A Cowgirl's West

Moving My Blog

2009-07-16T09:52:00.001-07:00

I have re-directed my blog to a new site. You can find it here: http://www.jacquelinemalan.com/

Thanks for reading!

Doing Some Good

2009-07-08T14:51:00.000-07:00

I am excited to announce that I am going to begin volunteering with The Growe Foundation.

The mission of the Growe Foundation is to educate children about eating and the environment. Through interactive learning, the program attempts to provide a set of tools/skills to help children make healthier lifestyle choices. Enforcing the importance of nutrition and farming, the objective is to create an enriching and fun environment while bringing awareness to health, local farming, and non-processed food substitutes.

I am excited to bring my previous knowledge in the non-profit sector, and love for food together. Looking forward to new and exciting opportunities.

Spice Shop Does It Right

2009-07-06T14:58:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I discovered a little hidden gem in downtown Boulder....The Savory Spice Shop.

The shop located in Boulder is one of four locations throughout Colorado. They sell fresh ground spices that are made in house offering more than 140 original seasoning recipes. You can purchase as little as half an ounce or as much as a full bottle. They have everything from very traditional blends to exotic savory concoctions that will dazzle your taste buds.

Another unique aspect of the shop was their very creative gift sets, which are made to match every unique occasion. They included everything from a getting started collection to specialty themed sets. These include everything from a cheese lovers basket to a curry connoisseur's dream.

And in addition to all that, The Savory Spice Shop in Boulder is working with the Culinary School of the Rockies to offer a tasting series.

I will defiantly be supporting this local business for all my spices and inquires. And, I look forward to the tasting classes being held at our local culinary school.

Bluegrass in the Mountains

2009-06-22T19:48:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I saw the 36th annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival. It was truly breathtaking to see and hear an array of wonderful musicians against the backdrop of majestic jagged peaks.

The festival itself was not only musically entertaining, but also extremely environmentally and family friendly. Some highlights were a water station where you could refill your water bottles all weekend long for free, and a waste system with attendant's who told you whether or not your contents were recyclable, compost, or trash. These are just two examples of how festival planners redefined typical norms.

In terms of performers, their were so many wonderfully talented musicians (to name a few, Yonder Mountain String Band, Railroad Earth, David Byrne, Elvis Costello, Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, and Jerry Douglas). Musicians played both on the main stage in addition to other Telluride venues throughout the course of the weekend. I was fortunate enough to have Night Grass tickets all weekend, which provided a more intimate musical setting (a small old Opera House in town which, held about 150 people). It was at the Night Grass shows where I was able to see my favorite bands 'up close and personal.'

While most of the weekend was about music, we where able to get to do some Telluride exploring. We hiked up to the most spectacular waterfall I have ever seen in the state of Colorado, enjoyed strolling along the local farmers market, had dinner in town (as oppose to more festival food), and rode the gondola to additional hiking areas with breathtaking views.

Overall, it was a wonderful weekend in the mountains with plans to return again soon.

Enjoying the Fruits of My Labor

2009-06-05T15:06:00.000-07:00

Last night, I had the privilege of seeing Lucinda Williams perform at Chautauqua Park. A sweet country sound that reminds me a lot of Stevie Nicks, Lucinda's lyrics and harmonic sounds echoed throughout the barn venue.

She sang a song called, "The Fruits of my Labor." The song really struck a chord somewhere. It reminded me of my journey out west, my decision to leave,how things change in an instant, and the simplistic beauties that make Boulder such a wonderful place. As I sat in the theater, I thought about how much things have changed in my own life. Every once and while, it's nice to be reminded how far I've come and how lucky I am.

I have "enjoyed the fruits of my labor."

Rapidly Spreading Technology

2009-05-29T15:14:00.000-07:00

We live in a world where web 2.0 and massive technological innovations have created unprecedented potential for collaboration with no regard for geographical distances, or any of the traditional divisions of humanity.

Check out this clip from Us Now, which discusses the power of mass collaboration, media, and the rapidly changing world we live in.

International Aid

2009-05-27T15:05:00.000-07:00

International aid in the food epidemic requires forward thinking and new ideas. Throwing money at tried and failed programs is as deplorable as inaction. But new doesn't necessarily mean good.

Cash distribution is something that has been floating around among, many forward thinking scholars. The UN debates:

"In a major endorsement of the approach, the UN's World Food Program, the biggest non-governmental distributor of food, is expected to announce later this month that it will begin distributing cash and vouchers instead of food in some areas according to WFP sources."

Not a bad idea, but keep in mind that most countries that really need international food aid are often not open to the help: Burma after last year's Cyclone Nargis, Zimbabwe for the past 29 years, North Korea - the list goes on. I don't think that distributing direct cash aid is a plausible or logical conclusion.

Another Great Weekend in Boulder

2009-05-19T21:19:00.001-07:00

This past weekend was another reminder as to why I love living in Boulder.

My weekend began on Friday with a excellent dinner with friends in Denver at Potager.

Saturday morning we decided to venture back into Denver to check out the Psychedelic Experience exhibit. A "poster show" of the late 60’s San Francisco music scene and the anti-establishment counterculture which co-existed throughout the city and the country. If you are in the area, I defiantly recommend stopping by. After touring the museum for a bit, we decided to head outdoors and explore downtown Cherry Creek and grab some lunch. We ate at a wonderful Mediterranean cafe with a great outside terrace for dinning. The house made mozzarella and wood fired pizza was just what we needed.

Returning to Boulder later in the afternoon, I took care of a few chores and enjoyed the gorgeous weather. It was the first nice weekend in a while, so we took it upon ourselves to watch the sunset over the mountains at the Flagstaff House, where we enjoyed appetizers and champagne . It was nothing short of romantic. As the sun began to set, we headed back into town and decided to have dinner at Mateo where I had the petaluma chicken, fresh tarragon, beurre fondue, and watercress. Jason enjoyed the Maine lobster raviolo beurre fondue, and peppernatta. For dessert, we dined at Frasca with friends and enjoyed homemade gelato and some aperitifs.

Despite our activities from the previous night, Sunday we decided to hike up Royal Arch. Known as the Boulder's "stair master," it was a challenging hike, but the view at the top was well worth it.

Ahhh, what a great weekend!

Get Ready for the Future

2009-05-18T09:13:00.001-07:00

This video is simply fascinating. Making the world's knowledge computable:

Introduction to Wolfram/Alpha by Stephen Wolfram

Congratulations Brittster!

2009-05-13T15:50:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to my beautiful baby sister! We are all so proud of you and your accomplishments. We are looking forward to seeing where life takes you next.

Random Thoughts

2009-05-13T15:17:00.000-07:00

Is the key to successful social-networking that the network should be broad but shallow? This is exactly what has made Twitter a huge success. Twitter has discovered that people want condensed, fast, information, in a 140 characters or less. Why does it seem so narcissistic? Does writing with 140 characters mean that you can't say anything substantial, which means no one can know if you have any substance? Is it like talking without the burden of having to say anything?

Just a thought...

Spring Hiking

2009-04-27T08:01:00.000-07:00

Another great weekend in Boulder.

Yesterday, I completed my first hike of the season. What I didn't expect, was to wake up to three inches of snow this morning. The wonderful thing about Boulder, wait five minutes and the weather will change...

A Runner's Low...Is Also A Runner's High

2009-04-18T16:06:00.000-07:00

I am a runner.

It has taken my body two full years to acclimate to the altitude of the rocky mountain west. Finally adjusting, I have felt strong and powerful running distances across various terrian while the conditions around me constantly change. The challenges that running presents in Boulder push me to reach goals that I never thought my body was capable of. Pushing myself to exceed and surpass my limit, I recently tore my IT band. While walking doesn't necessarily cut it when you're a runner, it does provide you with the ability to stop and "smell the roses." As a runner, I am often so wrapped up in running that I forget to look around me. Although my injury upsets me, I do find comfort in the beautiful screney that somehow I always managed to miss.

Slumdog and Currency in India

2009-04-16T14:07:00.000-07:00

India wants its own currency symbol.

The rupee is indeed a strong currency but, if China doesn't even have a standardized keyboard and the euro sign isn't yet really universal, what chance does the rupee really have of making it as a globally recognized symbol?

However, the development of a common market (Sri Lanka, Nepal, adn Pakistan) would certainly help; bringing together more than a billion people using the same currency in a volatile region which would ultimately lead to promoting freer trader within South Asia.

What Inspires You?

2009-04-16T08:09:00.001-07:00

Recently my good friend and co-worker Grace Boyle asked me to be a part of "What Inspires You?" "What Inspires You," is a blog post series she's conducting on Generation Y bloggers. Through these posts she hopes to shed light on what makes us think and who motivates us.

Bio: Jacqueline Nicole Malan works for a Boulder based start-up called Lijit Networks in the heart of downtown. Fairly new to the new tech and social media, she previously worked in the non-profit sector of Washington, DC where she worked with agencies such as the National Endowment for Democracy and the United Food and Workers Coalition.

Lots of things inspire me, from simple beauties produced by mother earth to the tragedies of war and violence. What they do is inspire me to take action, to speak up for what I believe in, provide me the choice to remain silent, to believe in a greater good, to nurture, to feel compassion, and to love. But above all, I seek inspiration through my mother. Now, I know you're thinking its cliche but, my mother is an unbelievable pillar of strength and independence. She is a lioness and we (my sister and I) are her cubs.

My mother Nancy Hubsmith Rozance, born on a hot summer day in July came into this world with enthusiasm and determination. An aspiring thespian to date, it is no wonder why complete strangers are drawn to her. Her loving character and eagerness to know more about those around her is what makes her so unique. Often taking on more than she can handle, she dedicates her time and money to causes she feels passionate about(for example, when she remarried my now father Jack, they asked for guests to make donations to a local charity they support instead of having a gift registry). However, this is all just surface level. To really understand why my mother inspires me I have to give you a glimpse into our lives.

Growing up in Connecticut, we weren't your typical New England family. Most families came from a household of four or more. My parents were divorced when I was young, and my father failed to remain in our lives. My biological father has since passed, and when asked recently if it made me sad (since I had never gotten the chance to know him) straight faced I responded simply, "no." You see my mom, my sister, and I have become a three legged stool bound together through an ever enduring love. With the absence of my father's presence, I did miss certain things but, in the end it made for an unbelievably strong relationship between us musketeers, something I would never trade to this day.

My mom was a single woman who held two MBA's, an extremely competitive fireball in a predominately male industry. She worked hard but, did not forget how to nurture. As a child, I remember although she traveled almost weekly she never once missed the things that mattered most at that age. She still found time to read us stories before bed, help us with our science fair projects, drive us to every practice and watch every game, and bake cupcakes to bring into school for our birthday's. And growing up, we had more than most families with two parents.

This is what inspires me...her love. Her unwavering determination to give me and my sister the best that life has to offer. Never saying no and giving up, never complaining and always carrying her head held high, not worrying about what others think, and bringing her best qualities to life. Having the strength to raise two teenage girls by herself without any help or anyone to turn to ask for advice. This amazes me, this inspires and this makes me want to grab life with both hands knowing that anything is possible.

How far is too far?

2009-04-03T13:46:00.000-07:00

I recently saw an alarming ad on television that made me think about how far is too far. A controversial anti-smoking ad that originally ran in Australia prior to the United States calls smokers to think about not their own lives but the lives of their children before picking up a pack of cigarettes.

In the ad, the star is a four year old boy, who is shown standing alone in a crowded train station. In order to make him cry on camera and shed real tears, the executive producer did indeed let the little boy lose sight of his mother during filming.

Is it okay to traumatize a child bringing them to tears if it helps fight the war against smoking?

G-20 Summit

2009-04-02T14:24:00.001-07:00

This week's London Summit brings together the leaders of the world's twenty largest economic powers, in order to come to some sort of consensus in an effort to heal the global financial crisis.

One risk facing the group, is seeking a mutual decision that will add little if nothing to the existing efforts to respond on a lager scale. An even greater risk facing the group of leaders is that they are so badly divided, and the outcome is so feeble, that rushed expectations may actually worsen confidence when responding to the global slump.

Personally, I think the only people coming away with a boost to thier confidence will be either the protesters or the police.

Southern California: Good Eats

2009-03-29T15:27:00.000-07:00

As you may already know, I love to eat so of course it is only natural that I fill you in on some of my recent dining experiences while on vacation in Southern California

First stop, San Diego. After working all day and traveling you can believe me, I was hungry upon arrival. As a result of getting in late in combination with the fact that we were on mountain time we decided to explore what our hotel had to offer. JRDN, was the restaurant inside Tower23 and although we were a bit nervous to settle for what the hotel had to offer, it actually took us both by surprise.

The menu is divided into three separate parts allowing you to either create your own dish, enjoy the raw bar, or tease your taste buds with fresh produce and pearl cous cous for something on the lighter side. Naturally, we opted for something in each category and paired our meal with a Owen Roe Sharecropper's Cabernet Sauvignon. After dinner, we decided to check out the local night life as our hotel also seemed to be a pretty happening place. One word, "gorgeous!" I have truly never seen so many beautiful people, they were everywhere! I think this hotel was a little to hip for me.

Since, we had two nights in San Diego the following evening we ventured into the neighboring town of La Jolla. After walking around the down town area and seeing sushi restaurants everywhere we had made up our minds, sushi it is! Now where to find the best sushi would be our next task. You know when you go on vacation the best places to eat are those not advertised, those that are "off the beaten path." And, we stumbled on Zenbu, a true locals joint. "At Zenbu, you will find "All" staple offerings of a fine Japanese sushi bar along with many delicious items you might not expect." The rolls were decadent unlike anything I have ever had, even in New York and the best part is you can order half rolls that way you have more room to try even more! One of my favorites was: The Salbacore Roll: Spicy Crab, Fresh Asaragus, Asian Pear, Cucumber, Daikon Sprouts, Topped with Seared Albacore and Avocado. Finished with a dot of Siracha, Asian Vinaigrette and Orange Zest.

Next stop, Beverly Hills.

Upon arriving in Beverly Hills, the first thing I noticed was Sprinkles!! I think the photo is does a good job discribing its taste.

Okay, so I am a bit of a pizza snob being from the east coast just a stone throw from Sally's, Pepe's, and having the luxury of living around the corner from Two Amy's (when I lived in Washington, DC). Now, I truly think that Two Amy's is the best pizza I have ever had so I was a bit reluctant about Pizzeria Mozza. However, I must tell you that it is delicious! We started with the the antipasti of crispy goat cheese & umbrian lentils, and a caprese salad. For pizza, I ordered the bianca with fontina, mozzarella, sottocenere & sage and added fennel susage. My dining companion said it was the best pizza he has ever had at Mozza and it was my own personal creation!

All in all, Southern California has GOOD EATS!

Skepticism

2009-03-13T08:17:00.000-07:00

"It's a horrible situation when Bush makes a ridiculous comment (comparing President Barack Obama's foreign policy stance to the appeasement of the Nazis in 1938) but to ad to the ridiculousness of this clip then the conservative pundits receive their faxed talking points and repeat what they read ad nauseam without even understanding what they are saying."

Total Yogi

2009-03-11T20:29:00.000-07:00

This evening while in yoga, I thought about how much I really enjoy taking my thoughts to mat and letting everything else go. The instructor that we had this evening really allowed the energy to take over the room and blessed us all with wonderful words of love and kindness...

I was never crazy about yoga let alone the idea of cramming into a room with sixty people with the temperature reaching a stifling ninety-eight degrees. My mom has always been a yoga enthusiast hoping that I would enjoy it as much as she but, I never really "got into it."

All the mediating and self reflecting and thinking about the "powers that be" were just exhausting. And on top off all that, I would have to hold a pose for what seemed like an eternity.

Then, I discovered Core Power Yoga which, emphasizes your core abdominal muscles. This practice method consists of a rigorous blend of power, strength and endurance while still a vinyasa based yoga. The room temperature remains hot as you begin to flow through poses while listening to music.

Now, I love yoga and I would even go as far to say that I'm addicted. Over the course of time, I have been able to weave mediation, self-reflecting and awareness into my practice. For me, it is a lot like running in terms of cleansing my system and riding my body of negative energy. It is my time to pay gratitude to the things I often take for granted remembering how blessed I am.

Boulder, Boulder!

2009-03-10T15:53:00.000-07:00

Almost two years ago now, I moved to Boulder from Washington D.C. I was on my way to San Francisco where I had a job working for an international consulting firm. Boulder, was a temporary stop along the way. My new job provided me with some additional time (and as a result of spending time in Missoula, Montana)so I thought I'd check out Boulder for a month or two prior to taking my position in San Francisco. The rest is well, history... almost two years later I've learned to call Boulder home.

The intellectual atmosphere and excitement of living, breathing, and eating politics naturally drew me towards Washington. However, I began to miss hiking, skiing, camping, and all the wonderful things pertaining to the outdoors. When an opportunity drew me to the west coast, I couldn't pass it up.

Growing up in Connecticut, I never thought I could be away from the sound but, my heart ached for a life in the mountains. Needless to say, it did not take much persuading in order to change my mind. When the summer drew to end and I was supposed to head to San Francisco something stopped me. Maybe, it was the mountains, or the friendly people but, suddenly I was in no hurry to head to San Francisco.

Once I made the decision to stay, I began looking for jobs. Tech, Start-ups, twitter, I knew nothing about these things (now they are terms I use daily). I had applied to a small tech start-up and before I knew it I really felt a sense of community.

When asked to write this post for BoulderMe, I really thought about what I loved about living here. In career terms, Boulder is filled with intellectually stimulating like minded people all wanting to help each other. People from all different positions of authority are willing to take a meeting with anyone virtually anytime or place (and I don't think a CEO of a company in Boston would take the time to meet with an entry level employee). We all want to see each other succeed here and it is really refreshing.

In terms of creating a sense of community, Boulder really caters to the tech scene and everyone I've meet seems to be involved on some level. Just a few events that take place in which people dedicate time and share knowledge are TechStars, Ignite Boulder, The Boulder New Tech Meet-Up, and The Boulder Open Coffee Club just to name a few. Perhaps now you want to move to Boulder?

Technology

2009-03-03T20:17:00.000-08:00

With the Rocky Mountain News closing its doors, I began to think about the concerns facing the newspaper industry. The industry as a whole has been suffering from stale ideas and false hopes.

Thinking of innovative ways to regain readership, the Hearst Corporation plans to use e-readers to electrionically distribute newspapers and magazines.

A CNN article states that media ownership is "increasingly looking to devices like e-readers to lower costs while preserving the business model that has sustained newspapers and magazines."

As I have learned at Lijit, advertising dollars will continue to migrate to the internet where technology provides highly targeted advertising with measurable statistics. Newspapers need to find new revenue streams outside of advertising dollars to survive and I doubt that increased subscription revenue combined with lower costs can save the industry.

Today's Youth...So Spoiled

2009-02-26T08:02:00.000-08:00

This was passed along to me, it's pretty great. If people spent less time watching funny clips on the internet, maybe they would get more things done in a reasonable time frame. This one is worth passing on.

Sunday Night Dinner

2009-02-23T13:25:00.000-08:00

Last night, I decided to try a Chicken Parmesan recipe by Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa). This dish is non-traditional Chicken Parmesan which, sits over a fresh bed of arugula sprinkled in a lemon vinaigrette.

Simple yet elegant, I wowed my dinning companion who is still talking about our dinner(Men really love helping make this dish as I found out because they get to use a meat mallet!).

The original Barefoot Contessa recipe can be found on the Food Network website: click here

Enjoy Sunday night cooking!

Social Media and the O.R.

2009-02-20T14:04:00.000-08:00

I am one of social media's biggest fans, but I'm pretty sure there is a time and place for it...

According to CNN, Dr. Craig Rogers (lead surgeon in the Henry Ford surgery) said the reason for Twittering was to "let people know that a tumor can be removed without taking the entire kidney."

Sure, I understand that social media gives the general public the power to share their ideas with massive amounts of people instantaneously, but I'm pretty sure that you can share that information AFTER the surgery is over.

I want to be clear: I absolutely support the use of social media in the most innovative ways possible. I just seriously question the judgement of a medical practitioner that sees value in twittering DURING a procedure, as opposed to utilizing the same forms of media AFTER surgery. Again- time & place...

Don't you people watch medical dramas? Doctors don't need any more distractions.

Ski Locally

2009-02-17T19:18:00.000-08:00

Winter is here and living in Boulder, Colorado you have access to some of the best ski terrain in all of North America. Call me biased, but the Rockies boast some of the finest terrain that gets regularly dusted with some of the softest deepest snow.

While Eldora is not as well known or as large as many of Colorado’s other famous resorts like Aspen and Vail, I can assure you that the runs are pretty neat. The best part, Eldora is located just 20 minutes from Boulder and you don’t have to drive up I-70 to get there.

1980 Ridge

2009-02-16T17:19:00.000-08:00

Ridge, makes one of California's consistently great Cabernet Sauvignon wines. At least that's what they told me, I had never tried it.

This weekend my parents came to town, bringing with them a 1980 Ridge. My father had purchased the wine several years ago for somewhere between ten and twenty dollars. At the time, he and his collegues felt that giving the wine some time to age would only further improve its quality. A plane ride to Colorado and nearly thirty years later, he had decided to uncork it.

Maybe it was the whole experience, but I think I was destined to fall in love with the Ridge. Aged to perfection, with a cork the color of blood, the 1980 Ridge was fabulous. And the best part, was that he hadn't spent a fortune either.

Shedding Some Light

2009-02-12T15:36:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, I saw the movie Taken with some friends. While it was a good thriller, I have to say that I found it disturbing and upsetting. I always knew human trafficking was appalling and mind boggling but, what I failed to understand was the scope and ignorance that surrounds the issue.

As I began researching, my thoughts and feelings about the issue only heightened. The statics are astonishing. Human trafficking is a global issue and nearly 40% of affected countries have not issued a single conviction. There is a neglect when it comes to reporting or prosecuting cases and my fear is that as a result the problem may be spiraling out of control. "We fear the problem is getting worse but we cannot prove it for lack of data, and many governments are obstructing." Upon reading this quote my blood began to boil. Why are governments in a state of denial? Very often these brothels and criminal networks are being supported and protected by high ranking officials. Perhaps, that's why?

The cases are outright sickening:
"Al Jazeera filmed secretly at several brothels, and in each case found much the same thing - rooms full of young women in their early twenties, as well as teenagers. "For my virginity they gave me $200," Ya Da, a 16-year-old former prostitute, said."

I could go on about the things I found online but, you get the point. I think more action needs to take form and more awareness needs to be drawn upon these acts against humanity. Personally, I would like to make some kind of contribution to shedding light on the issues that surround human trafficking. And let's pray that those suffering from this treatment find justice and peace.

The Hill Meets C-Span

2009-02-05T09:39:00.001-08:00

The Results

2009-02-04T18:38:00.000-08:00

For all you anxiously waiting...I did it! I ran the Kaiser Permanente half marathon in 1hour 59 minutes and 9 seconds!

This experience was certainly a lot more pleasant. The weather was perfect, I was hydrated, and well rested. Throughout the course, I stayed focused and my legs seemed to lift themselves. Not having to push myself to continue, I kept running through Golden Gate Park and out to the water. I felt the sunshine on my face as I passed each mile marker. As I eventually crossed the finish line a new sense of accomplishment came over me. I had shaved 12 minutes off my previous time and I actually felt good.

After working our way through the crowds, we headed back into the city to shower up and grab some well deserved grub! Now, I have to tell you that I don't eat red meat but, today I was celebrating. Drum roll please.....I went to Taylor's Refresher and ordered a bacon cheeseburger! The best darn burger I have ever had...it was decadent!

With all that being said, running in San Francisco was a success!

Run Girl Run

2009-01-30T16:06:00.000-08:00

Here I go again...this Sunday I will be running the Kaiser Permanente half marathon in San Francisco. I have mixed emotions about running as my first experience wasn't pleasant. However, I do feel that I have had more training this time combining my workout regime with a fair amount of core work and flexibility as a result of yoga. In addition, I will not have the altitude factor to deal with this time as I will be running at sea level.

The forecast looks good and I've got my running shoes packed...stay tuned...for the results.

January 20th

2009-01-22T21:54:00.000-08:00

This "spirit of service" was harnessed by the Obama campaign, which energized a population practically into a grassroots movement... and, arguably, led to the election of President Barack Obama.With the new administration in Washington encouraging individual responsibility and social consciousness as a necessary part of working towards sustainable change, it seems like service and social responsibility will be seeping deeper into America (and hopefully the world) over the next 4 (maybe 8) years. For, as our new President reminded us yesterday:

"...as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies...Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new... What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility – a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship."

President Obama... thank you, and good luck.

Happy New Year

2009-01-07T15:20:00.000-08:00

Feliz Año Nuevo! This year I spent my New Year celebration in the sun and sand down in Mexico. Unattached from email and internet I was really able to relax and enjoy good food, wine, and companionship.

One of my favorite dinning experiences while in Puerto Vallarta was at the wonderful restaurant Cafe des Artistes.The food was exquisite and the ambiance was certainly the most romantic. We dined on the top most upper level of the terrace where each person has an individual waiter and the chef exclusively cooks for those who dine there. We decided to do wine pairings with our five course menu. If you are in the area it is certainly a "don't miss!"

We also enjoyed less fancy dinning experiences like fresh lobster on the beach! mmmm

In addition to our dinning experiences, the old historic romantic district is a great way to see the city in its authenticity. Streets lined in cobble stones and native farmers markets really made you feel a part of the culture.

Another great stop which is about 45 minutes outside the city is the little surfing town of Sayulita
Virtually untouched, this is a surfers paradise. We saw tons of surfers riding waves while enjoying local authentic Mexican food.

All in all, New Year's in the sand with those you care about away from it all...certainly the way to go!

Turkey Turkey!

2008-11-25T21:19:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

The "Boat"

2008-11-25T13:18:00.000-08:00

My wet body shivered in the cold night air. I reached for my towel in order to provide some warmth. Franticly searching for my warm layers of clothing, I was experiencing both pain and pleasure. After soaking in the Strawberry Park Hot Springs for about an hour and half, it was time to get out.

This past weekend, I had the luxury of driving a mere 3.5 hours to beautiful Steamboat Springs, Colorado to visit the springs, dine, and enjoying some bluegrass stomping music. While, we intended the basis of the trip to be the springs we also had seen so much more "The Boat" had to offer (including the FM Sons signs that drove with us the last ten miles into town...quite literally I might add).

After soaking in the springs, we wrapped things up and headed for Cafe Diva. Opening in 1998, Cafe Diva manages to offer upscale fine dining yet still maintain that warm and relaxed Steamboat vibe. The decor is sleek and modern but still has a mountain look about it with plenty of wood and earth tones. Cafe Diva's wine selection is way above average, and they have a special wine vault where they keep their ever-expanding roster of vintages. Our meal included, lobster tomato bisque, curried diver scallops with pumpkin spaetzle and whiskey sage cream, stuffed acorn squash with truffle pecornio, and elk tenderloin with veal demi-glace.

After a most enjoyable meal, we decided to hang with the locals at the Tugboat. The oak floors and rough barn-wood walls cloaked with game and fishing trophies, sports memorabilia, and celebrity photographs are the trademark of this foot-of-the-slopes establishment(The hand-carved cherrywood bar, circa 1850, came from the Log Cabin Saloon in Baggs, Wyoming, a Butch Cassidy hangout; look for the bullet hole in one of the columns).

Just shy of ski season, Steamboat without all the skiers was quite nice not to mention the intoxicating hot springs, fine dinning, and music.

Next time you near...make sure to stop!

Pumpkin Carving Madness

2008-10-31T14:48:00.001-07:00

This week, the "to do list" has been extra long..something going on every evening, conveniently enough the same week as Halloween. Consequently, pumpkin carving with the sweetie fell short on the list.

Finally, last night we decided (even though not getting home till 10:30 mind you) that we need to get into the Halloween spirit. We turned up the music nearly waking the neighbors (okay maybe it wasn't that loud) and tried our hands at crafty pumpkin carving. After having a few glasses of wine at a celebratory dinner, this "little project" was surely going to be interesting.

After having a brief discussion regarding techniques and pattern choices we dug in. Two hours later with roasted pumpkin seeds for munching, the end result was....priceless?

Big Whigs

2008-10-23T15:32:00.000-07:00

Is the Republican's party "big tent" falling apart? Probably not, but worth considering given the recent very public departure of many realist conservatives from the McCain ticket. Colin Powell makes his position very clear.

A Tribute to Mozart

2008-10-19T19:43:00.001-07:00

At every single symphony orchestra performance, composers, conductors, instrumentalists, and audience members make wonderful musical discoveries. Even though I am not steeped in musical talent, last Friday, I attended a beautiful musical tribute to Mozart performed by the Denver Symphony. During the performance, I was able to enhance my musical experience by paying close attention to the variety of instruments which, comprise the modern symphony.

Like actors on stage, each instrument plays a critical part, which the conductor is trying to replicate. The intimacy created by the music tells its own story as the audience attempts to enter the mind and heart of the composer.

Race Day

2008-10-19T16:41:00.000-07:00

Last night, I went out for what was to be my "last meal" pre-race day. After consuming some delicious sushi and spirits at Jianken ( way underrated in my own opinion) with friends, my head finally hit the pillow at midnight. Deep down, I knew this wasn't a wise choice but, after all, I was only running the half marathon. Keeping this in mind, consuming a beer or two and not getting a proper night's rest the night before the race wasn't that important...or was it?

I was up before the alarm went off (5:20am), already making my pre-race energy jolt...a French press coffee. Throwing on my favorite running shorts, (as my parents so dutifully remind me are Cal colors, Go Bears!) I was out the door and on the way to Denver by 5:45am.

Making it to Denver with twenty-five minutes to spare, I hit the bathroom one last time (another adventure in itself which, I will spare you of), and headed for the start line. I was all smiles in the chill of the early morning air ready to run.

One hour, two hours, and by mile eleven my quads were on fire! With only two more miles to go, I began to feel the consequences from my poor decisions the previous two evenings. In pain and not properly hydrated, I pushed on chanting a mantra that I saw on a sign at mile marker six. "Do it today, do it today, do it today." Each time my foot hit the pavement, I continued "do it today, do it today, do it today," surprisingly it kept my motivation alive and I began to push myself harder.

I looked up and the clock read two hours and ten minutes. I did it! I was done! Oh man, did it and does it feel good.

Running Together

2008-10-17T15:41:00.000-07:00

After three months at a failed attempt to stick to a daily running regiment, I am running the Denver Half Marathon this Sunday. Feeling a bit unprepared, I have been loading up on carbs and hydrating all week. If not physically ready, perhaps, I can convince myself that I am mentally.

As race day is rapidly approaching, I am reminded that winning doesn't matter. Running has always been more of a form of meditation, relaxation, and self- reflection for me.

Whether running the trails or running the city streets a friendly face is the only reminder I need to "go the distance." Since moving to Boulder, my dear friend Tara has reminded me of exactlly that. I am looking forward to many laughs, "claps", daydreaming of different foods, and yells of "are we there yet," this Sunday as I sit back and enjoy running for what it is...simply running.

This time I won't be leaving anyone in the dust!

Support Your Local Farmers

2008-09-30T21:22:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I've waited till now to write about the Boulder County Farmers Market. The best organic food is what's grown closest to you and you can find it here! Whether its homemade baked goods or Colorado grown peaches, the Farmers market caters to every type of foodie there is...

So, support your local farmers and come taste the freshest produce around!

Trails on Trailridge

2008-09-13T19:01:00.000-07:00

As I have mentioned before, one of the greatest things about life out west is the accessibility to the outdoors. Boulder's backyard is home to the Rockies and only naturally Rocky Mountain National Park. A few weekends ago, I was fortunate enough to spend some time up Trail Ridge Road where, nature is only visible to those who are up for an adventurous drive.

Trails off the road exist where one can see what life above tree line is like. However, make sure you know where the "non-touristy" spots are in order to get some good wild life viewing...

Yet another reason to love life out west.

Western Charm

2008-08-10T15:50:00.000-07:00

The Stanley Hotel, best known for its role in the Stephen King novel, "The Shinning," epitomizes old world charm and historical architecture at its finest. Freeland Stanley and his famous steamer, journeyed west in 1903. Settling in Estes Colorado, Stanley made the decision to construct the hotel, sharing the beauty and wonderment he found in Estes with others.

This Saturday, I was able to experience the hotel first hand. After touring downtown Estes, a refreshing beverage to quench our thirst and rest our feet sounded ideal. We watched the weather role in over the Rocky's, while comfortably sitting on the front porch, as if it were our own. Laughing and talking as if we had been in this moment before...life is good.

"Dance, Dance, Dance, All Night Long"

2008-08-03T13:18:00.000-07:00

A summer in Colorado would not be complete without experiencing Red Rocks. A open-air amphitheatre with spectacular views that reach Denver, Red Rocks is a can't miss. Combining nature with music, the gigantic red rocks encompass the theater, allowing performers and concertgoers alike to become a part of something truly unique.

This past Thursday, I attended Steve Miller Band with family in tow. I had a most enjoyable evening catered by my favorite market, Whole Foods, while sipping on refreshing white wine. As we heard the music begin to play, we quickly gathered our things and headed for our seats (although, I think not one of us sat the entire time).

For the evening, we felt as though we were all celebrating our youth as we "danced, danced, danced, all night long."

A Rainbow of Thoughts

2008-07-25T13:53:00.000-07:00

Rain provides a certain sense of relaxation in the summer months and sometimes in its wake, one can bare witness to one of the most fascinating natural phenomenons...a rainbow. Staring in awe as if I were a child, a smile suddenly crossed my face. I looked to the right and saw beautiful natural light beaming up from the flatirons while, to my left primary colors painted the early evening sky. If I had any doubts, today I remembered why I journeyed west...

East meets West.

2008-07-18T15:09:00.000-07:00

Ideals and fascinations in response to the Rocky Mountain West are common. Some people are looking for ranch property, others for a secluded sanctuary, and still others a ski-in-ski-out chalet. I came because I needed to explore, to do something new, to greet the unknown.

My decision to travel westward was not a long thought out one. Simply stated, I woke up one morning and decided I was going to move. I thought to myself I am young, uncommitted, and wanted to be able to physically connect to nature. I was about to make a huge change in my life for reasons that were personally daring. I did not take into account others thoughts or opinions, nor did I move in the hopes of salvaging personal relationships. For the first time in my life , I was doing something for myself.

So that was it, I kissed my roommate goodbye and left one of the most intellectual stimulating environments I had ever been part of for a new natural environment...

What do I want? What do I need? Who do I want to spend my time with? Finding yourself and seeking out your own personal journey is important. We all want inner peace and value in love. We all want to share this with someone but, more importantly with who?

Enjoy your moments...

2008-06-16T15:07:00.000-07:00

A summer evening in Boulder, Colorado wouldn't be complete without spending time in Chautauqua Park. Watching the sun set over the flatirons while enjoying good food, friends, and live music, the summer in Boulder is just beginning.

Last night, the Indigo Girls performed for a very enthusiastic crowd in Chautauqua Park . I couldn't have asked for a more perfect end to a most enjoyable weekend. A few of us decided to go early plant our feet in the grass and enjoy a few laughs, a few drinks, and of course always delicious food.

Fans since our adolescent years, Megan and I were so excited to see the Indigo Girls live! We only hoped that we would be able to get close enough to the outdoor stadium in order to hear and see the music. For a few hours before the concert, we enjoyed a lovely picnic filled with nothing but laughter and of course wonderful company.

As we began to hear cheers from the stadium, Megan and I knew we were "moments" away from hearing some of the music that shaped our growing years. We left our picnic gathered our drinks and headed towards the outside stadium for a closer view. Megan and I quickly became engulfed by the music and shortly after were signing and dancing as if no one else was there.

As the evening wore on, Megan and I wondered how the boys were doing witnessing this whole experience. After all, they were a minority this evening. We turned around only to find the boys behind us looking on with someone elses binoculars. They were already making new friends at the Indigo Girls concert. I swear by the end of the night, both Peter and Danny were signing along...

I am sure more "enjoyable moments" will be created this summer...

There's Gold In Them Hills!

2008-06-13T14:52:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, I took a most incredible journey to Gold Hill, Colorado just a short ride from downtown Boulder. A quiet isolated haven, with no paved streets, but easily accessed by dirt roads, Gold Hill is true historical landmark. Originally a mining camp, it was the sight of the first major discovery of gold during the California Gold Rush in 1859. A population residing of 210 people Gold Hill's historic wooden structures are a sight to be seen.

I was in great company with another Connecticut native turned westerner. We sat at the "Gold Hill Inn," where our Sunday was all about the mountain air, whiskey, and hearty fare. Listening to the live jazz band in the backround provided a fair amount of entertainment while, we made new friends as if they were already old ones.

I recommend strapping on your boots and heading up the Hill. Who knows maybe you'll find some gold.....

OM Time

2008-05-09T09:56:00.000-07:00

After a two month break, I have taken my thoughts back to the mat. I often forget how important it is to cleanse both the mind and soul. Reflecting on life, relationships, values, and spirituality provide me with a calming sense of detoxification. On my mat, I feel peace from the constant distractions provided by societal pressures perceived in western culture. The breath and body move fluidly together allowing both mind and spirit to connect. A connection that is so powerful, you feel an explosive energy pulsating throughout your entire body. Whether or not you are a spiritual person, on the mat you give yourself and your thoughts up to something bigger than yourself. You see life more precious, you view each breath more valuable, and you focus on becoming selfless in a very selfish world. Physically and mentally yoga teaches us to exceed our limits and provides us with a sense of discipline and structure which we take off of the mat and into our lives.

Trouble In A Runner's Paradise!

2008-04-29T13:03:00.000-07:00

Okay, this is for all you runners like me out there. Colorado... what other beautiful place would you pick for outside trail running and training? Perfect right?I recently decided to train for my first ever marathon right here in Boulder. Only two months into my training program and I have already pulled my IT ban. Can you believe it? Well, I can't stand it....the thought of hanging up my running shoes for a few months is heartbreaking....(literally)

The Beach

2008-04-28T10:03:00.000-07:00

Spring has sprung and the flowers are blooming. Time to put the skis away until next season. Think again, the scene at Colorado's local resort ABasin (http://www.arapahoebasin.com/) is still hanging onto that wonderful spring snow. Where most resorts have closed for the season, Arapahoe Basin has embraced the warm weather taking skiing to a whole new level. Taking turns through soft silky snow in t-shirts under blue skies and warm weather provides a relaxing and enjoyable environment for skiers and snowboarders alike.

Spring skiing at ABasin is better known for its abundance of fun and unique atmosphere. After taking a few runs in the sun kick back and experience the beach. Located at the base of the mountain, the Beach (as it is known to locals) provides delicious barbecue, cold beers, and plenty of reggae music. Unbuckle your boats sit back and enjoy making new friends who enjoying skiing just as much as you.