Quarter of a Quartet

I don't do much singing outside the ward choir, but last night I participated in musical fireside within a quartet performing "I Love the Lord." Its an arrangement of the hymn most know as "Be Still My Soul", but with the words replaced from the "psalm" of Nephi (see 2NE 4). Its a beautiful song and I hope we did it justice. (As you know, no one would really tell us if we stunk up the joint or blew the key change). Of course, the one time I have a brief solo in church, the words are: "Yet oft I groan, O wretched man am I; my flesh is weak, and I'm encompassed by, a world of sin." I thought I saw a lot of heads nodding in the audience.

I've often been grateful over the years that my mother made me sing in high school choirs (Men's Chorus / Meistersingers) so I could play football. Its been a gift that has lasted well beyond the meat-headed days of my youth and I'll always be grateful she had the courage to be a parent who expected her children to use their talents... even if he still can't read music. The video below is from a performance of this song in General Conference if you want to hear something similar to what we did.  

Mile High Weekend

You almost thought I was going to quit the blog. Well, work has been relatively slow, no reason to quit posting, just have felt like I've got nothing to say lately or all of the joy has been sucked out of my life... until I left the kids and went away with the Boss for a weekend in the Mile High City.

Here is a quick rundown of places we visited/recommendations:

• Root Down: This was the one "must do" thing on our list. I gave an opinion on the real estate a couple of years ago and always wanted to try it out for myself. The food here is all super organic, local and politically correct; not to mention fresh and full of flavor, not a beat down of salt/sugar. Many of the dishes are sharing style so you can get a variety with your date/group. The Boss and I agree this was our favorite dining experience in years. Kinda high brow, but casual enough for anyone to enjoy. If you go, I recommend the following:
• Colorado Lamb Sliders - hands down, I say this is the must try item. Yogurt dipping sauces are fantastic and the sweet potato fries are nice on the side. 
• Carrot & Thai Red Curry Soup 
• Lemon Ricotta Gnocchi
• Bread Pudding
• Snarf's: When we went to Jim Gaffigan's show at the Buell Theater, he said he was going to try this place out. Since I seem to repeat half of what Jim says, I should also eat what the king of all food comedy eats. "You know you're really just eating your feelings... yeah but they're delicious!" Snarf's is a sub sandwich shop based out of Boulder serving toasted subs. So what? The bread is amazing for Colorado. Almost east coast good. If you know what I'm talking about, I'm sure you are already planning to go. If not, then forget everything you just read and get off my opinion diary. We had the Turkey, Swiss & Avocado. Sounds good, but just remember, its all about the bread. Quizno's is going into bankruptcy because this is the kind of toasted sub they should be serving. 
• DAM: I've blogged about our art museum before. Its worth a trip. Just stick to the weird stuff and you'll be fine.  
• Voodoo Donuts: We walked down Colfax met a bunch of charming people and did something I swore 15 years ago that I would never do again... wait 30 minutes in line for flipping donuts. At least when I did that stupid Krispy Kreme line I got to see a huge machine making donuts, get a free donut and see a waterfall of glaze (2 inches high, but whatever). All I got in this line was a bunch of tatted, angry hipsters and a menu too small to read. This place just does a few odd and wildly inappropriate things with above average donuts. Until the stupid line goes away and they get some more locations, stay away. Go to Safeway, get a dozen of your favorite donuts, chop up some bacon and dump a bunch of cold cereal on your quarry and it will be about the same thing. Trust me, look at my gut. I know what I'm talking about. I will now begin accepting knife fight requests from all Portlandiers. Too bad none of those hippie-hipsters has the balls to take me and my Mile High awesomeness on. I shun your donut franchise.  
• Grand Hyatt: Despite what the misleading websites and phone service people tell you: THEY DON'T HAVE SOAKING TUBS. So outside of getting to sleep in for a couple of mornings and watch movies in bed, this place sucked. I ran on their precious track on top of the roof. Wasn't as great as I thought it would be. Maybe the freezing wind was the reason, or that I simply suck at running.
• Syrup: This is a breakfast joint at the bottom of an office tower. Good, but nothing overly special. Go to Snooze instead if you can help it. 
• Pedicures at the Pavilions: No hot water makes for a crappy pedicure. And those ladies were just cruel. I know I've got some nasty toes, but they were digging into the flesh/cuticles like I was a Thanksgiving Turkey. I didn't even get the hot wax bags; I'm never doing this again. 

Outside of the above, we did a bunch of walking around downtown and on 16th Street mall. I love Denver, but let's face it. For someone not in the bar scene, its good but not great. The real joy of Colorado is in its mountains, 300 days of sunshine and great people. Next time we will go skiing and soak in a hot tub while the snow falls sipping hot chocolate and wear huge sweaters. Hopefully that diary post will be forthcoming next year as these weekends away with the Boss are priceless.