It Was Her Recording Herself Whisper

I'm a pretty lucky lady.
I realize that I should make note of this far more often than I do.
I'm surrounded by amazing people and, on a regular basis, get to do amazing things.

Miriam is one of those people.
This weekend was her birthday and we went out to brunch to celebrate.

We went to Parallel 17!
$12 all you can drink guava mimosas and lychee bellinis!

They also have an insane french toast...

And they brought it out all lit up!

We agreed, because we were both so tired and filthy, to wear our sunglasses indoors.

We met these guys.
They were precisely what you might think they are.
The one on the right had a European man purse.

Best graffiti I've seen in a while.

So, later that day, I had a date with Baby S to see Xiu Xiu at the Hi-Dive.
I've had a long standing love of Xiu Xiu - Jamie Stewart has created a lovely catalog of breathtaking music and I was excited to see them again - I hadn't seen them since I lived in Missoula.

TUNE YARDS opened up for Xiu Xiu!

I'd read a few articles about Tune Yards - the Westword featured them here.

And Jessica Hopper talks about her here.

But you don't know what you're getting into until you see her - and I encourage you, if she's coming to your town, to get your ass to her show.

The music is complex and bright. She loops her voice, harmonizing with herself, and her spirited singing creeps into you.
You find yourself dancing, laughing, and falling in love with her.
Her sense of humor coupled with the ease of her talent just makes it joy to hear her.

I would have bought her album...if the cash machine at the Hi-Dive hadn't been broken.
But I can guarantee you, Tune Yards is about to be my summer jam.

Xiu Xiu is something that one must be present to experience.
Yeah, if you were to listen to it, you'd get that it's intense, but live is something different.

Jamie Stewart has a presence...it's quiet and fierce and scary.
His lyrics explore dark corners and make you nervous and uncomfortable, but his delivery is breathy and delicate and you're drawn in without being able to help yourself.

He's pretty handsome too.

Xiu Xiu has had more components, but lately it's been stripped down to he and this lovely girl Angela.

Their set up is complicated - with electronic gadgets, lots of percussion, keyboards, guitar, and a plastic box filled with noise makers and bird calls.

And when they take off, you're immediately engaged not only in the sound, the subject matter of the music, or the composition, but you take in the process too.

A wild combination of restraint and volatile expulsion.

There's been a great deal of talk about their most recent video for their title track song, 'Dear God, I Hate Myself'.
In the video, Angela forces herself to vomit while the song seems to narrate her violent purging. It's gross, terrible, and lovely too.
Here's the link, if you're interested...

When they finished...I didn't really know what to do with myself.
The sound is unreal. You can dance to it, but you probably don't want to.

You probably should just find some place warm and comfortable to internalize what is happening to you.
Check it out. It's worth it...
And it will make your music collection look pretentious!

Later, I met up with JBrick, locked my keys in my car, hugged the locksmith Geico sent out to me, and then fell into bed knowing that I'm living the awesome life for reals.

In My Mind, This Is My Free Time

A glimpse into what may or may not be going on...

Team No Bueno.
More pics to come, I promise - but know that we, apparently, aren't very good.
It doesn't mean we won't be...but Christ, those t-shirts.
What is that? Grellow.

Spencer added this sweet kitten app to his phone.
We're both obsessed with it, but I guess most people don't even bother feigning interest.
Spencer says anyone he's shown it to immediately balks disinterested.
Weak.

The Wine Seller, people!
Corner of 6th & Pearl!

We had a wicked crazy snow storm this Wednesday.

It was weird and beautiful.

And as soon as it arrived, it immediately started melting.

But not before putting the hurt on saplings...

And really big hearty trees too!

This is on the north side of my building and I'm sure my property manager was breathing a HUGE sigh of relief that it didn't cause more damage than it did.

Baby S and I celebrated some progress he made on his dissertation by hitting The Living Room on Colfax.

Go there because they have a decent wine selection, but more so...it's just cool in there.

GO TO THE FAINTING GOAT!

This is what Baby S and I named the Irish Surf & Turf.
We split a Patty Melt and Fish & Chips.
It was perfect.

After dinner, we went to Mo's of Denver!
Click the link - because this place is great! Yes, MO'S.

Look! I have a new fave person! Her name is Jessica and she's a brilliant new lady friend! She met Baby S and I with no qualms about not knowing either of us in the slightest.
Let's hang heavy JBrick! You're rad!

This, my friends, is The Goddess Duane!
This fine specimen of a human being is rockin' it gorgeous and fierce down at Mo's of Denver doing some 80's Trivia!

I think you should go...for two reasons:
One - because Mo's is awesome!
Two - because Duane is funny as fuck and you'll be hooked the moment you encounter your "hostess Goddess Duane dressed as that lovable alcoholic and lesbian Mrs. Edna Garrett".

Adorable bartender.
Pretty sure I got this hug out of him by telling him he looked like Coady Willis from the Melvins, Big Business, and the Murder City Devils.
He was receptive.

Favorite person + new favorite person = DREAM TEAM!


Also, did I mention the clientele & staff at Mo's are pretty much the best looking finest peeps on the planet!?

No doubt...dreamboats.

We're having adventures...
Please don't hesitate to contact us to join in the fun!

You Say Look Up, Look Up!

If you've never been to Denver...it's a rockin' good time.
I've managed to fall in love with it.

If you do live here, you probably love it like I do...or you're, at least, a little fond of it.
But your familiarity should never convince you that you've seen it all.

Because you haven't.
There are nooks, crannies, secrets, and little pockets of awesome just waiting and wanting to be seen.

Um, a robot with a taco for a head?
Yes, thank you.

So, in an effort to further explore my city...I decided, on the suggestion of Steph, to go on a nighttime photo walk with Illuminate Workshops.

Check out their website because it's filled with cool classes, interesting instructors, and all around kind talented people working to encourage photographers to explore their skills and their environment.

I am, by no means, a photographer.
I like to document my adventures...and if I capture of cool pic or two...I figure I got lucky.

Steph, however, is a photographer and she learned some new tricks and renewed her enthusiasm about photography!

And basically, we just wandered, we took pictures, and we commiserated on good spots, unique patterns of light, and spread out all over the city to capture it.

If you don't know where these places are...I suggest you go find them.

Fall in love with where you're at because you here right now...and it's pretty.

Be a tourist. Try to see it all with different eyes.



Find the secret hearts.


Find the not so secret hearts.









It was the day of the St. Patrick's Day parade...and LoDo was sort of a shit show.

Still, the city can be pretty quiet and austere if you give it a chance to be.





I always look for the crumbly parts of the city.

Lucky number 23.




And when you're done exploring...Go to Steuben's!

I love this place so much!
Their menu consists entirely of comfort food...of the very best variety!

Their cocktails are brilliant.

And honestly, it doesn't hurt that the bartender is a dreamy handsome, bearded, tattooed, smart (he schooled us on some bartender history), and seriously killer mixologist.

The fried cheese doesn't hurt a thing either.

Steph and I split a fried chicken dinner...and still had leftovers to take home!

Little Miss Broken Wrist.

And little ole me...
Drinking a Dark & Stormy!


Keepin' it cute...as per uzje!