Every step you take...

Last week I had an appointment with a "client." Later in the day, I received a mass emailing explaining that someone leaving our office had stolen property?! The description matched my John Doe. Get out! I went to a supervisor and together we went downstairs, to security. "You think you know the guy." "Yep, sounds like one of mine..."

We were taken down the security hallway and into the surveillance room. It was the ultimate experience for me. I love to see what is on the other side of a door, or how something works...I want the inside scoop on it all.

Oh my lands! The inside scoop is freaking me out! There were countless monitors all with multiples scenes from within and outside the courthouse. My focus was not on my deviant offender, but instead on the numerous occasions I have adjusted myself, and my undergarments in seemingly "empty" hallways. "Oh my goodness, eh hem, I'm feeling very uncomfortable - you guys have cameras everywhere!" "Ahh, you feel that way now, but if you're ever in a situation when you need help....." I wonder how many ankle and eye rolls security has captured. I wonder if anyone saw me fall down those stairs that one time... no one came to my rescue then. I was relieved to find no images of the bathrooms...I know, I know, but you always wonder.

Since my impromptu tour of big brother's looming watch, I find myself a bit more robotic. With very precise moves. And a temptation to smile for the cameras.

Clouds

...and I would not want to forget to include the delightful time I had in the back seat of the car, on our way back to Colorado, finding things in the clouds. I had the most perfect clouds all weekend. I saw a flying pig, a shoe and Zeus, among other things that I can't remember at this moment. I found it easier to use my imagination after a day in galleries looking at nonsensical pieces or those that stretched my typically logical way of seeing things. These were just pictures from my backseat view....you will not find Zeus in these shots.

Santa Fe

This weekend I took a mini road trip with 2 friends to Santa Fe. I could've stayed so much longer! -More time for the plaza and the surrounding shops, more time on Canyon Road and in the galleries, more time at the spa, not to mention the recommendations of things to be seen outside the town!

Some of the highlights from my trip:

We arrived late on Friday night to be told there was "no room in the inn." The hotel booted us out and gave us directions to another hotel in town, which did not meet the expectations of fluffy beds and a spacious room. Made the most of it and got a couple of free breakfasts out of it (and hopefully a free night).

Went to the churches in town and saw the "amazing staircase." The church reminded me of the Notre Dame - the kind of place where tourism has taken over any hope of worship or reverence. Perused the plaza, where there was a market with lots of things to want to buy: art, jewelry, and fancy hats.

Went to galleries, one in particular was amazing, with a moving exhibit of historical photographs. http://www.monroegallery.com/showcase/index.cfm (We were complaining of poor treatment while on Canyon Road and then we walked into a gallery where a woman asked if we were artists or if we had a collection of work, or wanted to begin one. Imagine! A collection of beautiful artwork....someday! No offense to Christina, of course, who has contributed to our apartment with some of her great works. )

Went to a FABULOUS spa. We started with a private bath - because we couldn't handle the thought of hanging out (and I mean hanging) in a pool of water with naked strangers - where we all sat modestly in our bathing suits, some talking, praying, singing and some silence. Then we made our way to our treatments. I got an "indo-asian massage." So amazing! Hot oil and a powder mixed to a soft scrub and then an herbal wrap, complete with cucumber eye treatment- I've got to figure out how to makes this a frequent experience in my life. The fact that Schelau was laying in the same room naked was almost unnoticeable until it came time for the rinse off - I'll spare details, but tell you it was hilarious.

Ate some great food to include lavender ice cream, yum!

Went to El Foral, a bar/restaurant, and listened to live music by, possibly, the worst band I have ever heard - but got out on the dance floor and had fun anyway!

Who says we're too old for temporary glitter tattoos?

Teller Times

This weekend my dearest friend Stephanie and I spent the weekend at the cabin. Every time I take the hour drive up to the mountains and spend time out of town, I question why I don't do it more. I instantly become drowsy once at the cabin and find that naps are a requirement when spending time up there. Steph is a mom of 2 young boys and so, for 3 years now, we plan a weekend where can just be and hang out. This year, mom invited us to join her at the Teller County Pancake breakfast which supports the local volunteer fire department. After breakfast we went on a tour with the historical society. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but was impressed with what I learned.

We toured the old school house, where they taught from the late 1800's until 1960! It was super cute and just what you'd imagine a small town school house to look like.



We toured a Victorian ranch home, complete with stories of ghosts and murders! The woman who lives in the home is a local historian and has even written a book....I walked through her home, in her bathroom. A voyeur's dream come true.



We went on a tour of the local cemetery with the headstones of icons of the time and sad stories of children dying from the numerous diseases.




Some on the tour were out in full dress.

Fortunately I grabbed my camera - it was a great day to take some photos.

Here's Mom & Me and Mom & Steph.

Sleepy Head

I am so confused this morning. This morning I woke up in the middle of a dream and at this moment, hours later, I am still terribly confused. Did I or did I not take a shower in a garage with a moving door which put me at risk for exposing myself to the co-ed crowd outside? And did I or did I not dig through my bottom drawer of jeans to discover that my younger sister had taken them and now I had nothing to wear? And could this have anything to do with making reservations just yesterday, for a spa in Santa Fe or that I spent time last night with one of my junior high students who was talking about sharing clothes with her sister and not being able to find things that had been borrowed? I’m kind of feeling like the only way to combat this would be to close my eyes for a little bit and try to get some things resolved in my head. That’s not going to happen anytime soon. On my way into the courthouse today, one of the attorneys said, “Wow, you look tired today!” Thanks buddy.

Yee Haw!

So I love this time of the year....the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo strolls into town and for the last couple of years Christina has gotten tickets because of her fabulous job and their affiliation with the rodeo AND she has been kind and generous enough to invite me. Last month they had the street breakfast downtown, on Tejon street. For $5 you get an egg and pancake

breakfast, served up by some of the local army guys, live music and the opportunity to sit on bails of hay. There is a parade (which I missed this year) and a cattle run downtown. I walked out of work the other day and stumbled onto some livestock. It wasn't until I talked to my friend in Seattle that I was reminded it isn't everywhere that herds of cattle are sent down city streets.

My love for rodeos started a couple years back when my dad invited me to join him at the Western Stock Show (which is in Denver every Martin Luther King Jr Day weekend). We check out the livestock and the goods and we go to the rodeo. That year, we just happened to get great seats near where the buckin' broncos and bulls are .... it was perfect and close to all the action. It's a tradition now, and I look forward to it.

I love the romantic idealized cowboy lifestyle, the work-with-your-hands mentality and grass roots feel of it all. The cowboys themselves aren't bad to look at either and there is something about watching a man with a well-trained herder dog, or prize winning bull, or impressive riding abilities that is attractive.

This year mom and dad joined us. The VIP food was great, and the weather (despite threats of rain) was perfect.

5K Princess Warriors

Here we are week #1. (from left: Schelau, Jana)

Woohoo! I did it! We did it! 5 weeks. In a row. 5 kilometers.

Insert tune from My Fair Lady: "They said he couldn't do it but he did it, he did it. They said he couldn't do it but indeed he did!"

The first week, a whole 5 weeks ago, I began with fear - what if it is horrible? Impossible? or What if I don't finish?
The fifth week, on this very night, I began with fear - what if it is horrible? Impossible? or What if I don't make it?

Pasha! It was totally not horrible and we totally made it!

I'll admit the t-shirt ceremony was a little anti-climatical - there were a lot recipients and by the time the T's rolled around, it was old news. There also wasn't a group photo, and I'm not ashamed to say I was looking forward to that. BUT! I did receive my official shirt - a true sign that I did it! Let me just point out (and toot my own horn) that I, a non-runner, at times lazy, and not a goal setter put on game face every Tuesday for 5 weeks and ran 5 kilometers each week...in a row! I am going to say it: I am a princess warrior.

And so I would like to thank:
Jack Quinn's - for the 5k, of course. All the runners who ran by my apartment
challenging me during my denial stage. Bristol Brewing, who makes such a darned good beer that a cold Beehive is totally worth the effort. Apple for creating the ipod - which not only gave me the beats but a handy little stopwatch, as well. All the artists who inspired me to climb the hill - you know who you are. (let us not forget the generous ex-boyfriend who gave the gift of the ipod and the initial anger drive to run). My friends Sarah and Vicki, who have been avid runners for quite some time and were an inspiration. My running (read: jogging) partner Schelau - I wouldn't have done it if I didn't have someone to do it with; thank you for your commitment despite rain, discomfort and pain, and for the knuckle bumps ~ which meant everything to me.

See you all again next week. I'll be the chick in the leprechaun jersey working on a runner's high.