Exhibit Darfur, Denver

Last night I had the privilege of attending the opening evening of the Exhibit Darfur at the Ditto Gallery located at 12th and Speer, right here in Denver. I had no idea we had such brilliant activists right here in town...little ole' Denver.

I understand that this exhibit was put together in one month. Not just the exhibit, but the opening evening's reception, which included our Govenor speaking, and various other artists and activists, educating Denver on the atrocities occuring in Darfur right now.

The exhibit included the photographs of Mia Farrow, Brian Steidle, Izabela Lundberg, and Aaron Cohen, all true to the plight of Sudan as they shared the horror that exists within the country today.

The exhibit displays visually the tragic impact of war and genocide in Darfur by Steidle; the reality of slavery in the Sudan by Cohen; Sudanese culture and life in refugee camps by Farrow; and the hope of Darfur survivors in the U.S. by Lundberg. One of the most impactful sights was the drawings by small children of Sudan depicting bloody gunfire spattering into homes and innocent bystaders of Darfur. The concentration camps, or refugee camps as the government is calling them, are implied "safe areas", yet these camps are isolated in the middle of nowhere with no food or water resources.

gen·o·cide pronounced [jen- uh- sayhd]

–noun
the deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group.

The Ditto Gallery did a fine job of hosting this informative and socially relevant event, and the groups which sponsored the event have made available a tremendous amount of information for the public. Please take the opportunity, pop into the gallery and check out the exhibit, it is an eye opening experience.

For more information, check out these resources:
http://www.savedarfur.org/page/group/DENVERCOALITIONTOSAVEDARFUR

http://www.beyondintractability.org/case_studies/Darfur.jsp?nid=5101

But whatever you do, Be Conscious, Be Aware!

DNC Denver 2008, sights, sounds and symptoms

Denver has been lucky enough to have the presence of the Democratic National Convention grace our fair city this summer. In an election year abuzz with media pressure, anxiety amidst a war, and at the very least, hope; here we are politicians - show us what you got.


Being from Missouri originally, I'm still a firm believer in "You've got to show me".


The city is bursting with energy. New faces are all over the downtown area. Judging our city. Taking in the beauty of Colorado; some for the very first time. Everyone with their badges proclaiming them great enough to walk the streets - our streets, for a cause. Do us proud Dems!

As I parked downtown, I looked up to see the solemn face of Barack Obama, Democratic Presidential candidate. Graced with the mountains of Colorado as his backdrop, a vision of hope for our state as well as for the country in the upcoming 4 years. Then as I walked along the streets of downtown, I saw his face everywhere, in storefronts, on T-shirts, on doggie sweaters, everywhere. I thought, people are really looking towards the convention as well as something new.


Barack Obama represents change in this country for many reasons, and seeing his face 10 stories high facing the Denver community speaks volumes. The DNC has opened it's minds, and hearts to the hope that Senator Obama has brought to the table this presidential election year. We welcome Obama, and we welcome the Convention to our city.

As with any major event in any major city, with the good also comes the negative. The protestors, the police with billie clubs, the raging lunatics; everyone comes out to be a part of the energy that brings people together. I must say I am rarely shocked, and some of the sights that I witnessed downtown were just plain shocking, and I realize that this is the point - to parlay their propoganda into a base, shock value to jar people out of their reality.
I have opted not to show the photos of the truly shocking because I am a firm believer that the media choosing to sensationalize tragic events is what pushes them to the forefront of society and actually allows them to gain momentum. I will say that the pro Life vs Pro Choice argument is a strong one and no matter where I stand personally, I would never step outside of my moral convictions as a Christian to try and manipulate people to stand on my side of the fence. I truly hope these good Christian, Pro-lifers who think it is morally correct to show pictures of bloody fetuses on the side of a 16 wheeler are prepared to stand in the light of the Lord on judgment day. My children, and the children of most of the city who happened to be downtown and were subjected to this horrific photographic display were terrified.
And it didn't change my viewpoint, only made me realize how sick these people are and pray for them.

I am an advocate for having a stance. Stand for something or STFU, is my mantra, so believe it - I have value for peaceful protestors who believe in what they stand for enough to get out there and share it with the world. This guy didn't try to shove propaganda in my face. He didn't try to scare my children, nor did he vilify my city with his viewpoint. I am proud to have him here as part of the DNC standing for something. Peacefully. Welcome Sir!

Summertime Travel

Today my horoscope read, "It's time, today, to add a little bit of breathing room to your schedule! You've been in a hurry lately, getting things done left and right. Your productivity is admirable, but it cannot be sustained. So go slow, today, and if you can put a few things off for another day, do it."

Generally speaking, I try not to put things off at all, because I feel like procrastination is the downfall of society. I was brought up to believe that you get your work done first and fast and then take time for yourself.
After a summer of full blown travel, I know I have taken time for myself in theory, but really these expeditions were for others as well. My brother's wedding was not a vacation. It was great to get to spend time with my family, but organizing travel for 5 people, arranging family meals for groups of 10-15, and driving all over the city of Los Angeles was work. After 2 trips to Vegas, a trip to LA, a weekender soccer tournement to Steamboat and an upcoming trip to D.C., I will admit, I'm beat. Just plain exhausted and none of these events was for the maxin' and relaxin' beach time I like to invest in for vacation.
When I woke up this morning, I thought to myself "self, what is on the agenda today? I am so tired, I can barely open my eyes, and the thought of driving kids to school, making lunches, breakfast and combing hair, is just not appealing to me right now." But, that's what you do when you have kids, you suck it up and get out of bed. Kids first, Mom second.
When I returned from walking my little one across the street to school, he's the last out of the house in the morning, with a late start of 8:30AM (that's a joke for you that don't get up at 5:30 to get 2-3 different shifts of people out of the house on time), I came in to read my horoscope.
This is generally how my day starts - 3 hours of family rise & shine'ing, then on to my day.
Meetings, client proposals, presentations, and then back in time for the 3p-5p pick ups. It never ends. Then who's responsible for dinner - oh, yeah that's me too.
So today I am spending a large portion of the day catching up with my writing. Then I will work on a pressing presentation, then I will take a nap. The first nap I have had in years.
Everything else, I will put off for tomorrow. Why?
Because I can.

Denver...My City

I fell in love with Denver within 3 days of moving here. I have lived all over the world and initially the attraction to snowboarding and hiking, and all the outdoor activities Denver has to offer year round is what inspired me.

The longer I lived here, the more I realized what a charmer Denver really was. As a community, Denver tries with all it's heart to offer everything any big city has to offer; fantastic restaurants, marketable and fashionable retail shops, a sporadic, yet solid nightlife, and even a young but workable rail system. Denver shows up.

This weekend Denver housed the People's Fair, a community driven free event where live music is showcased among local artisans and food vendors. For 2 days at Civic Center Park locals and tourists alike can mill around taking in the sights and sounds of what Denver has to offer.










Zeut








Simultaneously, downtown, La Piazza dell'Arte, which is advertised as the Rocky Mountains preeminent street chalk event, took place. This event brought chalk artists from all over the world to the streets of Larimer Square right downtown in our fair city.


This outdoor fair encouraged locals and tourists alike, to find the artist within themselves and draw, photograph and really enjoy the city streets in a new light.


Even European artists showcased their brilliant concepts on our art friendly streets as we soaked in in like a fresh ray of sunlight after a long, gray winter.


Kids and dogs alike, families, couples and even the mayor enjoyed this beautiful weekend in Denver connecting with the community. Making Denver a great city to live and love.
The all weather fans never forget what this city has to offer year round, boasting Pro teams in all sports. Go Broncos!

Denver...My City.

When did we become so unaware and unconcerned with our ass cracks?

I saw something so disturbing this weekend I actually walked out of a retail store.
The employee behind the counter had on a pair of jeans which were designated "hipsters", and yes, she had a bit more junk in the trunk than is probably appreciated by the designer of those particular jeans, but no matter. To each his own right? What stood out to me was her trashy thong underwear which I could clearly see sticking out above the jean line.
So, if you can visualize... imagine with me... a sausage being choked by a farmer (in denim) and a dirty bow projecting from the death grip.
I stared and I stared like a stereo-typical American tourist in any other country. Almost hoping she would feel my stare and turn around to see where the heat on her ass was coming from. Hoping she would pull up her belt-less pants so I would not be forced to gawk at her crack with the dirty bow protruding from it. Desperately hoping she would just tug at the pants to cover the plumber crack with the feminine accessory accenting the inevitable downfall of American youth.
I have seen a lot of horrible Cosmo "Dont's" in the last decade, but this warranted attention. I felt like I was obligated to tell someone. But, I didn't want to get her fired, or embarrass her or even have her reprimanded at work, I simply wanted to shop without having to look at her ass. Is that too much to ass-k?

What You know about Vegas?

I will start with, "I LOVE VEGAS". Girls like me live for weekends in places like Vegas. This town never sleeps. All night long, you can do whatever the hell lights your fire, and you know what that means? No limitations.
No last call.
No public consumption charges.
No bottomless whining about what you didn't get to do. If you missed out on something it's because you were too lame or too slow to get it. Too bad, so sad. Keep up!
Playing with the Big Dogs - This is Vegas.
There is always a new club. Hot parties. Better looking chicks. Richer men. The top of the top, and the bottom of the bottom. Because there is always balance. In life there must always be balance.
As there are the best hotels there are the worst. The hottest women rival the skankiest skank. For every good looking, rich business man, there is a dirty con waiting to scam you out of something. Stay on your toes.

Old School Vegas, where names like Sammy Davis Jr, Frank Sinatra and the mafia remind everyone of what this town was built on. Showgirls and serious casino nightlife defined Las Vegas. Before nightclubs, strip joints and bachelor parties were the epicenter of the revolution of weekends in Vegas; before anyone gave a damn about spa's and buffet's, Las Vegas represented a sexy debauchery you could only be cool enough to partake in. Vince Vaughn showcased this in the film Swingers. Finding Hot Babies in Vegas was as easy as getting served alcohol at a black jack table. The Strip has made an international name for itself based on a lifestyle which started before strip-ers were even trendy.

Today we have the new hotness which changes every month. Clubs like Pure, Tao and Body English make their names on being new, trendy, and home to visiting celebrities. Clubs like Drai's have lasted long and hard because of their reputation for a rock-star party atmosphere. The party doesn't begin until 2a and rocks on until most Vegas tourists are getting out of bed to head down to their hotel pool.
The Maloof brothers have made a name for themselves as trend setters. They are ahead of the curve. This is what you have to represent to stay ahead in the hottest international destination for adults. The Maloof hotels and nightclubs have TV shows as backdrops. MTV hosted a Real World season there; not because their show was so hot, but because it had dropped in ratings and needed a boost to get viewers back in the hole. What could possible attract 15-30 years olds back into a weekly TV series? Why a weekly trip to seductive Vegas my friend. Whoever came up with the idea of housing the 7 strangers in the Palms Hotel was genius. Sexy 20 year olds having drunken hot tub sex and dancing sexily with one another in charming threesomes atop the newest Maloof Casino Nightclub Rain was just the icing on the topless cake. The Palms did a great job of drawing America right back into the MTV frenzy - keeping it hot, keeping it sexy - keeping it Vegas.

Bars like Ghostbar, Moon and the Playboy Club are keeping the attention of Vegas tourists, not only because they represent something fun and sizzling, but because The Palms is Rockin' and everyone who is someone (or not) wants to be a part of what's HOT in Vegas.

Everyone including liquor sponsors of nightlife and those that have something to gain by the high rolling/ rock star mentality which accompanies the funnest adult playground this side of the Mississippi.

Every girl who has ever grown up thinking she wanted to be a Playboy Bunny, or Carmen Electra, or Pam Anderson, or just married to a fuckin' rock star - these girls know you have to go to Vegas. You have to be a Life star. You have to rockin' hot, and sexier than you even know how to be. Because simply stated Vegas is sexy and everyone in the recesses of their mind wants to be a little sexy. Even my 85 year old Nana wanted to be a little sexy, even on her deathbed. She wasn't taking visitors without having someone help her with her hair and makeup. Her Pastor came for a visit and he wasn't allowed into her room until she felt her look was appropriate for any gentleman callers.
This is what I call old school Vegas - right till the end.

Public Service Announcement

DISCLAIMER: Excessive foul language
My apologies ahead of time


This blog is a result of my morning workout. Thank you MalaniKai for reminding me to give this public service announcement.
If you are sick - don't go to the Gym, where healthy people are trying to work out - and actively stay healthy.
Today (and this is not the 1st time), I'm getting my work out on! and this trifling, inconsiderate, sick, coughing, walker steps onto the treadmill next to me. Now, maybe if she was running (at least walking uphill), I'd have more sympathy...not really, but you can walk anywhere. Walk your ass to the mailbox. Walk to the store. Walk to your bff's house - I don't care, but why come to a public place where healthy people are actively trying to stay healthy and start spreading your germs. And you're not even putting any effort into your lazy ass workout.
Just plain, damn inconsiderate.
AND, such commonplace among American behavior today.

This could start an entirely new blog about why trifling parents drop off their sick, runny nose, pink-eye, whooping cough, crying kids at school, pre-school, nursery school, etc etc etc - with no f'n regard for other kids, other working parents, the teachers, and even the lunch lady. I know the economy is bad, but don't pretend you can't find someone to watch that snotty nosed kid for one friggin' day.
But, that's another blog - I'm sick of picking my kid up from school, with some new contagion that little Johnny or little Suzy brought to class. I shouldn't have to find out there is a new strand of chicken pox, b/c some inconsiderate parent happily dropped it off in my kids class. Now, I have to take a week off work, b/c this INCONSIDERATE, trifling Bitch or her Bitch-Assed Husband, ex-husband, Baby-Daddy, WHATEVER wouldn't stay home one day to wait for an antibiotic to kick in.
But, I digress, back to this blog on INconsiderate MoFo's who don't have enough courtesy to "STAY THE FUCK HOME when you are sick".

It's like that concept of how people catch the HIV - it's like sleeping with however many people the last person you slept with, slept with. At least then you have a choice - If your dumb ass doesn't want to wear a condom, you know you are going to be getting a little bit of the last 15 people that guy/ girl slept with.
If someone walks into your office, school, GYM, etc with their FUNK, coughing and sneezing in your face you have lost the control of your physical environment and been un-willfully exposed to someone's gross shit.

#1 Pet Peeve - you feeling me?
Not Appreciative.