My Lil' Swedish Meatballs!

At the request of friends and family, I've attached some photos of my co-workers at Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, CO. Swedish's mentality is like most the folks in the West, "work hard and play harder!"

Here's Brian and Jim (both echocardiographers & my clinical instructors) throwing a manila envelope at me so I'd stop taking pictures of them. Plus, Brian thinks "in-motion" photography is a superior art form.

Brian towering over lil' Suzie, one of my favorite cardiac nurses.

Jim and I scan the "right way," which, of course, is left handed!


Helena's the medical secretary of cardiac testing. Lindsay, the charge cardiac nurse, is ducking behind Helena. I tried for 3 days to sneak up on Lindsay to get a good picture, but obviously she won. Lil' shit!


Dixie's a respiratory therapist that works within the cardiac testing unit. I observed Dixie performing pulmonary function tests with her hyperbaric chamber. It was fascinating, but I'm still glad I chose echocardiography. I already have Dixie hooked on "Weeds" and "Dead Like Me."



Jimbo being a pain in the arse!




Courtney's the newest addition to the echo lab. She was Swedish's last student and was just hired as an official echocardiographer. She's scheduled to take her board exams (adult echo & physics) within the next couple of months. Yikes!



Once again, Brian's version of "in-motion" photography. Although I like to believe Brian's practicing for his audition for the broadway musical, Brigadoon.



Jim feeling like crap after eating his millionth frozen Banquet meal for the week. Yuck!




Courtney and I have fun together dreaming about working abroad in New Zealand, Iceland, or the latest...Antarctica. Courtney cracked me up when she told me she'd, "like to be a penguin." You'd have to be there to really appreciate the comedic timing. I also have Courtney addicted to "Weeds" and "Arrested Development."

Brian's the baby of the echo lab at the ripe old age of 22. Don't let his age fool you, his tongue is as sharp as his wit.

Congratulations Lindsay & PJ!

The lovely new couple, Lindsay & PJ Johnson.

My grandpa Ronnie with my cousin's Jackie & Katie, whom are both sisters of the bride.

Aunt Dee-Dee (mother of the bride) & grandma Grace looking as gorgeous as ever.

Uncle Dave, grandpa Ronnie, & cousin Anna living it up at the reception in Scandia, MN.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it to my cousin Lindsay's wedding on Saturday, August 9th in Woodville, Wisconsin due to my long distance internship in Denver. Hopefully Lindsay knows I was thinking of her on her special day and couldn't be happier for her son Trenton, who must be thrilled his parents finally tied the knot. Congrats to my one-of-a-kind cousin, Lindsay and her husband PJ!

"A successful marriage requires falling in love several times, always with the same person."

- Mignon McLaughlin

LaShara: Party Girl Extraordinaire!

LaShara looking as beautiful as Michelle Obama. Albeit, LaShara's boyfriend is a republican politician.

Copping a feel of a statue at the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver.

LaShara, Cheryl, and Basal at The Cheesecake Factory in downtown Denver.

LaShara, the great seductress!

LaShara is my old amigo from KQRS. In fact, LaShara still works at Citadel Broadcasting as the Internet Director. We met several years ago when I was newly on-air and LaShara was a new grad working as an assistant in promotions. LaShara came to Denver with her "fictional boyfriend," Tom. In reality, they've been dating for over 4 years, but whenever LaShara and I get together Tom's conveniently unavailable. Last night was my big chance to finally meet Mr. Wonderful and, once again, he was "under the weather" and had decided to "call it an early night." Perhaps Tom isn't fictional, but yet another married politician hiding from society??? Until the media scandal breaks, I guess we'll never know.

Just kidding LaShara! It will SOMEDAY be a pleasure to meet your better half.

And You Thought Starbucks Sucked!

Ward, Colorado's coffee trailer.
It's probably a good thing it's out of commission.

(click on photo to enlarge)

Here's several photos from my stormy Saturday afternoon trip to the mountains. As you can see, the thick fog was somewhat intimidating to drive through on those narrow passes, but as a rustic Minnesotan, I kicked those fears in the butt and had a fabulous afternoon to myself in the great state of Colorado. These pictures were taken in Nederland, Ward, Caribou, and the outskirts of Boulder.

Nederland: Home of the "Frozen Dead Guy!"

I agree with Dennis from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia when he says to his sister, who's hounding him to look at her scenic photos, "I don't want to look at your pictures unless I'm in them or someone's having sex." Obviously I'm not a big fan of scenic photos either, but what better place to take them than Nederland, Colorado.

This lil' artist's town is nestled in the mountains 20 minutes west of Boulder and 1.5 hours from Denver. This is the home of Grandpa Bredo Morstoel, more commonly known as the "Frozen Dead Guy." He died in 1989 and was cryogenically frozen in hopes of potential immortality. Typically, cryogenic patients are kept frozen via liquid nitrogen, but due to budget constaints Morstoel was kept on dry ice in a garden shed behind the home of his wife and grandson in Nederland.

Eventually, Morstoel's wife and grandson were evicted for having no plumbing or electricity. Afraid that Morstoel would inevitably melt, they made their family secret public. An emergency town meeting was held, but no one could find an ordinance stating why they couldn't have a frozen body on their private property. Now, of course, they've made it illegal, but they've allowed "Frozen Dead Guy" to stay. In fact, Nederland celebrates "Frozen Dead Guy Days" every Winter. The festival includes a tour of "Frozen Dead Guy's" shed, a "Frozen Dead Guy" look alike contest, a polar plunge, and coffin races.

Nick Turns the Big 3-0!

So, you're turning 29
And you're looking oh so fine.
You seem so ageless and so fun,
Always full of laughs and fun.
So I thought I'd give you this,
A birthday rhyme as a special gift.
One more thing you need to know -
I wrote this poem a year ago!

Sorry I couldn't be there for the big one!

Nurse Skweres & Lil' Miss Fashionista

Annie & Kandis
Oh, how I miss Annie & Kandis. These two fabulous ladies have been in my life...well FOREVER! Luckily, they're both adventurers who plan on visiting within the next few months. This picture was taken several months ago at Moscow on the Hill, an amazing Russian restaurant on Selby Avenue in St. Paul. Annie gave Moscow "the bird" (4 star rating), but Kandis wasn't a fan of the ethnic cuisine. In my opinion, if you're a mushroom lover, their beef stroganoff will knock you on your Russian rump!

The Windsong: My Denver Apt!

(click photos to enlarge)

Here's some photos of my humble Denver abode. My friends Jenny, Aimee, and AJ lent me all the furniture. I picked up a few odds and ends from Target to make it feel like home. One of my favorite finds from Goodwill is my "cat puke orange" chair for only $9.99. Until the temp drops, I'm keeping my bed in the living room because the AC doesn't reach the bedroom. I agree, it looks ridiculous, but I can do WHATEVER I WANT living on my own! That's right, I can sit naked in my retro chair eating thai food out of the box while watching dodge ball on ESPN#3. As a gregarious being, it's relatively difficult to start anew in a stange city, so if the socializing doesn't speed up soon, I may end up like Tom Hanks in "Cast Away" talking to his volley ball, Wilson. Holy crap, you better come visit sooner than later!

"A Fish Called Kristi"

After a long day of insufferable heat (usually 95 degrees) all I can think about is dipping into the Windsong Apartment's pool. After all, it's beautiful and shark-free! Unfortunately it's only open until labor day weekend due to unmanagable leaves. Not to mention, according to urban legend, there's been several Nessy sightings in the autumn months. I find it best to trust the locals!

"After Finals" Party at Grape Ape's!

You would think healthcare workers, after what they've learned in school, would abstain from alcohol and cigarrettes. Not this crew of echocardiographers! April "Grape Ape" Quast threw a down and dirty "after finals" party in July. Sorry it took me so long to post the evidence.



Manya and her husband Justin, who actually stayed until dark...well, more like dusk.

Traci lookin' good for the camera. Don't be fooled, she's not as innocent as she looks folks! I heard she's on her 2nd liver.

Kindra and her husband Al drinking apple pucker or absinthe. What is that green shit?

Jessie imitating Mae West??? You work it honey!
"I didn't discover curves; I only uncovered them."
-Mae West

"After Finals" pictures continued...

Barry being a douche like usual!

Jessie and her husband, Big Mike.

Can't tell if Beth is angry, surprised, or just plain drunk. Matt loves her no matter what state of mind!

The host of the party, Grape Ape, after drinking a 40oz. of Colt 45. Perhaps we should start calling her "AA" April!?!?