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!