Roadside Mysteries

Before and After Lilla Barton

noreply@blogger.com (Bugman) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:31:00 +0000

At the Bas Bleu:

Volunteers at work setting up the stage

Workes rush to get the window panel in place in Lilla Barton's house before the show starts. Please note: The door frame on the left was my doing!

Finished set with actors in place

Here we are watching the actual production of "The Moving of Lilla Barton" with Deb Note-Farwell in the lead role and shown above coming to my door-way is none other than fellow RAGBRAI rider "Lenny" (although he didn't ride in 2009).

Other organized outings of note:

'The Glass Menagerie' at Open Stage

'Vaughn NM, Christmas Eve, 1956' & 'A Child's Christmas in Wales' at the Bas Bleu

The End is Near!

noreply@blogger.com (Bugman) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:00:00 +0000

But the Blog goes on!

Say good-bye to Blogger

As February 12 approaches we, and that I mean the staff at Roadside Mysteries, have felt the need to change our publishing platform after 2 years of blogging with the device known as "BLOGGER" (See logo above). While we found it to be a useful and fairly simple blog interface, the current trend seems to be more toward a robust server-sided application that we could mess around with (not to mention be current with all the local blogs in the area).

More important, the folks at BLOGGER are planning to shut down FTP support for their user base and claim that only 0.5% of active blogs are published via FTP (FTP, or File Transfer Protocol lets you transfer files over the internet). FTP has been around a while; The first time the Bugman used it was in 1978 when he worked at Gould Electronics.

This blog uses FTP data transfers, therefore we could either:

1) Begin using the BLOGGER MIGRATION TOOL due to be available on February 22.

2) Switch to some other publishing tool.

Since either option means learning something new, we decided to go with option #2 and see what happens. So we have decided to go with...

Say hello to WordPress

WordPress is maybe 4 years younger than BLOGGER and it seems that of all the open source blog publishers out there, it appears to be the most widely used. What really sold us on WordPress was the installation. We usually dread this process because we do not install on our server very often and we easily forget the process (like setting up MySQL and importing PHP files; when's the last time we did that?) But the installation process was super easy! If the rest of the package is anywhere near as good as the installer, we're going to have a party!

Anyhow, if you want to see the new blog before the opening date, you can go here. It will probably change a few times in the next few weeks, but it's there for the world to see.

We picked February 12 as the GO-TO date because it will be the 2nd anniversary of this blog. The original blog HTML code and images will be retained on our server and it will exist as an archive. The blog URL will re-direct you to the new blog on the 12th of February. Get ready for it!

Bark in the Dark

noreply@blogger.com (Bugman) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:07:00 +0000

On the night of an extremely bright Full Moon:

going Eastbound on Oak Street

the event: "Bark in the Dark"

It was another dog walk in Fort Collins. This time it was to benefit the Search and Rescue Dogs of Colorado.

The African drum group "Fale" provided entertainment

In addition, the World Famous Samba band "Bloco em Foco" performed (i.e., even more drum music!)

Surfin' Bird

noreply@blogger.com (Bugman) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:14:00 +0000

People showing off their birds:

It was Bird Day at Bath Nursery

Here is some kind of owl

Duncan Madog didn't get too close!

There was also something called "The Thunderbirds" show. Please note that it was not the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds; just some kiddie parrot show!

Another Roadside Survey

noreply@blogger.com (Bugman) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:01:00 +0000

Collecing data on Colorado highways:

It's a data collection system on wheels!

It's just the thing "Roadside Mysteries" could use to check out stuff. You know: Take terebytes of data along the Roadside and then mine the hell out of it for Mysteries!

A Pathways Services Data Van

Pathway provides automated road and surface condition data collection products and services. "We provide technology to the transportation industry to aid in information upkeep about road conditions. " It's the kind of van that Team Roadkill would die for.

They could be using the van to collect data on the Harmony bridge crossing Interstate 25 seeing as they need to start repairing the bridge like any day now. Hint: Stay away from that intersection for the next six months!

Grooving again

noreply@blogger.com (Bugman) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:41:00 +0000

At the Foothills Drum Circle:

The Bugman leading the group with conga drums

Facilitating drum circles is not new. I used to do it in Palatine for years. I thought that I would be doing it in Colorado too, and apparently I am. It's the second and fourth Tusedays of the month at 7:30 pm at the Foothills UU church. I didn't come up with the name "Foothills Drum Circle" but it looks like the name was not used anywhere before, so it is officially the "Foothills Drum Circle™ " and since the "Foothills" could mean a fairly large area of Northern Colorado, this could get out of hand.

Bloggers blog Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Bugman) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:30:00 +0000

At the Comfort Inn off Interstate 25:

It's a meeting of Bloggers!

The local Fort Collins bloggers had a meeting through their Meetup group so I decided to join in and see what's what. The topic of the day: "Content is King"; Hot Damn!

Lacking content for today's post, this is it.

It was a fairly orderly meeting. About half of those attending were first-time bloggers who wanted to learn more about being a part of the blogosphere. I think that’s a good thing; I probably could have used some encouragement before I started out. Now it’s too late!
The content discussion quickly turned to ways to increase readership and then it seemed to border on increasing revenue. If I look at the very first posting made nearly two years ago, I said “Hey! We've got a road trip coming up, and so why not keep a blog about it so that we can go back later and use it to figure out what we have done!”. That sort of keeps the content to “whatever” and limits the readership to only two people. Haven’t figured out how to make any money doing it yet. Maybe I’ll go to some more of those meetings!

ESL at the Fort

noreply@blogger.com (Bugman) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:31:00 +0000

On the west side of where the original 'Fort Collins' parade grounds were located:

Reading and writing comprehension for ESL students are taught.

I couldn't help but notice this copy of an illustrated version of Franz Kafka's 'The Metamorphosis' in the ESL library. I looked but did not find a copy of Don Marquis' 'Archy & Mehitabel' ; I would think that that would be a better title for someone's English as a second language attempt. However

Can anyone say 'Kafkaesque Illustrations'?

Those of you who may have come across a Mad Magazine once or twice in your life might recognize the work of Peter Kuper, who is responsible for the cartoon illustrations in 'SPY vs. SPY'.

"Gregor! Get Up! You're going to be late for work!"

I've got to get a copy for our guest bathroom. It takes only minutes to read and as Kafka himself once said, "A book must be the ax for the frozen sea within us". Attaboy Franz!

There is a video selection as well!

I noticed right away that they have a copy of the 1968 American comedy film 'The Producers' written and directed by Mel Brooks. Hell, just thinking of Zero and Gene and Dick makes me laugh! Did you know that Dustin Hoffman was originally cast to play Franz Liebkind in the film? ... and one of the manuscripts that Max Bialystock dismissed as being 'Too good' was none other than Kafka's 'The Metamorphosis'?

FOCO-MOCA Simplexity

noreply@blogger.com (Bugman) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 13:49:00 +0000

This month (and next) at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Fort Collins:

"Balancing Plasmas Generated by Magnetic Field Pressure"

Or something of that nature. It's part of the new exhibit at the FoCo-MoCa called "The Mind and All it Creates" by artist Todd Siler.

There's a "Lithium Blanket" in there somewhere!

"Whereas conventional solid plasma-facing materials for a magnetic fusion blanket’s first wall restrict maximum power density and require frequent replacement, a liquid has no crystal structure to be damaged by thermal stress or neutron bombardment. To advance objectives of higher power density and reduced maintenance, thick liquid flowing walls blanket concepts eliminate solid plasma-facing materials and instead present a liquid free-surface directly to the plasma with no intervening solid material. One thick liquid concept is the Electromagnetically Restrained (EMR) Lithium Blanket, in which an approximately one meter thick shell of liquid lithium metal almost completely surrounds a fusioning tokamak’s toroidal plasma discharge, absorbing plasma particles, neutrons and other radiations while breeding tritium and collecting high temperature heat for power generation."1

I believe "Lithium Blanket" would make a great name for a rock band. (It's also interesting that a guy named "Woolley" came up with the idea). Dr. Siler will be back in town for the next "First Friday" gallery walks to help answer some of my questions I should think.

1 Woolley, et al.

Extended coverage of FoCo-MoCa continues:

In the utility room of FoCo-MoCa

Levels and Hammers!

Just like I have at home. Apparently they don't use those Laser Picture Level gadgets to hang artwork.

Tribal Drums

noreply@blogger.com (Bugman) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 15:50:00 +0000

At the Catalyst Tap Room:

Candid Drum Photo

On the First and Third Wednesday there is a crowd of drummers at the Catalyst Tap Room. I placed my Minolta DiMAGE Z1 digital camera on the head of my djembe drum to take this picture.

Alley Art, Volume 1

noreply@blogger.com (Bugman) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:13:00 +0000

UTILITY BOXES

Transformer Cabinet

There are seveal themes here and I would assume it's by the same artist. There is a certain 'blue aura' that suggests spirituality, religious emotion or perhaps latent schizophrenia. The enclosure hinges are painted to look like crayons that follows the theme above and is continued in the example below.

Communication Utility

From a distance it looked like a caterpiller; that is probably why I was drawn to it.

The MLK "Parch"

noreply@blogger.com (Bugman) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:36:00 +0000

In Fort Collins, not Denver:

Not a parade, not a march...

In Denver they call it a "Marade" the combination of the words March and Parade. All the newscasters are calling it a Marade, so Marade it must be.

Lots of people were there

Including Duncan Madog and his friend Ken

The Mystiq is Gone!

noreply@blogger.com (Bugman) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:08:00 +0000

in Old Town Fort Collins:

After 10 years, the Mystiq is moving out

But it's more like a transition sort of thing... The former martini bar wants to attract an older crowd. "We will be bringing country back to downtown Fort Collins," says owner Tony Campana whatever that means. It looks like they will also have rock 'n' roll, reggae and salsa as well.

100 Octane Club

I guess that means the the ethanol will be a better grade than before. It makes sense. Us older types demand it!

The Truth About Sex

noreply@blogger.com (Bugman) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:46:00 +0000

Yet another Science Cafe

with Dr. Gerald Callahan

This evening it was CSU Professor Jerry Callahan from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology & sometimes the English department.

Jerry with some hand-outs

"When it comes to sex, it's not all black and white." The evening hand-outs were illustrations from this artical taken from the New England Journal of Medicine. WARNING! They are a bit graphic, so be warned!

The lecture was at Dempsey's in Old Town Fort Collins which has been a mystery to us because whenever we pass by Dempsey's at night, the place looks dead. We usually see just the bartender talking to the kitchen help and NO CUSTOMERS! The Science Cafe packed them in, but when the lecture was over, the place was vacant! Very strange.

Bas Bleu behind the scenery

noreply@blogger.com (Bugman) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:37:00 +0000

On stage at the Bas Bleu:

Set Building Time!

It was time for Jeanne and I to help out with the local Bas Bleu Theater group and build some scenery. The work was for a play called "The Moving of Lilla Barton" which we have scheduled our newcomers group to see February 7th.

The Tree is Gone!

noreply@blogger.com (Bugman) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 04:22:00 +0000

Our first 9 footer:

Blurry picture of leaning tree

Tree on top of car

We picked up this dandy tree at Bath early December and had friends over to help decorate it.

It leaned a little toward the kitchen, so we attached a wire from the top of the tree to one of the window shade brackets. It was a nice tree. It didn't dry out too fast and it had a nice shape.

Today the Boy Scouts came and took the tree away!

First Friday Gallery Walk

noreply@blogger.com (Bugman) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 23:07:00 +0000

Bloco em Foco was playing on Oak Street Plaza, but at the Art Lab:

Northern Colorado Harpist - Mary Ellen Holmes

She was playing her harp at the Art Lab gallery which became part of Fort Collins' First Friday Gallery Walk.

As seen from the Art Lab front window.

If you want live music for your wedding, anniversary or whatever, and you might think a samba band may be a bit too loud, why not contact our friend Mary Ellen of Harp Accents.

Wall Art

noreply@blogger.com (Bugman) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:48:00 +0000

At Brave New Wheel in Fort Collins:

It's a bicycle shop

but no bicycles are represented in the wall art.

At last count there were 17 specialty bike shops in town! I've only been to a few: There's Lee's of course, Pelotone, Road 34, The Cycologist and Spring Creek Recumbent. I did some riding this year already and it looks like the temps will be in the mid-50's next week so the snow will be gone!

The Year 2009 in Review

noreply@blogger.com (Bugman) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:14:00 +0000

Who cares really, but you know how all those programs on TV and articles in magazines like to sum up the year! Well here's what I got as far as this blog is concerned; Sure, it's just a lousy clip show for this post, but what the hey? Everybody does it! So, of the 127 or so posts made on this blog in 2009, here's what may be the best (or not):

Where any publicity is good publicity:

Of course the biggest news story was this one; It put Fort Collins on the map fer Christ's sake! Not much to say here. Did we look stupid? You bet! But we are better off for it. Nobody got hurt really. Life goes on... That being said:

The best pace to hide in Fort Collins:

No! It's not in a cardboard box in the garage you idiot! But I bet they wouldn't find you if you hid in this thing. It's the last place anyone would look for you.

The last important celebrity to visit Fort Collins:

In my opinion it was this guy. It was a long time ago so I believe we are due for someone special. I'm sure it will be great; I just hope The Coloradoan does a half way decent job reporting it.

The Best Place for Non-humans to Hang Out:

It didn't take long living in Fort Collins before he moved into our home. And of course he had to take part in this, and that, and even this here! It's getting out of hand. He's got more than 10 times the number of Facebook friends than I have already!

Proof that All the Real Asses Live in Loveland:

Oh, about nine miles South of Fort Collins you could find this place. I still get into Loveland about once a week, so there will be more to come from out that a way.

Why there's no Reason to Review Restaurants on this Blog:

I liked this place and mentioned it in this blog and now it's gone! ... and this past December I was passing though Iowa and just wanted to stop over at this place for some of the best Cajun food around and guess what!? It's gone too! This blog could be a restaurant curse; Hmmmm, that gives me an idea.

Why You Still Shouldn't Trust Wikipedia Articles:

You shouldn't trust this blog either, but what they say about Timnath, Colorado is not quite true. This post is mentioned because it was the most researched piece of all the 127 entries for 2009. Nothing like it will ever appear in this blog again!

And of course Fort Collins is the Best Place to Bike Because:

They have events like this and that. You can bike in the North-South direction without breaking a sweat; Just go a little bit West of town, and look out!

So here's to 2010! I imagine there will be reports from this event in the future and more retreats like this one in the Spring. Just know that if there are any mysteries on the roadside, there's a good chance that I'll miss them completely.

Good Night!

Lab Ratz

noreply@blogger.com (Bugman) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 13:01:00 +0000

It's the Art Lab house band:

Kevin Cripe, Larry Dolgin, Tommy Campbell and Steven Johnson

Nice drum head logo!

Ringing in the New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Bugman) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 16:34:00 +0000

It's 'Bloco em Foco' in Old Town Fort Collins:

The Surdo line

This worked out well. We were outside, and a whole lot of music fans needed something to do before midnight. New Years and samba bands seem to go together! Beleza!

Paul leading the band

It started with a little bit of marching samba to the Art Lab for a 30 minute gig. Then some more marching around Old Town for a bit. Finally ending near the 'Transcend' statue for the fireworks display.

Year's End Roadtrip

noreply@blogger.com (Bugman) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:52:00 +0000

Not in Fort Collins.

Yeti Crossing?

Hey, Nice Horns!

The internet connections are not as good at the moment so some kind of year end wrap-up will have to wait. Have a good and safe New Year!

Five Assorted Arthropods

noreply@blogger.com (Bugman) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Ah, the last one of the twelve days:
So, in review we can say:

On the First Day of Christmas: An Abominable Snowman from the Greeley Museum,

On the Second Day: Two Reindeer from Bath,

On the Third Day: Three Forensic Limitations,

On the Fourth Day: Four Elves from Woodward's

On the Fifth Day: Five Assorted Arthropods,

On the Sixth Day: Six Carolers Jamming,

On the Seventh Day: Seven Morris Dancers,

On the Eighth Day: Eight Bubbas Drumming,

On the Ninth Day: Nine Pipers Piping,

On the Tenth Day: Ten Mounted Lepidoptera,

On the Eleventh Day: Eleven French Crepes, and

On the Twelfth Day: Twelve Nature Lectures!

Happy Holidays

from

ROADSIDE MYSTERIES

Seven Morris Dancers

noreply@blogger.com (Bugman) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:37:00 +0000

In Old Town Fort Collins:

Border Morris Dancers

Of course there are Maroon Bells and Breathless in Berthoud in Colorado, of which the latter is represented above.

Ten Lepidoptera Mounted

noreply@blogger.com (Bugman) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:28:00 +0000

or butterflies if you prefer:

Not from around here...

These are mounted specimens from Peru, France, China, Kenya, El Salvador and Cameroon.

A person who catches and collects, studies, or simply observes lepidoptera (members of an order encompassing moths and the three superfamilies of butterflies, skipper butterflies, and moth-butterflies) are called Lepidopterists.
Famous lepidopterists include William Stephen Atkinson, Jean-Baptiste Boisduval, Bernard d'Abrera, Robert Denno, Henry Doubleday, Henry Edwards, Edmund Brisco Ford, Frederick William Frohawk, Walter Gieseking, Frederick DuCane Godman, William Jacob Holland, Johann Siegfried Hufnagel, Julian Jumalon, Napoleon M. Kheil, Bernard Kettlewell, Michael Majerus, Vladimir Nabokov, L. Hugh Newman, Princess Olga of Greece, Walter Rothschild, Camille Saint-Saëns, Otto Staudinger, James William Tutt, Geoffrey de Havilland, Edward Pelham-Clinton, 10th Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne and Sergeevich Zolotarenko.