minor snow event

A little snow in the Springs, north and west got more and now its starting to blow.......

Maybe there'll be a snow day in store for the kids tomorrow.  Hard to believe it'll be close to sixty degrees Sat.

All better, well at least better

This would be a very inexpensive costume for the right person.  Gives "take-out" or "delivery" a whole new meaning.

A little wind feature I shot today in Old Colorado City.  There's a big MF storm heading our way so pick up supplies from the liquor store on your way home tonight.

I have been cleaning out closets ect. at the house and nothing can put me in a worse mood then realizing all the useless shit I've accumulated and I how I've stuffed it places it has no reason  being.  I know I have been trying to get my shit together for nearly 30 years now so what's the hurry now.  I'll keep that in mind.

I'll have the exciting hub-bub on the coffin races/parade and Halloween party soon.  c.

I am so down today

so I don't feel like writing when I feel like this so I am stealing a post from Cary at List of the Day http://listoftheday.blogspot.com who borrowed it from somebody who got it from somebody else. Thanks for understanding. And carry on. C.

The Paradoxical Commandments

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.

Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.

Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.

Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.

Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.

Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.

Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs, but follow only top dogs.

Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.

Build anyway.

People really need help, but may attack you if you do help them.

Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth.

Give the world the best you have anyway.

Finally Friday

Trust me when I say I am the Queen of Procrastination. Just the mere thought that I have kept up on this blog the best I have is pretty damn impressive. So when I saw this poster on another blog, I just had a to have it for my own so, thanks.
I know killer picture of a roasting pan. Yesterday when I got to work I had the assignment for Thanksgiving kitchen gadgets. I know, how'd I get so lucky. When I first started at the paper I did mostly studio stuff. After you're at something for awhile you get pretty good at it. That was 15 years ago luckily. I clawed my way up the photo food chain. To some people's chagrin, hahahaha hahaha, but not really if I think about it. I am still where I started on the bottom rung. Woe is me, jokes on me. Anyway the worst thing in the whole freakin' world to photograph is a large stainless steel object. It reflects everything. It's like photographing a round mirror that you need detail in. That combined with the decrepit photo studio that I couldn't even keep a camera sync locked in, well. Anyway thanks for listening to my pissing and moaning session. I was out of practice, everything looked ok except for the roaster but the reporter reminded me it be about a 2 inch photo on newsprint.
Which brings me to the next photo of some regulars of the Royal Tavern getting their coffin ready for tomorrow's Emma Crawford Coffin races in Manitou. I know only in Manitou, a hippy,but blue collar kinda place next door to the Springs. Emma was a resident that died of TB back a 100 years ago and they buried her on Red Mtn. When the rains came down I guess her coffin slid down the mtn. Every year the weekend before halloween, teams of four runners plus a rider in the coffin, dressed as Emma, race up the street a few hundred yards. They run two teams at a time and the best times run again. Most people dress up like monsters, wizards or scarey -ass people. The Royal guys said they know they're not gonna win this year so their theme is for shock value. I'll let you know how shocking they were. They said everyone would be talking about them. Hope they're not naked.

About Survivor. What a great show. We had spaghetti made by moi. Thank you me. The wine sure tasted good and a dull headache this morning reminded me. Anyway, Russell the rasta guy, got all dehydrated after running himself ragged around camp. He put himself in the challenge knowing he was weak, down he went and out of the game, karma for being mean to Shambo, maybe. That Jeff Probst is one caring guy and deserves an Emmy. Oh that's right he got one! No one went home because he left the game, I just wish they would have given Foa Foa the pizza. Man those girlie girls on Galu are annoying.

Can I brag?, well of coarse I can, it's my blog. I 'll be brief and not gloat. Both my kids got straight A's on their first quarter report cards. Mags was excepted to National Jr. Honor Society. ( Maybe that makes up for her fail at the end of her track season, Well, she was sick. As I always say; the only reason to run is if some one's chasing you.) Hope they keep it up. Hope you have a sweet weekend. C.

everyday is a new day

Well I waited and waited for someone to walk down this walkway but no dice. Thought it was a good back drop. BUT NOooooooooo. Maybe another day.

Today my Domke camera bag strap broke. Finally. I was wondering how it would pan out. It was a shredded mess and I didn't dare wear it over my shoulder and it gave out after I photographed this darling nun who turns 104 on Monday!
Sister Ricardis Durst joined the convent just shy of her 18th birthday and never looked back. She's grateful for the life of peace God has provided her. She has no regrets and does not fret about one detail in her life. She lives at Mount St. Frances Nursing Center after retiring at the age of 87. Wow. Clean living. She does enjoy Jeopardy! daily. She said she was really never a physically affectionate person cause her mother had TB when she was little and could not touch her children for fear of infecting them. I think that's why I am not a big hugger/kisser. My mother didn't have TB, but she was not real affectionate with us kids. I think.

Well tomorrow is Survivor Thursday and it could not come soon enough. The cold weather is a little, well depressing. But like Cyn said nothing a good drink can't cure. yay Thursdays.

I am soooo tired

Mags said she was just "chillin' with her girl" last night when she was simultaneously watching TV, petting the cat, and doing her homework.  She's been down with flu-like symptoms and won the fight enough to go to school today after she's was out Monday.  I made her an appointment to check for strep since she had a small sore throat this am, but no fever.  Anyway if this was the swine flu I am glad its over.  G2 hacked all night so he stayed home and has an appointment with Mags this PM.  You'll notice the fish in the background.  I can see him when I am laying in bed.  I always wondering if he's dead since he goes to a back corner of the tank at night.  I guess that's where he sleeps.  Poor Heckle.  That's his name, I guess I should clean his tank one of these days.
These are the candles I got for a bargain at Bargain Mart, $1 each and worth every penny.  They have been a driving force keeping the Denver Broncos strong when they start to crumble.  Thank you St. Jude, saint for the hopeless, and thank you, Seven African Powers for giving the Broncos spiritual guidance and leading them to a 6-0 season so far.
Here's the crew after the decisive win over Rivers and the hated Chargers last night.  Fun time.  Cwapy bought over salmon he caught fishing in Alaska and we had other good stuff like stuffed zucchini and green chili.  Well my prediction about the Bears was wrong.  Atlanta showed up to play and Cutler threw a couple of his gun slinging interceptions, that, and his teammates were relatively worthless led to a defeat..better luck next time.

I have changed my mind about voting yes on 2C tax increase after talking with Noel and Mark.  Seems the city has gotten themselves into a pickle after giving the USOC 45 million extra dollars than they originally agreed.  Guess what?, they now need 45 million dollars now to keep the city afloat.  Listen city administrators: take a pay cut like we've all been doing.  That's the price to pay in a tough economy and the price to pay to live here and look at these mountains from your beautiful Broadmoor homes or full length windows from the 10th floor of the Plaza of the Rockes penthouse offices.  Sorry.

Other than that have a good one. C.

Happy Sunday

This old photo I copied from a facebook album on my sister's wall. Anyway it was at the local watering hole in this small upstate NY town where I lived from age 12 to around 20. Drinking age was 18 at the time but there was no photos on NY licenses so I started drinking here when I was 17 or whenever I was clever enough to change my birth date on the license. Many a' many of night at the Bryant Hotel. Typically drinking beer. Usually we'd get there around ten 'er so and play the foosball table until we got sick of it or we left for a party...so when you drive through a pough-dunk town where ever you are and wonder "I wonder what kids do for fun here?", its mainly drinking/smoking related fun. At least that's what we did. We made the best of it and some, like myself moved on. Wayland, NY, population around 3000, back then anyway.from an email from Buffalo NY Donna,

Cowboy tombstone:

Two things I love the most,good horses and beautiful women and when I die I hope they tan this old hide of mine and make it a ladies riding saddle so I can rest in peace between the two things I love the most.

RULES FOR MEN TO

FOLLOW TO A HAPPY LIFE:

1. It's important to have a woman, who helps at home,
who cooks from time to time, cleans up and has a job.

2.. It's important to have a woman, who can make you
laugh.

3. It's important to have a woman, who you can trust
and who doesn't lie to you.

4. It's important to have a woman, who is good in bed
and who likes to be with you.

5. It's very, very important that these four women
do not know each other

I worked like a DOG in my front garden both Saturday and Sunday. Of coarse, everyone and their fricken mother stops their car to say I should take a break or "it's looking good." I just wanted to be completely unnoticed since I took no steps to personal hygiene before getting dirtier that you can imagine. Yesterday this white-hair, I think she must of been in her eighties with no business driving a motor vehicle, stopped to get directions to the Garden of the Gods which is two turns of about 100 yards and your there. Anyway she couldn't get the directions straight and I said "up a dirt hill" which freaked her out cause she said "how long is the mud hill?" and I said,"don't worry you'll be fine", and I could tell this was too much for her and I wanted to jump in my car and say "follow me " but I was busy and dirty so she probably lost the gusto to drive in the park which means I probably saved a lot of people from doing 10 mph in a 25 mph zone.

Broncos tomorrow night vs Chargers, should be a good game and tonight Cutler and Da Bears take on the Falcons, Bears should win.

Before I forget: Survivor Thursday very fun per usual and good food too,Thanks. Denise's birthday and by far the best gift she got was this plastic cube full of ketchup packets wrapped in a chain with a lock on it. A note inside said something like "open in case of emergencies only" She got a small key to the lock. She is a very, very, very, big ketchup lover that puts it on EVERYTHING even chicken ect. She's said she has run out and made Noel go to the store so she could eat. Funny. Anyway Survivor was the eating gross stuff show and Ashley lost it for Foa Foa cause she couldn't keep down slug guts so she was voted off. I don't think I could of kept that shit down either. I think the leader Russel should get the boot for picking pillows instead of tarps since it's been raining cats and dogs for about a week. He's just arrogant and I can't stand him.

Last night went over to Joe and Sharon's for a very nice time watching the Monterey Pop festival. Very groovy. It was fun to see the bands back in the day. Pete Townsend broke his guitar on stage and and not to be outdone by Pete, Jimi Hendrix humped his guitar then set it on fire. Good music and good friends Friday too as they stopped by our house to play guitar, so good weekend.

Bronco Monday for all local friends stop by..ta ta C.

Just another day in paradise

If you don't recognize the man in this photo. it's because the last time you saw him he had a football helmet on. It's ex-Bronco QB Jay Cutler. I am a self-proclaimed fan of his 1)because I don't think he started the trouble that led him out of Denver and 2) I think he's a tremendous talent, but really does that matter now? I am now a Chicago Bears fan as well as a Broncos fan. (It'd be a pretty cool Super Bowl, jess sayin') Anyway, when he was a Bronco he had this bowl haircut that made him look 12 and that his mom would come to pick him up in a mini-van after the game. He's looking pretty sophisticated now.

I know she doesn't look like a killer but everyone said the same thing about OJ. She is such a sweet thing anyway and warms my heart to have her around the house. If I have to wipe up the occasional little mouse tail and little bird feet, well, I just hope the rodent and bird Gods forgive us.

Looking forward to Survivor Thursday and Denise's birthday celebration. Work is well, can I just say, no I won't say what an ass, no ,my mother told be if I couldn't find anything good to say about someone, keep my mouth shut. Thanks, Mom.

Hello fall or is it winter?

I was out in the fog and drizzle taking some photos today.  It was suppose to lift and big sun was supposed to appear but it was a no-show.

I snapped these in the Garden today....
you can see the fog is not letting the rock show through.
I took at photograph of a city worker raking leaves in  Old Colorado City today.  He said, " Let me try that fancy camera and take a picture of you.", I said "OK" and this picture is the result of that conversation.  Pretty funny, huh?

Well the Rockies blew a lead in the 9th last night.  Disappointing end to a fabulous season.  They should have a good young team come April.

The cat brought in a live bird this morning.  It was flying around in our bedroom.  It perched on my hibiscus tree and netted it with the pond net. The bird flew off, it was very pretty. Rae's such a bad cat sometimes.  I made her stay in for the morning but she's not saying if she learned her lesson or not.

Survivor,NFL Sunday, The Rockies and the 2C tax

First let me get to Survivor before I forget about what it was about. Russell the little troll is still irritating but I guess I see why they chose him. The drama injected into the reality shows is starting to really bother me and I guess this is just another example of producers trying to keep it interesting. If it was just a group of average well behaved people than WTF. Maybe they would just be judged on challenges and social behavior. How boring. (inject sarcasm). Anyway finally the Galu team lost and they voted off Yaz despite her going all out in challenges. She said that the edit of the show made her look way lazier than she was. They kept the weak Monica who will see the door in the near future.

I am a believer. The Broncos are 5-0 after an overtime win Sunday. We were on needles and pins are usual. To win over the cheater Belicheck was fabulous and I'll even give credit to Orton and McDaniels. Good job, the Patriots were a true barometer on how the Broncos are truly faring.

We had the crew over and had wings, chili,fried green tomatoes and soup. We did a lot of yelling and candle lighting. Fun times.

Later on,while watching my Sunday dramas I was flicking back and forth between them and the Rockies and fell asleep. So when I awoke about 11:30 pm I flicked on the game to see the Rockies lose the in bottom of the ninth. Let's see if there's any light behind their eyes tonight. Last chance Rockies go for it.

I took a long walk today in the Garden of the Gods. I am always so bummed out about how over managed the park is. Fences all over, signs all over, you can't even take a landscape photograph with out a f#ckin sign in the background. They don't want people walking off the paths but if people want to they will go off trail and a mile of split wood fence is no deterrent. I am just saying they have spent a lot of money to junk up the place. A lot of city tax payer money. I could go on and on about the mess they've created with the mismanagement of funds and guess what now the tax payers don't trust them. Surprise they now need lots more money just to keep a police force and fire stations manned. They are saying we are in danger if we don't vote in a $400 property tax increase. And when times get fat again no they won't decrease it. I will vote for it but I am reluctant. Let's just vote this peanut gallery out of office next time. Heck, our city manager came from CA where she just walked away from her mortgage and is now being sued by the bank. This was no little rancher like you and I live in this was a multi-million dollar number. We can't vote her out. Cheerio, C.

NFL Sunday and Survivor review

My sister pointed out yesterday I hadn't yet spoke about Survivor yet. I'll blend it later after watching the Broncos and add it to this post. Bears have a bye weekend. Stay warm,stay tuned.

SO SO so glad glad glad....

hey did I say I was so flipping glad it was FRIDAY?

Not that it's been bad or anything but I need a day off from responsibilities beyond, let's say, flushing the toilet or feeding the fish. Here's a video I did for Tamra's PokerStars audition

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULqqUKJC2jc

Anyway check it out and give it a good rating if you want.

Greg goes to the Denver Snowmobile show tomorrow and hopefully he will sell his old snowmobile and trailer so hope for the best and $$$.

Hilarious email from an old friend:

Research confirms that drinking gives you the same benefits yoga does !!!

Malasana
This position, for ankles and back muscles.

Dolphin
Excelent for the shoulder area, thorax, legs, and arms.
Halasana
Excelent for back pain and imsomnia.
Salambhasana
Great excersice to stimulate the lumbar area, legs, and arms.
Marjayasana
Position stimulates the midirift area and the spin

Setu Bandha Sarvangasana
This position calms the brain and heals tired legs
Balasana
Position that brings the sensation of peace and calm.
Savasana
Position of total relaxation.I knew you'd like that, although these folks seems to have more of a drinking problem than you and I. Have a fun weekend and stay warm. Love.C.

Hey i've been busy.

I was on an assignment at Meadowlake, a very small airfield east of the Springs when the guy I had photographed said,"So you want to go for a spin in the plane?." and of coarse I said "Sure", even though I had to pee and had another assignment and I had told Bubs I'd  try to pick him up from school.  But I think this snap of the Garden of the Gods and the Peak were worth being a tad late for things that I could be a tad late for.  
This was the pilot, Charlie Lambert.  He flew fighter jets, I think in 'nam, after he graduated from the AFA and then taught flying at Pete Field so I figured he had the credentials. He flies to Cleveland and other cities a couple times a week for business.  It was a cool ride.
Bubs got new glasses.  He wears them full time.  I went to his parent-teacher conference and he's got straight A's, so now he even looks smart.
This is my baby girl, home yesterday with a fever and a touch of the viral.  She's better now but we've all felt a little under the weather for the past week er so.  I was reminded by her sleeping on the couch of when I was little and was home sick from school.  My mother would bring me a Hawaiian Punch/ginger ale cocktail and make me a bed on the couch and I felt cared for.  I hope Maggie felt cared for.

Another big weekend

Last night we hosted a little dinner party for Tamara and Jones welcoming his nephew Mitchell and Buddy Ben to the Springs for one night only. We all had a fun time and Mitchell proved to have a great talent in his voice and guitar and he and Joe played some songs and we kept an eye on Green Bay VS Farve. Yay for Farve who put up the good fight for a win.
This is the real reason the Denver Broncos won on Sunday. Late in the fourth quarter we lit a few religious candles then a few more to usher in the fab win. On the bear front Jay Cutler did an Elway leap across the goal line for an impressive TD.
This is Greg's big pumkin for the season. It weighed a little over 100 lbs. Next year.........larger?

The rest of these photos are from the Saturday overnight at Noel's and Denise. I'll put a bigger album on Facebook later.
Nina
The gang
The gang 2
Dancing John
Bubs
Eating crab.
Mark and Neil
Our hosts toasting to more good sex.
See that washer form?
Greggie
Noel and Denise
Sharon and Nina
Bubs
Noel cooking
Shayla and Mags having fun.

In case you noticed I am following myself. I didn't mean to do that but I can not figure out how to delete it. So if you know how to delete myself as a follower leave me a comment. I was trying to link my name as a follower with the blog.....anyway going to Loveland skiing tomorrow. First day of the season. C.