I was talking to my mom last night and we were discussing how correct this countdown clock I have is for her imminent arrival on my site is.  I knew when I made this widget that it was after a few attempts and was a little bit frustrated but needed one none the less.  So today I went to the site I got it from and tweaked it so now it's 100% correct. 

Now, I know too that mom is nervous to fly here alone so I went to DIA's site and found a map that shows the set up of the airport and the train that she'll have to take to get to the main baggage area where we're set to meet up. 

Last night before Pete got home I was watching TV and there was a commercial for this new huge store in Denver opening up that offers designer home furnishings for reduced prices.
Their gimmick is that they are only open on weekends, it's what one of the W's in WOW stands for.  Anyway, today when I was done with class there were two guys waiting for the elevator talking about it.  When we all got in the elevator I excused my eavesdropping and mentioned I had just heard about it.  He told me he went to the opening party last night and they have $6,000 Italian Leather couches for $1,500 and anything else you would need for your house.  I'm a little nervous about the weekend crowd but I think saving 50-60%, he said that's the average, is worth it.  Especially if I can find some kitchen stuff, we're dying for more storage.  

Nothing much going on here today.  Pete went to hang with some friends after picking up his gear for his rafting training next week.  Now if we ever want to go we can do it ourselves.  I think that's so much better than going with a bunch of gapers. 

Class today was great as usual.  The thing I love best about my instructor is that he's a chef as well as having 25 years experience in the restaurant business.  It's been nice to pick his brain and not have to feel bad about taking time from the rest of the class.  Plus he thinks that the passion I have for cooking will only do good things to help me move up the ranks faster.  He said you can't teach someone passion and a smile so I'm already a head of the game.  Who would have thought that the angst ridden teenager I was would eventually morph into a smiling adult.  Not me that's for sure!  But when I engage people I do tend to smile a lot so as long as it works in my favor I have no complaints.  But I do have permission to break out the Brooklyn if someone crosses the line.  Always good to know.

Now I've mentioned all the crazy things you see here, but I really think NY is trying to pull me back because all I've been seeing lately are yellow cabs.  Here is one I saw at Wal-Mart. 
I had to stop and think where I was for a second.  I would like to know who doesn't have a car here?  Seriously!  I mean there is public transportation in Denver, buses and the elevated subway, and a free shuttle that runs in summit county to all the ski resorts but that's it.  If you expect to get anywhere here you better have a car.

Then on the way and home from my class I pass a vintage cab with a Thule case on it.  For those of you that don't know, a Thule case is a large plastic storage unit on the top of your car.  It can be used for any kind of gear but I would think it's most well known for being packed full of skies so you can fit more people in the car.  Only in Colorado would you see something like this.

 I'm not sure what's up with Pete for dinner so more than likely I'll be making some organic soup and a sandwich.  I don't need anything special when it's just me.  I cooked a bunch before my class started so since we're on a weird schedule I have a daily food post even if I don't make anything for dinner.  Isn't that the way it always should be?

So I forgot to mention in my 4.12.10 post that I had an experience that you can old have in the wild west.  On the drive to the airport of all places.  So for those of you who have flown to DIA (Denver International Airport) know that once you exit the main Highway (I-70) you are on a long access road (Pena Blvd) for a few miles.

Pete chose the later flights so he could have some time in the city before heading to Ron's and also so it was a non-stop flight and he had a better chance of sleeping.  So it was dark and pretty late by time we hit Pena.  I was tired and my contacts were foggy so when I saw something coming across the lane then get pulled under my car I almost had a heart attack.  Pete got a kick out of it and explained what it was.

I did some research and I think mine might have been a little bit smaller that the pic below but I'm pretty sure it's the craziest thing that's happened to me out here.  Who knew?  I thought that kind of thing only happened in the dessert!  Thankfully my car is fine.  Now I know to keep an eye out for them.

Today Pete and I were driving around Denver and I took a few pics on the way since Pete was driving today.

 This is a little of Golden from I-70 E

 before we get off our exit to head to John's


There is some big project going on but it's looked like this for months know.  I'm not sure what it's going to connect to. 


This is the license plate that I really wanted.  It would look so good with the color of my car.

but after being charged a ridiculous amount of money to just put it on the road I went with the standard Colorado one.  


Here is a shot of downtown Denver from a distance.  It's the only part that has high rises.

 The part of town that we had to drive thru before we got to John's has the most amazing mansions.  I need to go back and get some pictures because some of them are just unbelievable.  This was Pete's favorite and this was the best shot I could get as we drove by.

Pete needed to get some work done in the studio so I hung out for a bit before leaving for my meeting.

My agency meeting was good.  I tested really well so hopefully, since I'll be calling every week to follow up, I'll be on the "hot list" and will placed very soon.  The guy I met with was really nice and let me know that my resume is great and doesn't need to be tweaked.  It's good to know since I was worried that's what was holding the offers back. He said things are picking up again so fingers crossed.

I was bummed that I didn't bring my camera to the interview.  I parked in a garage about 3 blocks away from where I needed to be.  On my drive in I saw so many cool things that would have been great to show everyone but it's a lesson learned.  I do have to say that the looks I got today walking over to the office were priceless.  I guess I stick out here like a sore thumb but I'd rather look nice than look like everyone else.  AND I wasn't even all the dressed up.  I can't wait to make it back to the city so I can break out some of my really beautiful pieces that just won't be appreciated or make sense here. 

When I got back Pete had accomplished what he needed to and it was time to take a few pics of the studio.  I'm sure no one reading this cares what the racks of gear look like so here is a nice shot of Pete and John to close out this post.  Both of them are happy that everything is finally up and running.