Traditions

So, a couple of weeks ago (oy. I should have updated long ago.) I went to College Station, TX for the weekend. While there, I got to experience something I never have: a Texas A&M football game.

Now, I L-O-V-E love football. I went to tons of high school games, college games, and Bronco games, but nothing - I mean NOTHING - compares to an A&M game.

Instead of cheerleaders, A&M has Yell Leaders. I know there's a reason for it and probably dates back to when A&M was all-male, but whatever. Anyway, they send a signal through the crowd and EVERYONE bends forward (hump) so that the opposing team can hear us yell. Oh, and this whole time? We're standing. Since A&M is home of the 12th Man, it makes sense. Granted, we stood at CSU games, but we sat as soon as the whistle blew for half-time. Well, that's when the Corp of Cadets take the field. Let me tell you that this marching is INSANE. So mesmerizing. Another tradition that I love is that when the Aggies score, you kiss your date...Field goal? Kiss. Touchdown? Kiss. Extra point? Another kiss. Wish we had that at CSU...

The tailgating is, of course epic as with any southern school, but like I said, INSANE. Kyle Field by the way, seats just as much as Invesco does for the Broncos...I wasn't even at a sold out game and there were 76,000 people there.

Everyone also knows the fight song (without needing it printed on a t-shirt in front of them) and the stadium sways in opposing directions. CRAZY.

All of the pomp and circumstance made me realize that all of these traditions are what make A&M fans a super power. While Colorado State has some aspects, over time it hasn't been consistent over the years. Granted, I know that the more things change, the more they stay the same, but I really don't feel the same about CSU's traditions as I do at being merely a visitor at A&M.

I think that I need to start making some traditions with my family and friends so that there's always special things to look forward towards.

Here are some pictures of the awesomeness of A&M:

These are the alumni stands...Same as the student side...but the students stand...and are jam-packed

The Aggies taking on the OSU Cowboys

The painted overalls are another tradition....they were all over the place.

The Corps of Cadets in the T

The only time we sat down I could get a pic of the 12th Man

Little Things in Life

Finding the small things in your day that make you realize that you've got it pretty good really can make your frown turn upside down. (Corny, I know. But I've never said I wasn't just a little corny.)

Here are some of the many little things that make me happy. (And not necessarily in this order, it's just how my brain works.)

1. The Indian summer of Colorado where, last weekend it was the first snow, this weekend it's 80 degrees.
2. Candy corn. I don't like it any other time than the fall. (Stale, perhaps?) And after October, it's Indian corn.
3. Dogs. My dog, Harry, is the cutest thing ever. It's like how parents never stop fawning over their children, that's the way I am about my furry child...he gives me unconditional love...even though he never gets scraps from me.
4. Frosting. It's my weakness and is normally attached to something like cake which is attached to a special occasion which is attached to a party which is attached to time with family and friends. Frosting: It's the glue of fun.
5. Family. They drive you nuts, but make you who you are. No matter what, they have to like you...well, your parents anyway.
6. Friends. They are the family you chose and I love everyone of them. They pick me up when I am down and make me laugh to the point of oxygen deprivation.
7. Contact. While I am sitting by myself on the couch and have had very little contact with the outside world today, I normally like to touch base with those important people in my life on a regular basis.
8. Straws. They help me drink tons of water and they turn into a replacement to gum in a pinch.

Appreciation for what you have and not resting in the disappoint for the lack of your "wants" will make for a happier life and deeper satisfaction. Those little things in life make all the difference and are the most important.

Truck Drivers - err...Drivers of Trucks

As of late, it seems that my commute into work is being pestered with trucks drivers...not the semi kind, but those of the Ford, Dodge, Chevy variety...and more specifically, the Ford F-150.

They are the ones that cut me off and then proceed to go 15 mph slower than what we were originally traveling in the lane. Or, they will slow down and speed up as I signal a lane change. (Note: I ALWAYS use my blinker. After getting pulled over when I was 16 for not using my blinker, I have been scared straight.)

This morning, I was driving in the far right lane (which is like the secret fast lane on this stretch of I-70) and an F-150 came over three lanes without signaling going much faster than the speed limit (so I know that he wasn't trying to be courteous to other drivers and get in the slow lane.) And proceeded to brake. THEN, as I signal to change lanes, he does the same, without signaling and again, brakes. Mind you, this whole time the closest car in front of him at this point is about 150 ft.

Ugh. I don't like rush hour for this reason. People need to realize that the road is the same as the day before and that your car can make the turns going faster than 45 mph.

Oh, and drivers of trucks, don't drive immediately in front of the Camry. I might ram you one of these days.

Ok. Road rage vent over. Looking forward to the drive home tonight. ;-)

It's October and the Official Halloween Season!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Halloween, haunted houses, jack-o-lanterns, costumes, witches, ghosts, and even the fake cobwebs!

It might have something to do with my mom's birthday being on Halloween, but it's one of my favorite holidays. It might also be that Colorado gets the first snow of the winter season around this time of year. Or it could be that it's the first holiday in a string of Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year that heralds family time, decadent treats, and holiday cheer. But I don't care what the reason is, I just love it!

For those that enjoy haunted houses, Haunted Denver hosts a website with a listing and reviews of the haunted houses around Denver...I'm not talking an episode of Ghost Hunters haunted, but the kind with Leatherface chasing you with a chainless chainsaw.

I also like to carve pumpkins. Although, I live in an "Old People" neighborhood, so the whole effort seems wasted. I would love to have the artistic ability for something like this:


But would settle for the patience to complete this:


And on the backside to whatever is my first attempt is typically this:
I may have to pull out some of the decorations at home to get into the spirit...

Speaking of, I am trying to come up with costume ideas...do you have any? Last year, we thought it would be brilliant to get a big group together and dress up as the Duggars with all the girls in long dresses and the guys in polos and khakis with name tags of all the kids names that start with J. We could even have one of our pregnant friends go as the Mom who's pregnant with her 19th (!!!) child.

Happy Halloween (Month)!!

FALL Into the Season!

Inspired by my girls C & G (A Colorado Cupcake and The Pink Polka Dot), I have compiled a list of my favorite things about fall...

With scenery like this in Aspen, the changing leaves really add dimension to the mountainside. Although the human eye can pick up so much more than any camera, it's still a lovely Colorado day.

For the layering that is mandatory in a state where we will use the heater AND the air conditioner in one day, sweaters and jackets are great mainstays to any wardrobe. I love argyle sweaters paired with oxfords or polos and the swing raincoat above are cute ways to be stylish and stay warm from the brisk fall weather.

No ensemble would be complete without boots! They are heels that keep you warm! There are so many different heel heights, calf heights, and colors that picking just one is going to be tough.



OPI has come out with a new line of polish inspired by Spain. Coleccion de Espana has an intriguing hunter green type color (Here Today...Argon Tomorrow) and a purple/wine (Give Me Moor!) that I think I will have to try. Of course, the pinks are always a good choice.

And once I am dressed, manicured, and some place gorgeous, I will need my favorite fall drink: the Pumpkin Spice Latte from the 'Buck! Curling up next to a fireplace with a good book and this delicious treat make for a perfect fall afternoon...

I know that I have more favorite things about fall...like football...but for now, these will have to fill my fall daydreams...

iPhone = iAddiction UPDATED

So, I am a sucker for technology. (Thanks, Dad.) And now have the 3G iPhone. I had to upgrade so that I could send picture messages when AT&T was ready for it. (Friday, September 25th is a day that will live in infamy.)

Here are some of the many reasons that I use this thing CONSTANTLY:

• One stop shop - It has the phone, the email, the texting, the internet, the facebook, the weather, the camera, the maps, the calculator, the iPod. In a word? EVERYTHING.
• Facebook Mobile - In earlier posts, I have talked about how facebook is an evil and I am still waiting for a 12-step program for social networking, but it's a great tool for uploading pictures taken by the aforementioned camera.
• Camera - I forgot to bring my actual camera with me to a wedding and I still managed to take great pictures with the iPhone.
• Maps - I can search for a restaurant or store and the maps function will show me nearby locations and I can get directions to there. But you've seen that in an iPhone commercial.
• Chipotle App - Yes, you can order from Chipotle from your iPhone and skip the line during the lunch rush. It's just like ordering online, but in a handy app.
• Movies - From one of many apps, you can find movies playing at select theatres or even where a certain movie is playing.
  
• Restaurants - Urbanspoon is my current favorite app for finding restaurants in the area. You can sort by price, neighborhood, and cuisine. Not to mention, you can find restaurants based on your current location if you're not quite sure where you are or what is near you.
  
• Music - Since the iPhone would not be complete without an iPod, it's nice to have some tunes when you need to pass some time while waiting at the doctor's office, the DMV, or for your hair to process...
  
• Contact Information - With Bump, you can share your information, pictures, files, etc. with another iPhone that also has the app. It's a quick way to share your contact info - email, phone, and/or address.
  
• Backing Up - Having a MacBook and an iPod, the iPhone syncs seamlessly into both. If I forget my phone, my iPod has all my contact information in there. My MacBook acts as a backup for my iPhone should I have to restore it, or in the case of the upgrade, get everything from my old phone to my new one. I won't be one of those with the mass message of "Lost my phone, send me your number"...

UPDATE:

• Books - I have found FREE classic books to read: Alice in Wonderland, Count of Monte Cristo, A Tale of Two Cities, etc. Now I have something enlightening to pass the time!!
  

I'm sure that there will be better phones created by other manufacturers, but the iPhone fits so seamlessly and has all the bells and whistles that keep me occupied for now...

Now, waiting for my latest techno-widget - the Garmin. I asked my dad for it for Christmas knowing that he would love to investigate and research all the options, pricing, brands, etc. However, once he knew which one he wanted, he bought it and has been taunting me by having it since August but not letting me have it until Christmas. My logic of getting 5 extra months of usage was to no avail...So, until then, I will have to obsess over my iPhone...

Stay-Cation

So sorry for my longer than expected absence!! I have had so much going on, sitting down to blog hasn't crossed my mind until my cousin mentioned it in an email. So, without further adieu, here is the first of many "catch up" posts...

In the middle of August, I played tour guide and realized that Colorado is really, well, rad! I got to show off Denver, my alma mater, the best microbrewer, my favorite, accessible view of the mountains, and really, the true sunshine state!

The view from Red Rocks Amphitheater

Keystone runs- without the snow...

Lake Dillon

And last, but not least, my favorite, most accessible view of the mountains. It's on I-70 westbound just at the Buffalo Bill Grave/Lookout Mountain exit.

Even though today's weather was more like winter than fall on the last day of summer, it's one more reason that I love Colorado. Playing tour guide around my favorite places in Denver and the front range made me have new found appreciation for my home state.