May 11, 2008
May 10, 2008
The Moon Pole
This whiskey barrel will have a Moon Pole.
This “tree” will be placed in the whiskey barrel to create the Moon Pole.
MoonFlowers will be planted in the whiskey barrel. With 10 to 20-foot vines, the deliciously fragrant heirloom MoonFlower (Ipomoea alba) unfurls huge white blossoms at dusk. The plants have large heart-shaped leaves.
It will be glorious.
May 3, 2008
Kentucky Derby 2008
The Kentucky Derby, the 134th run for the roses...
I curse Bob Black Jack!
mint julep
bocce ball
A.H. Hirsch Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey distilled in 1974, in the barrel for 16 years. Widely acclaimed by authorities, A.H. Hirsch Reserve is that complete rarity: a whiskey of such uncompromising quality and individual character that words simply cannot do it justice. A thick-textured whiskey, which coats the mouth. Rich, complex flavors, very spicy, with plenty of mint, evergreen, dried apricots, toffee, and vanilla. Long soothing finish.
Vader Cake
The pool...
May 2, 2008
April 24, 2008
The Great Sunflower Project
I have joined The Great Sunflower Project to produce the first real map of the state of the bees. Some bees have had severe declines, such as Colony Collapse Disorder, which may be affecting food production. No one has ever measured how much pollination is happening over a region or continent, especially urban areas such as the Denver. Without pollinators, there will be no pollination, which in turn means there will be no fruits and veggies!
The Great Sunflower Project will supply me with wild, native sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seeds. Twice a month I'll collect the following data: temperature, count the number of flowers on the Sunflower plant and time how long it takes for five bees to visit. I will report the data online for their study.
Sunflowers make you happy.
Sunflowers make you smarter.
Sunflowers are wicked cool.
Sunflowers help you make friends.
Sunflowers make work go by quickly.
Sunflowers will teach you about science.
Sunflowers are pretty.
Sunflowers are a cherished gift.
Sunflowers are in my garden. (What about yours?)
Sunflowers will help.
I've joined the hunt for bees!!
April 16, 2008
Moritz Embroidery Works
The Moritz Embroidery Works in Pennsylvania have been doing embroidery since 1885. They provided us with our mission patches the past 3 years.
The company was notified today of the mission patch all-weather testing done by Pumpkin Lord James. The images are being passed around the company this instant.
PLJ was asked if they were for space.
Day 291 and counting…
Mission Patch Project Alpha 1 Gallery
April 13, 2008
Doors Open Denver 2008 and Yuri's Night
It was a pleasant weekend filled with Doors Open Denver and Yuri’s Night celebrations. I was carrying a 40-pound pack! It never hurts to be prepared.
I walk to my own music. Figuratively and literally. I fired up my portable sound system and softly jammed to good tunes all weekend long, usually causing many funny laughter moments in the process.
SS and I had a run in with Daryl at Doors Open Denver. Daryl was a homeless man, a musician. We walked down the 16th St. Mall talking with him, learning his story. We arrived at our destination and in lieu of giving him cash, SS sent him towards Ross, where we would meet him in 30 minutes and she would buy him a new pair of shoes.
Our tour of the D&F Tower complete, we hustled to Ross and watched Daryl from the stairs looking over the shoes, checking the price and trying them on. The shoe purchase complete and Daryl on his way with a new pair of sneakers, we continued our tour of the Denver.
It was the most beautiful thing I had ever witnessed, almost collapsing weak at the knees.
Candyman
Yuri’s Night was spent at Denver’s Chamberlin Observatory wallowing in tektites, transit telescopes, globes and stereo photography of the Aurora Borealis and comets. I mixed with memorizing chronometers and visual measurement tools. I was lost in Universal and sidereal time checking out the telescope, a priceless 114-year-old 20-inch aperture, f/15 Alvan Clark-George Saegmuller refractor! A smile never left my face.
Yuri’s Night finished at Sputnik. A splendid Yuri’s Night!!
Chamberlin Observatory
a 20-inch aperture, f/15 Alvan Clark-George Saegmuller refractor
a 20-inch aperture, f/15 Alvan Clark-George Saegmuller refractor
Transit Telescope
Yuri's Night 2008 at Sputnik
April 8, 2008
Yuri's Night is April 12, 2008
Yuri's Night is April 12, 2008.
www.yurisnight.net
Yuri's Night is like the St Patricks Day or Cinco de Mayo for space. It is one day when all the world can come together and celebrate the power and beauty of space and what it means for each of us.
Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin embarked on the historic first manned space flight on 12 April 1961. Twenty years later on 12 April 1981, the US launched the first space shuttle flight.
April 6, 2008
The Smoke
The first smoked BBQ of the season; BBQ chicken quarters with apple wood, zucchini, yellow and red peppers.
April 5, 2008
April 4, 2008
April 3, 2008
Colorado Rockies Home Opener 2008
Ah yes, I scored tickets to the Colorado Rockies home opener following the World Series season of last year. It should be a raucous party for sure for sure. THANKS ROB AND MICHELE!
Colorado Rockies versus Arizona Diamondbacks
Friday April 4, 2008
02:05 pm MT
I will be in my Rockies cap. And I will drink beer.
March 29, 2008
Garden Hulks
Construction of the serendipitous beds of Earth for the GX-1134 Urban Garden was done this day. COMPLETE GX-1134 GALLERY HERE
Laborious. How does one muster the troops so early when they’re weakened by the appetite and lack of sleep? They are stricken with a painful twitch that hungers for breakfast. I know breakfast. Nothing feeds the pre-manual labor body like a plate of homemade biscuits and gravy.
Then we worked...
March 27, 2008
The exotic spice
I am on vacation and exotic adventure waits. The spice of life. The spice must flow.
A rock-hunting trip perhaps? I’ve always wanted to see the K/T boundary. Loosing oneself in the old maps at the Western History Collection in the Denver Public Library? Walking tours of historic Denver? Disco Mountain concert? Or a journey to the Rockies in the west for early spring fishing? A pleasant visit to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science? My book! My book! I must finish my book! And my short Lunar story shall be edited soon.
And gardening. Work will continue on the Great eXperiment GX-1134 Urban Garden. Plans upon plans upon drawings upon blueprints upon lumber trek complete, a plot of ground will be forged this Saturday. From the depths of sterile nothingness shall come new-fangled soil to till; fresh surface for the seed plant; the nutritious Earth edged in redwood and built by the fuel of biscuits and gravy and Venti Chai tea with 7 pumps of sugar free cinnamon dolce syrup, soy milk, extra foam, misto and 7 packets of Splenda brand sweetener. Serendipity! The tools of the strange garden realm will be commanded.
I need 16 cubic feet of soil: garden soil, organic soil, enriched planting mushroom compost, steer manure, peat and sheep and those horticultural polymers. Those magnificent horticultural polymers. I lord-master the nature. My thumbs have a green stain.
The mission patch … what will it be? What could it be? What grandeur can be made to compare to those images of times past?
Life aplenty to be had. So much to do. How does one sleep when there is so much to experience?
March 23, 2008
March 21, 2008
Spring
Now that spring has come, sun tea, radish and wildflower planting are the call of the times.
Icicle Radish, white, long radish.
Pink Beauty Radish, pastel pink, round radish.
Cherriette Radish, smooth, bright red radish.
Multicolor mix Easter Egg Radish, mix of red, purple and white round radishes.
A custom STS-13L Wildflower Gauge was installed in a pot.
by RAD
O’ Spring,
rebirth and renewal
a cog in the hoop of all things
replace the splendor of the winter
bringing color and warmth
thy dirt is mine friend
Das Ende
March 19, 2008
Dale Family Mexican Easter Fiesta
Sunday is the traditional Dale Family Mexican Easter Fiesta!
I am making my patented Chili Con Queso.
The Dale Family Mexican Easter Fiesta is tradition dating back as far as I can remember. Instead of ham, lamb, duck, eggs, potatoes, rolls, green beans, asparagus, strawberry pie and all the other traditional Easter feast items, my family gathers for a massive Mexican food potluck.
We wallow in burritos, enchiladas, corn chips, salsa, tortillas, green chili, spicy casseroles, Mexican rice, nasty guacamole, refried and black beans, chicken fajitas, chile rellenos, a myriad of delicious desserts, iced tea, soders, freshly brewed coffee, sour creams, cheeses, fresh lettuce, tostadas and many other Mexican cuisines. One hasn't celebrated Easter until they shove refried beans and flour tortillas into their mouths. I find this family tradition to be a wonderful, blessed thing. Don't you wish you were a member of my family? Many do.
March 16, 2008
March 15, 2008
March 12, 2008
Meet Hern Mojito
Blueberry Mojito - A very refreshing mix of mint leaves, key limes, blueberries and Nicaraguan rum.
Arctic Dairy Queen Sub Zero Blizzard Run
You can't go wrong with an arctic Dairy Queen sub zero blizzard run.
March 11, 2008
there will be ... ...
There will be peppers:
There will be tomatoes:
There will be goodness:
And more. So much more.
March 9, 2008
STS-666 STS13L Weather tests
Mission Patch all-weather testing day 252 side by side comparison. Scan by Pumpkin Lord James.
brakes
I got my hands dirty and learned to do my own brakes. Call me grease monkey!
Today there is a posse coming over and there will be farming done.
March 4, 2008
Possible Config
A possible configuration for the Urban Garden this year. There will be more room for vegetables of the consuming kind.
February 27, 2008
the FINAL RADcast
The FINAL RADcast…
Date / Time: THURSDAY 2/28/2008 8:00 PM MT (10 PM EASTERN!)
Category: Comedy
Call-in Number: (646) 915-9516
What everyday events are magic? What makes you happy? Do you appreciate the beauty of life?
Russ counts down his top 10 favorite RADcast bits, reminisces of RADcast and celebrates the goodbye of an internet staple. Scheduled for 120 minutes…
February 25, 2008
3rd Annual Tank Party
3rd Annual Tank Party
MELT’s homemade sushi!
February 23, 2008
Sushi Oscars
Tomorrow night is the traditional Oscar celebration complete with MELT's homemade sushi.
February 21, 2008
Biscuits and Gravy
Biscuits and gravy: the finest grub ever invented by modern man. I am the founder and President of The B&G Society, a vagabond group of people who search the world over for the holiest of holies: the bestest plate of biscuits and gravy ever! We elite at the B&G Society are ever searching, always seeking, the holy grail of biscuits and gravy.
My fascination with this wholesome breakfasty treat started in my teen years. I first made biscuits and gravy on Sunday, December 1, 1991. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was 16 at the time and whipped up a hefty batch with best friend MELT. The culinary delight had ground turkey white gravy and was GOOD!
Here at the radhole HQ, we have shared countless plates of biscuits and gravy together over the years.
The search still continues to this day.
I pride myself on taking the quest so very seriously. I know that the finest plate of biscuits and gravy is out there somewhere. Some say B&G is deadly and I laugh! I consider it like the Japanese delicacy, fugu! The hunt for B&G takes determination, foresight and leaves no room for bashfulness. It’s a rough road. Don’t be afraid to photograph your biscuits and gravy. You shall not be persecuted.
While on the travels, one never knows when one will hit a B&G jackpot. Truck stops, family owned restrents or street vendors usually sell the grub B&G. Undoubtedly, while on the road, there is a painful twinge in the back of your brain, a hankering for a mess of fluffy, mongo buttermilk biscuits slathered in peppery, white country sausage gravy. Few can fight the urge.
In the constant search for biscuity goodness, the quest has taken me to various locations upon this great American land: Kentucky, Alabama, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, California, Delaware, New York, Washington DC, Georgia, Tennessee, Illinois, Missouri, South Dakota, Texas, Florida, Utah and Colorado.
I’ve searched and searched for the ideal biscuity knowledge. The one true source! But nothing compares to the righteous and stout recipe by GrandPappie Bailey. I was weaned on his freshly split buttery enchantment. I used to watch him craft breakfast. He was a cook in the World War II. He taught me to cook. Them biscuits are legendary! Them breakfasts am hearty. I salivate.
Old GrandPappie Bailey perfected his blissful recipe when he was four years old back in Saratoga Township, Pratt County, Kansas in 1925! Forget Bisquick! GrandPappie make his exquisite biscuits from scratch and they’ll make you rise on up and proclaim with a hearty holler "GrandPappie Bailey’s biscuits make me sing in jubilee!" Add those goodly biscuits to perfecto gravy sunshine, luscious gravy or grubby gravy; all made from the drippings of the finest browned breakfast sausage, and you’ve got yourself a mess of breakfast delight!
Biscuits and gravy is a tradition in certain circles, a great ceremony. There are times when B&G is made just for the sake of making it. It’s a treat to sit down to a steaming plate of biscuits and gravy. Try it. They taste good any time of year.
Besides homemade, the current best biscuits and gravy (2008) reside at Bauer's Campus Café, 435 Poncha, Alamosa, CO 81101 (719) 589-4202. They are cheap and delectable.
Russ Dale
Biscuits and Gravy Society
-
excerpt from CON 2001 by Matthew E. Twardy, Eric Kemper and Russell A. Dale (2001)
EXT. SPIDER HILL - MORNING
PAUL is awakened by PEPE shaking him and handing him a steaming plate of biscuits and gravy. She wears Spock ears and a CON 2001 T-shirt.
PEPE
Hey ... You want biscuits and gravy?
PAUL
Oh hell yeah. Thanks man!
PEPE
Coffee?
-
Biscuits and Gravy Rap Lyrics:
TELEPHONE CONVERSATION
Yo. We hit the B&G jackpot dawg. We be sittin' down to a heapin' plate of biscuits and gravy yo. Better dan da restrents. Come on over Shiz-Hole. It's homemade from the drippings of the finest browned breakfast sausage. Uh huh. Dats right. You's got a hankering for a mess of fluffy, mongo buttermilk biscuits covered in peppery, white country sausage gravy? I'll sees you in ten minutes dawg!
What up J-Hole? I's got a song fo you.
Forget your cereal. We got lardy goodness.
It's ethereal. Down right crudeness
Food stuffs. Release your cuffs.
No greasy bacon. Hey I ain't fakin' It's time to awaken!
No no no
No eggs neither
Take a breatha
We's gonna slather
or rather
tether, every otha, whilst enjoy this weather.
And together
Fill our bellies with anti jams and jellies. Inhale the smellies, no delis fellies, feelin' wellies. Feliz Navadad!
Knees on sod, pray to God, not Zod, just nod, join the B&G vice squad. It's odd.
It's peppery. We play. Don't stray!
It's biscuity goodness. Call the press.
I see you drool. Welcome to school.
You's got hunger? You ain't getting' any younger!
The pains be stabbin'. Yo stomach you grabbin'
Soooooooooooo
(Chorus)
Grab a plate yo. It's feast time.
You's be filled with glee
At my blissful recipe.
It's Biscuits. Biscuits and gravy. (HAY-VE)
freshly split
buttery enchantment (buttery)
hearty contentment
Don't be lazy. Taste my gravy
I used that buttermilk? Smoother than silk!
And da steamin' pepper white gravy. Sweeeeeeet so very savory.
Can't forget the peppah. Freshly ground black peppah.
Pass the butter yo. Ain't in no mood for olio.
Damn straight yo. We go wit da flow.
Got the Jimmy Dean sausage. Brown breakfast sausage.
Yo it's spicy pork. Don't need no goddamn fork.
I know I be a smarty. This food am mighty hearty.
Hear that bell that ring? Join me and sing.
It's breakfast time. Come here my rhyme.
(Chorus)
It's feast time.
You's be filled with glee
At my blissful recipe.
It's Biscuits. Biscuits and gravy.
freshly split
buttery enchantment
hearty contentment
Don't be lazy. Taste my gravy
Taste like shit? Damn foo. You don't like it?
Well fuck you!
I slather I don't skimp. I'm the B&G pimp.
February 16, 2008
February 14, 2008
February 7, 2008
RADcast: Monorail to AtomLand
RADcast: Monoral to AtomLand
Date / Time: 2/7/2008 8:00 PM MOUNTAIN TIME
Category: Comedy
Call-in Number: (646) 915-9516
Space basil seeds, shuttle launch, MySpace, Facebook, social networking and more. Can you see through a wall? Join us.
February 6, 2008
Space Seeds
Yes friends, the Droogs are powerful people. Kneel before us.
Cinnamon Basil seeds have been obtained for GX-1134, the urban garden mission for 2008. I’m not whispering of plain, regular, shabby basil seeds bought at any hole seed shack. Oh no. We run only the finest operation here in the Colorado, sparing no expense and leaving no stone unturned.
I have learned much of gardening these past two years. The battles have been harsh. Mold, mildew, mice, insect pests, squirrels, birds, wasps, hail, floods and City Fox. The very Mother Nature herself both blessed and damned the garden.
But Barnabas still stands true. It’s time to apply the knowledge gleaned to The Great eXperiment. And we will.
The seeds? The seeds! Our Cinnamon Basil seeds flew aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on STS-118 in August of 2007. They don’t take chances at NASA. They double up on everything. There are two packets.
Homeless Prophet: A Light-Rail Journey
NEW EDIT!
Join a homeless prophet as he speaks of breakfast, butter, optimism, Mommie Dearest, gangs and other important things. The disembodied voice shines hope through the gravy fog...
keywords: homeless Denver lightrail train butter breakfast hope gangs thugs prophet mom dad fog gravyfog preach teacher mentor tornadoes obama supertuesday caucus restrainingorder spears lutfi
February 5, 2008
New Season: GX-1134
The new season of the garden is drawing closer. GX-1134, the newest urban garden mission, will be here before you know it. I can feel Spring in the air. I can taste it on the wind. I see it on the horizon, beckoning me to put my hands into the ground. Dirt never sounded so unsoiled. Growing never seemed so right. Tending to things that grow is a calming peace.
March 20, 2008 is the first day of Spring. I know March and April are the snowiest months in Colorado, but that is all right. Let the snows come to dampen the Earth and prepare it for planting.
The sweet harvest will be wonderful this year. I placed the first seed order today.
So far the GX-1134 crew have discussed changes to the garden. We will grow zucchini, cucumbers, peppers, sunflowers, pie pumpkins, radishes, cannas, 3rd generation nicotiana rustica Hopi sacred Mapacho tobacco and herbs. What will be new crop? Lettuce perhaps? Spinach? Potatoes? Hops? Carrots?
The end of gardening season was marked by the beginning of National Football League season. And now that the football season is officially over, it should be time for gardening. A little over a month! I am so excited.
The first work on the urban garden begins this Sunday.
The seeds purchased in order 1:
Diva Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)
Delicious 2002 All-America Selections winner!
AAS trial judges throughout North America agreed - Diva just might be the best-tasting cuke on the planet. Diva looks like a regular salad cucumber but with a much smoother, thin, no-peel skin. Distinctly tender, crisp, sweet, bitter-free, and seedless; especially flavorful harvested small, about the size of a pickle.
Easter Egg Radishes (Raphanus sativus) (2 packets)
Multicolor mix.
Make beautiful bunches with this mix of red, purple, and white round radishes. Maturing over an extended period of time, they stay crisp and mild even when large.
Raven Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo)
Very dark green for better health.
Darker green skin contains higher levels of lutein, a highly effective antioxidant. Open plants are high-yielding, producing glossy, smooth, cylindrical fruit. Concentrated fruit set, so plan for multiple plantings.
Gourmet Pepper (Capsicum annuum)
Early orange bell has thick juicy walls and fruity sweet taste.
Medium-large, very blocky fruits are bigger than Corona and easier to grow under a wider variety of conditions. Strong compact plants set plentiful fruits without crowding
King Arthur Pepper (Capsicum annuum)
Early, big, high yielding.
Remarkably large-sized bell pepper for its earliness.
Days to Maturity or Bloom: 59 days green, 79 days red ripe
Velvet Queen Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
Rich, dark, and velvety.
5" blooms of burgundy, mahogany, chestnut, and bronze with dark centers. Well-branched, free-flowering plants with strong stems.
Zebulon Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
Amazing geometrical pattern in the bright green center.
An attractive dwarf sunflower with an amazing center. Single stem, early flowering, and perfect for fresh bouquets
Baby Bear Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
New last year! Double, golden yellow flowers.
Dwarf, branching plants. Side stems are suitable for use in small bouquets.
February 3, 2008
The Bowl
Today is the Super Bowl. Today is also the awarding of the Droog Gridiron Challenge Fantasy Football trophy to MELT, the rightful winner.
I hope The Giants win the game. Pics to come.
Happy Sunday to all.
February 1, 2008
Van Halen Thunder Blizzard
A light rail journey to the scrum as Van Halen plays Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Thunder, lightning, mixes with snow.
January 28, 2008
phone writing
I wrote this on my phone in November 2004:
$11.25 to bring small joys to people.
It's amazing what diversity you see at the bus stop. I road the bus into downtown today. There's good people watching on the # 6 East and West bus.
Each person has a story. Each individual has a different lifestyle and circumstances that find him or her on the bus today. I feel comfortable here, as though I'm connected to these people. We're all connected on this Earth.
It's a beautiful Fall Colorado day. The sky is a brilliant blue. A stiff breeze blows the gold, red and orange leaves form the trees. The leaves cover everything and mini cyclones swirl them around sidewalks, lawns and streets, announcing the soon arrival of a weather front from the east. Could the first snow of the season be on its way?
I meet Sug'z on the bus. He's hitting on the gal sitting next to him. He carries a ragged cardboard sign and a canvas bag full of CDs. He looks tired, as though he's seen and experienced a lot in life. SUG'z is a Denver rapper trying to make ends meet by selling his album: "They Call Me SUG'z (shoog'z)". I buy one for 10 bucks and he is gracious and happy. "You just made my day," he said to me, "I haven't sold very many. Thanks for the support." It's funky, edgy and unique.
I like it. It's made entirely in Denver, from production to packaging. There is a din of conversations around me. A woman sings a song to her daughter in Spanish. I think I hear two people speaking in Russian. An unruly child screams and cries for twenty minutes, saying the same word in Spanish between wails the entire time. Another woman finally quiets him by giving him a butterscotch candy. "Gracious," he says, wiping the tears from his eyes.
I pull out my MP3 player and load the U2 play list. I look out the filthy window at city life, each person quickly moving by, not taking time to see what's in front of them. They have a purpose. A destination.
The bus speedily turns the corner; everyone inside is violently thrust to the right. I see an elderly man running, his arms flailing as he hails the bus that's about to pass him by. The driver stops abruptly, again jolting people in the bus. He gets on, panting, and thanks the driver for stopping. He sits next to me with a groan, favoring his back and fishing in his tattered pants pockets for the fare. His silver hair was mussed by the wind and his blue flannel had definitely seen better days. His face was grizzled and he smiled a toothless grin. His smile faded as he pulled a packet of mints and a few coins from his pocket. I was watching him from behind the protection of my sunglasses when he turned to me and spoke, "Son," he said still short of breath, "I'm a little bit short on bus fare. Do you have 50 cents?"
I replied that indeed I did have the spare change. "I'll pay for you," I said, immediately pulling out my wallet and placing the dollar twenty-five in the fare collector at the front of the bus. I asked the bus driver for a transfer just in case the man needed one.
"Thank you and God bless you," he said happily when I returned to my seat. "I've had one hell of a day."
I offered him the transfer but he said he did not need it.
I arrived at my final destination and stepped off the bus. I'm fortunate to have all that I have. Spending $11.25 can bring a little hope and joy into the lives of complete strangers. I felt great. I skipped down the street, the leaves crunching under my feet, listening to U2, absorbing the glory of all creation.
January 26, 2008
Zig Zag #14: Bar Wars , Car Trek
I voice some of the Asian Tourists.
Zig Zag #14: Bar Wars , Car Trek:
Steve Gets harassed by Asian Tourists. Will and Bill are heading to a convention.
National Western Stock Show
The 102nd year of the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado.
photo by PLJ
January 24, 2008
RADcast: Ice is a Mineral
RADcast: Ice is a mineral
Ice is a mineral and other neato facts of life. Gladiator combat, rescuing the damsel in distress, grunting and more!
Date / Time: 1/24/2008 8:00 PM Mountain Time (10 PM Eastern!)
Category: Comedy
Call-in Number: (646) 915-9516
January 20, 2008
Molly Brown House Museum
Molly Brown House Museum
1340 Pennsylvania Street
Denver, Colorado 80203
303.832.4092
mollybrown.org/
January 8, 2008
Adieu Buckingham Square Mall, Aurora Colorado
The demise of the classic Buckingham Square Mall at Mississippi and Havana in Aurora has begun. The mall, active from 1971 to 2007, has started demolition to make room for a new flavor urban mixture of retail and town homes called “The Gardens on Havana,” a public gathering place.
Many fond youth memories do I have at Buckingham, one of them being the 2 green tube waterslides placed upon the roof of the old Safeway store. They were the HydroTubes! I spent countless hours climbing up the yellow metal stairs listening to “Drive” by The Cars before sliding in a loop-de-loop whilst banging my head on the sides of the tubes and plummeting semi-conscious into the pool below, a childhood adventure. The waterslide stayed open for less than a year. There was Mile High Comics also. Sweet Mile High Comics… And God Fathers Pizza if I recall.
There are a lot of Pumpkin Lord James’ images in the official memory book of the mall. He’s a dead mall historian. Here are his pics:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/76967529@N00/sets/72157594364548505/
The demolition ceremony/celebration was fun. The Aurora Sentinel newspaper interviewed Pumpkin Lord James. The media scrum was there. As was I, a reprehensive of radhole. The Overland High School choir performed. The mayor of Aurora, Ed Tauer, was there.
Buckingham Square Mall Demolition Celebration
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
1306 South Havana
Aurora, Colorado 80012
January 1, 2008
New Year's Eve Power Outage
Power Outage. 2-degree wind chill.
As I sat alone, drinking cheap champagne in the quazi-darkness surrounded by scented votive and tealight candles whilst ushering in the 2008, I was surprisingly at peace.
Calmness and meditative techniques were my solace. All my mental powers were harnessed. All my sanity heightened. I could sense what was going on next door. I heard the revelry 25 miles away. I saw through the eyes of City Fox. I was everywhere and nowhere.
December 26, 2007
7.8 inches
7.8 inches of snow fell on Denver on Christmas day. A Christmas record! An additional 4-8 inches is on the way for tonight. Though it's not the blizzard of 2006, it still is a beautiful wonderland!
"Country roads take me home!"
I am eating leftovers.
2008 is here soon. Does anyone have resolutions for the New Year? How about a wishlist?
Droog Christmas 2007
Droog Christmas 2007 has come and gone. This is like the 15th one! A tradition!
December 25, 2007
December 24, 2007
A Colm Meaney Christmas
Have a very special Colm Meaney Christmas.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all those who read this!
-RAD
December 23, 2007
Trade Gate: Droog Gridiron Challenge 2007 Fantasy Football
A message from the Commissioner:
As commissioner I am saddened that this day has come, the day when the stain of cheating tarnished our great league. Just as the NFL and Baseball have fallen on hard times so have we. Now we must face our darkest hour or "trade gate" with a resolute determination to root out the issues and create solutions.
Now we must first review the facts.
1) Russ, coach of Mission Control, traded LaDainian Tomlinson (LT) to MELT, coach of Beef in Your Taco, for a decent QB, Matt Hasselbeck and a good WR, Braylon Edwards. Russ was starting Jon Kitna of Detroit. Even if you disagree with the reasoning behind the trade you must admit that Hasselbeck is much better than Kitna SO I understand Russ's choice on some level.
2) MELT and normsquatch, coach of The Flying Douchebag’s, trade of Reggie Wayne for Justin Fargas was not fair or balanced in any way because Fargas was on INJURED RESERVE!
I interviewed all the participants and it was openly stated the normsquatch was going nowhere so he gave up and gave the player away. THIS IS A CLEAR VIOLATION! Both for squatch for not trying and essentially taking a dive like a boxer in a fixed fight, and MELT, for taking advantage of the situation and colluding to create a super team, are clearly at fault.
Now let's review those who are named in the investigation.
1) MELT AKA MELT Belichick- for being so hungry for a championship that he would stoop to any level to win. And just as his namesake Bill Belichick, he cannot see the fault in what he did.
2) Normsquatch "No Mas" - for quitting. In the great tradition of Roberto Duran, you cried "No Mas" with two rounds to fight. What the hell is that?!?!? If you are out of it, sit on the sidelines, talk trash and enjoy the show, but helping to throw the championship is not OK. It's bush league!
3) Russ "What did I Do" Dale - for trading LT to the guy in first place. I get the trade but do you see other teams rushing to help New England win in the NFL? NO!!! And why? Because you try to knock the champs down not help them get better!!! And as a Bronco fan you should know about rooting for the underdog. So no violations but SHAME and bad karma to you! Russ... beware the season ending knee injury... it will plague your team for years to come!!!! (MY RUNNING BACK WAS INJURED TODAY!)
So with that we will review draft and trade policies before next season to prevent the shameful events of this weekend from being repeated. Also further penalties may be discussed at that time, as commissioner I reserve the right to revisit this issue and dish out some retroactive JUSTICE!!
In closing I want to look to the future, to an age when the league's reputation has been repaired after having been sullied by such shameful activity. I thank you for you time on this issue. Look for future executive orders related to penalties. Oh... and Merry Christmas.
The Commissioner
Executive Order 002
As Commissioner of the Droog Fantasy Football League I do decree on this date Sunday, 23 December 2007 it is ordered that due to collusion between MELT and normsquatch in the controversy know as "Trade Gate" an asterisk (*) will be placed next to the champion of the 2007 season. The asterisk will denote that the championship was won under a cloud of suspicion as uneven trades were made to fix or rig the championship.
The Commissioner
December 20, 2007
Urban Garden Timelapse 2007
A timelapse of a season coming and going from the STS-13L Urban Garden Cam: Denver, Colorado.
tags: Denver garden urbangarden pumpkins timelapse peppers tomatoes flowers gardening snow rain bbq radcast chocolatestout ohmylord singing droog esp
December 13, 2007
Through the Museum
When was the last time you handled a fossilized saber-toothed tiger skull? What to do on vacation?
How about an all access tour of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science!? Yes, yes, we traversed behind the dioramas, into the old parts of the building, to the roof, the basements, the penthouse, the boiler room, the tunnels, the Big Bone Room, the Titanic exhibit and more! Fossils and pipes and crawlspaces oh my! It was spectacular.
I survived the sinking of Titanic by the way. I was Mr. Edwin Nelson Kimball Jr. of Boston, Massachusetts. My wife and I both survived.
December 11, 2007
December 7, 2007
December 6, 2007
December 4, 2007
December 3, 2007
Fantasy football standings
At least my team, Mission Control, isn't in last place overall. Like last year.
December 2, 2007
Holidays and Things
Twas fun last night. Pics here.
Guinness Treat
December 1, 2007
Holiday Festivities
Like a good Denverite, I am going to the Candy Cane Festival and the Parade of Lights today. Pictures to come of course.
The Winter Asylum
November 29, 2007
It's Thursday which means RADcast
Where do we go from here?
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/radhole
Have we reached the pinnacle of RADcast? NO! Join Russ and Matt as they stumble and bumble and whistle through another exciting show full of surprises, callers, games, prizes, karaoke and so much more. Including yaks and sammiches and butter.
Date / Time: 11/29/2007 8:30 PM MOUNTAIN TIME
Category: Comedy
Call-in Number: (646) 915-9516
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/radhole
November 25, 2007
November 22, 2007
November 19, 2007
1 Year of RADcast
The hiatus is over and Thanksgiving marks the 1-year anniversary of RADcast on Blogtalkradio. Last year's Thanksgiving was the 1st show and now we're back for a frolic scrum of Thanksgiving delight and wonder. Welcome. Enjoy.
1 Year of RADcast
Thursday November 22, 2007
08:30 PM Mountain Time
Call-in number: 646-915-9516
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/radhole
keywords: Nasa, lard, thanksgiving, radhole, hiatus, scrum, party, thanks, return, anniversary, delight, wonder, NFL, pie, pumpkins, fall, winter, holidays, coffee, giblets, gravy, rolls, foodstuffs, junk, geode, science, comedy, freaks
November 17, 2007
November 10, 2007
Ambassador of Exploration lunar sample
Seeing a true American hero at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science was a delightful treat.
On Saturday November 10, 2007, the Ambassador of Exploration Lunar Sample was awarded to Colorado native Scott Carpenter, a Sealab aquanaut, one of NASA’s original Mercury Seven astronauts and the second American man to orbit the Earth in May of 1962.
Doug Cooke, the Deputy Associate Administrator for the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate, on behalf of NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, awarded Carpenter the lunar sample. The moon rock, encased in Lucite, is over 4 billion years old and was collected on the surface of the moon in 1972 by the crew of Apollo 17.
This piece of the moon, an inspiration to the next generation of explorers who will venture back to the moon, Mars and beyond, will be on permanent public display in DMNS’s Space Odyssey.
I even asked Carpenter a question during the presentation.
Ambassador of Exploration Lunar Sample
November 9, 2007
A Man and His Muu Muu
A man in an orange muu muu gets mistaken as an employee at Home Depot.
tags: muumuu, man, homedepot, employee, brick, denver, colorado, mistakenidentity, apron, gardening
November 8, 2007
ISS Flyover
In the early morning, the International Space Station Alpha flies over Washington Park in Denver, Colorado.
November 6, 2007
Astronaut Scott Carpenter to be honored
Finally an event where I can wear my suit!
NASA is honoring Colorado native Scott Carpenter, a Sealab aquanaut, one of NASA’s original Mercury Seven astronauts and the 2nd man to orbit the Earth, as an Ambassador of Exploration on November 10 here in Denver.
Carpenter will be presented with a lunar sample collected on the surface of the moon in 1972 by the crew of Apollo 17. This piece of the moon, encased in Lucite and mounted for public display, is an inspiration to the next generation of explorers who will go back to the moon, Mars and beyond! It will be on permanent loan to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science in Space Odyssey. EXCITING!
The event is sold out but I know people.
November 4, 2007
Homeless Prophet's Gravy Fog
This makes me chuckle with glee and delight.
November 3, 2007
beyond_the_veil
As the veil between worlds grows thin and the daylight grows short, I was invited to experience an enchanted evening of Middle Eastern & Tribal Fusion dance and Music at The BUG Theatre in Denver. Primavera Productions in collaboration with BOHEMIAN ARTISTS GUILD.
kara nomadica rocks!
www.karanomadica.com
October 31, 2007
October 30, 2007
Quit Smoking 2007
The great Droog smoke-out begins November 1, 2007. I am included in the scrum. I will use my http://www.radhole.com as a support forum for whoever wishes to show support, comment, rant, ramble or rave.
Many of the Droogs will use this time to quit smoking those filthy vile cigarettes. I know of at least 7 quitters attempting to relinquish the filthy habit forever. Remember, it's like alcoholism: you smoke one and you'll be back. I do plan on smoking a cigar every now and then.
Please support me. Please send good Wakan my way. Please perform magik and spells for me. Please send your good vibes my way. Please support me. Please understand if I get testy or nervous or shaky due to the nicotine withdrawals. Please support me.
MELT has been taking some stop smoking medication and has had 2 ghastly nightmares in which I died violently and horribly in each. Good times.
A PSA from R2 and 3PO
October 28, 2007
October 27, 2007
October 22, 2007
paper towel dispenser
Who installs a paper towel dispenser in this awkward place? Only the people I work with. Not that it is in the way or anything…
October 18, 2007
World Series
I will be representing Colorado whilst in Florida with my new hat! World Series! Go Rockies!
October 15, 2007
October 8, 2007
October 7, 2007
frost warning
Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, Greeley and all areas below 6,000 feet in eastern Colorado are under a FROST ADVISORY through 9 a.m. Monday.
This won't be the final total, but we'll see what happens to the Urban Garden if the frost comes...
October 6, 2007
Kaz Matsui
I admit I am a fair-weather Colorado Rockies Fan. It’s exciting to watch when they are in the playoffs.
My favorite player is Kazuo Matsui.
Baseball isn’t NFL football though.
Danger Monkey
Pablo's Coffee: Danger Monkey Best.Coffee.Ever. Bought at Stella's Coffeehaus.
October 4, 2007
Hungry?
Check out Jamie's Flickr Page. You will be hungry then. I'm hungry.
September 30, 2007
Anatomy of Pizzi
Homemade crust. Three meat: Canadian bacon, pepperoni and spicy Italian sausage. Homegrown jalapenos and chill peppers. 4 cheeses: provolone, mozzarella, Romano and Parmesan.
September 29, 2007
2nd annual Great Pumpkin Commonwealth Weighoff Colorado
The 2nd annual Great Pumpkin Commonwealth Weighoff on Saturday September 29, 2007 at Jared’s Nursery in Littleton, Colorado.
The Colorado State Record was achieved by Joe Scherber, 1075 pounds!
Our giant: 80 pounds
September 26, 2007
Great Pumpkin Commonwealth Weighoff
The 2nd annual Great Pumpkin Commonwealth Weighoff is Saturday September 29, 2007 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jared’s Nursery in Littleton. Want to see some really large pumpkins up close? Go.
The STS-13L giant
We entered our modest giant and will get it officially weighed. The other giants entered into the competition will dwarf our Atlantic Dill. Oh well.
Pumpkin Lord James and I went last year.
Jared's Nursery
10500 W. Bowles Avenue
Littleton, Colorado 80127
303.979.6022
September 24, 2007
September 23, 2007
Denver Broncos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Go Broncos! I will be at the game today! I am taking the lightrail. Check MY FLICKR gallery for updated pics from the game.
Gametime is at 02:05 pm MDT at INVESCO Field at Mile High!
September 9, 2007
August 30, 2007
Draft Pictures
Draft participants
Nic Foo won the Droog Gridiron Challenge Fantasy Football 2006 season
August 18, 2007
August 7, 2007
Babysitting Blues
I hated babysitters when I was growing up. They always seemed to abuse my siblings and I, but not with physical beating. It was more like mental abuse and backbreaking work in shoddy, sweatshop-like conditions. We treaded softly and quietly, not wanting to anger our babysitting oppressors, lest the dogs be sent down upon us.
In kindergarten, at the tender age of six, my sister and I had to walk to school alone from the babysitter’s house, jaywalking across busy streets during morning rush hour traffic, skipping carefree through the ghettos and shanties of Aurora, Colorado, all without adult supervision. My only comfort was holding my sister’s hand as we dodged speeding traffic and stood on the tiny median awaiting clearance to sprint to the other side of Hampden Ave.
It was at this place where we only were only able to play in a little room with a white line barrier at the door that we were never allowed to cross. We’d enter through a back yard entrance and were stuffed with other kids into the festering tiny room all day long. We were not allowed into the kitchen or living room. There was a TV in the distance but were not allowed to go into that room because it was forbidden.
The most horrific babysitting experience was in the dark mid-1980s, probably around 1983, when MTV was on the air. MTV, in the golden days when they played music videos and not crap, was new. I recall seeing Sting with his huge-ass standing bass/cello and The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” video playing nonstop, Sting surrounded by candles. MTV played a lot of Rick Springfield back then. I hate 80s music. I really, really hate 80s music.
We were babysat in a neighborhood within relative walking distance of our house. My sister, younger brother and I were the ones being babysat, because my older brother had sports and such and was busy joyriding in the family van “Christine” before he got his driver’s license.
That horrible babysitter. That horrible house.
We would be locked in the basement or in the backyard, the babysitter’s own kids being hateful to us and laughing at us behind the closed screen door, “Total Eclipse Of The Heart” by Bonnie Tyler drowning out their evil cackles, “Come On Eileen” by Dexy's Midnight Runners blaring so loud our muffled cries were heard by no one, not even ourselves. They would snack on candies and treats and lunch without offering us anything, the lack of shade and summer heat beating down upon our wee heads, “Down Under” by Men At Work making things worse by mocking us in an Australian way with each bite the spiteful jerk kids made darkening my sister and my souls. We went to high school with those vile kids and I used to tell the youngest daughter the tales of how horrible her family was to us. She brushed it off because she knew it was true.
I have vague, disturbing, hazy memories of the whole experience; like my sister and I being imprisoned in the dim basement and forced to scrape the varnish off of coffee tables with razorblades as a vicious pit bull dog tied to a pole barked at us the whole time, the faintest sounds of “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson heard through the floor from the fun and freedom upstairs. It was surreal and very Lynchian, something from a David Lynch film.
My sister and I always wanted to escape the horror by leaping over the fence and walking to the safety of our home. But little J. Charles would be asleep upstairs, napping in perfect peace, unaware of our dilemma, and we did not want him to be left behind where he would be scarred for life. We couldn’t leave him behind. No Dale gets left behind! No Dale! “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)” by the Eurythmics gave us hope that we would survive those darkest of babysitting days.
If we had the good fortune to go outside in the front yard to play on a fake “day pass,” neighborhood bullies would push us around and chase us and throw grasshoppers on us, filling our little minds with terror and fear, making us anxious to go outside and play childhood games like Spider and Kickball and Jailbreak and Hide-and-Go-Seek.
Years later it turns out that the neighborhood bully, the fucker who threw grasshoppers on us and pushed us around, was non-other than my best friend MELT. We all know how superior I am to MELT in the present and it’s a pity he had to lord his childhood frustrations out on the unsuspecting and innocent Dale kids.
At home in the evenings, we pleaded with mom and dad, telling them the horrors of the babysitter, begging for them to make the madness stop. They did not listen. We eventually became latchkey kids, most probably due to the ever-rising cost of babysitters and the fact that my family was poor after pappie died.
I spit bile whenever I hear “Electric Avenue” by Eddy Grant. I want to yell whenever I hear “True” by Spandau Ballet. Whenever I take notice of “Hungry Like The Wolf” by Duran Duran I am flooded with reminiscences of the deeply disturbing days of my youth.
Fuck the 1980s.
August 6, 2007
August 5, 2007
Urban Garden Tour 080507
A magical journey of the Urban Garden: Denver, CO USA.
tags: sts13l urbangarden Denver plj radhole gardens city
July 31, 2007
summer evening
There is nothing more wonderful than a nice summertime evening in the urban garden with a bountiful harvest celebration of BBQ honey mustard chicken, fresh tomatoes, peppers, red onion, white onion, zucchini, basil and radishes. Top it all of with a Buzz Cola, cool breezes, sunset, cold water, and bully, you’ve got yourself a jubilee.
July 28, 2007
Denver Museum of Nature and Science Field Day 2007
I got 2nd place in the spoon/egg walk and 5th place in the 3-legged-race at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science Field Day 2007. A gallery of pictures here.
