A Year of Change

5 am and after a quick shower I’m off to the airport in Denver for a quick flight to Seattle. I’ll be back about 48 hours later but need to go. This wasn’t planned and just came up but it is what it is.

Yesterday Jag had his first day at SPRI, the Stedman Philippon Research Institute. It went well and I didn’t get all the details but he was cutting up and then stitching up cadavers, meaning, well you know. He has four more days there in his program. Lucky kid.

Ty has his tutor this morning so Lori will need to take him. I think he’ll take Uber home. It’s warming up, finally. That’s about it as I need to hit the road. Hope everyone is doing well, take care, be safe and God Bless.

Rest and relaxation, that’s what R&R means in case you don’t know. Yesterday that was the goal. Of course there was cooking, cleaning and driving kids here and there, but we did our best to get some rest.

We have a busy week. We were trying to get out to California to see Dixie but Jag has his research program Monday through Friday and I found out last night I need to go to Seattle tomorrow until Thursday night. Ty wants to go to camp next Sunday but we’re still on the fence with that. So maybe after the 4th, we’ll know more after my 2 day meeting.

The warm weather is here, whoo hoo. 80’s and 90’s mostly for the next 10 days. Jag has to be at the hospital at 11:30 this morning and Ty has some work to do before meeting Deb, his tutor, tomorrow.

That is it people, more tomorrow but not until I’m on a plane at 9 am or so. Have a great day and God Bless.

We woke up to snow. Not just a few flakes but real snow on June 23rd, the third day of summer. Good news is no drought this year and probably not many fires. Colorado is doing pretty well though compared to the rest of the Country. I’m told by friends the mosquitos are so bad back east you can’t even go outside at dusk.

Jag is sleeping, Ty spent the night at Sonny’s as it was his birthday and we need to get the dogs today. First up is the gym to get back on track. Denver was fun. We had breakfast at Union Station and then walked the farmers market there before hitting Cherry Creek for some new clothes for Ty and then it was up the hill. Jag stayed with Emma and her Mom and made it home around dinner time. Everyone called us yesterday thanking us for taking them to the show. It was a really good show. Here’s a picture backstage right before the show began. Veronica said to Andrea as she was taking the picture, “Andrea, you look so short”, ha. Time to go, hope all’s well, God Bless.

What a show, not much else to say, but I’ll try.

We left Vail around 11 and were in Denver by 1. I met Adam in the lobby and picked up some back stage passes for the show. Next up was lunch at Tavernerra next door. Then we had an hour to get ready to go to our friends place in Cherry Creek who was hosting a pre show party.

Lori, Jag, Ty, Emma and I left early for the Pepsi Center and 30 minutes later we pulled into the loading dock parking and walked in through the back door. We ran into Veronica, Andrea’s wife as soon as we walked in. My close friend Pete brought us some more passes for the kids. We hung out back stage and hit catering for some snacks. They put out great food and a big selection for the crew and musicians.

Soon the arena was filling up and our friends arrived. I was back stage talking with Veronica and Andrea about a benefit in Washington D.C. in December. Don’t think we’ll do it.

Right before the show we took the kids back for a photo with Andrea. He was gracious as always.

Soon the show started after a 10 minute hold due to a security issue. Now the show was amazing. We also had the entire 5th row for our guests so we were really close. There’s always an intermission so during the break Adam took Lori and I and gave us the extra swag bags he had which we gave out to our guests.

Right after the show we exited through the back stage loading dock and were at our hotel 5 minutes later. We had some tea and desserts and headed upstairs. As soon as we made it to our room, Lori got sick! I think it’s because she didn’t eat but she thinks it’s something she ate, like 3 desserts in 3 minutes! Poor girl.

We’re going to breakfast at 9 with Emma and her family before heading out. It’s rainy and miserable outside and snowing in the mountains. What a year weather wise. Pictures tomorrow as I’m writing from my phone. That’s it, take care and God Bless.

Tonight we have the Bocelli concert. We need to leave by 11 am and head straight to the Pepsi Center to pick up our backstage passes and drop some wine for Veronica and Andrea to give out to a few VIP’s. We’re staying at Hotel Born with the crew and hope to check in by 2. At 5 we have a reception at a penthouse in Cherry Creek and then the show is at 8. It’s going to be a busy day. Throw in some bad weather including severe storms and rain in the city with snow in the mountains.

First up though Lori has to head to work, I need to drop Mojo and then pack. Marty is riding down with us as his wife Melanie is already there and they’re getting their Mercedes back from the body shop.

Jag made it home around 5:30 and had a great time. Ty and I made it down to Denver and up by about 2. We had our A/C unit fixed for about $1100 and it’s all ready for the 90 degree heat next week. That’s it, time to get moving. Hope everyone is well, be safe and God Bless.

This morning at 9:30 Ty, Jack and I are headed to Denver to drop Jack and one more set of tickets for the show tomorrow night. Then we’ll speed back up as Jag gets home around 4. Tomorrow it’s back down to Denver and they say it’ll be raining, nice.

Aspen was nice and I was back by 1. Then I noticed water under the water heater, not good. I called as we had it replaced 6 months ago and a couple hours later two guys were here. Turned out to be a defective overflow tank which they replaced. I tipped each guy $20 and gave them a couple bottles of wine each as they were quick and good. Thank God that’s all it was.

The dogs are frisky and time to get the kids moving as Ty has Deb this morning. Have a great day, GB.

The news just said last year by this date we had 15 days of 90 degrees or above yet this year the number is zero. Where have the 90’s gone? I was telling Lori the weather this year has been almost biblical. Nonstop rain in parts of the Country, swarms of earthquakes in California, tons of snow here and intense heat in the southeast and more. It’s not a normal weather pattern and in most parts of the World, not warmer than usual. Hmmm.

Yesterday I made it down and up by 2 pm. Today around 9 I’m off for Carbondale and Aspen. Tomorrow back in Denver and then back again Friday for the concert. We had a good rain storm last night and it was still going strong as of 4:30 am. Now they say sun until Friday night, of course.

Lori is off today, yea! I think we’re going to try to go see Dixie at the end of the month. She thinks it’s been 2 months since Lori was there but it was actually May 10th so only about 6 weeks. Jag is having a blast riding horses, mountain bikes and fly fishing in Steamboat. Ty and Jack meanwhile are doing the town.

I’m headed to the gym before I go to Aspen so that’s it. I called Tom and Robi yesterday to check in and both are doing well. Hope the rest of you are too, GB.

This morning I have a quick turn down and up to Denver. First stop is the box office at the Pepsi Center to swap out some tickets for some others with better views. Then I have to drop off about 3 sets in various places before heading back up.

Lori came home early yesterday with food poisoning or something as she was doubled over and didn’t eat all night. Jag is having a blast in Steamboat with Emma and Jack and Ty were in town all day. I finally told them to turn off their lights at 12:09 am.

This morning Ty has Deb, his tutor, at 8. Then they’ll need to take Uber home unless Deb can give them a ride. Time to go as I need to be out the door in 35 minutes. Have a great day, God Bless.

Here’s the pictures from yesterday. First up some bbq from Chacon, then a pic from the Mine Party with Lori and I, Jody from Florida, Jeremy from New York (the no sock look, stylish) and Eric from Texas. Three great guys who work for me. Next up the beautiful sunset, Lori and I, a picture of Jody from the Mine with Bocelli wine and one of the party tents, and the stars above some ranch land, fun times.

We left Aspen around 10 and were in Basalt for lunch by 10:30. A few hours later we were home. Jack (Ty’s friend) is still with us until tomorrow and Jag leaves for a ranch in Steamboat today with Emma and her family until Thursday.

Lori and I of course are back to work. I’m in Denver tomorrow and back in Aspen Wednesday. The dogs come home today and we also have a A/C guy coming at 8 this morning so time to go. Hope all’s well. It’s a busy week with the Bocelli concert this Friday. Take care and God Bless.

Thank God Aspen Food and Wine is over today as I don’t know how much more ‘food” we could take. I don’t drink so I can only imagine how we’d feel if we had half the wine as we did food.

The day started off like another day in Aspen. I nice hike and a little sun before heading into town. Around noon we made it to town and found parking pretty quick. The farmers market is every Saturday so that added to the Food and Wine crowd. We made it to Clark’s, the seafood restaurant on time for a great meal. Afterwards I returned a money clip Lori and the boys had bought me as a Father’s Day present as it was too big. She decided to show me yesterday in case it didn’t work out. It’s the thought that counts anyhow. Then I stopped by to see these guys at Aspen Hatter. I have a few cowboy hats but am always on the look out for that special hat and had found these guys who have a shop in Austin and Aspen. I walked in and immediately hit it off with Ward, this sort of hippy kid hat maker. To be fair he was probably in his 30’s. Orlando Bloom from Pirates in the Caribbean was just leaving and Katy Perry was showing up in 10 minutes, ha. Anyhow Ward is making me this cool flat brim hat that’s a cross between cowboy hat and fedora sort of. They have this old Japanese loom from the 1800’s in the back to make hat bands and he also makes stuff out of things like deer sinew (guts). I’m thrilled I found these guys as I have a hard time finding hats that fit me right. In fact my best two cowboy hats were both custom made.

Then it was back to Snowmass to walk up the hill to Heritage Fire. This is an event they have in certain parts of the country that’s part of Chacon which is a national competition of guys that cook meat over open fires. The saying is meat, salt and fire. They had all these booths serving everything from goat to goose, duck, lamb, beef, octopus and more. The theme is they’d cook whole animals over open fires. The winner is chosen September 15th at the finals in Chicago. See pictures below.

After an hour and a bit, we headed back to our place to get ready for Wine and the Mine. We headed into town and parked and walked to the bus station where lots of people were waiting for the shuttles. Apparently they weren’t too smart as I recognized the black luxury vans across the street waiting for everyone and walked our group over. There were us four and the three amigos (my guys) in our group. The van took us up to Smugglers Mine where we passed through security and had wrist bands put on. Then you’re in the party. It was three levels of food and booze under tents with DJ’s and tons of people. I saw lots of people I knew including one guy who raved about me to Lori saying what a good guy I was and how I would always do anything to help anyone, awh. So after two hours a group of us headed down the hill to our awaiting limo to take us back to town.

We went to a new club in a place downstairs on Cooper Mall. It was set up like a New York or L.A. exclusive club with a restaurant and then a roped off disco like area with giant bottles of vodka sitting on each table. It was like a $2000 minimum for a table there but we knew the manager from the Four Seasons in Denver and secured a table. As the night went on, soon the DJ started and out came two scantly clad dancing girls like go go girls that danced on tables with the crowd. It was like something out of a movie where Russian mobsters would hang out. We don’t think it’ll last long in Aspen but you never know.

Now Jeff and especially Tina were falling over drunk. I hope Tina wakes up this morning! It was that bad. I told Lori we need to have an intervention and frankly I’m serious. I drove home hoping they wouldn’t throw up in our car and Tina passed out, clothed and all as soon as we walked in. Sure am glad I don’t drink anymore.

The kids had walked into Snowmass for dinner and had fun. Today we’ll go for our morning hike, pack up and head down valley. We’re stopping in Basalt at El Korita for Mexican food for Father’s Day lunch. It was a great trip and super productive work wise. We’ll for sure be back next year.

A quick Happy Father’s Day to all those dad’s no longer with us. My dad, Don, Bob, Jim and anyone I forgot. I saw a thing that said on Mother’s Day you always go out to dinner but on Father’s Day we’re expected to bbq, what’s up with that? God Bless. For some reason it won’t let me upload picture’s so I’ll try later!