It’s been another hectic week in the life of Dan. All the change and movement over the past 2 weeks has meant I haven’t shared some other writings and postcards but that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been any work on them, mostly just means now I have like 10 ideas that all need editing. I’m looking forward to sharing those with you all at some point, but it’s Monday now and I will not pass up on sharing the delights of the week.
Last Monday started with one of the final goodbyes from the ski weekend. A true delight to have so many lovely people around for some ridiculous adventures. I’m excited to see some of them again so soon as we hopefully have another week of chaotic rafting adventures in May. WOOOO!!!
That evening on the last night in SLC for a short time, Harrison and I went and picked up the Community Access Card that he won through the local library (It was a contest I entered him into randomly one day and low and behold he actually won!!!) That let us go to the planetarium for free and we ran around like kids in a candy store playing with all the different games and exhibits about a topic so fascinating to both of us: Space. Two facts that I adored, Orion has a second hunting dog Canis Minor that looks like a hotdog and also all visible planets hover around a portion of the sky known as “the ecliptic” which is also where the 12 zodiac constellations reside in the sky. I need to get back out to a dark sky location so I can fully appreciate this once again!
Who wins one NASA guy or me
Ice refractions
This is america
Tuesday was a lot of cleaning up and preparing to leave and had a very wholesome goodbye with Harrison. I know I’ll be back in two weeks but ahh leaving friends is never easy.
Luckily though I got to spend 8 hours in the car with Hans as we drove back to Colorado and it was great to share stories and converse about many topics from love to what people worship to what are some dream heinous adventures we can get up to! Much of the drive was at night which also led to a great chance to look out amidst the stars from the dark highways.
The long road home
Night Sky and Orions Hotdog
Hans!
After arriving in Colorado The next few days were full of some of the greatest delights as I got to spend time with my dear friend Maci. Friends since way back in college time, it’s a joy to see her thriving as a party throwing, dancing, cat loving queen! Sharing memes til 2 in the morning and working on puzzles is such a joy. As is being my most chaotic self and just truly loved for it.
Maci and Ceviche
Puzzle time
Maci and Ceviche Pt.2
Winterguard!
Speaking of which… After am evening of disc golfing with one of Maci’s friends, we went out to get some food and a beer. Arriving at the restaurant, I immediately spied a kids menu on a non-bussed table. I grabbed it and some of the crayons knowing that it would be fun to play some of the games and maybe even see what secret menu items are only offered to the kids. When the server walked up and saw what was happening he immediately played into the bit “So we need 2 beers and a sippy cup for the little one?” It was game on. The rest of the meal we were joking around asking ridiculous questions of each other that I can’t fully remember but that made all of us laugh almost to the point where our neighboring tables were wondering what was happening. When it came time to order I told him I was really eyeing the corn dog and chocolate milk but figured I would “need something that paired well with my IPA. So id go with them sliding chickens they got rolling across the table.” Much to my delight after he grabbed all the orders and went to place them in the machine, he returned and slid me a glass chocolate milk! I WASSOEXCITED!!! In the end this man got an upgraded tip and so much love in our post visit survey. As we both discussed, people got to take this life a little less seriously.
Always get 2
The evening colors
Is this my good side?
The next day I got to see Ethan and Blue!!! While the drive back from boulder to the springs was way too long due to some accidents, the evening was delightful as we went out to meet some of Ethan’s friends for pool and a beer. I learned a new game for betting people to do funny actions and also just felt like I was back in my element taking pictures of the lovely people around me. New friends and strangers all made for a joyous evening.
Ethans Studio
Round 1
Game on
Surprise
Lining it up
Closed out
For the win
The gang
HOP
Birthday Girls
Ethan and his Party Hat
Mama
Saturday was a great day for a half marathon around garden of the gods and a short hike after all that running. I saw so many beautiful life forms!
My favorite spot in Garden
SHEEPPPPP
High above the garden
Perty
I found this cool rock!
Sunday was simple warm and beautiful. Most of the day was spent outside reading and lounging about with friends. I really should have packed shorts for this trip but i also did not expect it to be 65 degrees.
This kid showed me cool rocks
Lazy Lucy
Here are some other random photos and things that I just adore.
Running
Me to ceviche
A new record
Evening striations
Bluebird
ONSALE
And lastly, this text from Hans posing a heinous adventure. I think it may be possible but time shall tell either way, I gotta get more vert training in if that’s what we’redoing in less than a month. Oh what a joy it would be to be back in the big ditch :)
These weeks are so full of activities that sometimes I am in awe of all that can be accomplished in a week. I know it’s just seven days but occasionally it feels like seven little lifetimes interrupted by visions of what could be (highly recommend teaching yourself to lucid dreaming, makes falling asleep all the more fun!) There are so many delights to recap as I sit here in the final hours of my stay at the Salt Lake City House so let us get going. This chapter has been oh so lovely and this ending is the baked beans on top of it all.
Monday was such a beautiful day. The sunny day where I saved skittles haha. Funny to think back on that little escapade. I spent so much time outside that day writing, sunbathing, and enjoying my one of my favorite views in Salt Lake. One I’ve shared before and will share again. It then finished off with a lovely Pad Thai. Dang I’m gonna miss having immediate access to a good kitchen.
The good view
PAD-THAI
Tuesday I spent almost the whole day at one of my favorite places to work, the Downtown Library. I walked 2ish miles over and along the way just enjoyed so many little things that made me smile. From little dogs and cats to funny plushies, there is so much around that lends itself to be noticed and appreciated.
Who wants to help me buy this as my new home
Yes
DOG
Kitty
On these kinds of walks where I just have music in and am immersed in my own world I think back on these words by John Green “From the quark to the supernova, the wonders do not cease. It is our attentiveness that is in short supply, our ability and willingness to do the work that awe requires.” And what better place to put that awareness than in the understanding of others.
At the library I spent a good time looking through photo books and one that specifically caught my attention was It’s Complicated: The American Teenager. For those that don’t know this is my favorite age range to teach as there is such hope, curiosity, and enthusiasm for the things they adore. It’s our job as educators to not get in the way of these things.
Tuesday night meant BINGO!!! The first stop was a little burger place that Harrison and I have passed time and time again. I give it 3.5 stars, better than fast food, but still yearning for more.
This time with more friends new and old! We won some candy and some extra cards but no grand prize jackpot, so I guess we’ll have to go again in the quest to win $2100
Laugh 1
Laugh 2
Laugh 3
Clickin them heels
I don’t know
Wow, Tuesday was magical cause the day wasn’t finished! After Bingo a few of us returned to a friend’s house for Karaoke and tomfoolery! From Pink Pony Club to Tangled and Neon Moon there was a mix of everything til we all got tired and it was time to walk home under the stars.
Karaoke
Gettgb Sleepy
Time for Sleep
Night night
Karate is a goodbye hug right?
Under the Stars
Wednesday was another wild day! I went climbing with my friend Tammy and her friend who I hadn’t seen in 4 years almost? Last time we climbed together was a fun trip up Montezumas Tower in Colorado Springs and this time we went out for a beautiful day in American Fork Canyon. Thank you to Mason for literally also holding my hand on a real sketchy part of the approach trail that i got rather spooked on.
Up they go
Pretty wall
Nice view
After climbing Harrison and I went to a soccer game! It was so fun to go watch the sport live again. I think both teams had fun and that’s all that really matters, right?
Oh and the pickles we got from the hot dog topping cart. Clutch halftime snack.
RSL v Herediano
RSL v Herediano - zoom
RSL v Herediano
RSL v Herediano - corner
PICKLESSS
Thursday was a busy day prepping for friends arriving over the weekend but It ended with making a new friend new who knew what Drum Corps was! They found out I was musical and then described how they knew of these “athletic marching bands that worked all summer for hours and hours” at the place where they used to work. Turns out it was Trafalgar and highly likely they were watching the Madison Scouts! This friend is also doing so many cool things with documentary work up in the PNW and when those are finished I will have to share about them!
Then that evening I went to watch Yudi and Stephen known as Butterbee perform at the Natural Law Apothecary. It was such an eclectic environment with herbal shops, honey stands, and a really hodgepodge building style. Intimate and cozy a lovely place to hear some beautiful music from these two talented music makers.
Butterbee
Natural Law Apothecary
NLA
Friday meant the arrival of friends for the long awaited Ski Weekend! All these folks are friends from my Grand Canyon trip earlier this year and it was the biggest joy to see them again. I’m so excited for whatever the next adventure we can have together will be. I hope it includes more childhood games on the playground at night with people in the Rat Tank, Spikeball, Slacklining, sunsets skiing, free ice cream, many rounds of Russian BS, frisbee in hurricane winds, forgetting skis at the resort and finding them the next morning, finding goldfish in a tube on the playground, eating said goldfish the next day while skiing, learning to not put apples in the same bag as your goldfish that you found on the playground, dank pizza, family dinners of good goop, running into an entire lacrosse team from Florida in chipotle, and so many other shenanigans. Hans, Robyn, Alex, Bryn, Mitchell, Harrison: I love you all. Thanks for such a special weekend. It was such a delight to be like a momma duck making sure all y’all were taken care of and fed.
Family Dinner
Slack and SpikeBall
SWINNGGGG
Gearing up
Hello Moon :)
Russian BS
Free ICECREAM
The Crew
Go RUN
The Tube Fish
Wow oh wow what a busy and amazing week this was. What adventures did you all get up to? I would love to hear from you! Send me a note :)
Last little piece of advice of I learned this week, If you’re parking near the intersection of 900 E and 900 S in SLC. Look out for the place where there is no curb. Cause if I had a nickel for each time I’ve seen this nonsense I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it’s happened twice.
Yikes
Again??
Til next time. Keep Spreading the Love inside of you to all you meet. You are all beautiful humans.
Marvelous Monday isn’t it? The sun is shining brightly in Salt Lake City this morning and if you overlook the haze that is trapped in the valley, it’s a wonderful day to start a week.
I started this morning after breakfast driving to a park I had never been to because it was just a short walk up from the library that I now sit at writing this. Reading my book and enjoying the warmth of the sun falling on my face, I was surprised when I heard a voice saying “Skittles! Skittles!” I looked up to see a figure biking towards me with apparent distress. My fantasy that this glorious day would be made better by someone offering me candy in this lovely park shattered. Heck. As he got closer he repeated his call and then parked his way next to me. “Have you seen a small black dog?” he asked. In the 15 minutes I had been at the park, the only thing I really had seen was my book. Feeling as if maybe though I could be of help, I gathered his phone number and told him I’d give him a call if I saw anything and he biked off.
5 minutes goes by and I start to hear a little rustling. I ignored it, I wanted to finish the chapter I was on, but the rustling got louder. I couldn’t quite tell if it was a metallic ringing or just some leaves in the breeze. Unable to focus, I put my book down and turned my head in the direction of the noise. Nothing. hmmm… I thought and went back to my book. Then again, the noise came up and again I looked up. This time it was clear as day. A small black and brown dog with a grey face just waltzing by the park bathroom. It was Skittles, no doubt about it.
I dialed the mans number to let him know I have found his precious dog and that he should return to the park, but the number he gave me was disconnected. Great… I guess I’ll go get the number off the tag. So i walked closer to skittles keeping my distance as I know many dogs are skittish to strangers. That’s when skittles looked up saw me and proceeded to dart away right towards the street. When I tell you I thought I was about to watch this little dog be splatted underneath the weight of an oncoming trash truck… Well, let’s just say I’m glad I averted my eyes. Cause it was too close to feel good about it. While Skittles made it to the other side safely I did NOT need this kind of drama in my morning.
I continued following skittles up the street and around a corner where I eventually saw him trying to wedge his way under a fence of a house. I got a little closer and skittles looked back and saw me so I stopped. After a short staring contest Skittles went back to trying to get under the fence in what almost seemed like a panic. I don’t think I’m that scary, right? Anyway after a 5 second attempt he squeezed his way under the fence and walked to the front door and straight inside. “Huh…?” I guess this is his home. Seeing a “beware of dog” sign made me wonder if it was all just a cruel joke or if Skittles was more willing to take on the unknown dangers of the house than me.
Anyway, I couldn’t do any more from here so I returned to the park. Sitting down once again to read my book. That’s when once again I heard “Skittles! Skittles!” I looked up and the man once again asked me if I had seen his dog. I asked him about what street he lived on and said I followed a small dog to a house. The man seeming confident it was his house bolted off for home leaving me smiling and confused as to what just happened.
I don’t know why the world seems to always put me in situations to help people. Maybe it knows I’m willing to act on that first impulse to help. Knows I’m willing to have my best friend yell at me that “I don’t have to be the hero to every situation” or pick up 50 hot sauce packets off the sidewalk. Either way, I’m glad I could help. It made for a delightfully interesting start to my week. Which reminds me I need to share about all the delightful things of last week.
- Monday I went to a protest and saw a community diverse in its identities yet committed to one thing. To fight for the rights of all. These times can feel draining with all that is happening, but to be reminded of the good fight was a pick me up far beyond what I could’ve imagined.
We The People
Protest
Fuck Trump
Also there was a dancer who did an improv to Wrabel’s “The Village” that had me teary-eyed from the start.
- Following my friend Sam’s recommendation I made Budae-jjigae and had the most amazing meal for the following 3 days.
The Set up
The Ready to go
THEGOODSSS
- At bingo I won a shot of whiskey. Let’s goooo.
- Went to a concert to see Maro and Nasaya. While this album they are touring is a different vibe from what I have come to love, I was still entranced with her voice and intimate storytelling. Here is one of my personal favorites. And her tiny desk slays
Maro and Nasaya
Lovely
- I called Ethan for about 2 hours as I walked around town and made some lunch. Love long form phone calls filled with silence and nonsense as if you’re just hanging out in the same room together. Crazy this photo from RMNP is 4 years old.
- After running 4 miles to the Capitol of Utah I reflected on what it means to be in power. I wonder “Do they feel a responsibility when they look out over the valley?”
The Rotunda
I thought this was self explanatory
- Spent a morning hanging out with BWUCE and then iked up a mountain with some homies.
Desolation Overlook
BWUCE
- Saw a lovely lovely sunset while listening to some of my own tunes. Which oh yeah I finished recording my little EP that I will hopefully release later this week. :) more info on that later.
-I have fixed my guitar (which is still hella cracked on the bridge) and have come up with a few new melodies and riffs that make me smile and that’s all i need them to do.
- Took an evening walk that was just like one does as kids where there is no real plan just walking. Ended up getting some Arizona and seeing some dude racing his car on a flat tire, went down a slide many many times, and sat on a bench pondering the real questions of life with Harrison. Like how much would you have to fart to go to space. Turns out others have already done the math. Which reminds me, please send me your questions I love having things to think about and Churn in my mind.
I’m probably forgetting some at this point but that’s just the nature of memory. I mostly use my photo roll to remind me of all the delights of my week. My journal is more a place where i hash out all the chaos of my mind which there is plenty enough to just stay locked away for now.
So yeah that’s my week. I hope your week was filled with many delights small and large. I would love to hear about them and your fun questions too! Send a note and may your week begin with as much fun and unexpected adventures as mine. Also if you want to sign up for what can hopefully become a way to get these writings emailed to you, you can do so at the bottom of this page. I’m working on updating everything it’s a slow process :)
