Dushanbe, Tajikisthan - Boulder, Colorado

So once more, we were fortunate enough to have a nice day - but it was so windy I thought it was ripe conditions to create a tornado (thank God, nothing happened - it was just windy!) Yesterday, I decided to invite a visitor from my main office (back East) to go to Boulder - several people have told me about a very "peculiar" tea house there that was imported from Tajikistan - mind you, the whole entire building was imported!

As part of the "sister cities" program the city of Dushanbe, in Tajikistan decided to build Boulder a tea house - it was built, then, dismantled and the whole 9 yards was sent here to Colorado.

Today, when I got in, I heard some folks asking about the history of the place - what I overheard saddened me very much. According to one of the waiters, the tea house was sent over with much fanfare - just to be stashed in some warehouse for years....years...and then finally it was put together in the late 90's - If I worked there I would be supremely ashamed of admitting to that story!!!

Granted the building is an absolute work of art - highly decorated interiors and exteriors - just plain beautiful... now for the tea being served there...I can not say is bad...it is hideous! I did not try the food, but if it is comparable to the tea - It'll be a waste of time - also, there was a ridiculous wait time - 45 minutes for two people (just a bit too much!)

I highly recommend going in, taking a peak and snapping some photos. Your better off somewhere else for tea and food.

Enjoy the photo.

The Braodmoor!

So... yes I managed to get to the Broadmoor last weekend. We were blessed with very nice weather and I decided to invite a neighbor from my condo complex - like me, she also moved over here from Europe. It was a very pleasant drive and we got to the Broadmoor with enough time to do a bit of walking around and then we partook in the Sunday brunch. If you are ever in Colorado (close to the Springs) I highly recommend this brunch (if you go, you have to try the Cheese Blintzes! - they're just awesome!) It was money well spent and we had a good time. Enjoy the photo (from my iPhone, BTW!)

Old tech still works...

A few days ago I read an interesting article about the "lost" art of wet shaving. It was a very interesting article, as it pointed out the marked differences between "modern" vs. "old" shaving methods and techniques. The article cited several guys and how they swore by their safety razors & straight razors. I took a quick look in Amazon (where else?) and I was very surprised that these "accoutrements" were still available. Making a long story, short - I placed my order and got the whole "9 yards" via Amazon. Today was my "first" shave experience with a "safety razor" (the straight type seemed a bit dangerous... in my hands!)- I researched other articles and videos (on You Tube) and decided to take the plunge - I will never ever again use the disposable type razor blades. This safety razor shave was by far the absolute best I've ever had! As several articles and videos point out, it takes time and practice to master a good, close shave - I consider myself lucky that I nicked myself only one time - not bad for an amateur!

So... now I'm the proud owner of a Merkur "Heavy Classic" - a great investment! I highly recommend it.

Snow strikes the Denver area!

Oh well, it had to happen! something tells me that this will be the "big one!" (break out the flamethrowers!) Snow hit my neighborhood this morning, and it looks like it's here to stay for a few days.

I want to make it to the Broadmoor before I leave Colorado - so I guess I need to be looking for spots of sunny days with no snow...yeah, I can hear the "Good luck buddy!"

Santa Fe anyone?

So...Yes, I've been neglecting this blog again! shame on me! (meh!) ...but I'm back with news, photos, and improved things! (oh my!)

This past September - the 2nd week to be specific - I took off a few days and decided to go to Santa Fe. Why the Hell not? I Googled the distance and time using Goggle Maps and found that it was only 5 1/2 hours away (via highway.) Then, I debated if to jump on my trusty Aprilia Mana to do the trek - I am glad I finally decide to use my car - it was a looongggg trip. On the way, I saw other brave souls from out-of-state that decided to travel on their bikes (better you than me, buddy!) To make it clear - I'm not a very experienced bike driver - the longest I've been on my bike is about 2 hours... I could feel it next day!

Anyway, I decided to stay at the Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza, to be close to the "action" - I quickly found out that Santa Fe continues to be a small sleepy town. My idea was that it was part of a bigger city...you know, kind of a histotic sector and then the rest of the "bigger" town - no such thing here, no siree-Bob! after 6PM or so, they roll up the streets and go to bed! Nothing wrong with that - I found it kind of charming for a state capital. The Labor Day weekend started the 400th anniversary of the foundation of the city.....waaaay back in 1609 intrepid Spanish explorers based out of Mexico decide they needed a change of scenery so, off they went to the North, in search of new lands - and on the way - creating the "Camino Real" or "Royal Road" linking the older territories with the newer ones. The Spaniards made it as far north as Oregon (and there are some records that they later on found Russian settlers close to the Alaskan border.)

Anyway, enough with history...enjoy the scenery.

Motivational Video

I recently went to a conference where they showed this very motivational video:




It is one of the best ones that I've seen so far! My favorite parts: "the pain train is coming!" and the slomo bit. Love it!

JLC Atmos Regulator for Alfred Dunhill - Acquire

JLC Atmos Regulator for Alfred Dunhill - Acquire

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Oh by the way... did I mention that this would make a nice birthday, Xmas present?

Good manners?

Hey all y’all out there….if you were born 2 April - Happy Birthday & Congratulations!
As I “celebrate” my b-day here in the Great State of Colorado I ponder on some (more often than not…) random thoughts. I am absolutely amazed at how what is considered civilized, good manners in a country, can change over time. I spent a decade and a half outside of the States before semi “settling-in” here in Colorado. At first I was very apprehensive about moving back to the States...but after all, I thought...I’m an American, so I should go back to my country - so I did, I took the “big plunge” and moved back here. All my friends and acquaintances told me: “Oh, the Midwest..so nice, charming, and the “folk” over there are so nice…” My first year here, that seemed to be the case...everyone was very nice and well mannered...two years later... in my humble opinion, it looks more like a “doggy dog World” - “You! Get out of the way, because me, I, & myself are more important than you...and we have no time to waste!!! F… off” and all that lovely jazz!

I’ve always heard that the people in New York are the rudest in the Nation. Who knows? Maybe I should move there and I’ll find more mild manner “folk” than here in the Mid-west! The “natives” here in Colorado keep blaming “those people” from California and Texas… that excuse can go so far...

It's all about teamwork!

Yesir! Teamwork! Teamwork! Teamwork! Teamwork!

Kitty fixes printer

...too funny!

Aaaaarrrggghhhh!!!!