Grrr....animals

It finally cooled down to about 85 today, so we headed off to the Denver Zoo.

There were quite a variety of animals there and they all seemed to be pretty happy, all things considered (I mean, they are confined and hardly living the dream-life somewhere in the wild).











This one looks like Dame Maggie Smith...



It also seemed that we encountered a variety of animals who had partied a bit too hardy the night before....







After many hours wandering around the animals and a surprising amount of Far Side-looking people (oddly shaped people with small heads and large bodies), we headed back into town.

On the way back, we stopped by the Brown Palace Hotel. Contrary to its poo-sounding name, it's one of Denver's oldest and most famous hotels and was named after the infamous Unsinkable Molly Brown (portrayed by multi-talented Kathy Bates in the movie "Titanic"), a Denver native.






Molly Brown moved into this historic hotel after selling her large mansion (also a city landmark) in the city.

She lived here until she died (Molly Brown, not Kathy Bates....she's still very much alive).

It's a beautifully ornate old hotel. So much detail and history....you feel it as soon as you walk in. I'm sure it would be an amazing place to stay, if one has boxes of cash to spend. We didn't....so we breezed through, took a few pictures and a set of salt and pepper shakers....then left.





After that. we walked down the famous 16th Street Mall, got something to eat and then headed back to the hotel for our last night here in the city.

I can't believe how fast our trip has gone. We weren't able to get up to the mountains (the Alpine train doesn't run in the summer) or to Boulder (after we got here, I got several emails from people suggesting we go there), but we got to see a very nice variety of sights and people right here in the city.

It's been a great visit and I look forward to heading back this way again.

Artsy Fartsy

Today was a chilly 98 degrees, so we decided to head to a cooler destination...the Denver Art Museum.







The new museum has a very modern design and is connected to the old museum next door by a bridge tunnel. Again...no need to go outside once you're inside.

Enjoyable.







This guy was on pins and needles....



They even had a Phyllis Diller display...



There was also this weird looking 3D huge scruffy head with moist lips...the only thing missing was the BO smell.



Speaking of weird....this museum, like all of them around the world, had their share of creepy dolls.







On the way back to the hotel, we stopped by the Capitol Building...very governmenty, isn't it?





Denver has a very good energy about it and, unlike LA, everyone can walk around downtown and not have to worry about being harrassed by a homeless person or drug addict every few steps.



A very nice change....

Denver Fishues

It was 97 degrees here today, so we decided to go someplace cool and wet.

Denver has a really nice aquarium and, after finding out that our hotel also provides complimentary shuttle service up to 2 miles, the decision was made.

I enjoy complimentary anything...



As you enter, they have this area of fish swimming above you...so it looks like they're flying.



Jellyfish are always so much nicer to see behind glass.





Sea Penises....how inappropriate!



This seahorse blew chunks right after I took this picture....very delicate.



Why a mechanical "Not without my monkey" display is featured, I have no idea.



And what's with the spiders in every aquarium? They don't swim....



This is a very large fish...one of the many reasons I don't swim in any water where I can't see the bottom.

We went to the Denver Children's museum just as it was closing...so we didn't get in. So much for my scary doll search.

There is always tomorrow....

Sleepless in Denver

We left for the airport this morning at 3:00 am....it should be illegal to get up that early.

Honestly, Ethel!

As a result, I got almost no sleep (cause I stare at the clock worrying that I'll over-sleep...so I end up not sleeping at all). Our flight left at 6:20 am, we got into Denver around 9:30 am, and then to the hotel around 11:00 am.

So...I'm a "wee" bit tired and will be napping very soon. As I type this blog to the sound of my traveling companion snoring blissfully in the background, I also realize that my free wireless internet connection comes and goes as it pleases...so I'm gonna try to make this a quick entry.



The Curtis Hotel, where we're staying is great and, once the very friendly and proud Marys behind the counter realized that we were also just as proud, they were VERY kind and immediately upgraded our standard room with a one window view to a larger room on the top floor that also came with two different views of the city.

A very nice welcome indeed!



The hotel is great and a lot of fun. They have a very friendly and helpful staff, themed floors (we're on the "Cool Riders" floor...so it's famous TV and Film visuals that relate to cars. There is a framed pic of David Hasselhoff with his Knight Rider car just outside our door and we didn't even have to pay extra for it), cool bar, tasteful decor and pre-recorded Don Pardo-type announcements on each elevator stop (I imagine it gets old quick for employees, but it's fun for us now). It's also in a nice area of downtown Denver and right next to the Performing Arts Center and a very modern Convention Center.

We basically checked in, dropped our things in the room, and then went out and did a quick walk around the area to see a few things while we could still stand upright.

So far, I really like Denver.







The convention center has a very cool design (plus a random two story tall blue bear peering in from outside)...you don't get that everywhere.







The Performing Arts Center is also a fun mix of old and modern design....lots of interesting visuals all around.







Even the hotel bar has a variety of interesting visual snacks....



Like this large Post-It board in the bathroom where you can leave any message you want (rather than actually writing on the wall).

People seem to be enjoying it and, by the looks of some of the notes....there are a variety of people one can call for a good time.

That's always important to know when visiting a new town, don't you think?

I must nap now....

Design Star

I like me some "Before and After" shows.



During the summer, there aren't too many TV shows that I watch regularly. Other than Kathy Griffin's "My Life on the D-List", the only other show that I record is HGTV's "Design Star".

Enjoyable.

Because I've been pretty busy the past few weeks, I had forgotten that the new season had started and that I had five episodes on the DVR to watch...which I did, one after the other, last night. I like this show because, at the end of the day, no matter how bitchy or mean you are as a person, you'll win or lose based on your actual talent and ability to create a good final product. The only other reality-type shows I watch like this, "Project Runway" and "Amazing Race" also share that basic philosophy.

Plus, there's nothing I enjoy more than seeing someone take a crappy, dreary, badly-designed room and totally revamping it into a living space that actually looks comfortable and clean.



I also enjoy the judging staff on this show. They are rarely outright mean and, often, their critique is right on the money.

Plus, I enjoy saying "Vern Yip"....

YIP!

He's as close to a Simon Cowell-type that this show has, but since he's really a designer, his critiques are often entertaining, without attacking or humiliating any particular individual personally.

I prefer that over something like "American Idol", where they make the nightly loser actually sing again before they walk off the stage crying into oblivion.

I also enjoy the variety of contestants on "Design Star". They have a nice mix of very professional designers and others that don't really have the standard education or experience, but have a natural talent or instinct that seems to work.



And, sometimes, they actually find "regular" people who happen to be attractive and talented, like Mikey V...a florida cop who is also a designer with a rippling "personality" and, although it hasn't been stated on the show yet....happens to be an out gay cop.

If anyone needs to keep wearing tank tops on the show....it's him.

Hey, it worked for the first season winner and shirtless-designer, David Bromstad, who eventually won and got his own show, "Color Splash" (although, to be honest, I don't really think he makes a very good host for his show. He doesn't appear comfortable in front of the camera and comes off a little too smug and snarky, if that's possible).

Speaking of too smug...



This guy, Michael, irritated me right from his audition. Anyone who begins their interview with "This just in....I'm fabulous!" is, to me, someone who deserves to have an anvil or piano immediately dropped on them. I'm all for the gays being themselves, but anyone who is flamboyant and loud just for the sake of being the center of attention (plus really kind of mean at times), has lost my support right from the beginning.

Thankfully, he was eliminated and, true to form as he was leaving the building, wept like a child and said he wanted his Mom.

I'm sure she's warming his bottle up as I write this.



Now, they just need to get rid of Tracee (yes, with two "e"s) and her annoying personality and horrible people skills.

If there is any justice in the world, there is a house just waiting to drop on her somewhere in the skys of Nashville.

And, if there is, I hope they catch it on film so we can see the before AND after.

Sunshine on my shoulders

I was in Palm Springs over the weekend and, let me tell you, it was a "wee" bit hot.

Around 120 F hot.

I don't know how people live down there in the summer without bursting into flames the minute they walk outside. I think my sweat was even sweating...

I managed to balance my time by the pool, then into the air-conditioned room, then nap....then food, pool, then sleep.

A very good routine...I highly recommend it.

While catching up today on the many blogs I read, I found that OutInHollywood posted some clips from the Kathy Griffin Mardi Gras "My Life on the D-List" episode (I was on this flight).



You can see me quickly at the front of the stage a couple times when she first comes up to talk, then you can see me sitting up in my seat (behind her) at the 2:31 time stamp.

It seems like ages ago, but was fun to watch what they filmed and how they put it all together.

I'm also headed to Denver, Colorado on Wednesday-Sunday and will be taking my computer there to blog about my first visit. I'm looking forward to it and hope that it's a fun place to hang out, take pictures and wander around to watch people.

As long as it's cooler than the suface of the sun, I should be just fine.

I'll soon find out....

Off the guest list

Why doesn't this surprise me....

The Advocate.com is exclusively reporting that John McCain has officially changed his position on California's marriage amendment from neutral to endorsing the efforts to prohibit gay marriage.

I wonder if Ellen will take back her "invitation" for McCain to walk her down the aisle?

What a trooper

I saw this photo on Defamer and it made me laugh.

I wonder if Yoda was busy trying to find a partner on the teeter-totter that wouldn't accidently launch him back up into space?