denver redux
So. The big Denver Trip. I've had a few days to steep in/on it. Still sorting out the fine details, but all in all an amazing trip. Not for the dancing, either. Exactly what I needed.
Major themes of the weekend:
#1 Minor crises, averted.
Being in the state less than three hours, I managed to lose my drivers license, cell phone, and one contact lense. We found the first two of these, at which point Reuel revoked my right to carry anything important for the rest of the weekend. Miraculously, we found an optometrist less than 5 miles from where we stayed who agreed to give me a pair of trial lenses at no cost for the weekend, so vision was restored not long after losing it.
#2 The Rocky Mountains are beautiful.
A six mile hike between 8000 and 9000 feet elevation is amazing. Simply amazing. The white caps are breathtaking. Throughout the weekend, it was a beautiful view every drive home, watching the Rockies pop up in the distance as we headed back to Boulder in the sunrise. An awe-inspiring quiet. Or quiet-inspiring awe. Perhaps both.
#3 Boulder is equally amazing.
Spring water straight out of the tap (that actually tastes good), progressive, health and environmentally conscious, walking and biking encouraged, the street mall, and the Dushambe Tea House. Did I mention being in the base of the Rocky Mountains? Grad school, anyone?
#4 Great company is always better than good dancing.
Shout out to the housing experience and a rockin' host. It was great. Reuel and I shared a car all weekend with Aleks and Simal, providing some real, meaningful conversation and our fair share of acting like idiots. Things I learned:
Toronto hosts the Rock, Paper, Scissors World Championships. Rock, Paper, Scissors apparently can involve both skill and strategy. Men, apparently, do analyze the clothes women wear. And come to much different conclusions that I thought they would. And perhaps the greatest toast to the future I've ever heard involves being 65 and ... well ... our ability to spit. Leave it at that. Don't follow a girl with GPS. Next time you're on Uganda Street, take a picture so Simal feels loved.
#5 Control yourself in the blues room.
A public service announcement for all those guys who think because a girl is in the blues room she wants to be felt up: She doesn't. Keep your paws to yourself and your penis on a leash. Cage them both if you can't control them. We don't think it's funny.
#6 Stir your drink.
Jack is a lazy man, and settles to the bottom of a drink not properly served. Nothing is more entertaining to your house mates than watching you get yourself buzzed on caffeine for a while and then slam three shots of Jack before exiting the hottub. Memorable lines: "Do me a favor. (sticks butt out) Hold this." and "(barely controlable laughter) Guess what I just did."
#7 long shorts are always a better option.
Unless you want to be called Superman and wear a middrift cape, keep your shorts long and you sense of humor longer, guys.
Here's to a great weekend and a whole new set of memories and thoughts.
Next stop: Canada
Major themes of the weekend:
#1 Minor crises, averted.
Being in the state less than three hours, I managed to lose my drivers license, cell phone, and one contact lense. We found the first two of these, at which point Reuel revoked my right to carry anything important for the rest of the weekend. Miraculously, we found an optometrist less than 5 miles from where we stayed who agreed to give me a pair of trial lenses at no cost for the weekend, so vision was restored not long after losing it.
#2 The Rocky Mountains are beautiful.
A six mile hike between 8000 and 9000 feet elevation is amazing. Simply amazing. The white caps are breathtaking. Throughout the weekend, it was a beautiful view every drive home, watching the Rockies pop up in the distance as we headed back to Boulder in the sunrise. An awe-inspiring quiet. Or quiet-inspiring awe. Perhaps both.
#3 Boulder is equally amazing.
Spring water straight out of the tap (that actually tastes good), progressive, health and environmentally conscious, walking and biking encouraged, the street mall, and the Dushambe Tea House. Did I mention being in the base of the Rocky Mountains? Grad school, anyone?
#4 Great company is always better than good dancing.
Shout out to the housing experience and a rockin' host. It was great. Reuel and I shared a car all weekend with Aleks and Simal, providing some real, meaningful conversation and our fair share of acting like idiots. Things I learned:
Toronto hosts the Rock, Paper, Scissors World Championships. Rock, Paper, Scissors apparently can involve both skill and strategy. Men, apparently, do analyze the clothes women wear. And come to much different conclusions that I thought they would. And perhaps the greatest toast to the future I've ever heard involves being 65 and ... well ... our ability to spit. Leave it at that. Don't follow a girl with GPS. Next time you're on Uganda Street, take a picture so Simal feels loved.
#5 Control yourself in the blues room.
A public service announcement for all those guys who think because a girl is in the blues room she wants to be felt up: She doesn't. Keep your paws to yourself and your penis on a leash. Cage them both if you can't control them. We don't think it's funny.
#6 Stir your drink.
Jack is a lazy man, and settles to the bottom of a drink not properly served. Nothing is more entertaining to your house mates than watching you get yourself buzzed on caffeine for a while and then slam three shots of Jack before exiting the hottub. Memorable lines: "Do me a favor. (sticks butt out) Hold this." and "(barely controlable laughter) Guess what I just did."
#7 long shorts are always a better option.
Unless you want to be called Superman and wear a middrift cape, keep your shorts long and you sense of humor longer, guys.
Here's to a great weekend and a whole new set of memories and thoughts.
Next stop: Canada