DEN - MPS - Iowa: The Holiday Week

While most of the country suffered transportation shutdown due to snow, Denver didn't do so bad, and was just plain old rotten cold. Since last I posted, I've been to a preseason Mammoth Lacrosse game, scrambled to finish most holiday shopping, went to Iowa via Minneapolis and back for the Christmas holiday with family and now back after some delay (of course.....) at airport due to severe fog and "ice pellets" in Minneapolis.

The photo is from 1935. A relative helping unload Christmas trees from a rail car in Iowa.

My favorite news item this season in Iowa is the use of the 18,000 pounds of excess, outdated garlic salt for use on icy roads. This was supplied by Tone Brothers spices of Iowa. Officials mixed the garlic salt with the road salt since there is a shortage of road salt this winter. I think the moral of the story is still "don't eat the yellow garlic snow"! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/23/garlic-salt-de-icing-road_n_153072.html This might be a little known fact that Tone Brothers in Iowa produces well known spices you might use in the kitchen today. http://www.spiceadvice.com/corporate/about_us.html

My luck when I arrived in Denver, there was a Power Outage - why? who knows... The weather is cold and windy, but alas, the power outage impacted the shuttle between concourses. I landed in B concourse this morning and poof - no walking just waiting and yet another travel delay to round out my year - how appropriate!

I did go to see Doubt http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0918927/ and did enjoy it. I had to think about whether I "enjoyed it" for a couple days, but yes, I am glad I saw it. It was disturbing, felt like a boxing match at times in a good way, and provided tough questions on a difficult topic. Now for the lighter movies for the rest of the year starting tonight!

STL: Last Business Trip of the Year

What a trip to round out the year, here to St. Louis, MO on Frontier! I completed my minimum program status for Frontier, and rounded out three airline miles program achievements for 2009 (Hotel program status was met earlier in the 4th quarter for those of you tracking my revenue and booking numbers).

Concluding a good business meeting with Dave Robb here in St. Louis, we drove to the airport in rain. Dave got on his somewhat delayed flight to Atlanta and should be arriving about now at 10:25pm Atlanta time. I, on the otherhand, am still in lovely St. Louis, waiting for that LAST business flight of the year.

The 'one hour delayed due to snow in Denver" Frontier flight landed, and we were told "there's a mechanical issue and we'll keep you posted".....That was about 7:30pm Central. It's now 9:30pm Central as I watch the rain POUR outside at 30 degrees F, just about freezing.....Frontier is deadheading a plane here with parts from Denver. It is scheduled to land at 10:20pm Central with the "parts" for the other plane, and the flight crew will take the "good plane" and whisk us back to Denver yet tonight - in theory. Tomorrow and Saturday are "green days" and apparently all flights are booked with a big thank you to our troops as the various airlines are flying military folks all over the country (I assume my tax dollars are providing this free flight situation in some fashion -not really the airlines, right? How can they afford that? Lower gas prices or something?)

Of course, after sitting on hold with my work travel agency for well over 55 minutes, I booked one flight for a high dollar at noon tomorrow if everything doesn't work out tonight...... Maybe I can take a flight to somewhere WARM if I can't get to Denver.....

I was telling Dave over dinner last night about the blog and how I needed something bloggable from my trip. Wish Dave well and provide him happy thoughts next Tuesday as he's having his shoulder "done" under the scope. Here's to a speedy recovery for Dave and a hope that I will be in Denver sometime before sunrise!

DEN, ORD - Nutcracker, Milk, Jewels!

Over the weekend after arriving home from the weeks travels to Chicago and Portland, OR, I went to see the Moscow Ballet's Nutcracker at the Paramount Theater in Denver. http://www.nutcracker.com/ The performance was dazzling and very athletic. Full of color and humor and awe, the dancers performed on the stage of the old Paramount Theater in Denver. I highly recommend the show if in your area. http://www.paramountdenver.com/

The following night, keeping with old theater theme, I went to see MILK at the Mayan, another old theater, mayan revival style and restored. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayan_Revival MILK was a great film about the first gay activist, Harvey Milk. Sean Penn does a wonderful job in my opinion with the role, stretching his performances like Meryl Streep. I have to give "Milk" a big thumb's up - but wonder what awards it will take at the Oscars.

Arriving home from a quick but FREEZING cold trip to Chicago, I was thrilled to receive on my door step, some fabulous Belgium Chocolates Jewel Collection from a business partner! How glorious to open the box and enjoy the chocolates along with my new diamond, ruby and Rolex set! THANK YOU, you're fabulous :)

It's off to St. Louis and the Gateway Arch! This the last business trip of 2008 (let's hope) :)

FAR: Hotel Donaldson

One redeeming factor of flying into Fargo, ND on the Sunday after Thanksgiving is to be able to go to the Hotel Donaldson, in downtown Fargo for fabulous appetizers and dinner, and have coffee the next morning at the Atomic Coffee Shop. Oh - I guess that was two reasons :) Truly the website says it all - this will change your image of Fargo (mine too). Before the Hotel Donaldson, all I could think about was the movie Fargo and hoped I would not be living it while working there!

http://www.hoteldonaldson.com/

Sorry so short, but at least I posted, right :)

DEN: Thanksgiving, Australia, Slumdog Millionaire

Thankgiving and thank goodness for Hugh Jackman! That was one of the things on my Thanksgiving Day list, along with the upcoming 1-20-09 celebration widely anticipated. Thank goodness for Hugh Jackman in Australia which allowed me to sit through a very long drawn out version of Australia. Nalluh stole the show for me. Sadly, for over 100 years, Australia allowed the Stolen Generations, the children, to be taken from their families.

Thanksgiving was spent with friends. Sarabeth's sister and husband hosted a Thanksgiving day feast with full trimmings, in Fort Collins, CO. We had a great time. On Friday I was able to get out and bike to start to work off some of the stuffing!

Sarabeth and I went to see the play "The Miracle Worker" at the Space Theater in Denver. The play was done fairly well, though the first act was a bit slow. The Space Theater is a small venue, in the round, with moving stage parts which makes it unique and one of my favorite theaters in Denver. http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/nov/26/theatre-the-miracle-worker/

Tonight I went to see Slumdog Millionaire, based on rave reviews from everyone including Carey in West Hollywood who gave it a "two thumbs up" and offered to give me my money back if I didn't like it. I loved it. It's a harsh and heartwarming film. I loved the music and have attempted my first audio with blog posting (top right hand part of the page, hit play) - should be interesting. Put Slumdog Millionaireon your list. It would be fabulous to see the song "Jai Ho", the Bollywood number with singers and kids dancing at the end of the movie at the Academy Awards in early 2009!

Well - stay tuned, it's been fun at the movies this week and it's off to Fargo, ND for work tomorrow...

DEN: Rubik's Cube and Jet Pack Guy

Thanks to my friend Carey's friend Tyson Mao, I am now the proud owner of "how to solve the Rubick's cube" purchased at Barnes and Noble. http://www.rubiks.com/Academy/Rubiks%20Tips.aspx Since I saw Will Smith from afar at the movie premier event for Seven Pounds over the weekend, and since Tyson taught Will how to solve the Rubik's Cube, I am the proud owner - now if I could just get the plastic off the package, I'll get down to work!

This will also be a day to remember as "jet pack guy" Eric Scott took a successful ride in his jet pack over the Royal Gorge Bridge, no parachute included!

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/nov/24/denver-daredevil-use-jet-pack-cross-royal-gorge-to/?partner=RSS

http://www.royalgorgebridge.com/AerialTram.aspx

DEN: Will Smith,Quantum, Bolt and Twilight

After spending a few days between Tulsa, OK, Springfield, MO, San Jose, CA and San Francisco this week, it's off to the movies for me!

First, several of us went to dinner at La Sandia with the best chicken mole in Denver and fabulous tequila bar. Robert Sandoval has a couple restaurants nationwide, including http://www.modernmexican.com/mm.press.lasandiaparkmeadows.htm. It seems he is a good friend of Plácido Domingo who came to the grand opening to listen to the latin guitarists a few weeks ago.

While attending the Quantum of Solace movie at the Colorado 9 UA theaters in Denver, there was an honest to goodness "not associated with the Democratic National Convention Red Carpet event" at the theater! Will Smith was in Denver, at MY theater promoting his new movie - with real red carpet! He was there with a couple Denver Broncos football players, after giving away 300 Thanksgiving Turkeys and stopping at a kids hospital in Denver. Oh - and I LOVED the most recent Bond film, really liked it. Bond was back and was smooth and sophisticated in Quantum of Solace.

I went to see Bolt and liked it. If you like animals, you have to like Bolt. I loved the pigeons the most I think :) Then it was off to Twilight Twilight Official Trailer tonight. I read all four books and lost a week of my life reading them, including lost sleep in hotel rooms on the road and saw the movie tonight. My friend and I went with three twentysomethings and my girlfriend and I loved the movie. The twentysomethings had varying views. The guy thought there was too much romance, but he loved the baseball scenes. One of the girls read the books not once or twice, but three times and was disappointed in the movie.

As for Stephanie Meyer the author, I read "The Host". If you think you aren't really a fan of "Sci Fi" this is a perfect book to get you hooked. I found the book was interesting, an adult read with a little intrigue. http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/thehost.html. I'm looking forward to the sequels...

MAZ, DEN - Sea Turtles and Zengo

While in Mazatlan, we got to release baby sea turtles which I had never done. Quite a nice event late afternoon. We were told about the history of sea turtles and how they go to the sea and imprint on the beach they are released in, coming back to the beach if they survive their first year in the ocean. We each had to name our sea turtles. Mine was absolutely adorable and swept me off my feet, thus his name was Don Juan DeMarco, in honor of Juan for Mexico and Johnny Depp my favorite actor. We watched the turtles trail off into the sunset, and hope to see them next year!

Back in Denver, my friends and I went to dinner at Zengo, created by Chef Richard Sandoval, for some latin asian mexican cuisine. The restaurant group could be considered an upscale "chain" for those of you searching for unique chains as you travel. I would have to recommend La Sandia next time you are in Denver, which is near Park Meadows mall. Yes, we did celebrate my birthday with a fabulous chocolate creation including a sparkler for a candle.

http://www.modernmexican.com/mm.thechef.htm

MAZ: Shrines

Paul Newman was honored in several shrines as was Audrey Hepburn.

What’s on the Altar, and Why?
The picture of the deceased serves to help the soul’s departure from purgatory, if it resides there, or simply to honor the deceased.
Candles represent the element of fire, one of the four elements that should be present on an altar.
A glass of water is used for the soul to wet its lips, dry from the long journey from beyond the grave. Water is one of the four elements.
Fruits and nuts represent the earth element.
Paper flags (papel picado) represent the element of wind and help guide the soul to the altar.
Sugar skulls represent death, an inescapable part of life.
Liquor represents joyful events of the person’s life and encourages the soul to visit its family again.
Copal incense cleanses the surroundings of evil spirits, enabling the soul to enter the home or place without danger.
Different foods are placed on the altar so that the departed may delight in their aroma.
Flowers provide decoration and perfume so that when it is time for the souls to leave they will do so, content with having shared this moment with their relatives.

MAZ - Dia de los Muertos

Alas, an update to the blog! I will update you with stories in random order since the last update 8/28/08. For now, to get me motivated to blog again and keep the masses from cursing me and sending hateblogmail, here we go! I'll need to warm up on the writing again, so hang in there!

I spent 10 days in Mazatlan, Mexico on vacation. I love the annual Dia de los Muertos celebrations. On Saturday November 1, in Mechado Plaza. The center of this area is the Plaza Mechado (Machado Square). On the north side of the plaza is a line of restaurants. Starting from the east end of the block, is Pedro & Lola's, which is an incredible restaurant with live music most nights. The restaurant is named after two famous musicians from Mazatlán. Next is Altazor ars café, which has the best coffee to be found in Mazatlán and offers live music. Finally, at the far end of the block is Café Pacifico which is the oldest bar in the area with atmosphere, a good selection of tequilla, and free pool and popcorn. Pictures below are from the parade.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead

Just off the corner of the Plaza Machado is the Teatro Angela Peralta, built in 1865 as the Teatro Rubio. It is now fully restored after five years of work. Angela Peralta was a much admired opera star from the 19th century who, after giving her only Mazatlán performance, died of yellow fever in the hotel Iturbides, next door to the theater. Her remains now lie in the Rotunda de Hombres Ilustres in Mexico City. Next year, the opera!

Stay tuned for more vacation shots as I remember where I was yesterday on my travels later today to Chicago!

DNC - In Search of Red Carpet and Uniforms

On my way from the Denver airport tonight about 5:15pm, I decided to take a "right" and wandered west on Colfax toward downtown Denver to see how far I could get and what might be going on in the city filled with celebrities, politicians and protesters. (I was in Eugene, OR for meetings, demos, preview of the Ducks season inclusive of a viewing of the Beavers football team arriving at the Eugene airport to fly off to play Stanford this weekend.)
I was on the phone with Marjorie and advised I believed Denver had truly become the NEW Hollywood with all the red carpet, signage, spotlights and such I was seeing - even on East Colfax! I wished Carey were available to coach me on how best to handle this situation and get great pictures!
Hanging up on Marjorie, I jumped out of my car and ran to take a peek at a local establishment next to the Bluebird Cafe. I'm sure someone is having an after party tonight in this area, maybe Sean Penn who was at the Denver Library today with a cast of others discussing Oxfam and Katrina (as Gustav approaches....) (Reports indicate he looked much like the Joker from the recent summer movie. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2008/08/party_time_08_sean_penn_to_rel.html?hpid=artslot; or maybe Ben Affleck will be having a late night poker game here tonight, or maybe Susan Sarandon having a discussion with a billboard person. Ben was in town to play poker and do something for Food Bank of the Rockies. My friend sent this picture she took - too bad I was in Eugene today, I would have been there!

I moved the car closer to downtown, found a lovely parking spot one block off Civic Center park between the City and County Building and the Capitol. (Hope no riots happen in next couple hours or pepper spray events.) I walked toward the music, which turned out to be the Ginger Ninjas, the band who powers their music by riding bicycles to power their musical instruments. http://www.pleasantrevolution.net/

I spotted a small groups of protesters wanting grass fed cows, I think, you name it, they protest it. Collected in a huddle were about 20 SWAT team members. As I walked closer, they seemed to work like a synchronized Olympic swimming team, splitting into threes, then twos then threes and rotating around this park. It was quite humorous.

Continuing on, I went another 3 blocks to the 16th Street Mall created by I.M.Pei. Here are a couple snap shots of Secret Service (were these two getting a hair cut at Sheer Productions???, same suit, pins, ear piece and ties), bike patrol cops, SWAT team combat cops and who knows what else. Every 15 minutes, the sirens would start, 100 SWAT team members would literally run down the mall, and a team of cars and vans would fly at a high rate of speed toward the Pepsi Center. I'm SURE someone really important was in the vans :)

The best viewing was in terms of the variety of Tshirts and Pins I saw. Apparently they were sold out of the Shawn Johnson Pledge of Allegiance pin, the Bruce Springsteen pins, and the Jennifer Hudson sings the National Anthem were still available but going fast....Here are a few shots to flavor the evening.

I have no idea why I can't get this TShirt and "shoes" pin to view itself correctly, so stretch your neck a bit and look.