Aspen-y/ Live Like Klaus
Aspen-y/ Live Like Klaus
The Cast
Date: 12/07/2019
FILLERBUSTER’S ELEVEN
BACKGROUND: This started as a long-winded numbered blog. It transformed into an organized long-winded category blog. Now, it is a quick-hitter to ease your pain. I lack time. So, the preparation of the blog actually made me procrastinate from writing the thing. Let’s see who makes the cut. Barely edited as usual unfortunately, so please excuse any mistakes during my stream of consciousness. I feel the need…the need for speed. Let’s turn and burn.
SETTING: No matter how long this is, know that much was tossed in the pond, and it has been a week and a half. This is written early morning Saturday before all the football starts, and released after I add the Aspen stuff and pics Saturday afternoon during the OU game (I have learned to leave Linds alone during OU games anyway, so I might as well get something done).
- EVERGREEN: Too much to cover today. And I can’t settle on one or two evergreen topics, so I will just briefly cover all of my evergreen ideas.
- I don’t understand why perennially good football schools DON’T have good field goal kickers. OU’s guy hasn’t missed a kick all year. Georgia’s guy with specs is legendary. But, after those two and about five others, my complaint is more around than it should be. Why do other big schools have guys who can’t hit the broad side of a barn? Why can’t you recruit hard ALSO for a kicker? Worse case, get one of the soccer kids to double sport it. Anyway, I just get really frustrated when these big schools have to change the way they play because they somehow forgot to get a solid kicker.
- Rivalries will always be rivalries, but they really need to be NOT one-sided to keep our attention. I guess what I am saying is that Michigan needs to WIN one at some point to keep the rest of the nation’s attention on that one, and it is good that UVA finally won one, on a more poor man’s scale of rivalries. Michigan has lost eight straight, won in 2011, and then lost the seven before that year. UVA had lost 15 in a row.
- I think, overall, NFL touchdown celebrations are getting out of hand. I think there is almost more thought on the celebrations than how to get there. But, then I watch the Seahawks dance, and I retract most of my frustration. So, I guess, maybe keep it more simple and dance-y. The complex ones need to go.
- Finish reading the blog and watch again. Or, just interrupt your reading for ten minutes. But, remember last week was Jimmy V. week, and his speech is still epic and moving beyond all belief. https://www.sportsfeelgoodstories.com/jimmy-valvano-dont-give-up/
- The Rockets are challenging the Harden dunk ruling. If you live in a vacuum, James Harden dunked it hard enough to go through the net, come back out the side and, and look like a missed dunk to the naked eye. Thirty seconds went by, and there was no challenge, mainly because everyone was so confused. They played on, the Rockets blew a big lead to a bad team, and that dunk was inconsequential to the outcome of the game (aside from the point differential). They were even entertaining playing the last 7 minutes with that same game situation and players. Everyone just STOP it. You can’t recreate the situation, nor should you. If we replayed bad calls throughout sports history, it would turn every sport on its head. I could list hundreds of examples that would change history without looking anything up. Hey, Rockets, it wasn’t even a last second play. You blew a lead, you are complaining about a bad call, and you need to let it go. Was it a bad call? Sure. Should we just move on with our lives and leave the result? Yes, without a doubt.
- Anndy Ruiz and Anthony Joshua fight tonight in the big heavyweight battle. But, it is not a big fight. Things change, generations pay attention to different things, and eb and flow to sports changes. But, this DEFINITELY has subsided sadly. Remember when the buildup for a Tyson or Holmes fight was MONSTROUS? That was without social media too. We used to tune in for the WEIGH-IN. The sport has changed. Everyone wants UFC/MMA. And talent and personalities have changed. I miss the sweet science owning sports. It will never happen again, and I get it, but I still miss it.
- I have a blurb below on Klaus Obermeier, but you should live like Klaus. All of us. Invent puffy ski jackets, take cool photos, create ski instruction schools, and ski down Aspen Mountain (Ajax for the locals) until you are 86. Live like Klaus.
- NFL: I know my sports, but I admit I am Googling a couple more players than usual this year, as I found out that David Blough was indeed the starting QB for Purdue in a subpar year, and now starts for the Lions. Chicago has now won a road game on Thanksgiving, and snuffed out the Cowboys more recently, and I guess Trubisky actually might want to stay a starting QB in the NFL. I am predicting a Ravens loss in Buffalo this week, just so you know. If I am wrong, it is just because I need them to drop a game or two for my hot Steelers to catch and I am ROOTING for that to happen. Don’t believe in miracles? The Falcons recovered back to back onside kicks against the Saints. But, don’t believe in too many miracles, as the Falcons still lost. Rough day for Terrelle Pryor, as he woke up just out of the NFL, got stabbed by unknown chick, and then got arrested in his own stabbing. Browns fans were jumping into Lake Erie after blowing an early lead against Duck and the Steelers, but along with their ability to suck, there are also many player stories about how Tomlin pulled out a chalkboard, started doing old-school high school X’s and O’s in front of the coordinators, and basically saved the game for the Steelers. The Niners-Ravens game came down to a last second FG, and you get the feeling that this might be our Super Bowl matchup this year. Yes, I was all over the Texans over the Pats last week, and I would like to thank Tom Brady for scoring late useless points and ruining my under kicker bet. Drew Lock made his debut in Denver, and whether he does well or bad, fans and media are just glad the kid is just not practicing virtual reality these days and THAT mystery is solved. The Bengals and Andy Dalton WON a game, and that should make that QB controversy a circular conversation for a while. Wait a minute. Check out this. Cincinnati, Washington, and Miami ALL won last week. Crazy. Mark Andrews planted a flag at midfield in front of Bosa, and I truly enjoy this flag thing Baker created between Ohio State and Oklahoma alumni. It is a lot of fun going back to the Stache if you live in Jacksonville, until you look up your payroll and realize that Foles was paid to be your savior. Andy Reid is 17-3 after a bye week. The Rams might not even make the playoffs, let alone the Super Bowl again, and destroying the Cardinals was a start, but the rubber hits the road when they get the Seahawks in town this week, and that attempt will most likely fail. A pass interference call was overturned last week, and it ironically was FOR Robey-Coleman. Too funny. Circular in an odd way. The Panthers fired Riverboat Rivera, and I don’t understand why you do this in the MIDDLE of the season. Something else must be going on behind the scenes. After TNF, I think there is a GREAT chance that the NFC East Champion will have a losing record, and that is always weird when that NFC East team will HOST the wildcard team from the NFC West, with about 4-5 less wins on the NFC East side. They were discussing Tim Tebow’s love of lifting weights on The Drive the other day, and got talking about other workout dudes in the NFL. I had no idea that KICKER Matt Prater cared so much about his neck, but he does, and pulling him up on Google supports this story. He calls other people “Pencil Neck” apparently. The guys on 104.3 who played with him were saying this was indeed a thing. No idea. Colin Kaepernick didn’t get signed, but random guy invited to catch his tosses did…Jordan Veasy was inked by the Skins. But that just might show more about the desperation of the Skins than the mad skills of Veasy. Either way, Kaep’s phone remains silent. I have mostly home teams running the table in NFL games this Sunday, except for the Steelers and the Seahawks. I might even make my $2 parlay all of the home teams. When Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson match up this weekend, it will be the most yards rushing ever between two QB’s in a season. Finally, speaking of Jackson, Tim Ryan is an analyst for the Niners radio broadcast. I thought everyone was MILES from this mentality, but the guy actually said that Jackson’s dark skin helped hide the brown football on disguised runs. What? Please don’t ever give that guy another job. This just makes me sad.
- COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Yes, you read that right. UVA was 0-15 in the last fifteen years vs. VA Tech before beating them last week. So, although I don’t typically support storming the field when you either have been there or beaten a team that isn’t #1, I support it in this case (plus, I remember being a frat guy there and making UP reasons to storm the field after a few and grabbing a goal post). Memphis beat Cincy last week in a contested game, you should note that Cincy didn’t have their starting QB last week, but the same loss will occur this week WITH him (right before Memphis’s coach goes to FSU). Can you imagine that A) you even did a celebration TD dance as a dog urinating B) that it moved your extra point back 15 yards and helped your kicker to miss and C) that you single-handedly lost the rivalry game your classmates will be talking about for the next year in the Egg Bowl? What an idiot. I was sad watching that live. I think we all thought that Michigan would give Ohio State a run for its money, but that didn’t happen, Ohio State is the most complete team I have seen since 2001 Miami. Props, Ralph. LSU might give them a run, and OU-OSU would be a “fun” game. It is kind of neat to finally have Bama out of the mix going into the final weekend, and Jalen Hurts might just get his redemption by just BEING in the playoff. Gus Malzahn is officially off the hot seat for another year. Minnesota lost to Wisconsin, but what a year for the rowers of the boat. Nice run. Bad weekend for the state of many lakes, as the Vikings then blew it against Seattle also. Iowa beating Nebraska at THEIR crib really puts and exclamation point on a season for the Huskers that had a favorable schedule, returning talent, and possibly a return to the rankings. Not. Sorry, Rudy. Sources say that Clay Helton will be fired from USC. What’s that? Oh. Just kidding, all. He will be around. My wife is very nervous about this “close relationship” Lincoln Riley has with Jerry Jones, and has even started rooting for Dallas a little in NFL games so Jason doesn’t lose his job. My thoughts? Lincoln is going NOWHERE. I would not leave Norman for any job if I am him. That is a recruiting mecca and he is building an empire that will break through at some point soon. It will be a lot more fun watching Saban with The Hoodie on that upcoming ESPN special with Saban out of the playoff mix this year. Maybe he can discuss how almost ALL of his big losses in the last years have been against Tigers of one sort or another. Maybe he has developed a Tiger phobia. Tua coming back or not after his injury is a big debate. I think he goes pro. With good healing, he will still be a top 20 pick. He has a title. And, if he comes back to Bama, he has to compete with his BROTHER for the starting QB position, all to just move up in the draft. That will be weird, competing against his brother for cash. Give me OU, LSU, Clemson, and OSU in the conference title games. Your CFP four are LSU, OSU, Clemson, and OU, in that order (but a UVA upset WOULD make my weekend and month). Please find the video on the chicks stuck in the Auburn hedges. There are two. One is two chicks. The other is a guy leaving his girlfriend. Hailey King I think is here name. It is worth your time. Oregon decisively beat Utah in the Pac-12 title game, and I was also all over this game bet-wise. Man, if Oregon had just found a way to win ONE of those two close losses, they would be in the playoff mix. One, in the opener against freshman Bo Nix, and the other oddly against ASU in a trap game. Finally, if you love college football, and loved the Tigers outlasting the Tide last weekend, this is a BRILLIANT football article and you should pause your day for it. Note that it is pretty high level, but a great read. https://www.bannersociety.com/2019/12/1/20989841/auburn-alabama-trick-play-2019 Never mind.
- COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Marquette’s Markus Howard went for 40 and 51 in consecutive games, and that is impressive in the college ranks. Dayton lost to Kansas during Feast Week, but they really showed me that they are a Final Four threat. They have experience, scoring, a lottery pick guy, length, and defense. UVA lost Braxton Key to surgery, and that is a major loss for UVA as they lose experience on a young team. It doesn’t explain lazy passes and not hustling in a 29-point demolition to Purdue, but… At least UNC fans can’t tease me, as the Tarheels got shown the door early and often in their own demolition, a 25-point loss to Ohio State. Michigan beat Gonzaga and UNC back to back, but then oddly got rolled by Louisville. It was cool to see SF Austin beat Duke, but cooler to see SF Austin player Nathan Bain’s (family lost everything in Dorian) GoFundMe page go from $2k to $90k right after the upset. I might not be totally buying into Louisville and Ohio State at this point, but they are doing everything they need to do TO show they are for real. They are rolling some really good teams, folks. Good week for Louisville basketball overall. Lost in the fact that the men’s team is presently #1 is that the women knocked off #1 at the time Oregon. ESPN, on Stuart Scott Day and Jimmy V. week, showed the Jimmy Valvano speech on all channels this week. Man, if you can watch that speech with shedding a tear, you are more of a man than me. LOVE that speech. The Green Bay Packers, think/laugh/cry, flashing light guy, announcement of the org, don’t ever give up, etc. Yes, I wrote this part BEFORE I decided to remind you about it above. It is that good. Finally, a great summary of the college hoops landscape after Feast Week. https://www.si.com/college/2019/12/02/feast-week-duke-michigan-fsu-maryland
- NBA: I think Andrew Wiggins had too many natural skills to NOT have a breakout year at some point, no matter whether he had a head on his shoulders or not. The Celtics fans even hate Kyrie when he isn’t even at the game. It is very obvious that Spencer Dinwiddie’s stats PLUMMET when Kyrie is on the floor with him. Shame. Luka averaged 30 with a triple-double for November…just saying. I would say 20-3 supports the fact that LeBron just needed a sidekick. James Harden scored 60 points this week…in three quarters. The Knicks and Cavs are the two teams to NOT have one player averaging at least 4 assists. I expected them coming back to the pack, but did you think the Warriors would be the WORST team on their side? I didn’t. I thought title experience would make up for SOME of the pedestrian players on that roster left standing. Melo is doing better, his contract is guaranteed now, and the Blazers look like they made a decent gamble overall, although they still keep losing players to injury. There are many great stories in the NBA this season, but watching the forgotten players on the Heat roster jive with Jimmy Butler and make each and every other player better, HAS to be one of the top ones. You think Pat Riley can’t rebuild on the fly? Think again. Guy just knows how to plug holes and create chemistry. The ending of the Timberwolves and Thunder was nuts, and even involved Chris Paul reminding a ref that untucked jerseys mean a delay of game call. David Fizdale got fired by the Knicks. I get the stats, and his record isn’t shiny. But, I keep looking that that roster, and wondering WHO could get anything out of it. It is very poorly constructed. Maybe Fizdale wasn’t getting the best out of them, but 4 wins this year with that rag-tag roster isn’t horrible if you ask me. Happy trails, and you will land somewhere, David. You were dealt an off-suited 7-2 in New York.
- MISCELLANEOUS: If you think Tiger might not be back, he is playing pretty well in the Hero Challenge against some very top-notch competition. Tired of him? Well, go to sleep in 2020 again, as the fanfare will just be more heightened. We don’t ROOT for two stroke penalties in the honor driven sport of golf, unless it is Patrick Reed the penalty is being given to. What a guy people love to hate. Almost a shame he has a Major. Caroline Wozniacki announced she will retire following the 2020 Australian Open, and what an odd career she has had. She finished 2010 and 2011 as #1, was the first Scandinavian woman to ever top the rankings, and actually has the 2nd most amount of weeks at #1 of all active players. And, she retires at a quality rank of #37. But, amazingly, she did ALL of this while winning only ONE Grand Slam. That is sort of odd, if you ask me. She was the Curtis Martin of tennis…not flashy, yet remarkably consistent. Finally, I find it disturbing that the Army has top secret clearance, but had to be TOLD that their football slogan at West Point was actually from a white supremacy group. Disturbing in a way.
- THIS AND THAT: The Mr. Rogers movie was exactly as I expected in many ways. Tom Hanks actually fools you most of the movie, as he is so perfect of character. You get sucked in and just think it is Mr. Rogers. That accurate. It has some happy moments, and some where you are fighting the tears. Nothing flashy, not as historical as I expected it to be (more of a story line), but it pulls on all parts of you and is a really high-quality movie overall. I give it a B+. Anthony Bourdain might go on my list of fun lives to lead, as I never got into him before his death, but he apparently just cooked really well, and then traveled the world, and was a generally cool dude overall? Sounds like a great plan. A Florida high school is now offering synthetic frogs for dissection, and there is a high school memory of mine going away through technology. We were watching Family Guy, and saw the scene again where they say “it is like a guy in flip flops trying to sound sad” (and then show that guy at a funeral) and I chuckled out loud. Speaking of flips flops, Colorado is the only place (I did this the other day) where you might find yourself shoveling a foot of snow in flip flops, and being temperature comfortable. Alanis Morissette is touring again apparently…and not doing new stuff, and sticking to her 90’s jams. I guess she is as spiteful and hateful as ever. Know that Peleton ad? Notice it is now shorter? Know that it got backlash for sexism, weight insensitivity, and marital problems? The article about how sensitive our society has become was riveting, I will tell you. A dentist was busted for doing patient work on a hoverboard. I guess he wanted to be elevated like the patient. There is an eel in Tennessee powering a Xmas tree. Reminds me of the ESPN commercial where Lance Armstrong is powering Bristol. Better test that eel for PED’s. Why don’t all McDonald’s carry the bagel breakfast sandwich and why is only the airport ones that have it? The Butcher’s Bistro in downtown Denver is good overall, but I have had their burger of the day twice, and it is still not mind blowing as it should be.
- THE FILLERBUSTER: I admit to not going to one store on Black Friday, nor turning my computer onto one special for Cyber Monday. My mind just doesn’t process that effort. It is safer that way. My wife DID show me a hard-boiled egg maker for $15, and that is brilliant. She also showed me electric fireplaces, and they are only $150? That seems cheap. Thanksgiving in Evergreen is always a lot of fun with about 15 dogs and puppies running around. We hit Route 70 right after a rockslide occurred, but we wanted to get to Aspen. Talk about some mountain driving, trying to beat some weather… My 4Runner, Linds, and I drove 8.5 hours to get to Aspen last Friday. We went all the way to 285, and then came back through Breck. Oh, and that was FROM Evergreen (25 minutes closer than Denver). I find it adorable that Linds loves watching that holiday parade on TV with the balloons. All I can think of is Seinfeld and Woody Woodpecker. We got our Xmas tree, and Linds loves it. Only problem is that the decorations are downstairs in the Air Bnb storage, with no access until the 14th. I hate recorded sporting events unless I am rewatching an instant classic I missed, or unless I am studying a team. In Aspen, we ate enough where I honestly was worried my new wedding ring might get stuck on my hand. My new addictive stupid song is again one from Halsey, and this time Graveyard. I got my first use of the Linds-Created Man Cave, and she is very glad she now doesn’t need to watch every single UVA basketball game. I make fun of the Losers Pool I get in every year because it allows you to pick any team every week and therefore is easier because you can pick on teams and not map out your season, and yet I seem to be eliminated from the easier pool at this time every year. Mission complete again. Ugghhh. You should note that they are having $1 Baconators at Wendy’s after you buy one. Not sure for how long, but you are informed. Baconators are so awesome. In Aspen, I had my first taste of Ska’s Moral Panic, and it is definitely now one of my favorite IPA’s. Linds bought me JoJo Herman tickets for Thursday at the Ogden, and although she probably is not excited to attend this show with me, I am excited to hear the keys of Widespread Panic light it up for a night. I had made the mistake of trying to surprise Linds with Billy Strings tickets (for Friday) and paying much more than I should have through a tricky third party. Happy to report I unloaded two of those tickets for three times their value on Craigslist, meaning my dumb mistake is now bearable. We are just personally going for a little much. Well, let’s finish this section, as I have about 11 hours of football to watch today on my couch.
- PICS BY MY PIXEL (see below)
- TRAVEL: (see below)
- TWEET OF THE WEEK
TRAVEL/ ASPEN TRAVEL NOTES (10)
- When you HAVE to get to Aspen because you love it so much, you DO drive for 8.5 hours AROUND mountains because of rock slides. Oh, and that was FROM Evergreen (25 minutes closer than Denver).
- My 4Runner can drive through anything.
- I find the Wendy’s in Frisco very clean and delicious.
- Going in season means more people, but also that it is much tougher to find cheaper drink and food deals.
- When you find a deal in Aspen, you go TO it, as they are very hard to find, and you sometimes have to drop in and ask to find them out.
- Now, “deals” in season in Aspen just mean normal Denver prices.
- Aspen snow is fluffier I think.
- The Molly Gibson was a great call for an Aspen stay. It was only $120 a night on Expedia, had free parking, heated pool, hot tub, nice spacious rooms, free breakfast, was right outside of downtown Aspen (walking easily), and had a free social hour daily across street with snacks and drinks. I would recommend.
- Heated pools and hot tubs when there is a foot of snow outside and it is still coming down is very Aspen-y.
- Mi Chola WAS our go to for cheap margs, but in-season, apparently the price is jacked up to $10 per. We only went there once. Even the subpar hotdog during happy hour was $8.
- I highly recommend Jing for cheap drinks and sushi (for Linds, I ate the hot dog before). It gets the same fish as its more famous counterpart, you can get happy hour at the bar all day and night, and the staff is very friendly.
- J Bar is a must every visit, as it is historical. Hotel Jerome is legendary, and order a drink, meander through the lobby, and soak in the very Aspen-y hotel and staff with cowboy hats.
- The Red Onion is a staple of Aspen. Looking for a more low key, cheap place to partake in bar company? This is your place. Food will be nothing special, but relaxing vibe with locals.
- Belly-Up is the go-to live music venue. It gets some pretty big names. You need to go here for one visit at least. It is no cover typically if you beat the crowd before 1030pm. We saw Shakedown Street. The band had a missing guitar player and drummer because of the rock slide delay from Denver. They played anyway with three guys.
- We get lucky because Lindsey’s dad has his timeshare there, but IF you get a cheap rate on the Hyatt Grand, stay there. Heated bathroom floors, steam showers, jacuzzi tub, heated pool, outdoor hot tub, etc.
- Lindsey usually NAILS the food venues, but I would not recommend Tiki Mana, and just know that although this place pops up for “brunch places in Aspen,” you need to just walk around the town and look at signs to find the other ones.
- We went to Topper’s the next morning, and this place was delicious. Simple, order from the counter services, and delicious sandwiches. Relatively new.
- Aspen is a walking town, so just walk around, and the cars will stop for you most likely.
- Whether you need something and need a place that has it, or if you don’t need anything at all, go to Carl’s Pharmacy, the place with everything. I mean, truly, everything.
- Go ski if you ski. Or, if you don’t, go to Ajax Tavern, grab a drink, and watch the skiers come down right in front of you. Aspen is one of the few mountain towns where the lift and gondola is right in the heart of downtown.
- I found a new place this year. Go to Clark’s Oyster Bar and order the $12 burger. It is now on my list of ranked burgers in Colorado. Whatever sauce they put on that great burger just is icing on the cake.
- At Clark’s, there was a guy who was eating the burger when we got there. We engaged him in conversation and decided he was the Aspen version of Ross. A couple people out there just chuckled.
- If you need a cozy place to watch all the sports, Zane’s is your spot. Downstairs, Philly guy owned, and the place to see whatever sport you need. And get a decent cheesesteak. And $.75 wings during happy hour. Remember, when you find an Aspen deal, you RUN to it.
- We went to Jing again. Becoming a thing. Hey, that rhymed. Had a burger before this time.
- The places that DON’T make it in Aspen is amazing and sad. We walked by Boogie’s, which used to be a legendary place at the foot of the mountain.
- No more Justice Snow’s, which had my favorite burger ever. That has been replaced by a bar that has horrible service and subpar food, Aspen Public House.
- We sat next to Eric from Finland, who coached some local hockey team. He didn’t care less about the OU game we were watching.
- We watched rest of OU game back at Molly Gibson.
- The lights on the trees in Aspen around Christmas time are gorgeous. Some white, some multi-colored, some with movement.
- Next morning, Steelers-Browns game at Zane’s, with her parents coming into town.
- Parents coming into town means…we have to go to WHITE HOUSE. This is a restaurant in Aspen where you do one of three things, or two if hungry. Or all three if you have two parties. They have a prime rib sandwich that will ruin ALL prime rib sandwiches you will ever have again. That is what I get, without even looking at rest of menu. You also should experience the chicken sandwich. I am not sure what they do to it. It is ridiculous though. Finally, get the fries with their dipping sauce. Magical.
- Hickory House is a little closer to the exit to the city, and you might want to drive, but is a worthy BBQ place. For any meal. We chose brunch this trip, and my Eggs Benedict with their BBQ pork was ridiculously good. The BBQ itself isn’t the magical part. Their sauces are the magical part.
- Mezzaluna is a clutch stop by in Aspen. You need to go DURING happy hour to experience the deal. Two for one entrees on Mondays, but happy hour has cheap drinks and snacks.
- Jing again. I just keep eating large meals before going, and it is a flawless system. Ritual.
- We skipped Avalanche Ranch this time (outside of Carbondale) but you shouldn’t. It is an hour from Aspen, but you should do it on the way in or on the way out. Call to reserve a spot (they don’t want it too busy), limited amount of hot springs, and beautiful view of Mount Sopris. Only $16 on weekdays too.
- Other places that have closed over the years that depress me: Johnny McGuire’s, Little Annie’s (is actually now Clark’s), Aspen Over Easy, Square Grouper, Roaring Fork Tavern.
- I already mentioned Topper’s. Good.
- Cross the foot bridge on Hopkins that goes east. You will enter Park Ave, which has some of the most expensive Aspen-y homes you will ever see.
- Actually, do several walkabouts. Walk the streets, go into art stores you can’t afford, jewelry stores with low-end stuff worth as much as your house, etc. I went into a watch shop and told the guy I wasn’t buying anything, but I just wanted him to tell me the price on the one watch I picked that I liked. I chose one after looking through store. $122k, and the most expensive watch in store. He said “you might not have the money yet, but you already have the eye.”
- Jimmy’s is only open in-season. You go there for steaks and mac and cheese, which is legendary. Note that you can get your ridiculously good steaks on Mondays for only $15. That is a very lightly advertised deal, folks.
- There are lots of menus in Aspen. This one is happy hour, this one is Monday’s, this one is drinks, this one is food for dinner, and here is our lunch menu if you come back tomorrow.
- Eric’s is a bar that is cool and a late night spot, but I think would be more popular if they opened before 7pm.
- I went to Klaus Obermeier’s birthday bash at Hotel Jerome. He just turned 100. I think he just stopped skiing down the mountain about 5 years ago. He is a ski legend who is a local in Aspen. The celebration and speeches were awesome, and I felt very much Aspen-y being at the celebration. Picture below.
- Watching people walk around in ski boots is entertaining to me.
- We got out last breakfast at Jus, in the city center. Reasonably priced, outside of the $10 “Jus” things, and the sandwiches had ingredients that were a level above Topper’s. Slightly fancier, although I still think I lean Topper’s overall.
- Note that not only is French Alpine Bistro one of the cutest, coolest, spots downstairs in Aspen, but the lunch fondue special is WORTH it. Very foreign, ritzy, special cheese fondue.
- The Emporium and Flying Circus is a cool little store with random stuff, and you should go visit. Maybe go to J Bar across the street to loosen you up first.
- The popcorn at the J Bar is ridiculously good. They had a blue cheese popcorn. Delicisou.
- Oh, and the burger is ranked in my book and worth the extra dollars.
- The Dry Goods place is a place known by locals as the cheapest clothing spot in the town, but I still picked up a sweater that was $500.
- We did the gondola up the mountain, and it was SO worth it. The ride is picture worthy, and the view up top is magnificent. The pic Linds and I got taken of us is almost fake looking. And people RIDE those crazy vertical hills across the way. Nuts.
- I had a wagyu hot dog while up on the mountain. I don’t know if I have ever had a wagyu before, but I can say that I WILL have another wagyu hot dog someday, and if I can’t find one, I can always go to the top of Aspen Mountain and get one.
- The bartender at the top of the mountain must BANK. New York chick who knew everyone, and she must serve drinks to the wealthiest people in the world.
- There are fun “consignment” and “liquidation” stores in Aspen. Walk in one. You will see random items being sold from mansions and rich people. The stuff has to go somewhere, I guess.
- Witnessing the ski culture in the mecca of skiing kind of made me want to take up the sport, I think. Uh oh… My bad knees will love me if I do this.
- Su Casa was nothing to write home about, but the bartender used to tend at Square Grouper and knew Jesse, so that was fun.
- Go into the Peter Lik studio. The guy became famous for his photographs AND the development method of those photograph. Go to the studio, and say you want to see the special “light show.” It is mind blowing. The paintings change depending on where light hits it, and if you put light behind it.
- Hooch might be the new secret spot. Cheap drinks, down the basement, awesome atmosphere, but just no happy hour food. But, cool place, and I recommend checking it out.
- Jing one more time for Lindsey’s finale.
- Red Onion one more time. Jordan, who Linds went to high school, works there, and we had saw him already twice. Tonight, his sister worked, and she was cool too. But, the highlight was seeing Murt, who I hung out with the first week when I moved to Colorado. Full circle. Pic below.
- You have to get a slice of pizza at NY Pizza one night if there. It is a staple of Aspen.
- Hot tub, final steam shower.
- Steam showers are one of the best inventions EVER. I can’t imagine the upkeep of them, but taking a hot shower with four spickets, with steam coming out at the bottom is the BEST.
- The drive home was 3.25 hours, much better than the 8.5 on the way there.
- That’s it for this round. Just adding to my massive travel journal. If you go somewhere, and want some recommendations or some wastes of time, ping me.
ALTERNATE CATEGORIES (that didn’t make the cut):
- THE BEST WORKOUT SONG EVER FOR THIS WEEK (because the best song this week IS the best song ever…for now):
- QUOTE OF THE WEEK
- LINKS TO SAVE YOU TIME IN LIFE
- THIS WEEK’S LIST
- MY NUMBERS
- GONE FISHING (the riddle for money):
- LIFEGUARD ENTRY:
- NHL
- MLB
The theme? I have used this one before. When I go to Aspen, I constantly note things that look “Aspen-y.” Knit hats, fancy winter vests, ski outfits, expensive stores, fluffy snow, fancy regular cars, expensive cop cars, etc. I love Aspen, even if I can’t afford to be Aspen-y. I can try and fake it. And that is half the fun. But, when I read my blurb on Klaus, it seemed perfect to combine the two themes.
Fun pictures below.
I have to go write my speech for the Sooners Club at Stoneys for when OU makes the college football playoff, which I predicted right after the K-State loss.
And our weekly reminder of the greatest sequel ever made coming out next summer… Top Gun 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSqVVswa420
That’s it for today. Hope you enjoyed or are at least more informed. Remember two things. First, feed yourself, feed your family, but always, always remember to…feed the wolf. Second, if you can’t spot the sucker in your first half hour at the table, then you are the sucker. Will I blog again? That is a CLOWN question, bro. As one shepherd said to the other shepherd, let’s get the flock out of here.
PICS BY MY PIXEL:
| THROW IT BACK IN THE POND |
| zlatan statue set on fire |
| 8 sit out practice at pats-bug |
| arena football league files for bankruptcy |
| pulisic scores var assisted goal |
| decastro fined peacemaker |
| Anthony Davis 41 in Orleans return |
| flames coach Peter’s apologizes |
| Klay sideline reporter |
| uga cager out injury |
| kerr breaks clipboard |
| ducks freshman sorry Powell trip |
| Jones sticking with garrett |
| arsenal dumps emery |
| Josh Shaw busted betting |
| eagles extend lane johnson |
| flames Peter’s resigns |
| schiano Rutgers? |
| UNC beats oregon |
| khabib Ferguson April 18 |
| duke loses Cassius stanley |
| kitchens wears started it shirt |
| wife charger |
| schiano rutgers 8 years?? |
| franks QB leaving uf |
| free pouncey shirts worn |
| storms mess with both sides of turkey travel |
| pat sullivan dies |
| rock devito crash wedding |
| london bridge arrest |
| ravens pass pats as sb favorite |
| clips post 150 on wizards |
| Mickelson skipping Phoenix for Saudi |
| kitchens shirt |
| ole Miss half team leaving after firing |
| mexican gun battle 23 people |
| impeachment hearings continue |
| moustakos cards 4 yrs |
| Derek Wolfe broncos done for season |
| Cubs do not extend Addison russell |
| cook injury |
| seahawks flu bug |
| death penalty |
| nato |
| elon musk defamation suit cave |
| lil bub dies |
| mcdonald’s wants to compete with popeyes chicken |
| smart tv’s might watch YOU |
| jane fonda arrested |
| melo was going to retire |
| devils fire hynes |
| tiger declines millions Saudi event |
| George Atkinson nd dies |
| lamar jackson to pass vick |
| newtown to have ankle surgery |
| csu coach bobo stepping down |
| arians non commital on winston in 2020 |
| rhodes apologizes to zimmer-outburst |
| st. pete, rays no on shared home |
| zlatan ask too much milan |
| rapinoe asks Messi Ronaldo for help |
| George Zimmerman Martin suing |
| Pearl harbor shooting |
| lebron walk |
| cowboys antwaun woods pot, tampering |
| nascar hires 4 sponsors for cup |
| giannis resists fight with pistons |
| brewers acquire c narvaez |
| walton lawsuit dropped by woman |
| mets owner selling |
| wash st. extend leach to 2024 |
| vinatieri might be out for year |
Two Nebraska football players-sexual assault
Yanks making signing cole priority
Wizards beat sixers
Twins pineda signing
Nats can’t keep strasburg and rendon
Pads get pham, ship Renfroe
Brady injury report
Ruiz weighs in at 283 for rematch
Jerry jones radio curses
Snell reaction to trade on live stream
Rumors john Beilein has lost cavs team
Holtkamp-sterling first mother to ref nba game
Ole miss close to hiring lane Kiffin
Cavs open to trading kevin love
Petition seeks removal of Michael vick as pro bowl captain
| pats re-sign Nick folk |
| Memphis norvell favored fsu job |
| hood achilles |
| Steve garage |
| day of football |
LeBron melo specials matchup
| broncos chargers |
| drew lock |
| Seahawks vikings |
| Shaw bet included cards and lost |
| Carroll fake punt |
| eli to start for giants |
| OBJ vague about future with browns |
Bears over cowboys tnf
Cowboys interested in urban meyer
| wash-washington state |
| clemson-south carolina |
| oklahoma state-ou |
| a&m lsu |
| uf-fsu |
| iowa state-kansas state |
| ou lands #17 Reggie grimes |
| ucf usf |
| bama out of ap top 5 for first time in 4 years |
| usf fires charlie strong after 4-8 record |
| bc fires steve addazio after 7 seasons-44-44 record |
| ole Miss fires Matt Luke |
| Herman redoes ut staff |
| auburn game punter |
| chris peterson resigns suddenly at washington, healthy, no family issues |
| auburn lands#2 bama recruit |
| cfp reveal |
Joey Gatewood transferring to Kentucky
| uva allows 26 pts vs maine |
| Oregon zags |
| UNC loses mich |
| mich over UNC zags in back to back |
| gtown problem |
| acc big ten showdown |
| duke over msu by 12 |
avs score 7goals in 23 minutes.
| mavs beat lakers in LA |
| nugs host lakers |
| fa market |
| zack wheeler joins phillies 5/118 mil |
| cole hamels signs with braves |
Cashman gets message to sign cole while repelling
| Belgium #1 fifa |
| McGregor to fight cerrone Jan 18 |
| day backs out pres cup back |
| Messi wins 6th ballin d’Or |
| cricket something |
| no macy’s balloons? |
| tday grandmother stranger 4 things |
| politician again |
| Unlocked-steve |
| east coast storm |
| usa today lauds irishman-deniro |
| Rick Springfield Chicago to do red rocks |
| higher classified bob |
Forklift upgrade
When on fence with game, I ask linds who she is rooting for when watching
| Steps-crash-puppies |
| farkle |
| pumpkin mac and cheese |