Sunday 9/11/22
On Sundays I reflect.
I didn’t drink alcohol this week, but I did last week. I haven’t had time to write for a few weeks, but I’m back.
Last weekend I was home in Chicago visiting family for the first time since just before lockdown in 2020. I went home for my cousin’s wedding, and to catch up with family I haven’t seen in over two years. Thankfully, I have been able to spend time with my parents and brother these last few years but it was great to see my aunts, uncles, and cousins.
I also got to spend an afternoon with some of my oldest friends Max and Molly, whom I haven’t spent time with in person much since moving to Colorado years ago. It was refreshing to be around my old friends, even if my neck was tweaked from lifting my cousin in a chair during the Hora at his wedding. That’s feeling much better now that I have seen my acupuncturist.
This week my friend Gina (Boots) and her partner Michael brought their van to Minturn to work at Bat Country Studios. Gina is one of my best friends in the industry and also one of the biggest supporters of my business and my studio. It was great having her around this week and we made what is definitely our nicest collaboration since we started working together six or seven years ago.
Eric Goldschmidt and his partner Jacque also came to visit and we all took a morning to visit one of my favorite hot springs on the side of the Colorado River. When we got there it was pretty empty besides one guy and his dogs who went for a hike soon thereafter. I persuaded Gina to swim across the river with me to the smaller warm pool across the way. This might have been the first bad idea I have had in my life. We got to the other side, and I think my body was too cold to breathe the entire way. I am not sure I have ever been that cold. We spent a few minutes warming in the sun before swimming back to Eric and Jacque in the warm pool where we started. This time may have been worse than the first swim. After exerting all of my energy to get across I hit the current and realized I would have to swim even harder to clear the last ten feet or so of river. Getting into the warmer pool felt great until my body went into shock. My vision blurred and my legs locked up in cramps. It took me a few minutes but I drank some water and ate a granola bar which helped me feel back to normal before hiking back out to the cars. Maybe one of these days I’ll get the courage to jump the forty foot cliff into the river, but swimming across was a ride of its own!
Another artist JFK glass came through the studio this week to collaborate with me for the upcoming popup at Purple Haze next Sunday in Denver from 2-5PM at the Colfax location. We got two fun cups in for our first time working together in the studio and I spent more time on the torch this week than I am usually able to make time for thanks to Eric and Marta’s support. I can’t wait to share these cups with you at the popup.
Speaking of popups, we just confirmed dates for our first Austin Texas popup next month. The flyer is being made and details confirmed but if you are in the Austin area clear your calendar for the evening of October 6 Thirsty Thursday.
There are a bunch of other things from the last few weeks that I want to write about, or meant to write about. Right now that is all escaping me as I had to meet my photographer Graham at the studio early AF this morning for a shoot.
The last few weeks have been good. I am blowing glass and spending meaningful time with friends and family. Glass has been selling and we have been planning the upcoming popup events. New artists have been sending cups to Minturn and artists I haven’t carried recently have also recently sent fresh work. Most of the new products are up on the site now, and Graham will have edits to me soon for the unlisted work.
Is it ski season yet?
I have a busy week ahead preparing for our Denver event and catching up on tasks and chores around the studio. I think I will get to spend more time on the torch this week, but we’ll see what comes up. I’m planning to be at the Vail Comedy Show this Thursday night after missing the last few shows. I have been prioritizing spending time outside the studio lately, as the last five years I have mostly denied myself pleasures outside of work.
I love my work and I wouldn’t trade my “job” for anything, but I am also valuing my life outside of work. With ski season coming up I am ready to unwind a bit outside. For now, crush mode continues.
Thanks for tuning in and enjoy your Sunday.
BB
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