Sunday, December 20, 2015

A Royal Christmas

With Christmas later this week, it's time for my girlfriend and I to begin preparing for our annual Christmas tradition.  We celebrate a bit differently than most.

First of all, we live across the street from the Manitou Springs Town Hall, where they host an annual community dinner, so we go over and eat.

Then, we head up the avenue to the Royal Tavern, our favorite Manitou dive for a couple pitcher's (the Royal has a very limited choice, but it's the cheapest beer in town.)

We do this, not because we're atheist (OK, a little because of that,) but mostly because neither of us has no family to hang out with.  Her family lives out of state, my family and I don't speak, and haven't in years.

So we imbibe instead.

And that's our thing.

In the meantime, happy whatever holiday you celebrate.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

I Love My Baby

Usually, guys will refer to their cars as their "baby."   My "baby" is my mountain bike, a 2009 Trek Fuel EX7 that I bought in Sheridan, Wyoming.

Because this bike is my "baby," I like to take pictures of it, especially if I find something interesting to lean it on (there is a Facebook page dedicated to such photos.  I was kicked off the page for using the word "bong" in a post.)

I took this particular pic this summer as I was riding back from an appointment at our local VA clinic.  In the background is Colorado Springs' famous Garden of the Gods park, and behind that, Pikes Peak.  The trash bag in front of the bike is a nice touch, if I do say so myself.

And that's my baby.

Friday, December 11, 2015

From the iPod #4 - Solitude

My iPod is a very important piece of my world.  I am a man of music, and therefore need the thing several times a day to satisfy my musical needs.

My iPod contains 749 songs, the majority of which I consider favorite 's.  One of those is "Solitude" by Denver-based Caustic Soul, a sort of goth/industrial band originally from Cody, Wyoming.

"Solitude" is from the band's second album, An Absence of Warmth, which is a concept record vocalist/guitarist Mike Atchley wrote about his grandfather's experiences in World War I.

Don't let the "goth" designation deter you from listening to the link below.  It's a great, relaxing, late-night tune that more than lives up to it's title.

Solitude