Have a little fun chasing skirts!

-----------------------------------

Local Boulder company, SkirtSports redefines the 5k on September 6, encouraging men everywhere to follow in women’s skirt-clad footsteps

SkirtSports, creator of the original fitness skirt, announces registration for their fourth SkirtChaser 5K race of 2008 in Denver, CO, to be held on September 6, 2008.  The innovative race begins with an all-women’s start, followed by a men’s “skirt chaser” start three minutes later and will conclude with a post-race block party at Fillmore Plaza (Fillmore Plaza & E. 2nd Ave., Denver).

“The SkirtChaser Race Series is unlike any race you’ve ever participated in and we’re thrilled to be bringing it back to our local community,” said Maria Hennessey, Director of Sales and Marketing for SkirtSports.  “Our goal is to bring both women and men together to celebrate fitness and socialize in an atmosphere that is friendly, encouraging, and most importantly fun.”

True to the unique style and flavor of SkirtSports fashion, post-race events will include a block party with free beer from local brewer, Oskar Blues, Red Bull mixes, great food, a fashion show and a live band.  SkirtSports products, sold through Outdoor Divas (2717 East 3rd Ave, Denver), will be for sale at the party as well as a variety of products from other community sponsors involved in the race.

Female participants will receive apparel from the new SkirtSports Race Collection which includes a Catch Me Race Skirt, while the male “SkirtChasers” receive a men’s technical tee, featuring Coolmax technologies. Admission to the post-race block party is included with each entry. Prize purses will be awarded to the top three participants; first place $500, second place $200, and third place $100.

Registration for the SkirtChaser 5K can be found at www.skirtchaser5k.com, along with details of pre-race and race day events. Entries are limited, so early registration is encouraged.

2008 SkirtChaser National Race Series sponsors include: COOLMAX, Oskar Blues, Red Bull, PowerBar, Faytex (Dri-Lex), Headsweats and MapMyRun.

The Gobi Desert

How can you not love a camel with foul teeth? The camel below was kind enough to take me for a ride on the sand dunes in the Gobi Desert. When our group’s minivan pulled up to the sand dunes, a nomadic family appeared on camelback, trotting toward our camera-carrying bunch with more camels in tow. For a five-dollar charge, I climbed aboard a camel and took a walk around the dunes. Mongolians call camels living dinosaurs, and after taking a ride, I would agree.

Full photo gallery and story after the jump

For my third year in a row, I have not been disappointed! Riding in the annual Kaiser Permanente Moonlight Classic is a blast! With well over 4,000 riders, 44 costume entries, and 160 gallons of Caribou Coffee, we are ready. It has become a tradition for me now, to spend the weekend in Denver to ride in the Moonlight Classic. I even got my own bell for my bike and next year I plan on wearing a costume (the winner of the costume contest wins a new bike).

This year we stayed at The Brown Palace, and our corner room had a perfect view of the Capitol. At about 9:30 PM, I check out the window and start to see bikers streaming towards it. My excitement is building! I gather up my helmet and backpack and make my way to get my bike. With front and back lights on, we make our way to the crowd.

It’s just great to see so many people, young and old, crazy and sane, riding to benefit Seniors Inc. One of the announcers warned, “Those of you who are pirating the event: Shame on you! You’re ripping off your grandparents!” I just had to laugh. Not only at the comment, but at the costumes and the bikes and the onlookers. There are people everywhere! My personal favorite was the woman dressed as Elliot from E.T., complete with E.T. in her bike basket! And I loved riding next to bikers that had their iPods plugged into speakers so we could all ride to the beat.

After finishing either a 7-mile or 15-mile ride, we’re welcomed back with a warm breakfast from the volunteers. Don’t let the distance intimidate you – it’s a ride, not a race. There are rest stops every few miles with a band playing and plenty of drinks and snacks to nosh on. The course is mainly flat, and there are so many people, you couldn’t go too fast if you wanted to. And the streets are blocked off from traffic with plenty of police keeping an eye on things.

By about 3:00 AM, my husband and I are ready to head back to our hotel, conveniently located only a few blocks away in Downtown Denver. We sleep in as long as possible, then head over to The Corner Office for brunch. They have the most fabulous Strawberry Cheesecake Waffles! So there go all those calories I just worked off. Take advantage of their Bloody Mary Bar and Bottomless Memo-sas, perfect for the day after. The rest of the day is all about sleeping in the air-conditioned hotel. For dinner, don’t miss out on absolute gourmet at Rioja in LODO. Rioja was a treat; I had the Seared Sea Scallops, which were perfect. The server brings over a tray of fresh baked breads for you to choose from: Rosemary Sourdough, Goat Cheese, Olive, you name it. We’ll definitely be making our way back.

So start planning for next year to attend the Moonlight Classic. Make a full weekend out of it and explore Downtown Denver’s shops and restaurants. The previous years’ dates had been in August, but they had changed it this year due to the Democratic Convention. I was told that they were considering leaving the race in July because of the positive feedback they’ve received. Count me in for the 17th annual ride! Hope to see you there!

Check it out at www.moonlight-classic.com.

Photo Courtesy of Moonlight Classic / Scot Henderson

Up North

Northern Mongolia was a refreshing change of pace from Ulaanbaatar, with green rolling hills, blankets of red, yellow, and purple wildflowers, and no honking vehicles.  We took the Trans-Mongolian railroad up to the city of Erdenet, the nation’s copper mining hub, and then drove for a grueling eight hours to our ger camp.  I’m usually a huge fan of road trips, but I’m also a pavement snob.  

The “roads” in the Mongolian countryside are more suggestions than true infrastructure, and our minivan driver parked facing downhill in order to jumpstart the van after each stop.  When a hill was not readily available, we all piled out of the van and started pushing.  Our driver didn’t speak English, but I sensed that our cheering embarrassed him when the minivan engine finally roared after each stop.

Our ger camp host was a well-renowned Mongolian violinist named Chinbat who has performed for dignitaries across Asia and Europe.  He and his wife run the small camp in the summer and return to Ulaanbaatar where he teaches music in autumn. 

Full photo gallery and story after the jump

A peaceful protest against the Mongolian Parliamentary election results, held on June 29, turned into a full-scale riot the night of July 1 in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar.

Background

Mongolia became a democratic nation in 1990, after the fall of the Soviet communist rule. The country elected the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party (MPRP), the former communist party, to power in the first free election of 1990. The first noncommunist government was elected in 1996, but the MPRP regained power again in the 2000 elections.

Many Mongolian citizens are claiming that this year’s elections have been rigged and are calling for an investigation into the election. This year’s main election issue is focused around the development of Mongolia’s wealth of natural resources.

Mongolia’s countryside is rich in mineral resources, especially copper. The extraction of these resources is expected to generate significant wealth. The question now is: wealth for whom? The Democratic Party believes the mineral rights should be given to corporations for development, while the MPRP intends to maintain government control of the resources. This heated debate fueled citizen protest as the ethics of the recent elections came into question. There is a lot of money at stake for the people of Mongolia and the MPRP.

Full photo gallery and story after the jump

Let’s be honest. Greeley doesn’t exactly top the list of places to see in the state of Colorado. But the Greeley Stampede is worth visiting. Here’s five reasons why:

1. There’s a huge midway with lots of carnival food. You want a corn dog? Go to Greeley. How about a fried candy bar? It’s there. Pork chop on a stick? Go Greeley, Young Man.
2. The rodeo is great. It’s the world’s largest Fourth of July rodeo. So, go…and marvel and the brave men who ride bulls or jump off horses to tackle a steer running balls-out.
3. If you come from a small town, you’ll appreciate the rides. They’ll remind you of the county fair. If you blew chunks on the Tilt-A-Whirl or the Gavitron, you’ll love the Stampede’s cavalcade of carnival rides.
4. The Western art exhibit has some really great stuff. The Stampede does a good job of pulling in artists from around the west and plenty from right here in Colorado. Plus, it’s in an air-conditioned room, which you’ll probably need if you’re there in the afternoon.
5. You’ll feel a lot less like the condescending, pretentious urban schmuck that you really are. Especially if you manage to keep your complaints about the loud country music, the big carbon-emitting trucks and the public smoking to yourself.

The Greeley Stampede
What: Kind of like a really big county fair with a huge rodeo, too.
When: Through July 6th.
Where: Greeley, Colo. (About 45 miles north of Denver)
Who: The Gambler, Kenny Rogers, performs Independence Day Night.
Cost: Good tickets to the rodeo are $22. Carnival rides will cost you extra.
Info: http://www.greeleystampede.org/

Actually, I wouldn’t know, but that’s the impression I get when I look out from my darkened room and let my eyes adjust to the sunlight—they’re more accustomed to the blue glow of a computer screen these days. Who knew starting a non-profit would be so much work? Apparently, I didn’t get the memo.

But let me tell you about a few people who DID get the memo, because other people, shockingly, are actually kinda important when you’re trying to do something totally out of your league, which is what starting said non profit has proven to be for your humble narrator.

The following calendar will not include art films or porn. It’s a good old-fashioned popcorn flick list. They’re the kind of movies that make us forget we have a dead-end job, it’s hot outside and we’re tired of all the booze. They’re pure fantasy, and that’s what the dog days call for. 

May 22: Indiana Jones and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

The advance buzz on this flick is that it sucks. But you know what? For anyone between the ages of 27 and 37, there’s no way this movie will suck. There’s just too much nostalgia involved. 

May 30: Sex and City

Just go ahead and take your woman and get it over with. Don’t tell anyone, but I’m a closet fan of this show. Come guys, you know we all want to meet our own version of Samantha. If it gets too bad, just close your eyes and pretend you’re watching Kim Cattrall in Big Trouble in Little China.

June 13: The Incredible Hulk

This movie was made a few years ago as a vehicle for Eric Bana. That concept alone made sure the director of that film, Ang Lee, was going to make a piece of shit. This new version stars Ed Norton, which means it will kick ass. 

June 27: Wanted

Director Timur Bekmambetov loosely adapts the comic book by the same name. He directed Russian fantasy/sci-fi hits Night Watch and Day Watch (both worth renting) and leads Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman, and James McAvoy in this story of mystics and assassins.

July 2: Hancock

A drunk and homeless superhero played by Will Smith. Hmmm... This might just be interesting enough.

July 11: Hellboy II: The Golden Army

The original Hellboy was a sleeper in 2004 as another comic book adaptation. The sequel should be as good with the return cast and director Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth)

July 12: The Dark Knight

Be sure to catch Heath Ledger’s last complete picture and then wonder why aren’t very many American actors in what should be a quintessentially American movie. Then realize you don’t care because this movie’s so good. Remember to thank director Christopher Nolan for canning Katie Holmes and finding a new love interest for Bruce Wayne.

July 25: The X-Files: I Want to Believe

Go hang out with all your old nerd friends one last time. Seriously, this should be a decent film. If it isn’t, I’m going to blame the government. Let’s all say a collective prayer The Lone Gunmen make a cameo in this movie. 

August 15: Tropic Thunder

With Jack Black and Ben Stiller this movie can’t suck. But then again, we’ve been told that before. Haven’t we? 

Anyway, consider the rest of the summer stuff as “straight-to-your-DVD.”