Under a Red Roof

Here and There

September 22, 2009 in Exploring, Traveling by Colleen | 2 comments

I’ve got good news friends! I am back in the world of exercise! Yay! And I’m not afraid to show my enthusiasm via exclamation points! There’s four in a row, eek. Okay, I’m calm now. Yes, today was the first day I ventured back to the community center to work out with weights and attend my favorite Nia class, not to mention seeing my old work out pals – so very nice. After being reassured by my doctor yesterday that I would not hurt myself if I was sensible and listened to my body, I was raring to go. I halved my pre-surgery workout before Nia and felt really good, certainly a bit weaker, but nine weeks without it will do that. Unfortunately, Nia class was canceled, so I went ahead with the Cardio Pilates they substituted. It’s certainly no Nia, but it was fine in it’s own right. I was able to keep up the pace without feeling like I was going to die and had a good time, too. Major progress while I inch back to a new normal. Phew!

In other news, here are more photos snapped while in Colorado, more specifically, Boulder and, even better, while the G-Man was still with me. It was a beautiful afternoon on the Pearl Street Mall.

Though there aren’t many in the photos, there were lots of people on hand, the diverse mix that is ever so Boulder. Pictured above is one of our favorite Mexican restaurants ever, Juanita’s, at the west end, beyond the majority of the chaos. We haven’t been in a while and didn’t even go that day, as I had a hankering for Pad Kee Mao, but it does look just the same. There is always comfort in that.

We also walked the neighborhood surrounding Pearl for a bit and encountered this lovely wall. I am a sucker for fine masonry and this handsome fella.

This church is no longer a church but either residences or an architecture firm. My memory fails to recall which. I love when buildings that have outlived their use aren’t torn down, especially when they are this pretty. This reminds me, there was a church on the Auraria Campus in Denver that was converted into an art gallery. I used to love to visit it. Having a great reverence for art, it was magnified in such a special space.

Away we go – I snapped this as we were driving back to Denver. Bye, bye Boulder, see you next time!

Colorado Friends

September 16, 2009 in Admiring, Celebrating, Exploring, Loving by Colleen | 1 comment

Here are the reasons why our trip to Denver included so much talking and driving, the reasons why it is always so, for that matter. Whenever we head back to Colorado, we, quite literally, fill our days with special people. This trip was no exception, driving hither and yon to catch up with friends from the present and past. Though acquaintances from the past played an even larger role this trip, as Facebook has brought us back in touch with the multitudes from our school days.

Unfortunately, the hubster was only with me on the first leg of the trip, as he doesn’t have much time off from Boyd’s just yet (March 9th, I’ve got my eye on you!). Pictured with him are Lance and Eric (all with such handsome baby faces!), good friends from junior high and high school. The trio played on the tennis team together, and Eric was the best man at our wedding. This was the start to my super sore throat, as we easily chatted, ate, and drank the evening away at Lance’s former place of employment, Riever’s. Thanks fellas!

If you’ve been with me for a while, you may remember a certain jerk I referred to back in this post. Well folks, here he is. “That Tim Brown,” as my dad used to say. We got re-acquainted on Facebook late last year, oddly enough, at the hubster’s urging, as I was a bit weary. I know – the man is a gem. Anyhoo, we had a fantastic time, gabbing away, eating at my favorite Greek restaurant – Pete’s Central One, spending the afternoon at the awesome Denver Art Museum (love the architecture – the old from my memory as well as the new, a delightful assortment of sharp angles and lines), and enjoying a cool drink and some crisps at Pints Pub. A very fine day among friends, indeed.

Here’s another fella I’ve talked about before, Steve White, my longest lasting school crush. We also chatted like mad, zipping through our personal histories of the past twenty-one years. It turns out I was right about him, too. All those math skills and not asking me to be his girlfriend translated into a life full of contentment and success with a lovely wife, adorable son, a passion for cooking, and a career in advertising. I could not be happier for him.

Finally, some ladies! Stacy and Kari. We have yet to figure out why we weren’t best friends in high school, as we have so very much in common. One of those mysteries of youth, I suppose. We spent our time at one of the best independent book stores in the world, with one of the best names, as well, The Tattered Cover, and their adjoining, and quite delicious restaurant, Encore. Of course we chatted gaily, and laughed at each other’s expense, and reveled at how marvelous it is to be in touch again.

This lovely portion of my visit was the one I never thought would happen. Dear Maura, on the left, has a very busy and demanding job that takes her to all points in the Denver-Metro area. Luckily, the stars aligned and we met, along with Chrissie (who shares my passion for yoga, even teaching it) and her cutie pie of a son Sam at a shopping center in Arvada. Oh, the places you’ll go! I know I sound like a broken record, but we delighted in each other’s fine company, as well, and laughed at all the people wanting an Einstein Bagel. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many desperate souls banging on doors after closing time. Seriously people, it’s just a bagel.

And now, for the big night! This was the large, though not as large as we’d hoped, group of fine folks from Arvada High School, former home of the Redskins, now just the Reds, as, well, you know, it isn’t terribly kind or PC to say such things. Ignorance was bliss back then. This is Ann (my best friend in first and second grade – more about her later), Karen, and Mike. They’ve all turned out to be such exceptional people. I am proud to know them.

This is a sweet story – Garrett and Adina secretly liked each other in ninth grade and even shared a dance way back when. Now they are long-distance sweethearts (she lives in Nebraska) after quite a rough and tumble divorce for Adina. It’s nice to see something wonderful happening between them!

Hello Jessica and Don! Jessica and I shared a passion for the color black (no pastels for us!) and clove cigarettes in high school, smoking and enjoying infectious chatter at Paris on the Platte in days gone by. I am happy to say the chatter is just as infectious as ever – she is a good friend. As for Don, we used to read to each other during our free period in high school. He was (and still remains) Tim’s best friend, thus serving as interpreter and go-between in our rather complicated relationship. Bless his heart, he’s one of the kindest men I shall ever know.

The whole gang, including Mike’s terrific wife Erica on the far right. It was a highly satisfactory evening for reminiscing and getting to know the people we are today!

Friday Evening at Washington Park

August 23, 2009 in Exploring, Watching by Colleen | 2 comments

I am a thrifty gal. I love getting a good deal, or even better, something wonderful for free. I don’t mind if I have to work a little for it either. For instance, last fall, when everyone realized, gosh, this really is a recession and tightened their belts, the Willamette Week started running a series of listings for free, discounted, and cheap goods and services in a column called Cheapskate. The first, at least that I participated in, was a discount at Music Millennium, one of the top rated independent music stores in the country (lucky us!). For singing at least one minute from any song in the Sound of Music, I would get a 15% discount. I could have gotten a whopping 25% off my purchase by showing up in a bikini, cowboy hat, and boots and singing any Johnny Cash tune, but totally lacked the cojones for that one – maybe next time. Though I practiced for half the afternoon, I failed to remember the opening lines of “My Favorite Things,” so nervous was I. Thankfully, I recovered, pride undamaged, and walked out proudly with my assorted CD’s.

So, as you might imagine, I keep a pretty close eye on the Cheapskate column. Much to my delight, last week had a listing for a free showing of Vicky Christina Barcelona at the Washington Park Amphitheater, preceded by live Spanish music, of course. I called the sweet hubster, and we made plans to go, go, go!

As it had been a while since we’d been to this neck of the woods (last year with my Uncle Chris), I was eager to wander around, take in the heady scent of roses and the beautiful views. As I mentioned earlier this week, I no longer have roses of my own but remain utterly delighted in their presence. That there could be such a wide variety of colors, scents, and sizes, all in one magical place, is truly marvelous.

Then there was this light, beautiful and bright, filtered through the evergreens.

Even more special was this tree. I wish I knew the species, lovely, like a full skirt of weeping branches and fluttering leaves, but not a willow. This photo is me and my camera lens looking up her verdant skirt.

Covering our sweet lady’s torso, and quite hidden by her skirt, was this “secret” assortment of carvings, years upon years of people wishing to make a permanent mark upon the earth, however small. Though I would never have the heart to cut into a tree’s flesh like this, there is something beautiful about it, humbling. Look at all the people here before you, but for a short time and then gone, as you shall be soon. Where are they now?

Back at the blanket and my bestest Buddy. We sat here, quite happily listening to songs, acoustic and hauntingly lyrical (I’m sorry I can’t remember the name of the band, oy!), him working his Rubik’s cube, and me reading and laughing along with Christopher Buckley (Losing Mum and Pup) as his parents passed from this life into the next. Though the text was quite funny at times, I found myself cuddling closer and closer to the man I love the most, hoping our days together stretch far into the future.

Then it was time for the movie to start. There was a chill in the air, and we wrapped ourselves up tightly in the blanket (do you like sausage?) and laughed and sighed, awed by the stunning landscapes, beautiful people, the story as only Woody Allen could tell it, and a magical night beneath the stars.

I’ve Got Nothing

August 21, 2009 in Drinking, Exploring, Reading, Shopping, Spotlighting by Colleen | 3 comments

Seriously. I cannot think of a single movie, book, or bit of musical genius to highlight, so, instead, poor grammar, random thoughts, and silliness will rule this post.

Bridget and I went to the Bagdad last night to see what could, quite possibly, be the worst film I’ve ever seen in a theater. I won’t glorify its distasteful and utterly stupid badness by revealing the title, for that would amount to free advertising. Anyway, about one third of the way through, I leaned over and whispered to Bridget, “Do you want to go to Goodwill?” Were it not for the fact that she was midway through a glass of wine, I think we had some serious potential for an early exit. Now I’m trying to remember if I’ve ever actually left a theater before the film was over. I don’t think so; Buddy, have we? However, this does remind me of the time I saw Henry and June at the Mayan (it’s so Aztec like) in Denver. I observed a couple leave early for quite a different reason. If you haven’t already seen it, rent it and you’ll know, too.

After the Bagdad, we went to Powell’s, and I bought books I hope to enjoy. Please think good thoughts because I have had some duds this summer and haven’t finished any of them. Here’s hoping these will satisfy: Bergen Evans’s Dictionary of Quotations, Donna Tartt’s The Secret History, and Christoper Buckley’s Losing Mum and Pup. If the latter is anything like the raucous and witty good time of Thank You for Smoking (film version – I never read the book), I think I will like it, despite the slightly morbid subject matter. In any case, it will be fascinating to read about what it was like to have William F. Buckley as a father. I remember watching him on television (Firing Line) as a child, rapt. I never understood a word he said (then, not now, I’ve grown up some), but, boy, did I love to listen to the man speak. He certainly had his own way. Here’s a link to a good example – Buckley in His Own Words.

What more can I tell you? A decaf Americano with heaps of half and half at the Fresh Pot after a satisfying book search (in which there was much discussion about who will buy the book with the cool cover AND remember the conversation if a divorce is ever required) and romp on Hawthorne with one of your best friends in the world is a marvelous way to end an evening out. Marvelous, I tell you.

Oh, yes! Thanks for the comments on the new blog header. I thought it was about time I showed our actual red roof, and I liked the light that evening, so there you go. Have a super weekend!