 229 women (ages 25-29). But, I didn't finish last, and I didn't walk, and I did it! This has been a big goal for me since I went from not running at all, to starting to run in January and doing my first 5K and 10K in May and now my first 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles) yesterday.

Here are some fun pix from yesterday. Stacy, Annie I. and Laura came from D-town to cheer us on. They are awesome. The above pic is me rushing for the finish line and trying to pass that dude in the orange. hahaha. Below, Kate, me and Liz celebrate our finish, Kate waves as she runs in, and Annie, baby Cozy and I all aglow in half marthon Domination!

El Natural

Me, sporting my natural hair color.

Fly Ball Frenzy!!! And Brian Fuentes

Wednesday night was quite the night for me--it wasn't just any Wednesday night Ladies' Night game at Coors Field, oh no no no. It was a night where I made it onto the field. Oh yes, I was chosen as the participant for the Fly Ball Frenzy.

For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about or have not attended a Rockies game this season, or never even been to Denver for that matter, let me clarify. Fly Ball Frenzy is an activity that takes place between I believe the 4th and 5th innings of most Rockies games. A fan is chosen to run onto left field, have two pop flys launched at them via slingshot (not simultaneously, don't worry) and if they catch them both, they win a free Frontier airlines flight.

So, I was "randomly chosen" as the lucky fan (not due to any connections I have in the Rockies system, of course not). Wearing my trusty Brian Fuentes number 40 T-shirt and my Chuck Taylor's, I took the field, with all the glory and valor of Larry Walker, Vinny Castilla, Todd Helton, Yorvit Torrealba, RayKing and every other Rockies player that has graced the lawn at Coors Field. Giving the thumbs up, I watched the first one launch--only to slightly overrun the ball, and to my dismay, have it fall behind me. Though I heard the disappointing "awww" of the crowd, I could hear my ladies along the right field line cheering me on, and I gave the thumbs up for ball #2.

Launched high in the air, I waited more patiently this time, and made quite the graceful snag, proceeding to jump high up in the air, fists pumped in elation, and forget to even look at the jumbotron--but rest assured, dear friends, I was on the jumbotron, smiling broadly. If I had ever learned how to do a cartwheel in adolescene, this would have been the time to bust it out.

Trotting off the field, smiling and 7500 Frontier Airline miles richer, I was given high fives by grown men and cheered on by thousands of fans (no joke). It was kind of like those dreams I had as a kid of hitting a homerun in the Metrodome and giving Kirby Puckett a high five afterwards. My only regret is not sprinting toward the infield, touching all the bases and diving head-first into home plate. Now THAT would have garnered me some real applause.

The pix are far away but funny, and Choo Freeman is in them, on the field with me. He asked me to stay and play center for the rest of the game but I was like, nah Choo, you got it baby.

Not only was this a shining moment in time for me, but those of us in attendance all had our number 40 Fuentes t-shirts on. Though we got whipped by the Mets 11-3, Fuentes did come in in the 9th to retire batters handily. Oh Brian Fuentes, how we do love you and your big, gold chains. Bling Bling baby.

Up, Up and Away

Kate, Liz, Big John and I got up super early Sunday morning (we're talking 5:30ish) and drove south from Denver to Chatfield to see the Rocky Mountain Hot Air Balloon Festival. Highlights included: posing with the Cowboy balloon; hugging a soft, brown cow; the big pink pig; and I heard Smoky the Bear got caught in the trees, but I had left before he got all up in there. I highly recommend attending! Though terribly early for a Sunday, it was pretty spectacular. Take a look.

Sassy Shower

Sunday we had a bridal shower for my good friend Kate, who is getting hitched to her fiance, Adam, on September 30th. We had an abundance of fabulous food, and she was the Princess for a Day (after all, no party is complete without the guest of honor wearing a tiara).
It was such a great time at Annie's house--and of course we had mimosas, too.



It's hard to believe we can get so many hot chicks in one place, but see it and believe it, and four people are not pictured because they had left by the time the group pic was taken. Rest assured, those ladies are hot, too.

Red Roxxin It

Who can guess what is happening here?

Oh Right, it's just me bringing my boyfriend Jim Beam into Red Rocks with me to hang out with Ben Harper and Damien Marley.

Just another day in the life, after all.

Ch-ch-ch-chia T

That's just me, petting Mr. T's chia-hawk.

Amos and Tweedy

Alice and I headed up to the Folks Music Fest in Lyons, Colorado on Friday where we saw our future husband, Amos Lee, play. It is yet to be determined which of us will be the first to marry and divorce him, but I think I have a better shot because I could take his name and be Leah Lee, and that is a fantastic name. Could be in the biz with a name like that.

Here is a picture of Amos jamming out.




We also saw Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, the pic of him though is sadly red and blurry, but you get the idea. He sang Shot in the Arm and Passenger Side. Excellent.

The red boots were in full effect, and I also found a burrito in my bag! Who woulda thought. Madness.

Saturday is Allllllright

On Saturday, Stacy, John and I went on a REALLY long hike, which was super hard, at least for me. My camera batteries died however, so I just have pics of Saturday night, and since Saturday was Liz's 30th B-Day and BBQ/party, that is just fine.

Here are some fun pix illustrating that we did indeed have quite the sassy night!

Liz Turned 30!
Me being Sassy
Stacy and I, reunited and fly
Kate, twisting and shouting

CHAMPIONS!!!

The co-ed slowpitch softball team I am on WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP TONITE! And not just league, fools, we won the tournament too! That means not one, but two trophies. Can I get a booyeah?
Booyeah.
I forgot my camera, sadly, but I did get this pic taken when I got home, and we took some sweet pics at the bar with my camera phone, and the bartender lady swore to us that our pic would be on their website (we shall see if that materializes). We also had some fabulous fried cheese at the bar after the game.
Anyway, we won, 14-7 and 15-6, at least I think so, and it's my rendition of the championship now, so I should really just say that it was a no-hitter and we scored 33 runs.
Long live the Telecom Junkies! (OK so Friends of the Poudre was a better name, but we gotta work with what we got).
HOLLA!

Rockies, te quiero uniforme cuando usted perder (Rockies, I love you, even when you lose)

It's Thursday, and since Sunday I've gone to three Rockies games, because I like baseball, and that's what I do, in the summer. Don't hate, appreciate. A short recap:

Sunday vs. Chicago Cubs: Rox 7, Cubbies 8

Tuesday vs. Arizona Diamondbacks: Rox 1, D-Backs 2. An aside: This game last 18 innings. We stayed til the start of the 15th. And then we LOST!

Wednesday vs. D-Backs: Rox 5, D-Backs 9.

As you can tell, they lost all three games I went to. Then what did they have the AUDACITY to do?!?! Win today!

Thursday vs. D-Backs: Rox 8, Cubic Zirconia Backs 4

So they gotta go and looooooose when I go, and win when I am a slave to the man, at my desk, at work?!?! There is no justice. Rockies, I give you love, you give me none in return. And I love you, even when you lose.

Stacy, Katie and James were at the lonnnnnnnnng game with me on Tuesday. Here is some proof. Notice my big hair. Even when I do my hair all big, the Rox still don't win for me! And I thought we had a relationship. Also, Stacy has been back less than a month, and has already been to four Rox games. This is proof she is a good woman. I think I am up to 15 or 16 this season. I think Kaite is up to 356. She is harder core than me.

Bounty

Laura and I have a garden plot in a community garden in the 'hood. And when I say that we have a garden, it mostly means she does all the work and I eat everything, and I maybe water the garden once in awhile. Works out well.

Yesterday Laura harvested several fabulous vegetables and some flowers that grew from the fruits of our labor. They are quite tasty. The vegetables I mean, not the flowers. Though I should try the flowers, they might taste really good, too.

She also discovered that some evil soul stole two big peppers from our plot! That's sad, stealing from fellow community gardeners.

Please enjoy the pix of our massive zucchini, pretty pink cosmos, tasty scallions, red red tomatoes, and hot! hot! hot! jalepenos.

Bowl-ero: Bowling and Beyond

Last night I went bowling in Lakewood. It was great fun. Karoline joined me (notice modeling of the sign), as did Senor Misterioso (he had quite the night of staring with his confident gaze down the lane, and diving head first into bowling balls), and James and Brian (not pictured).

The wonderful bowling establishment is called Bowl-ero, and it is very Big Lebowski-esque. On Mondays, pitchers of beer are $5, single beers are $1, games are $1 as are shoes. It is fantastic. They also usually have the Rockies games on TV, and of course, tons of bad bad bad music.

As I prophesized before the game, I won two of 3, scoring 132 and 142. Oh yes. I should join a league! Though the main reason I want to join a league is to get a bowling shirt with my name on it. But is that such a bad thing?

Also, Bowl-ero is right next to the Omlet House. I have not been there yet, but I bet it is grand.

Assssssssspen

This past weekend I went camping outside of Asssssspen (whisper it, will you) with my friends Annie, Lloyd and Maggie, and Maggie's brother Greg and his girlfriend Kelly.

Hazel the pup was also along for the ride, as was Senor Misterioso.

Though it rained some, we still had a lot of fun hiking at Maroon Bells, listening to the bus driver Russell tell hilarious jokes about beavers: "Did you know that beavers are the best damn builders around?" (hahhahaa), eating dogs and baked beans and of course, lots of S'Mores.

Minus Annie, Llloyd and my four points of failure driving to Aspen, we did eventually manage to get there after about 5 hours and over a dozen deer spottings, and one raccoon.

For those of you wondering, this is where they went in Dumb and Dumber.

Some pictures here for your enjoyment. The hold Hazel is sleeping in is one she dug herself! Most talented. We also have me being all outdoorsy, the four of us being all outdoorsy, and don't forget, the beans.