Owner: Future Gringo URL:http://www.futuregringo.com Join Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2007 11:38:47 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Travel | Politics | Opinion | Denver |
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Free Speech Isn’t Conditional 2007-10-02 10:38:08 The “Independence Institute“, a local political action group best known for their pro-car, pro-gun, anti-transit stance, published a response to last week’s big story about Colorado State University’s paper “The Collegian” printing the phrase “Fuck Bush” in their paper. More on that story in this N.Y. Times article.
The article, penned by Jessica Peck Corry and Ryan Olivett, is drastically titled “The Bellyaches of Free Speech
.“ In it they lambaste Collegian editor David McSwane and accuse him of “abusing his rights” as a U.S. citizen. Their thoughts can be summed up by their last sentence.
Free speech is sacred. We don’t need to scream obscenities to prove it.
Why can’t I? It’s free speech! Free speech is just that. There ARE no bounds. If there were, it wouldn’t be free speech. I’m over the hyperbole filled rhetoric that accompany every story about someone “overstepp Read more:Free Speech
Brightest Bike Light in the World 2007-10-02 08:44:06 From Gizmodo - Head’s up fellow bike commuters: it’s getting dark if you haven’t noticed.
Lupine Lighting Systems is a German manufacturer of mobile light for cycling, caving, climbing, and exploration in general.
The new “Betty” light is the brightest cycling light available anywhere, and in fact probably not even street legal in most U.S. states.
The cost? An astounding $1,100 dollars. I’d like to try it out first. But hey you bike to work so you have money to burn right? The “Betty” would probably suffice as an adequate incendiary device.
They have cheaper versions and more cool stuff, plus the”Betty” release info at lupine.de
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News of Interest 100107 2007-10-01 13:50:32 From the L.A. Times: U.S. (finally) pays closer attention to private security companies in Iraq. Quasi regulated half military/half private groups with no government supervision in a country we’re supposed to be keeping under control? ’bout time.
The practices of private security companies have come under scrutiny since at least 11 Iraqis were killed in a shooting involving guards from North Carolina-based Blackwater USA. The State Department probe is one of five ongoing investigations by U.S. and Iraqi officials.
U.S. officials say private contractors play a crucial role protecting the embassy and its personnel, freeing up military personnel to fight insurgents and quell sectarian bloodshed. But resentment has built up here against the aggressive tactics employed by some members of the largely unregulated industry.
L.A. Times Article
Lots and lots of clutter on TV. From this New York Times Article.
Snipes are just the latest effort by network executives to cra Read more:Interest
South Gaylord Street . Denver 2007-09-30 12:28:55 Last week I had the chance to wander around the South
Gaylord Street
neighborhood of Denver
’s Washington Park East during a weekday lunch break. I travel through Washington Park often, but rarely make it into this hidden jewel of a street.
Founded in 1924 South Gaylord Street is one of the oldest retail districts in Denver outside of the central downtown area. Local businesses including a movie theater moved in through the 20s and 30s to serve the community, and when the car culture of the 50s and 60s arrived the district stayed alive and became an eclectic artist community with independent retail and restaurants - to which it still is today. If you’re visiting the area of Cherry Creek, Washington Park, or DU (University of Denver,) it’s worth checking out South Gaylord for the variety of food, sports, art, and good friendly people.
Business list and map Picture below - two bike shops of course. The Singletrack Factory Bike Skate and Snowboard Shop, and Tandem
News of Interest 092807 2007-09-28 16:46:42 It’s nice to see that the U.S. isn’t the only country with an active nanny patrol eager to overprotect their citizens. This Guardian article, which I read in the Budget Travel blog, makes us aware of the apparent controversy of nudity on Mt. Everest. Which must be tearing apart Nepal at the seams. No they don’t want to establish a nudist camp on the mountain, they just plan to prohibit climbers from disrobing en route or at summit in order to protect themselves from frostbite. Or perhaps children who failed to become traumatized by sexy movies aboard Delta Airlines. Who exactly will be on-site to enforce this?
The Broomfield Colorado company “A Bash in a Bag“ started by party planner Sarah Edgar was featured in the Rocky Mountain News today. These kits contain all the necessary accoutrements to throw yourself or a friend a party of a specific theme - plus eight to 16 guests. Among the kits are “Girls Night In,” “New Homeowner,&rdq Read more:Interest
Family Friendly Flights 2007-09-28 14:05:11 Yes it’s true: The movie King Kong poses a threat to your children. (I really didn’t want to post a picture of kids toting around guns, but there are plenty on Flickr.)
Lacking something better to do Rep. Heath Shuler of North Carolina is sponsoring a bill that would ban violent and sexually suggestive movies from U.S. airlines. Never mind that in-flight movies are already selected from the pile deemed LEAST offensive, but then they’re usually edited down further to the point of being unwatchable for most adults. That’s right, adults. I prefer to live in a society where the demarcation line of culture and behavioral norms doesn’t fall right above a kindergarten class. That doesn’t mean that every public space should be a red light district, but do you really want public spaces to be dumbed down to a Chuck E. Cheese level for ALL citizens?
Another busybody, Jesse Kalisher, of Chapel Hill, started the site www.kidsafefilms.com to Read more:Family
, Friendly
, Family Friendly
Exploring Underground Paris 2007-10-13 15:45:58 If you enjoy the History Channel’s “Cities of the Underworld” you’ll appreciate this group. Or perhaps not appreciate them. “les UX” is a group of Paris
ians who not only engage in the urban exploration of a city containing mountains of history below it’s streets, but also repair and restore many of the antiquated relics that they encounter.
Much to the annoyance of French authorities, these subversives break into old crypts, monuments, museums, and catacombs. Not to vandalize, but rather to meet, converse, observe, and repair and restore.
Whether you agree with their methods or not, these people are bringing forgotten elements of urban history to light. History DOES belong to it’s people. If city leaders and historians are not acknowledging or protecting certain places and another group steps in to do the job - I see no harm in that. It’s quite respectable in my opinion. From UK’s Times Online:
Last year the Untergun Read more:Exploring
Travel News 101207 2007-10-12 11:34:43 Sign of the Beast? We’re well on our way. The TSA body scanner gets even more detailed. Critics call it an “electronic strip search.” The ACLU is on the case noting that our well mannered and highly paid TSA agents might be tempted to save images the extremely detailed body maps of well known figures and celebrities. CNN Article
Can you aquire malaria, hepatitis, and diptheria from traveling to Charlotte, North Carolina? The House Homeland Security Committee (am I paying for that?) is planning a trip to the Concord Motor Speedway to study health risks among large crowds. Specifically large NASCAR crowds. They urged staffers to get appropriate vaccinations for their jaunt just a few states south. North Carolina Representative Robin Hayes felt slighted at such warnings. Charlotte Observer Story
If you’re feeling threatened by humans, take a ride on the Tundra Buggy of Churchill, Manitoba. The months of October and November are Read more:Travel
News of Interest 101207 2007-10-12 08:14:23 It’s official: Abby supports same sex marriage. After decades of writing spanning mother and daughter, the latter of the Dear Abby franchise makes it official. Her response to such “gay in the family” quandaries has always been “It’s your problem, not theirs” Now it’s in stone. Good for her, them, or whoever is penning this popular advice column. A.P. Article
“A Family in Baghdad” I found this blog on 08DNC.com - the internet home of the Democratic National Conventional. It’s the ongoing stories about a family living in Baghdad. They blog about daily life, events, and struggles. Their posts date back to the fall of 2003. In reading these personal accounts you’re taken closer to the heart of this conflict than any newspaper, TV reporter, or magazine could ever bring you. With four family members contributing you see varying opinions and ideas. It’s profound if nothing more.
The Read more:Interest
Metronaps 2007-10-11 17:40:45 I’d hate to be living a life where I actually found myself climbing into this futuristic little pod on a regular basis. But everyone has benefited from a 20 minute nap at one point, and there’s no better “away from the bed” method than this.
Christopher Lindholst and Arshad Chowdhury opened up “Metronaps” in New York’s Empire State Building to the delight of groggy commuters around the area. Their 42nd floor station has several of these “nap pods,” with a built in alarm clock, mints, and hot towel when you awake.
Each 20 minute nap is $14. The Metronap “napologists” (ok I just made that up) have assured us that a 20 minute nap is beneficial, but personally I prefer a nap of about 30-35 minutes to feel fully refreshed.
From a travel angle an excellent use of Metronaps would be for the visitor arriving New York in the morning after a fidgety red eye flight from the west coast. Why not? See th
Monterrey Forum 2007 2007-10-11 12:41:15 The Monterrey Forum
2007 is an 80 day series of events being held in Monterrey, Mexico through December 8th. The events consist of lectures, concerts, art, and exhibits. Spanning a wide range of varied topics, the overall theme is living and sustainability via the discussion of education, science, human rights, politics, culture, and spirituality.
Not being a beach resort, the cosmopolitan metropolis of Monterrey and capital of Nuevo León is often overlooked by many travelers. However Monterrey is located only about 250 miles from San Antonio in northeast Mexico. It was ranked as the safest Latin American city in 2005, and one of the two safest in 2006. Monterrey is an extremely modern and progressive city, and well educated being home to the University of Monterrey and the Autonomous University of Nuevo León. It’s a hub of art, culture, and music - and also home to one of my favorite bands, Kinky.
More from MonterreyForum2007.org
In a period of accelera
Tango Colorado 2007-10-10 14:38:29 With fall approaching and the days getting shorter your social gatherings are probably migrating from summer barbecues and stroller jogging to the indoor activities of dinner gatherings, cocktail parties, and work holiday functions.
Still yearning for a return trip to Argentina I try to soak up as much Argentine culture as I can find locally - which usually consists of empanadas and Quilmes beer at the Buenos Aires Pizzeria.
However here’s something more intense than the spiciest empanada - TangoColorado
is an extremely active organization with over 500 members that’s been around since 1996. The next time you want a night of the exotic, classy, or just different - this group should be your first stop. Dancing the tango is the type of activity you can feel comfortable at with your partner, in a small group, or solo. On the outside it appears a regimented and strictly controlled environment, but learn more and you’ll see it’s relaxed and a great
Graydon’s Crossing . Grand Rapids 2007-10-10 04:01:39 Someday I’ll have to traverse the midwest to create a more comprehensive guide of restaurants serving the hearty foods from the British Isles. But this time I was headed to West Michigan for the wedding of two friends, which as expected was even more festive and delightful than my Thursday night excursion to Chicago’s Duke of Perth.
By coincidence we continued the theme and Saturday night wound up at Graydon’s Crossing
, which rivaled Duke of Perth in flavor and ambiance. Graydon’s Crossing is located just north of downtown GrandRapids
about - Wait come back! Don’t stop reading. So you never plan to visit Grand Rapids, however I’m sure my insider’s guide from earlier this year will convince at least someone (maybe under 60) to consider adding it to their “100 places” list.
Graydon’s Crossing is a cozy, welcoming two story building featuring a dark and stately dining room on two floors, with a back patio and outdoor balcony. I
Kid Nation . Gary 2007-10-09 10:57:02 Not Louisiana, Paris, France, New York, or Rome - but…
Over the weekend I made a pit stop in downtown Gary, Indiana. I’ve sped over Gary on interstate 90 many times in the past, but never thought to actually look and explore underneath the milky layer of haze and smog that constantly envelopes the city.
Only 30 miles south of the stellar skyline of Chicago, Gary is a town that the gods of new urbanism and gentrification have failed to smile upon. Sadly, it has the appearance of a bombed out city that’s been abandoned and sealed off. And what I find odd is that this isn’t a remote and hard to access town that the interstates have passed by leaving Main Street with no base. It’s hard to travel through the upper midwest WITHOUT driving through Gary. Insterstate 90 cuts right between downtown and the old steel yards. You can SEE the city from the highrises of Chicago!
I actually did find a small local populace in the Save-More Food Center
Villa Toscana . Chicago 2007-10-08 16:13:04 Despite being a gay owned Bed and Breakfast catering to gay travelers and being located in the center of the gayest neighborhood of Chicago
, the Villa
Toscana Guest House is an excellent place to stay for travelers of any preference. Located at 3447 North Halsted, the Villa Toscana is buffered from the bar and restaurant lined street with a lush front yard and large leafy trees. By the time you step through the front door you don’t even hear any traffic. There are three guest rooms on the second floor and a first floor guest suite. The entire house is a peaceful and quiet urban retreat, and you feel as if you’re a regular Chicagoan coming home, perhaps commiserating the Cubs Thursday loss. (Go Rockies.)
When traveling to Chicago I always recommend staying just north of downtown in the more residential areas, as opposed to the large hotels in or near the loop. This gives you a less touristy experience, and you’ll find more to do at night as these neighborhood rest
Roosevelt Metra Station 2007-10-06 15:16:08 Wandering around Chicago’s lakeshore near the Shedd Aquarium I was walking over the Roosevelt
Road Bridge and realized this rickety looking shanty (in my photo above the train) was actually in service as the Roosevelt Road commuter rail stop for the Metra. This station, which appears likely to ignite into flames at a single carelessly dropped match, is at the end of a gangplank like uneven wooden walkway. In addition, riders are forced to wait on a small narrow uncovered platform between busy tracks.
As far as the appearance of safety - it looks one notch above a hastily assembled carnival in a K-mart parking lot. I have a certain appreciation for “lost in time” structures, but I usually see that in semi-collasped barns of the midwest. Not in a gleaming modern place such as this Chicago area.
Good news however for those who want to see this station updated: I googled “Roosevelt Street Station
” and found this Sun-Times article describing plans for imp
Duke of Perth . Chicago 2007-10-06 14:51:37 Thursday late evening I dined at Duke of Perth
, a popular Scottish restaurant in Chicago
’s northside. Duke of Perth’s most popular feature is their staggering selection of Scottish Ales and Whiskeys. We were greeted by a friendly young blond girl and seated in the leafy outdoor back patio. Due to the light crowd our friendly and attentive waiter was able to chat with us about the neighborhood and nightlife. One thing I love about Chicago’s northside areas are the secluded courtyards and patios you find in the rear of many restaurants and bars.
Their food is standard scottish fare, but exotic for myself who’s never visited the region or sampled much of the food. One such item is the Scotch Egg Burger, a beef patty topped with fried egg and roasted pepper. On Wednesdays and Fridays you can enjoy unlimited fish and chips for $9.25. I had the salmon and cod cakes served with potatos and cucumber salad. Caleb had the grilled veggie sandwic
Shish Kabob Grill . Denver 2007-10-01 20:31:59 If you only visit Shish Kabob Grill
to have a few cups of Turkish coffee that’s reason enough to stop into this centrally located Denver
establishment. Located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, they’re directly across the street from the Colorado State Capitol. An experienced family runs the kitchen and oversees excellent service. The decor featuring muted yellows and reds is mellow and relaxed, and you’ll see patrons ranging from state senators to college kids.
A blend of Syrian, Greek, and Turkish food, these dishes are ample and filling. As expected there’s a wide selection of gyros, and entrees featuring lamb and beef. My favorite dish is actually the yogurt soup appetizer, a flavorful mix of cucumbers and seasoned yogurt.
If you need to wire yourself up for a night on the town try the Turkish coffee. You’ll initially be surprised at the miniature doll size cup, (by U.S. standards,) but receive a small pot which keeps it hot for subsequent cups.
Is Isuzu Responsible? 2007-10-18 17:04:44 Last January here in Denver we endured a miserable series of storms and much higher than usual snowfall. About 45 miles north of Denver on a county road that’s half exurb/half country, high schoolers Tyler Carron and Nikko Landeros had the unfortunate luck of a flat tire on their Isuzu Trooper, and found themselves wrenching off lug nuts in the dark, cold night. Tragically, classmate Michelle Berra then careens into the back of the Trooper. All survived, but Carron and Landeros both lost their legs.
Today I read this headline in the Rocky Mountain News: “Teens who lost legs in accident sue Isuzu”
I immediately thought “poor distraught family needs someone to sue” and labeled them as wanting someone to blame and angrily searching for trivial design flaws. You constantly hear stories of teens driving carelessly, distracted by other occupants, and injuring and killing each other, pedestrians, and cyclists. To me, the many many teen driving a Read more:Responsible
Dwell on Commuter Cycling 2007-10-18 14:30:41 The November issue of Dwell
Magazine has a nice feature and photo essay highlighting the (hopefully popular) trend of urban cycling. It’s light on text but heavy on bikes, bags, and gear to assist any newbie in hammering out the logistics of every day city cycling. Check out the slideshows featuring commuter bikes, messenger bags, and accessories. After all, owning a chic little city big is worthless if you don’t have some cargo capacity right?
I’m a big advocate of utilitarian cycling – or the every day use of bikes as transportation. Whether commuting to work, running errands, or just getting from A to B, in many cities it’s much more convenient than using a car, keeps you active, and often much faster than using transit.
My only contrarian angle would be that some of this gear is, well, way too nice. Many of us live in environments where we get bombarded with rain, snow, slush, and worse - thieves. And we share our parking spaces other bikes w Read more:Cycling
It’s Not Easy Being Green 2007-10-16 20:54:51 I’m a day late getting in on “Blog Action Day,” and failed to write about anything green related yesterday as mandated by the blogosphere lords. But my regular day was in fact mostly green. I biked to work as usual, shopped local, watched a Netflix movie, (if that’s considered green,) and drank some green tea after dinner.
We hear lots of chatter about green products and companies. A LOT of chatter. In the past year the green theme has nascented into an avalanche which seemed to land mostly on the desks of marketing strategists. I don’t blame anyone for being burned out on the green scene: I see green labels at the supermarket, I can purchase carbon offsets when flying, and Mr. TV constantly tells me to “be green.” However every time I see a “green” promotion in retail or online my skepto-dar immediately cranks up and I wonder if in fact the money brought in from the green marketing collection plate is even making it to the green causes they promote.
Maybe I’m annoy Read more:Green
The New Art of Japanese Cooking 2007-10-16 13:37:02 Yearning to change up the old dishes for your holiday parties and office potlucks? Who wouldn’t like to serve some alternative fare to the standard gingerbread cookies and eggnog?
I recently perused Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s book “The New Art of Japanese
Cooking.” This Hiroshima native established his own restaurant at age 25, then moved to Manhattan to become head chef for several restaurants, and eventually opened “Morimoto Restaurant” in Philadelphia.
Although the foundation of his recipes and flavors are based in the traditional Japanese foods, Morimoto adds European and American elements to his dishes to create a blend that’s his own creation and style. If you want to try something different in the kitchen this book is an excellent primer for Japanese cooking. It’s well written, easy to reference while prepping and cooking, and the pages are full of sharp designs and colorful food presentations.
More about Chef Masaharu Morimo
A.Okay Official . Chicago 2007-10-14 16:14:52 Another stop during my rushed stay in Chicago
was A.Okay Official
. This store opened earlier this year by husband and wife team Jason and Jessica Uzarraga, and is a blend of all things enjoyed and interesting to them. Their primary stock is custom and limited edition sneakers, and collectible and custom modern toys. Their store is clean, sleek, merchandised well, and contains a large selection in the moderate sized space.
Completing this independent business are paintings and works by local artists adorning the walls, which range in styles and prices. The entire establishment has a local, unique vibe which fits the community perfectly. Got some well conditioned stuff to sell? They do consignment too. Check out this Chicago Reader Article for more info and photos.
A.Okay is at 3270 North Clark just north of Belmont. Online at aokayofficial.com
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Robbie Rivera . Your Mistake 2007-10-14 11:53:02
I like this video. I have no idea what language some of the graphics and text are in, but RobbieRivera
’s “Your Mistake
” featuring Marnie is the perfect mix of the driving/thumping club beats I like, and the video is sexy in a futuristic Bourne Identity way, especially for a train geek like myself. Anyone recognize the locations in this track? Pun intended.
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Colorado Rockies Tickets 2007-10-19 15:19:47 Some people don’t like the fact that the ColoradoRockies
World Series baseball tickets are only being sold online. Exactly why are people upset? Do people actually LIKE standing in line or camping out ala Thanksgiving night at the Best Buy automatic door?
Online ticket sales should be preferred. It’s fair to people that can’t take the day off work. What better method of purchasing tickets than to take a coffee break at 10am, hover over the refresh button, and have the same chance as anyone else? People are worried about others snatching them all up and reselling them. Well they’re doing that anyway, and it can be online or real world.
Here’s a video of Matthew Barnett fearing “What if a Hacker came in and bought 100 tickets.” And then qualifying his internet prowess by admitting he’s on dial-up.
Hackers? Please. People who throw around the work “hacker” have no idea what it even means or the scope Read more:Tickets
News of Interest 102507 2007-10-25 20:41:06 Been groped on a Tokyo train lately? Me neither. If you do often find yourself the gropee, then maybe it’s time to download some anti-groping messages to your cell phone. At the moment you suspect someone invading your space simply flash, err, show the message “Groping is a crime, shall we head to the police?” to your assailant. Why am I picturing the photo message delivered by a kickboxing spiky haired anime character?
Currently the Rocky Mountain News is running a five part series by reporter Kevin Flynn exploring the development and construction of RTD’s new “West Corridor,” which will run from downtown Denver to Golden as part of the Fastracks commuter rail plan. In every transportation project you read a few short articles about someone’s home or business being snatched up and the need to relocate a select few. Kevin Flynn digs deep into the details of specific plots of land and their owners. He balances the positive future element Read more:Interest
I’m frightened by this Uhaul 2007-10-25 20:13:23 Who doesn’t love the artwork of Uhaul trucks? Their trucks highlight various scenes of American cities and towns, which provide an interesting and a visual diversion from the often monotonous highway landscapes. Even if you aren’t all that interested in seeing a photo of Lincoln’s birthplace while sweating along side a gas pump at Sunoco, it’s true some Uhaul photos and descriptions are fun and quirky too. I drove the “Roswell” Uhaul from L.A. to Denver featuring a giant alien head on the side a while back myself.
I don’t like this Uhaul however. This “United we Stand” theme features a military helicopter maneuvering towards me ready for instant obliteration via a round of automatic fire. I believe that when you scroll the words “Salute our Troops” on something - bumper sticker, t-shirt, napkin, or Uhaul - you should acknowledge that they do more than just swoop around in flying machine guns. I’d rather see
San Francisco and the Homeless 2007-10-24 12:41:45 Hey fellow readers. Apologies for the gap in postings but I decided to escape Rockies fever and visit San Francisco
for the early part of the week.
I don’t know anyone in the Bay Area, and during my four years living in southern California I only managed to make it up there twice. I know, my loss. It’s a beautiful city with a vast amount to offer. And at almost 80 degrees it was a nice change from Denver’s early cold spell.
I rode the new BART line that opened in 2006 from SFO to downtown. I was surprised to read in this ‘06 SF Gate article that ridership wasn’t as high as expected. I hope it’s improved since than. Any city that incorporates commuter rail to their airport deserves recognition. I found it a fast (30 minutes to Civic Center) and pleasant ride.
Note to fellow travelers: If you find yourself uncomfortable around the homeless. Actually a LOT of homeless, then don’t pop your head above ground at the Ci Read more:San Francisco
Fred Phelps Bankrupted? 2007-10-31 21:07:38 Who hasn’t rolled their eyes upon hearing of grand rewards given to people suing for “emotional distress?” Typically these types of lawsuits are awarded to individuals for untold thousands of dollars, and we dredge up pithy lines around the water cooler about them “hogging up the system” and “wasting taxpayer dollars.”
But here’s one I’ll bet we can all appreciate: A Baltimore court has ordered Fred Phelps
and friends to pay 10.9 (Dr. Evil voice) million dollars to the family of fallen Marine Matthew Snyder. More in this Reuters Article
For those not aware, Fred Phelps is the pasty looking leader of Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, and claims to represent God at various high profile functions informing the public through placards and megaphones that God hates our country. And fags. Phelps latest project has been tooling around the U.S. protesting the funerals of soldiers on the grounds that our country is immoral, hen
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