Canyonlands National Park (Moab, Utah)
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park * http://www.nps.gov/cany/ * Canyonlands National Park * 2282 SW Resource Blvd. * Moab, Utah 84532 * (435) 719-2313
In the heart of Utah near the resort town o Moab lies one of North America’s most scenic desert canyon playgrounds known as “Canyonlands”. A pristine national park that presents a panorama of colorful landscapes and canyons, mesas, and buttes that have been carved out of the earth by the Colorado River and its tributaries. These rivers have created four districts - the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze, and the rivers themselves - and this is what has become preserved as “Canyonlands”. Primarily desert terrain, a multitude of micro-environments exist within the diverse terrain in the park awaiting exploration. The canyons and rivers have been explored for the last 10,000 years by a multitude of peoples - from prehistoric occupation and artwork to Euro-American settlers and homesteaders to modern day rock climbers. The Green River, the Colorado River, neighboring Horseshoe Canyon preserve and change these districts. No roads directly link each of the districts even though they appear close on the map so it makes the park requiring many days to get a full glimpse of all the districts contained within. The top sites in the park are: 1. Island in the Sky; 2. White Rim Road; 3. Needles; 4. Maze; 5. Orange Cliffs Unit (Glen Canyon NRA); 6. Horseshoe Canyon; 7. Green River; 8. Colorado River; and 9. Cataract Canyon. Rating: 5 stars out of 5. visited 8/24/08.
Mesa Arch
Mesa Arch
Mesa Arch
Backtrax * 80’s Night at the Underground Bar, Colorado Springs, CO
DJ Gypsy spinning the retro sounds of the DISCO 70’s and Rockin’ 80’s in the Boiler Room All Night Long. 10:00 pm - 2:00 am; Ages 18-20 $5.00 cover, 21+ free.
The Underground’s start of a positive trend with a new (potentially monthly) fabulous night called “BackTrax” specializing in the fabulous tunes of the alternative 70’s/80’s with one of Colorado Springs’ hottest DJ’s … DJ Gypsy. The atmosphere was stepping back into the past with patrons dressed up in their 80’s attire. The music spectacular, and the dancing fanatic. Fun was had all night long. Lots of drinking and flirting all around. I hope this night stays as it would certainly be a blessing to Colorado Springs. Kudos all around to DJ Gypsy and the Underground. Rating: 5 stars out of 5. Friday 9/22/2008.
Russell Inn (Russell, Kansas)
Russell Inn http://www.russellmotel.com/ * A motel on Highway 281 I 70 South * 901 S Fossil St, Russell, KS 67665 * (785) 483-2107
A el-cheapo hotel nestled off of I-70 in Russell, Kansas. They advertise a $32.95/night banner, but if you have two people, they charge you well over $54. No AAA or Military discounts. The rooms were fairly decent with microwave, tv, fridge, and an ‘ok’ bathroom, and the room appeared and felt clean most importantly. But something about the place didn’t settle. They had a free continental breakfast which was pretty much bagels, orange juice, coffee, and stale donuts. I really doubt I’d visit this hotel again. Rating: 2 stars out of 5.
Yak and Yeti (Arvada, Colorado)
Yak and Yeti Indian Buffet (Arvada, Colorado)
7803 Ralston Road * Arvada, CO * 303-431-9000 * http://www.yakandyeti.net/
A nice chilled restaurant and pub nestled in what looked like an old historic house. Supposedly once the Cheshire Cat Pub, now a Yak and Yeti, this establishment had quite a few Alice in Wonderland decoration and ambiance. They had a delicious Indian and Nepal buffet, with some of my favorite dishes. Quite affordable lunch. Great service. Rating: 5 stars out of 5.
Doomsday (R:2008)
Doomsday (2008: R)
Director: Neil Marshall. Starring: Caryn Peterson … Vagrant Girl; Adeola Ariyo … Nurse; Emma Cleasby … Katherine Sinclair; Christine Tomlinson … Young Eden Sinclair; Vernon Willemse … David / Gimp; Paul Hyett … Hot Dog Victim; and much more.
Alright, this one is a poor-hash of several flicks: Terminator meets Mad Max meets Escape from New York meets I am Legend. Can you get more creative? please? A lethal virus spreads throughout England infecting millions and killing hundreds of thousands. The authorities block off London and parts of Britain in hopes to quarantine the threat. The country turns to fear and chaos and creates their own world and civilization within the walls. Just like the premise and worldview from the flick “Escape from New York”. Three decades later and the Reaper virus surfaces in another major city outside the quarantine area. So an elite group of specialists go into the zone to retrieve a cure - and thus is the premise of the story. Sound familiar? too much. Yes. There are some artsy moments, and some of the costumery rock, but all in all this film lacks everything. Rating: 2 stars out of 5.
Journey to the Center of the Earth (PG:2008)
Journey to the Center of the Earth (3D) (2008: PG)
Starring: Brendan Fraser … Prof. Trevor Anderson;
Josh Hutcherson … Sean Anderson; Anita Briem … Hannah Ásgeirsson; Seth Meyers … Professor Alan Kitzens; Jean Michel Paré … Max Anderson; Jane Wheeler … Elizabeth Anderson; Frank Fontaine … Old Man; Giancarlo Caltabiano … Leonard;
Kaniehtiio Horn … Gum-Chewing Girl; Garth Gilker … Sigurbjörn Ásgeirsson.
The classic is re-visited with star Brendan Fraser heading into the unknown with his nephew in search for his brother. Teamed with the beautiful and thrill-seeking Hannah, they stumble upon an old mine that treacherously leads them to the Center of the Earth - a biosphere full of strange and prehistoric life that radiates amazement and passion. As they realize the temperatures are rising it becomes a deadly race to escape back to the surface. A wild journey awaits as they meet in-your-face creatures and pitfalls. Fun and adventurous, and the 3-D is certainly enlightening. Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5.
Some Enchanted Burning, A Twisted Burner Prom (Denver 08)
Me and Allison,
Photos by Shutterbug
Me
and Allison,
Photo by Pesoptimist (c) 2008
Some Enchanted Burning - A Twisted Burner Prom
* August 9th, 2008 * 9:00 PM - 5:00 AM * 2625 Larimer St, Denver, CO * $10 pre-sale, $20 at door with no costume * http://denverbm.eventwax.com/recompression
Photogallery from the night: http://coloradoburn.ning.com/photo/album/show?id=2014648%3AAlbum%3A21539
Entertainment by: € Zombie Nurse € Jungle Labs € Hi Octane € Shapeshifter € Orange Peel Moses € MOONBASS - Arison / David Seied / DC & Doc € ENERGY RIDERS - Noah M. & T-Bohn € BLINGFACED - ((Diverse)) & Ishe & Timmy
Also: * Your Friendly Lunch Lady, Rusty Moo, will be busting out his special School Noodle Bar; * Visit Cora Chaos + Princess Ariesin the “De-Tension” Hall. Don’t break
the School Rules or you could get a spanking!; * Watch Princess Aries as she wows you with her Naughty School Girl Act!; * Visit Johnny One, our Mis-Guidance Counselor for some career advice! ; * Stop by to get your prom photo taken with Shutterbug!; * Exercise your inner rebel by tagging the bathroom stalls. ; * Chill out in the Teacher’s Lounge, but try not to get caught there with one of your students!; * Check out all of the Art work from our fabulous students at Black Rock High!; * Video projections by Timmy, the head of the school’s AV Club.
A fantastic evening out with memories of high school prom, Sixteen Candles, and Long Duck Dong … down Larimer to the Orange Cat Gymnasium, nestled in a back alley with a smoking courtyard, gymnasium, lunch room, teacher’s lounge, and bathroom. Everyone dressed up in fabulous prom outfits and funky costumes. The event was well done and superbly decorated. The homeless prom couple added some fabulous spice and skits. The lunch lady Rusty made some healthy tasty noodles, and the burlesque show was tantalizing. Lots of dancing and fun. Humorous wall graffitti fun. Prom pictures well done. I had a fabulous time. Thank you! Rating: 5 stars out of 5.
Will
and Valerie,
Photos by Shutterbug
Noah,
Leaf, Allison,
Photo by Pesoptimist (c) 2008
Kokoro Sushi (Arvada, Colorado)
Kokoro Sushi Restaurant
http://kokorodenver.ypguides.net/
303) 432-0600 * 5535 Wadsworth, Arvada * (55th and Wadsworth)
A small healthy fast food joint off Wadsworth, part of a chain of a similar diner that’s in the style of Tokyo Joes somewhat, but more sushi and Japanese fare than Tokyo Joes. Specializing in lunch and dinner, they do have a healthier menu than most fast food restaurants and its nutritious and speedy. When I can’t do Tokyo Joes, Kokoro is my next choice, especially since I quit fastfood restaurants (unless I can’t help it). I like the Broadway location better than the Wadsworth, but both do me well. They even have a drive-thru and offer deliver by JEEVES by calling JEEVES at 303-534.TOGO or log onto the JEEVES website at www.deliverybyjeeves.com. Rating: 4 stars out of 5.
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (R: 2008)
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (R:2008)
Director: Rob Cohen. Starring: Brendan Fraser … Rick O’Connell; Jet Li … Emperor Han; Maria Bello … Evelyn O’Connell; John Hannah … Jonathan Carnahan; Michelle Yeoh … Zi Juan; Luke Ford … Alex O’Connell; Isabella Leong … Lin; and many more.
The Mummy returns to the blockbuster screen with a new twist as the adventure goes to Asia instead of Egypt. The retired couple O’Connell’s decide to go back to work as they take an offer they couldn’t turn down where they are ployed into resurrecting the Han Emperor (Jet Li) and go through a quest ranging from the catacombs of ancient China into the frigid Himilayas. Rick (Brendan Fraser) reunites with his son who joins the adventure - Father, son, wife, brother - a family affair off to stop a 2,000 year old mummy curse that threatens the existence of life as we know it. An immortal double-crossing sorceress assists them in stopping the Dragon Emperor and his 10,000 warriors that are the silent terra cotta army that comes alive. Great adventure and twists … even though I liked the first movies best, this one was worth its weight in terra cotta. Rating: 4 stars out of 5.
Hellboy 2: The Golden Army (R: 2008)
Hellboy II: The Golden Army (R: 2008)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0411477/
Starring: Ron Perlman … Hellboy, Selma Blair … Liz Sherman, Doug Jones … Abe Sapien / The Chamberlain / The Angel of Death, James Dodd … Johann Krauss, John Alexander … Johann Krauss, Seth MacFarlane … Johann Krauss (voice), Luke Goss … Prince Nuada, and many more. Director:Guillermo del Toro.
Envious and rebellious faery folk have decided to take back the dimensions from the humans and reclaim the world that was theirs. The villian (supposed Elf, but seems to be more of a dark draconian reptoid in my opinion) Prince Nuada confronts his father and sister in telling them its wrong to have let the humans take over the earth, and that he was going to take it back, and no one (not even his family) would stand in his way - regardless if it was breaking an oath and truce that the Fae and humans made long ago. He is on a quest to awaken and control the mythical Golden Army that exists with the ability to destroy the human race. Its brought to Hellboy’s attention and he of course races to save the day while juggling a heated passionate romance and an upcoming life change. Fighting elves, trolls, toothfairies, and otherworldly beasties - there is quite a bit of adventure and fantasy. My favorite being is the Nature God spirit which was killed off way too easily. Interesting plot as it plays off some themes in the prophetic Faerie great awakening rumored in Fairy lore to take place in the near future. The Director Dell Torro had quite a bit of imagination with the creation of this plot, a sequel and continuation to the infamous Hellboy comic series about “Hellboy” who is a creature alive in our world that comes from the otherworld. Perhaps it was the plot, but I far enjoyed this flick over the 1st Hellboy (which upon three attempts at watching all the way through fell asleep). Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5. Viewed 8/1/08.