themadeshop:

If you’re driving around Denver, look out for our new Stranahan’s billboards, featuring our new logo, label, and bottle designs.

I had a long layover in Denver today, and the restaurant where I had dinner had Stranahan’s on the menu. I tried to order it, but they were out. But then I know shit about whiskey, so it’s just as well.

My sister, ladies and gentlemen, is a total fucking badass. Here she is, about to place second in the Mile High Blues Social Dance Competition finals (she’s in the white shirt, her lead has a red shirt). For those of you not familiar with this kind of competition: nothing is rehearsed, partners are put together randomly at the competition, and they don’t know what song they’ll be dancing to until the music starts. She actually sort of hates this guy, which makes it all that more amazing how good they look.

Sean Hunting Morse is an excellent Denver singer-songwriter who loves to play in Seattle, especially for blues dancers. He was the guest musician at First Weekend Blues, the 2011 New Year’s Seattle dance event, which lasted three days. He plays great blues guitar for dancing, but all his recorded stuff was his more folky originals….until now. “Smile If You’re Sleeping” is a nine-track album recorded live during that weekend, and you can download it now for free!

Please note all the awesome signs. My favorite is “We buy anything that doesn’t eat.”

The Best Secondhand Store in The World
Denver, CO
2011

49.5 hours until I arrive in Denver! My sister and I are sort of throwing plans together at the last minute, so if you have been to Colorado or know of anything awesome to do, it’s not too late! What should I do and where should I go for the most awesomeness in Denver, Colorado Springs, and the surrounding areas?

1. Finally seeing the place where my sister has lived for the last few years
2. Seeing my sister teach Lindy (swing dancing, for you laypeople)
3. Kicking it with the Johnsons and maybe also some Kents
4. Red Rocks and Garden of the Gods (weather permitting)
5. Exploring a new city!

Two weeks to go!

Speaking of which, it’s official: I will be in Denver and Colorado Springs from January 20-24. My trip planned for last March, which was to encompass the Mile High Blues Festival, had to be canceled due to a family tragedy, but I hope this trip will be wonderful and ideally go off without much in the way of hitches.

My sister has lived in Colorado for a few years now, and this will be my first visit. I’m looking forward to visiting a new, rectangular state, seeing where she lives, and maybe hanging out with Maxx Johnson. Bonus: My sister never visited me when I lived in Michigan, so now I can give her shit about it. Because that’s how we roll.

People who live in/have lived in/know things about Colorado: Any recommendations of amazing things I should not miss? I may have a little time to kill in Denver on my days or arrival and departure (I planned a lot of wiggle room in case of weather), so anything in the downtown area that I could do with luggage in tow would be lovely.

And now a question mark so Tumblr will let you reply?

Got this postcard from my sister today. I’ll be in Denver for Mile High Blues March 24-28. So excited.