Throwback Thursday

On the Facebook a lot of people seem to like to "throwback Thursday" idea for posting older pictures. I occasionally indulge but not often. Today I thought I'd carry that idea over to Stupie with this tributary picture. Tiff and I's first trip to Colorado together. 

Hike

We joined one of our friends for a hike outside of Golden today. It was great to get up in to the hills and just breathe in the fresh air. The summer flowers and great views were fantastic. As a guy that generally runs through his scenery, I was truly savoring the gentle pace while still giving my calves and quads something to do. A wonderful, fast moving thunderstorm rolled in on our decent. The air smelled of rain and I could not have been happier. Makes me wonder why "take a hike" is often used in a negative way?

Reset

Today is Memorial Day and for me it is a day of transition. I finished my temporary job last night and begin a much more rewarding one tomorrow morning. The segue day was very much anticipated with eagerness. We hit the mountains with some friends and did some hiking on St. Mary's Glacier. It felt fun to hike up and run down in 3 inches of snow while enjoying 70 degrees in shorts and a t-shrt. We had a great meal at our friends house, trying a Thug Kitchen recipe for Red Bean and Spinach Burgers. Not bad. On the home front we relaxed some and took care of some odds and ends while enjoying some fresh juice. Yesterday we picked up a juicer and it has already become a great addition to our kitchen and diets. A wonderful walk with the dogs and now some tea and vegan ice cream and I am officially a happier camper. Tomorrow I jump into an exciting new position and today I did almost everything I know to do to reset myself to a happier place. 

Adopt

After a little consideration I decided to change my plates from the beloved green and white traditional colorado plates. I chose the Adopt a Shelter Pet group as I have become increasingly aware of the plight so many animals face. It's shocking and I won't do the disservice of trying to relay facts I am not well versed in. The bottom line is there is never a need to purchase an animal from a store or even a breeder with so many pets available RIGHT NOW that need help. There are more rescues that homes for them and their stories can get outright overwhelming. They need all the help they can get and even if my modest fee from my plates doesn't go very far, I hope the message will.

Go Left When You Hit The Wall

As of late the impulse to stay in and try and make head way on a current challenge has been tough to shake. Every waking hour feels as though it should be dedicated, especially with no running at the moment. That is obsessive thinking and I know it all too well. The results are always the same. The productivity is the same over several hours as it would have been within but a few. The frustration, exhaustion, and overall negativity is however much higher. Sometimes the best action, is counter intuitive.  Thusly, it was extremely healthy and recuperative to just get out today.

Thanks Tiff!

Take a Hike

We hit the hills today to hike with some of our friends. It was just flat out fun to get up into the mountains. Today we had a few long walks a good run and then a nice two mile hike up the muddy, snowy mountains. I always apreciate going that much further.

Riding Colorado Winter

I am thrilled to have the bike back and running smooth. It's a little tough to be considerably far from most places to ride, but I have a couple of the most desirable spots within quick rides. I can get to the gym, a coffee shop, a couple decent quick bites and occasional sushi. That allows for a few good rides. I am also looking forward to stretching the distance some and ride out near the runways by DIA and the Platte River trail towards downtown.

The cold wasn't too tough either, although it is a very different cold from Chicago. I am thrilled the layering tricks from the Windy City worked so well. Despite a considerable higher temperature, I was warm and not hot.

It just felt like freedom being out whirling down the dark road on two wheels. I don't know how to explain it, but a lightness follows me on my bike out  on the open road or trail. The same comes from being out on a run longer than 10 miles. It's impossible to describe, but it is fantastic.

Scottish Irish Festival

We made the pilgrimage to Estes Park today to partake in a long standing tradition, the Long's Peak Scottish Irish Festival. Truly a great day to be in the mountains with frieands and great music all around. Food varied from amazing to the I tasted that on a dare. None the less, it was a great time. Plus we got to see Albannach, Brother, and Seamus Kennedy play. So good!

Colorado Anew

Tiffany's parents are arriving tonight to see us and our new house. It will be exciting to show them what we affectionately call home now. They have not been to Colorado much and it will be great to show them around. The best part about visiting friends and family is getting to show off the best you know of around you. The next few days should be fun and it will be wonderful to see them.

Let's Get Outta Here

The most used line in movies is, "let's get out of here." Makes sense, being versatile enough for Gone With the Wind as well as Aliens. It also seems handy as it's such a wise sentiment. Tiff and I suddenly found ourselves with mutual days off this weekend and a raging need to get out of town. She found a fantastic, eclectic B&B in Frisco, CO called the Frisco Lodge. With more than ironic reservations we headed up to see if this was a great idea or a horrible one.

Turns out the folks at the Frisco Lodge were amazing and we had a fantastic trip. On the spur of the moment rented snowshoes and headed up the mountain. Snowshoeing in shorts is awesome, by the by. If only I had my Utilikilt!


It was most beneficial though for our spirits. We just needed the change of scenery and with the Colorado Rockies at our doorstep, it helped to get out and enjoy them some.

Home Ice

It doesnLt seem possible to still be surprised at a days events and yet today is one of those days. This morning Tiff and I went to Reunion to get an idea on the finishes we want in our home. That alone was wild. Now I'm sitting at the Pepsi Center to see the Avalanche play. Mom is here too and it's exciting as hell to see them as the HOME team. Little by little, Colorado is feeling more like home. The odd part is no step has felt familiar.

Company Man

Needless to say, there have been more changes over the last couple weeks than I can hope to catch up on them all. To me, it feels like one minute I was riding my bike through Chicago subzero snow to my server job with time a plenty to send out headshots and go running. The next I am commuting in my Jeep to a job I wear a tie to, admiring the Rocky Mountains and scrambling to get in my training runs. It all happened so quickly. Tiff and I are for the most part settled in our suburban oasis and beginning to explore the new town around us. I realized that while I lived in the Denver area once, it has not been for 15yrs. I left Colorado in 2000, but was a full time Ft Collins resident when I left. Additionally, I have changed my views a little. When I left, big chain restaurants were great, driving even three blocks was normal, and I had a frustrating tendency to be talking with police for something or a another.

Things have changed.

It's good, but it's hard to remember how new all of this is for me now too. I am face to face with that fact everytime Tiff asks about something or another. I mostly just know how to get there. It's fun to learn, when I have time.

As for the now, we are proceeding with wedding plans full steam. The date has been picked (I think), and if you don't know it yet, we have not announced it fully so hang in there. I am in the taper period of training for Minneapolis' marathon on June 6th. The bike is almost road ready after some serious degunking from Chicago's winter.

Life is settling a little on one hand. On the other, exciting events are being planed. It's good.

Back from the dead

It has been a whirlwind of a month and I am glad to get back to posting. I flew out to Chicago to get Tiffany and the truck on April 24th and we hit the road after an incredible helping effort from some friends on April 26th. It was fun to get our truck right next to Wriggley Field for our big move. On April 28th, my folks helped us move into our new place and Josh came all the way down from Casper to help out with a couple of the big things. We settled in some and then I went to work for the next 8 days. This last weekend was my first one off in a while. We hit the mountains and did some stuff with my Mom last night. All in all, there is a vague scent of normalicy starting to take. I will be up here a bit more now that we have internet. Cheers for now.

As it goes

Sitting right in the middle of the stretch between leaving my last apt and moving into the next is odd. In some ways, it feels like I am in Colorado on tour with Caldera and will be returning shortly the the Windy City to resume life as normal. Then I look at how many clothes I have here and remember, no this is the first wave of relocating back to Colorado. I also look at the dress shirts and ties in the closet. They are definitively not Caldera wear. If that was not enough, Estes (the Westie, wombat) demands some attention. then there's Tiffany's car in the garage. It all adds up to remind me, I am here to stay.

Work has been good. I am gradually learning what I supposed to be doing in my new capacity. I am not used to being so responsible at work. Usually, I tend to what I need to get done and how I can best facilitate the over-all goal. Now the over-all goal is more my job. I am glad that, while the doll house may not have been first on my list to relocate for, the people so far are top notch. I have rarely felt so appreciated on such a consistent basis at work. Especially for a job I am still getting the hang of. This is pretty different for me. I set up my voice mail last time I was at work. I have never had voice mail before.

Hell, I've never had a job with a chair before.

Mile High Update

So, I've done a lot of different jobs over the years, but routine business hours I have not done. As sad as it may sound to those of you who have been doing this for years, 8-5 wearing a tie and working 5 days a week is new to me. I have been friggin' exhausted! That being said, under the circumstances of preparing for the store's grand opening, it has been new to only work 8hrs a day. Plus I have to take lunches too! Weird!

All that being said, I wanted to try and sneak in an update on the big Western transition. It does not feel real yet for a couple reasons. The biggest one is that Tiffany is still in Chicago. I have our puppy here, but without Tiff, it simply feels like a visit. Between the last 5 week tour and this stretch, I am not interested in spending any more time apart for a long, long time. The other reason this feels odd is that I am staying with my folks. Routine for visits, but as far as moves go, it has suppressed the "I'm here" feeling. They have been extraordinary help with Estes and giving me less to try and focus on while my job has been so demanding. I am very grateful.

I have been struggling a tad with an age crisis though too. It feels very strange to suddenly be on the same roads as I was in high school going to work. There is a part of me, much like most of us I imagine, that is faced with my adolescence and find myself saying stupidly, "I"M AN ADULT NOW, DAMN IT!" No on is suggesting less, I just feel it my head kicking that one out routinely. Weird, yet again.

The running has been going well, but stress smoking has probably limited what it could be at. I miss the bike and look forward to moving into our new place to see if that can be an option again. Hills here are a little more prevalent than in Chicago. That is where I am at now after nearly 2 weeks. I work this afternoon and have thoroughly enjoyed having a morning I did not have to do the morning shuffle!

Colorado!

So the big news is that we are moving to Denver. I thought I may have more time to discuss it prior to this point, but as it turns out, time was less available than I could have imagined. Long story short, at the tail end of my last tour out here I received a call to come in for an interview with my current employer in Chicago's new staff here in Denver. I expected nothing as my job did not exist in their new location. What I was not anticipating was a really good offer and a frighteningly short time till starting. After discussing with Tiff, we decided to go for it.

That was three weeks ago. As I write this now, I am already here in Denver and just finished my first day. Our puppy is here too having bravely surviving the longest car ride of her life. It seems surreal. We have an apartment we get to move into mid-April. Tiff is wrapping up her job after their big March month of work and joining me in a moving truck late April. It won't truly feel like home till she gets here, to be honest.

Thus begins a new chapter. For those well acquainted, you may be amused to hear I now wear a tie to work. To quote A Clockwork Orange, "horror show indeed."

That New Familiar

It has been a whirl wind trip to Colorado. Caldera rarely offers me less. When all was said and done, I put in about 23 days of straight work with a stretch of 5 days over 12hrs each. I am glad for the work to be sure, but was a shade dizzy after. We went to Palm Desert for a few days and I was given a premature case of spring fever. Felt great to get out for a couple runs without 12lbs of clothing.

The trip to Colorado has also led to some opportunities I am still working out with Tiffany. My head is spinning from that as well, but what I do know is that these are all good issues to have. Updates in those areas will follow when they are better discussed.

For now, I know I have enjoyed the crisp air, the sore muscles, the laughter from good friends, and the new ink gracing my ankle. I am forever reminded that I ran 26.2 miles last fall in Chicago and have every intention to continue as long as my legs will allow.

From Denver International Airport with love, Captain Stupie signing off.

The grind

I have been in Colorado doing work for Caldera for a week so far. I have not had a day off since starting and am not sad about that as this was a trip for work. It is funny though how little I seem to have time for when not working. I am loving being out here, but definitely missing Tiff and Estes. This some fun work most of the time I must say. I mean, how often at your job are you asked to stand in for a Bond girl?

Good times, just weary.

Where the hell have I been?

I regret the tremendous silence as of late. I have been on the go. Mostly the three readers I have are well aware of my travels of late, but on the off chance you have been waiting for an update, allow me to clear up the last several weeks. Caldera work picked up over the last month or so. Starting before I left Chicago on Feb 7th, I was busy everyday producing renderings for events in Orlando, Phoenix, and Colorado. It was tremendously satisfying to have artwork to do while my waiting tables gig was drying up due to season and economy. Side note, $5 is not a tip unless your bill is in the neighborhood of $10. The person bringing your food is not doing it for satisfaction of serving you or the hourly wage divided among the government and runners.

Yet I digress. On the 7th, I boogied to Colorado and quickly thereafter hopped in a huge truck to convoy with Scott to Phoenix for the NBA All-Star game. See the above picture for a glimpse of part of that drive. Caldera was subcontracted to handle to players gala the night before the game. We put in some long hours n the road and in the convention center, but the result was great. I was particularly proud of the step and repeat banner that the VIP's had their photos taken in front of as that design nearly killed me and my computer.

We hustled back to Loveland and arrived at the hanger we were transforming into a black tie event the next weekend at the same time as the trucks returning from Orlando. All three trucks unloaded there and we commenced to working longer hours to achieve the stunning result on Sat. night. When all was said and done, we put in 85 hrs that week.

While striking that party, we carefully set aside the gear for another party the following weekend for Northern Colorado AIDS Foundation in Ft. Collins. At this point, most of our gear had not even made it all the way to the shop before being deployed for its next event. We also finally enjoyed our first day off that week. It was a blur.

The party in the Ft. was great and ended up utilizing 5 truck loads of furniture and gear. We struck that as soon as the party was over and around 3am, we were finished. When I signed out I logged 105 hrs for those two weeks. Needless to say I am sore and tired.

Now within this time, there has been inquiries into relocating to Colorado, planning a wedding, dealing with a home robbery in Chicago. I will go further into those aspects soon, but for now I have to wrap up and catch a flight back to Chicago. There is a girl there I am dieing to scoop up and hold.

Till next time.

Colorado?

I am sitting here in shorts and a sleeveless shirt on an extraordinarily warm Jan. day in Colorado. This is bizarre to say the least. Tiff and I came out for a late Christmas with my family last week and since I wait tables, I had no work to go back to till the next weekend and opted to stay out here the week. It feels strange to be back again as I just came out last week for a quick shoot for the Colorado Lottery. Lo and behold I am back again. My agent here has another audition for me this afternoon. Caldera has a ton of work coming up that will have me in and out of Colorado most of February. I keep wondering if it might just be time to come back. The profit margin for all these jobs would be better without having to pay for a flight each time. I have several friend that have come home (here) and are finding work. Tiff says she is on board to move here, but the question has always been when. At the rate of work coming in, I am reconsidering this April as a potential option. It still feels like a long shot, but as Tiff and I just agreed, moving often ain't too fun. We'll see.