the springs

I am no longer listening to anyone's mumbo jumbo about gay-hating, conservative, religious, uptight or rigid places. Colorado Springs is the last place I will visit with any preconceptions or negative expectations. We had an absolutely amazing time. Our check in time was at 2pm and we arrived around 1. We had skipped breakfast so we had both been craving eggs and talking about it increasingly the whole ride from Denver. We decided we had plenty of time to eat and we were very excited to find a diner only blocks from the B&B. We parked the car on the street and ended up making the decision that we needed a designated places for quarters (if i write that in the blog it will help me remember to do it). Finally after crawling around the car for a few minutes, we were legally placed and had plenty of time to finally have breakfast! The outside of the diner was really colorful and you couldn't see through the windows due to an excess of advertisement. It was hard to determine what to expect, but we knew that if it was a diner, it could make us eggs. Inside there was blasting rock music, and a very unique atmosphere. It had a really young, Colorado feel to it. Very excited for what we just walked into, we were seated and immediately became engrossed with our menus. Everything sounded good and some of the items boasted a "Famous Green Chili Sauce". We started to notice all the accolades displayed on the walls. KING'S CHEF DINER- WINNER '08 BEST GREEN CHILI IN COLORADO SPRINGS" I don't remember exactly what they said, but thats the general idea behind all these posters and banners. Then, after barely a minute comes the waitress. If this blog site allowed me to write in paragraphs, I would use a few spaces to pause here. Our waitress swaggers over covered in tattoos, with a not-on-purpose swoop half covering one eye. She asked us how we were doing today. We both, I think, had to take a second to remember who we even were so that we could locate an appropriate answer to her question. I don't actually remember what answer we gave. We managed to communicate that we would like coffee and water to drink and we'd need a few minutes to decide what we wanted to eat. We had a quick moment when she left to discuss how attractive our server was got back to looking at the menu. She came back with our coffee and water and we had not decided yet what we wanted. She said she'd give us more time. Again, we needed a moment to discuss again how attractive our server was. She came back to the table to take our order. To take our order, she sat at our table in the seat next to mine. This surprised both of us. Most of the time sitting or squatting at a table while taking an order is strictly forbidden. We ordered and smiled and she left. Our server looked like a mix of Scarlett Johansen and our friend Danielle from NY. This is NOT an unattractive combination. It was one of those people that fit into the "top 5 best looking people you've seen this year in real life" category. But it wasn't even just that. This girl seemed really cool. She was a vegetarian (which i always find a great quality). She just seemed like someone me and Rachel would hang out with in NY. It was really refreshing and surprising to have our first Colorado Springs encounter to be such a positive one. It made us both feel a little guilty that we came in with pre-experience judgement and expectations. One refill of coffee later our food came out. HUGE portions of eggs, omelette, toast, hash browns and sausage. The food was really good. We chatted for a little while about how we regreted not getting that famous green chili sauce. We'd definitely have to come back before leaving Colorado to try it. We paid and said goodbye but realized when we got to the car that we still had 20 minutes to kill. We were right downtown so we decided to walk around. First of all, Colorado Springs is gorgeous. It's at the base of Pike's Peak, which is one of those mountains taller than 14,000ft. It's the mountain, supposedly, that inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write the song "America the Beautiful". It's so clean and clear, and that huge mountain, covered in jagged rock and snow is just so close! The streets are busy with friendly looking people shopping, dining,or walking their dogs. We turned our first corner into Tejon St. This seemed like the main street of downtown. The first thing we noticed was the sidewalk. Someone had sidewalk chalked a series of rectangles in rainbow colors and the word "RIGHTS" under it and below it. Whichever direction you walked on the street you could see the word facing upright. This is the last thing we expected to see after our anti-gay warnings. As we walked we discovered this was written on every corner. It's pride month and we were happy to see that there was a an active community in the area. We've learned now that Colorado Springs gets this anti-gay reputation because it is the location for "Focus on the Family". I plan to look it up tonight and learn more about it, but what I've learned so far is that it is a program, or camp, that is supposed to treat homosexuality. If you or a loved one are suffering from homosexuality, there is help for you. FOCUS ON THE FAMILY can help ease the symptoms of homosexuality and make it possible for you to have a better life. Homosexuality is not your fault, it is a chemical imbalance which causes confusion. Promiscuous behavior. Drug use. An Unsafe environment for children. Attention seeking behavior and the overall disrespect for everything and everyone. If you feel any of these symptoms please call now. FOCUS ON THE FAMILY is clinically proven to reduce the effects of the homosexual imbalance. At FOCUS ON THE FAMILY we believe that you can be normal. Through therapy and prayer, FOCUS ON THE FAMILY will help you overcome homosexuality so that you can can stay with your family. Call now. I've always been really interested in these kinds of places. A few years ago I tried to find one online. I wanted to attend one so that I could then write a book about it. I couldn't find one. I don't know how I didn't come across it. I want to find out how long the programs are, and what's entailed. I don't know if I'd actually want to go to one anymore, but just learning about it sounds really interesting. So anyway, we got back to our B&B right at 2. Our host, Conchita, opened the door and knew who we were. She was so sweet and the house was beautiful. So far so good. I'll write about the rest of the trip later or tomorrow. This is even long for me! -lj

In a hurry

I have the best girlfriend ever =) She's everything I've ever wanted all bottled up into one little body. Have a good weekend everyone. To Colorado Springs we gooo!!!!!! Love, Rachie

giddy up!

Alright it's booked! And of course a series of questions from Rachel and too much information from me lead to Rachel guessing what we're doing. We're leaving Denver at 11 for Colorado Springs. Then its some lunch probably, a quick lunch. Then at 3:30 we're going horseback riding for two hours through the Garden of the Gods. It's supposed to be this really gorgeous, boulder and mountainous area. And we're romantically riding horses through it. I'm sure with a guide and a group but.. it's still romantic! I'm afraid I tooted my own horn a bit too much yesterday but whatever. I think its cool! She's really excited. She had told me a week or so ago that she wanted to go horseback riding and wanted to know if I thought it was weird. I don't and I'm really excited! We are under slight caution because of some information we received last night from Liz and Jules (Rachel's bosses). Apparently Colorado Springs is very conservative and religious. These two things are all well and fine. However something they do NOT find all well and fine is homosexuality. Everything was booked before we found this out and we decided that it didn't make a difference anyway. How can we just not explore all the conservative places in America? That excludes a LOT of it! Besides, just the idea of not showing my face in any city or state because they may not like the way I look or who I love makes my skin crawl. We obviously know not to kiss in public or hold hands, but to just not go at all is too much. Just because a place is intolerant doesn't mean they want to tie you to a fence. I'm not missing out on seeing the country because people are whack jobs. No. No. No. No. And who knows- we could be surprised by their kindness and hospitality. I don't want to go in judging them with my new bit of information just as I appreciate not being judged myself. I made sure the B&B we were staying at knew we were a lesbian couple before I even knew we were entering a conservative area. She could have told me they were booked. But she didn't. I've gone into Alabama, Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana totally sure that everyone was going to hate me because I was gay. It was the deep south and that was what I expected. Well it never happened. I encountered only kind people. Granted, I was working with all non-profits. People who do that work are usually very very nice. But the point is, is that I ended up being wrong. And I ended up being pleasantly surprised. Maybe I will this time too. Or maybe not. And if I'm not, then thats a part of America I need to experience no matter how much it really really sucks. And just in case..... so everyone knows.... Rachel and I are staying at the St. Mary Inn in Colorado Springs and will be horse back riding with the Acadamy Riding Stables from 2:45-about 5:30. Just kind of a side note... next time you hear someone describe something as "gay" or wonder why gay people feel the need to have they're own parade every year... think about the fact that I just told you where we were going to be to make myself feel safer. -lj

What do you mean there's more than Denver??

So, in keeping with our mission, tomorrow the little lady and I are off to explore Colorado! Or Colorado Springs at least. As exciting as Denver is, we are aware that we have an entire state to explore and only two more months to do it. We've booked a cute little bed and breakfast (our first as a couple...adorable) and I have a secret little adventure surprise that I'm working on. I have to make a phone call in the morning and book this "event". Please keep your fingers crossed for me cause mannnn am I gonna get points for this! I promise that when I disclose this information after the surprise has been unveiled to my unsuspecting partner, you're first reaction, no matter who you are, is going to be "oooooo!!" That reminds me... I should probably have a backup planned... but i totally think its gonna work! We will see. We're only going to Colorado Springs for one night. We wanted jobs for so long and now we have them and they're just getting in our way. Just like our last jobs! But...our jobs are funding this mini-vacation, so I guess we'll have to tolerate them. Speaking of jobs.... man is Rachel's job GREAT! I am so so so happy for her. Her boss' see her as gods gift to serving (which honestly...she is), she immediately has the best shifts in the restaurant, and her boss's are to really really cool lesbians! No reason to be jealous of Stella....the tables have turned! But it's amazing to know she's working somewhere she's really appreciated. When your THAT good at your job and THAT good looking...you're rarely appreciated enough. And I'm so happy that she has managers/owners that really appreciate her and that they're doing it already. My job is still going good. My owners chubby little blonde son came in today. He tapped me on the shoulder to ask me if I was a boy or a girl. I asked him what he thought. He guessed right so I didn't "accidentally" drop hot pesto rigate on his cute. little, chubby, blonde head. I later learned that people commonly get the sex of him wrong as well. I can see why. Him and his sister have the same hair cut. His sister shared candy with me. I've decided I like her better. I made $92 dollars today. Not bad. Rachel is at work, I'll go get her in about an hour. I tried to make myself hot dogs on the grill tonight. I've lit this grill before, its very similar to the one I grew up with. Tonight it failed to light after I pushed the "ignite" button. I am not the most patient person, especially when I'm hungry. I pushed it angrily three more times. Sensing my hostility towards it, the grill proceeded to throw a ball of flame at my face. At my face. Not right above grill, not next to it, not under it. At my face. I saw a bright flash, felt intense head and inhaled the smell of burnt hair. I've escaped with no burns, only lightly highlighted tips on my eye lashes and a few less "phos" to my "pho hawk". Needless to say, tonight for dinner, I had hot dogs cooked in a pan. Alright, "So you think you can dance" is on. gotta go! -lj

special victims unit

I've found myself indulging in quite the lazy day off today. Rach spent the morning working for Scott and now she is at BOA, serving on her first night. Can you believe she works at the restaurant next door to mine? Not down the block. Not across the street. Not two doors down. Directly next door. But back to my lazy day. There was a Law and Order SVU marathon on today. It wasn't too nice out..pretty cloudy. I seriously spent my entire day cleaning...and watching Detectives Stabeler and Benson run around NYC solving crimes. It was a very good day. Nothing much is new that Rachel hasn't told you. I still love my job. Oh...we went hiking yesterday with Beau. We hiked up Mt. Sanitas. Again we chose the long way up and the steep way down. We managed to make it to the bottom with no injuries. As we were walking along the pebble path along the base of the mountain to the car when we were done however...I rolled my ankle on a pine cone and tumbled. pretty hard. A mountain I can do...but those pebble roads...gotta use caution.

Sunday =)

Yesterday was rough. Woke up at 5am with stomach pain and was in bed almost all day... weird bug I guess? No it wasn't a hangover!! But thank god I feel so much better today =) I have an interview at 4:45 at a place called BOA which is conveniently located NEXT DOOR to Joanna's restaurant!! It's an asian/mexican restaurant... the owners are two lesbians and the entire staff seems awesome. Jo and I went in there friday night and they recognized her from being new next door hahah of course because she is just so darn good looking. So, I hope it goes well tonight and I can start training this week. Still going to help Scott out a bit here and there, probably not nearly as much as I was doing last week. Jo only has two shifts this week because they are close tomorrow for the holiday so we plan on hiking and maybe doing Scott's wine cellar...the man has more wine than I have ever seen in my life but has no clue what is down there. Betty has gone to New York for at least a week so it's just us and the dog! I think we're gonna cook out tonight too! And we have been throwing ideas back and forth about new destinations, our plans for grad school, careers, oh ya know the typical life choices... I think we're getting somewhere... but it's a secret. Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone!!! xoxoxo Love, Rachie

Some pictures =)

Office work...

Well... I do love to organize and clean so I guess I had it coming. I have been working almost all day everyday since Sunday for Betty's boyfriend Scott Farmer. So despite my lack of responses from restaurants, (I did only go around for about an hour dropping resumes so it's not like I have that many options haha) I have been doing work for Scott. Everything from vacuuming his house and arranging it so he can move back in to attempting to organize his extremely cluttered office. He had his entire house renovated so it's going to take even more work to get everything back in it now. And the office work is surprisingly a nice change. Everything I like about it are actually the same things I don't like about it. I like not having to be on my feet all day, but miss running around. I like being by myself and getting things done at my own rate, but I miss meeting and talking to people. And I LOVE to organize and clear/clean out... I know it sounds weird but I do enjoy it. I feel accomplished and I feel like I'm really helping him out. He runs his business alone so no wonder his office looks like a tree exploded in it and then a tornado came through after that. I'm getting through it and now I really know what sitting in rush hour traffic to and from work everyday feels like. How silly. You would think that with all the technology out there today that we would have figured out how to fix damn traffic jams. Ah well...at least on the way home I get to stare at the mountains the whole time =) Which can be very dangerous because they are distracting!! But Scott has been a very generous boss thus far and I feel like it's a good learning experience. Still on the hunt for a restaurant because I do love it, but definitely will be helping him out from time to time either way. The one interview I did go on for a place called Mead Street Station went amazing. It's located one block down for Joanna's restaurant and would be perfect!! But they called, twice now actually, and some girl that was supposed to leave decided to stay. But they wanted me to know that they really liked me and that I'm next in line. So at least that keeps me positive =) For now though it's a lot of hours everyday so we can finally put money INTO our bank accounts =) Also, we are very lucky to live with such a great woman. She's our mom away from our mom's if you will. She takes care of us, cooks dinner, hangs out. She is so kind and fun and free-spirited and just a blast. I couldn't have picked a better situation. It feels great to finally feel settled in. My biggest issue... I don't have office clothes haha... it's been all jeans and flats so far. He hasn't said anything so I guess it's fine haha It's not like I'm around anyone anyway. I don't even have one pair of "slacks". What would be another word for that? Funny word. Anyways I'm rambling. Love and miss everyone hope you are all well xoxooxx Love, Rachie

its all coming together

I officially start my job tomorrow. I have trained for 4 shifts and think I'm ready. My new restaurant, in the words of the adorable chef Nick, "is nowhere like you've ever worked before and nowhere like you'll ever work again". There is not one staff member who will tell you its not the best restaurant gig they've ever had. The servers, who are all around my age, have been there from between two months to five years. I have not heard a single complaint. There is no manager. I'm going to repeat that for those of you who have worked in restaurants and understand the weight of this statement... There is NO manager. We control the computer at our own disgression and are simply on a trust system. There is no one barking at you, no one watching you, no one judging you. Tom is the owner. He's a really nice guy and likes the restaurant ran the way he wants it. Everyone runs it that way and therefore, Tom only pops in once in a while. In my four shifts so far he's been in the restaurant for a total of five minutes. There are two shifts. Lunch and Dinner. Lunch starts at 11 and ends at 3. We open for dinner at 5 and that ends at 10. You're either on a the lunch shift or the dinner shift and sometimes you may be asked to do a double where you serve for both. Keeping in mind the law of relativity, I will be making "good money". Let us all remember that $300 dollars of NYC money is equal to $150 dollars in Denver, CO. When one walks into my restaurant, which is called Trattoria Stella (the west one, there are two-google it), they are met with the aromas of roasted garlic, sauteed italian herbs and truffle oil. Not a bad place to be for five hours. If you can't tell, I feel like I've really hit a jackpot here. I think I've found the best serving job in the country. My co-workers are all amazing and I've been feeling pretty guilty knowing that my plans are to leave at the end of the summer. Part of me wishes I didn't like it so much. I'm getting attached quickly. I see Rachel has told you about our mountain adventure. The funny part about that is while we were choosing where to hike for the day, there was a ten minute period where we were set on hiking up Mount Evans. Mt. Evans elevation in 14,122 feet..or around there. To put this into perspective, Mt.Rainer in Washington is the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states. It is also a fourteener, I believe, being only a few hundred feet taller than Evans. The city of Denver sits a mile high above sea level at five thousand and something feet. Let's pretend that once you are in the foothills you are at around 6,000 feet. To hike up Evans, you must climb approx. 8,000 feet to the summit. You can drive, but those of you who know me (all of you), know that I would find this prospect unacceptable. I will drive it after I've arrived at the summit on foot which I am absolutely determined to do this summer. But back to numbers...for a comparison...Mt. Everest is the tallest mountain in the world, summiting at 29,035 ft. It sits on the borders of Nepal and Tibet. Base Camp on the Nepal side towers over any American peak at 17,500 feet. This means that a climber must rise over 11,000 ft to reach the top. Mt.Everst is obviously a million times harder and more dangerous to climb, but all I'm trying to show you, is that the distance in vertical feet from Denver to the top of Mt. Evans is FAR MORE THAN ONE DOES IN A LEISURLY HIKE. Thankfully, our trusty pal Betty, turned on her serious face and told us today was not the day. Since then I've learned that you can't even hike up there until the summer because there is still too much snow on the trail. I've also learned that you need to leave very very early in the morning. Like all tall mountains, and I should have known this, there is a "peak" time. Not a prime time, but a time in the day which you must reach the top and begin your descent because weather conditions high on the mountain after this peak time deteriorate and make for an unsafe environment for those who are not mountain goats. We decided to hike in Boulder instead. We climbed a small peak that was slightly over 8,000 ft. Well my friends, let me tell you, that even if we HAD gone to Mt.Evans that day, we were NOT gettin to far! To hike up and down Green Mountain took Rachel and I five and a half hours! It was extremely difficult at times and there were moments when I wondered how long it would take a rescue team to carry me down the mountain and transport me to a hospital. There were several bits of the trail coming down that seemed a bit dicey and I couldn't believe the trail didn't come with a warning! There were a few trails you see, and we chose to come down a different one than we had climbed. Dogs weren't allowed on the one coming down...let's put it that way. Next time I'm going to recognize that this means that if you attempt this trail with no thumbs for tight, holding on for your life, gripping of rocks, you probably won't make it down the mountain without serious injury at best. I will tell you though that since the moment we made it to the car, all I've wanted to do, is do it again. And eventually, this summer, I am NOT leaving Colorado without standing on the summit of Mount Evans. You can always see it from pretty much wherever you are as long as your facing West so I can only imagine what you see when you're standing on the top. Rachel is on her way home and I'm not even dressed for the day so I bid you adieu. lj

MOUNTAINS!!!!!

After 2 weeks we finally made up into the mountains!! Planned on going for a hike and ended up being up there for 5 and half hours. We climbed up for 3 straight hours. It was called Green Mountain i think and had an elevation of 8,144 ft. high!!! We couldn't believe we got that far. What we didn't realize that once you get to the top it is not easy to get down. But the view was worth it all. And all the sounds were incredible. From honking horns to nothing but birds and wind was extremely cleansing. However after about two hours jo and i joked if we could get a cab from where we were haha. Little sore today but when one of us even slipped a little you better believe the other one was right there. I guess you learn to appreciate what you have when they almost fall off a mountain!! Dad... you would not have believed the drop offs. I tried to get some pictures which you might not even be able to look at! It was insane. The snowy mountains looked close enough to touch. I never thought I would see anything like it in my life. When we got down finally we looked back and couldn't believe we did it. The best things in life are free =) So today Joanna has her last training shift at her restaurant and I'm going to help Betty's boyfriend Scott clean out his office. Organizing is my favorite haha. Back to grind of job searching tomorrow. Hope everyone has a good Sunday. Love, Rach