December 31, 2010

Happy New Years, 2010

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I've spent 26 of my 37 years living in the city of Flagstaff, Arizona. I remember in 2000 when the local residents decided to set-up a 6 foot, lit pine cone to drop, slowly, from the Weatherford Hotel. There was music, lots of families, and freezing temps. I was there with friends and we wandered store to store as we waited for midnight to approach. It may not have been Times Square, and Dick Clark wasn't there to count it down, but it was still memorable. And afterward, there was beer.

December 30, 2009

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There was a time when I would collect wine bottles and glasses, always on the look out for something unique or pretty to add to my collection. Most of them were left behind with a friend long ago and far away, but I really love the idea of these glasses.

December 29, 2009

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Since I was a kid, I've loved fantasy stories, the chance to escape the day to day crap that fills life. I've had friends criticize it as escapist, but I point out that the whole point of fiction is to escape from the normal, everyday world, to leave your troubles behind and explore life from another perspective. If you've never tried it, there are worlds open to you to enjoy. Just step in.

December 28, 2009

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Bethanie Franks, 37, is currently sentenced to the Denver Women's Correctional Facility for crimes that she describes as "drugs, sex, money and men." Thanks to a local non-profit program, Spirituality at Work, upon release she will have both her cosmetology certificate as well as a job, to things that are shown to help reduce recidivism rates for incarcerees. Let's hope she can make the best of a new chance.   

December 27, 2009

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It was today, in 1831, the Charles Darwin would set sail aboard the Beagle, a five year trip that would lead him to posit a theory that has shaped our understanding of biology. Even today his theory of natural selection is misunderstood,with millions of people thinking that, somehow, Darwin meant to disprove the existence of God and nothing could be further from the truth. All he saw was a means by which the most useful and effective traits of one generation were passed on to another. For more information I encourage you to read his work for yourself. It is available for free at http://darwin-online.org.uk/

December 26, 2009

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Stumbling along the Intertubes, I came across this photo of a polar bears encounter with a tethered sled dog in Canada. If you look at the series, it really looks as if this little dog is about to become a part of nature's great "cycle of life", specifically the end. Instead you get this poor bear just looking for a little love. 

December 24, 2009

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The biggest challenge I have each Christmas is trying to find something new and exciting for the loved ones in my life. Aldo Caliro, an Italian craftsman, has hand made a nativity scene that fits on the head of a pin. I may try to replicate that next year!

December 23, 2009

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Today was the day that Vincent van Gogh sliced off his ear, giving the severed piece to a prostitute. One version I have heard is that van Gogh so loved her so much that he cut off his ear to as proof. At the time, van Gogh was working with another painter, Gaugin, and the two were known to argue fiercely about art. Some academics think that van Gogh cut off his ear in anger during one of these fights, others have said that Gaugin cut the ear in a duel over the prostitute. 

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December 22, 2009

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It was 30 years ago that the Soviet Army invaded Afghanistan in order to quell the Islamic opposition to the Communist governments in the area. They stayed in until February 1988. An estimated 1 million Afghans were killed compared to 15,000 Soviet soldiers, according to reports. Is it odd that the United States, who spent so much money to fund the rebels, never seemed to learn? How long have we been mired in the Middle East?

December 21, 2009

The School of Athens, one of my favorite art pieces, is a fresco done by the great Italian Renaissance painter Raphael. It was painted between 1510 and 1511 as a part of Raphael's commission to decorate the rooms now known as the Stanze di Raffaello, in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. While the central figures are clearly the classic Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle, many of the surrounding figures are subject to debate. The question is whether Raphael used classical or current figures in his representation.

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December 20, 2009

It amazes me, the extent to which there are worlds, on Earth, that we may never see. So many places of beauty that are hidden from our everyday lives and must be sought out and explored. This under sea shot captures just a glimpse of what's out there.

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December 18, 2009

Batman has always been my favorite hero, despite his willingness to dress up in tights and hang out with teen boys. While the money may be inherited, the skills and abilities are hard won, and he is what every man could be.

December 17, 2009

I've decided that, since I seem to walk the same path daily, thanks to my tight schedule, rather than have this blog be just pictures of my day, I thought I'd also share things I came across on the web. After all, it's part of my day as well and there are some cool things out there.

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December 16, 2009

I was heading to the light rail station when I chanced upon this scene and my only thought was "Not a parking spot." I'm not sure what happened, there was no visible damage to the truck, the driver appeared uninjured. The only thing I could thing is he tried to dodge someone and fishtailed. Weird sight.

December 13, 2009

He kept standing there saying "hot, hot." I just kept waiting for him to knock it over and his mom having to shell out $90 for a shattered fountain. I always get nervous, taking little kids into a shop filled with breakable figurines. Especially tacky, over-priced Asian knockoffs.

December 12, 2009

On days like today, I really would like to be able to escape to the mountains for a bit. To get away from the noise and the chaos for a few hours and just have some time to myself. I do love the view from the Black Lake trail.

December 11, 2009

Cute, ain't they? Actually, little furry terror's more often, with a nasty habit of eating my plants, shedding on my computer and knowing books off my shelf. I'd be okay is they'd read them, but they just leave them laying on the floor. Stupid animals. The light gray is Minx, the Darker is Bailey and I love them both.

December 10, 2009

Final exams are over. Life is... Wait, what's this? My income tax final has just become a take home? I have until Saturday to get it done? Uggh. I was looking to put this class behind me, for good or ill. Now I have to spend the closest thing I have to a day to myself working on tax questions. Damn, damn, damn.

December 9, 2009

I remember fondly the commercials for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups when I was younger, the variety of ways they found to explain "There's no wrong way to eat a Reese's." Those were the days when commercials were creative and you actually watched TV to see what they would come up with. These days it's all the same recycled crap.

December 8, 2009

Taking the train home from school, as per my normal routine, and saw this family on board. It took me forever to figure out what the heck it was supposed to be! I just kept thinking, "who would make a balloon head brace for a kid?"

December 7, 2009

Last night was the feast day for Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children, sailors, fishermen, merchants, the falsely accused, repentant thieves, pharmacists, archers, pawnbrokers. Wow, that's quite a few people to have to watch over. Nicholas was the Bishop of Myra in the 300's and was widely known for his generosity to the poor, often in the form of anonymous, surprise gifts. He is considered by many to be the basis for the figure Santa Claus (old St. Nick). 

December 6, 2009

I have been a huge fan of dragons from an early age. While browsing around yesterday, I came across this combo of Leonardo daVinci's famous drawing. My big problem is I can never remember where I find these things. So much internet, so little time.

December 3, 2009

When I first moved here, I took the light rail downtown and slid right past this particular piece of work outside the convention center. I have yet to find out who built it or why, but there is something odd about any city that builds a large blue bear in the middle of downtown. Of course, its got nothing on the horse.

December 2, 2009

The Emmanuel Gallery, located on the Auraria Campus, Denver, exhibits work of exceptional visual artists as well as faculty and student artists from the University of Colorado Denver, Metropolitan State College of Denver, and Community College of Denver.Right now they are displaying the work of University of Colorado Denver Bachelor of Fine Art seniors.

December 1, 2009

The countdown begins to the end of the year. As a reminder of warmer days, the Denver area was seeing temps in the mid-60's this week, so we decided to take the youngest to the park and let him run off some energy before getting his siblings. There were a few other kids, but the boy is pre-verbal, at 4, so isn't into socializing, no matter how hard other kids try. He's learning though.

November 30, 2009

It seems wrong to me that every year the retail shops start the Christmas bombardment a little earlier. I love that people get in the spirit of the season, but can it be subtle for once? Can we not put little Santa hat's on brass geese?

November 29, 2009

The next house on my tour of the Ninth Street Park is the Wheeler-Griebling House, built in 1880. This is probably my favorite house on the park, I love the openness of the design, all the south facing windows that really brighten it up. I'm sure the family that was removed from here loved it as well.

November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

November 24, 2009

I'm not sure if I've mentioned that I currently have a bachelor degree in psychology from Northern Arizona University. I suppose that my interest in watching people is part of what spurred me to pursue that degree instead of sticking with business. Of course, now that I've been a counselor, I realize that I should have stuck with business after all, and so now I'm back in school for my accounting degree.

November 23, 2009

Tip of the day: Don't give your presentation in a dark room while standing in front of the only window in the place. It makes it difficult for people to see you and your slide show. Then again since she couldn't get the slide show to work, maybe it doesn't really matter. Thank you to the Scholarship Center and the Women's Studies Center for presenting the scholarship workshop though.

November 22, 2009

I was browsing online and came across this. It felt so calming and peaceful, I just felt the need to share. Enjoy.

November 19, 2009

The punk movement is alive and well in Denver. I can't help imagining that she's listening to Toby Keith or Mozart though. It's always nice to find that one's expectations are wrong when it comes to people.

November 18, 2009

My girlfriend does have something of a green thumb. Well, if you ignore the ivy, which probably never stood a chance. We had given up on the pink ones, which had gotten infested with mites. All summer long they were withered and brown. We figured they were toast when they started growing again, in September. They finally blossomed in October and are still going strong. Wish I could remember what they're called.

November 17, 2009

I won't lie. Her cleavage was what drew my attention initially. I know she saw me checking her out and I noticed her watching me a few times as well. Then again I am 6' 6" and 275. She may have just been scared. I have been accused of being intimidated, while sitting.

November 16, 2009

My chariot awaits. On my way to school, always take the train. Cheaper (especially with a student pass), faster (no traffic to deal with), and I don't have to find parking. You see some strange people occasionally, but you can't beat the convenience.

November 13, 2009

I was walking to the light rail, and the sun was just beginning to rise. The color caught me, held me for a moment and I had to try and capture it. This may even be better than being there, for that moment faded. The sun rose, the clouds drifted off, the cars honked. But for just that one moment, perfection.

November 12, 2009

1045 Ninth Street Park, Denver, Colorado. One a home to Hispanic residents, now the home of the Cooperative Education Center/Internship Center. Another victim of urban renewal. One the upside, if you can prove you're a descendant of the residents that were relocated, you can get a free education. I hear the evidence and paperwork required are extensive. 

November 11, 2009

I was on my way to an internship interview bright and early when I noticed the church with the new high-rise behind it. The juxtaposition of the two, the mixture of old and new, seemed to really capture what makes Denver great. And then I got to thinking about St. Cajetan's church, and realized that it is truly a challenge for planners to hold onto the spirit of the old while building a modern city. Something has to give, I suppose.

November 10, 2009

St. Cajetan's Church is located on the Auraria Campus of Metropolitan State College of Denver. It was built in 1926 as the first house of worship for the Spanish-speaking community of Denver. In 1970, the Denver Urban Renewal Authority used eminent domain to relocate families and businesses from the area to build the college. Many of the structures were knocked down, but the church was placed on the historic places registry in time, and is now used as an auditorium for the campus.

November 9, 2009

The North Inlet Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park is kind of an odd one. Not only is it kind of out of the way, but the first few miles are private property and you have to stay strictly on the trail. On one side is a horse property, which had a for sale sign posted. On the other is cabin site. It was shuttered up when I came through, but is well cared for. I wonder who lives there?

November 8, 2009

A day at the Zoo. With the economy the way it is, everyone in Denver takes advantage of the free days, or at least that's the way it seems from the crowds. In the Feline house, this guy seemed like he was enjoying the attention, and looked as interested in the crowd as the crowd was in him.

November 7, 2009

Found this online, the South Park boys all grown up. I guess there are no eternal children.

November 6, 2009

Well, all signs seem to indicate "Go West, young man!" Do you ever watch the contrails fly over, and wonder where they're headed? Try to map out in your mind what their trajectory is and where they might land hours from now. I think it's kind of cool to know that some of these are probably destined to land in Japan, or Russia, but for just a few moments, they're here in Denver with me.

November 4, 2009

To remind people that Veteran's Day is approaching, Metropolitan State College of Denver got a visit from the American Veteran's Traveling Tribute. A smaller replica of the Vietnam Memorial, they also have replica's of the dogtags for soldiers killed since 1980 in the Middle East and a tribute to the soldiers of the Korean War. It made me think about a line from the book "Use of Weapons" by Iain Banks:

"There has seldom if ever a shortage of eager young males prepared to kill and die to preserve the security, comfort and prejudices of their elders, and what you call heroism is just an expression of this simple fact; there is never a scarcity of idiots."

 

November 3, 2009

One of the nice things about Metropolitan State College of Denver is that it's right in the middle of downtown Denver. The downside is that apparently, in order for the school to expand some years ago, a number of local residents had to give up their homes under the eminent domain law. And rather than just knock down these beautiful, old houses, the college built up around them, leaving a constant reminder that they evicted people for the sake of higher education. Lofty ideals, indeed.