Like my sister (see her blog) I have been traveling all month and away from my computer. Unlike my sister, my trips have not all been fun. I’m happy to be home now with no flight reservations on the books . . . for now.

I have a feeling there may be another business trip this fall, and mom already mentioned maybe going to California for Thanksgiving, and Ben and I have been wanting to take a trip for just the two of us. . . but for now there’s nothing planned! And it feels good.

Pictures to come soon. Probably after I catch up at work, get laundry done, fill the fridge with food, and watch the Netflix that have piled up.

It’s good to be back in dry Colorado.

This weekend Ben and Brian and I went to Lakeside, right in my neighborhood. I’d heard a lot of bad press about this place, accidents and what not. But Ben is itching for rides, especially after getting a taste at Universal Studios last weekend. He and Brian used to be big fans of Elitch Gardens, until it moved and turned into a cement lot, I mean, Six Flags. Lakeside looks like nothing has changed in the past 50 years. It’s just $2 to enter and $1-2 per ride. Hot dogs only $1.50! I didn’t do any rides (feeling a little sick that day) but I totally dug the kitsch and vintage signs. Enjoy!

Anyone know what Redit means?

Ben thinks the Matterhorn was at the old Elitches. Check out the Scrambler font! The guys rode the Wild Chipmunk and said there isn’t a lap bar or seat belt, just a handle on the side.

I loved this bumper car sign (Autoskooters).

Brian was supremely disappointed that the Flight to Mars was down for repairs. He really really really wanted to go inside anyway. The general manager said it should be running next week.

I love this: the world’s most exciting ride. Really.
I didn’t get a good picture of the rocket ride Ben loved. Bad lighting.

The carnival booths are a bit ghetto, but eerie enough to supplement the atmosphere. Brian got 9 plastic spider rings with his earnings from skeeball.

A bit belated, but here’s a glimpse of our trip to LA.

If you haven’t heard yet, Director’s Label is releasing the next 4 volumes in their series on September 13 this year. This is the label that put together works by Michel Gondry and Spike Jonze. The next line of directors looks great. I’ve been hoping Mark Romanek would be featured. He’s done some of my top music videos of all time, including Scream, Bedtime Stories, and Can’t Stop- which will all be on the disc!!! You can see the line up here and click the icons at the top for a preview of the collections.

The trailer is online for the film adaptation of Rent the musical. Check it out at Apple, or, if that site is down (as it was last night) here.

I’d also recommend Murderball, Howl’s Moving Castle, the new Charlie and the Chocolate Factory trailer, March of the Penguins, A Scanner Darkly, and The Chronicles of Narnia. Yea! More Weta Workshop! I can’t wait for the King Kong trailer to come out. There are a lot of good movies to look forward to this year.

Kristin, Jenni and I used to take turns keeping the big shirt. I found it with my fabric scraps last night. I don’t think we ever realized just how big the shirt really is.

Rose and Luke had a pre-wedding potluck in Greeley yesterday. I prepared some fresh spring greens.

It’s surprising how quickly you reach nothing when you drive out up I-25. Greeley’s a nice little town. It reminded us of Grand Junction.

Jeff has fallen asleep a couple times on our couch. It has that effect on people. He didn’t notice the poking.

It happened, we got our tickets and we saw Serenity. It was great. I’d only been to one other advance screening before (The Life Aquatic) but it wasn’t very “advance” and there weren’t any surveys. It was fun to give my opinion on movies. I wish I could do that more often. One time at Westminster Mall Ben and I got to watch a preview of the Man on Fire movie commercial and give our feedback. Not sure we affected much, since the commercial that eventually ran was pretty much the same. But it was fun anyway. Way off track now.

Serenity was awesome. I like it more now that I’ve had time to think about it. I’ll probably like it even more once I see the finished film. This one was poorly printed, Brian said the color timing (?) hadn’t been done yet, and the score and special effects were missing. But at least now I know the reason River . . . and that Book . . .
Don’t worry Andy, I’ll keep it secret until you see it. That’s the one thing I felt really bad about, was not getting a seat for Andy. But hurrah! There’s going to be another screening! This time I got plenty of extra seats. Looking forward to it, bro.

Browncoats!

Feels like I haven’t posted any good photos in a while! These pictures are from a April 16th. We have had two bad snow storms since then. But that Saturday was so nice we decided to play Scrabble by the creek behind our apartment. Pictured are Jeff, Bruce, Gwynneth, Ben, Brian, and a muskrat!.