Patrons and Staff of The Happy Noodle in Boulder, CO have reason to be a bit “happier” today. Mark Stoddard, a mixologist at the Happy Noodles late-night alter ego The Bitter Bar, won Gold in the 42 Below Cocktail World Cup event in New Zealand.

Along with fellow team members Todd Thrasher of Washington, D.C. and Sean Hoard of New York City, Team USA beat out 21 other bartenders from 7 other countries. The event occurred over the past 5 days and consisted of outlandish cocktail challenges involving bungee jumping and boat racing.

Stoddard won two preliminary competitions in Denver and New York City respectively to make the 3 person team competing for the Cup in New Zealand. Winning the Gold Cup is a huge accomplishment for Stoddard and The Bitter Bar as it puts Boulder on the map as one of the top places in the world to obtain a craft cocktail that’s perfectly prepared.

In just over a year, owner and mixologist James Lee, along with Stoddard’s help, have established The Bitter Bar as one of the premiere bars in the country. Operating, tongue and cheek, with a true speakeasy atmosphere, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better place to lounge and enjoy the conversation and company of friends while enjoying a “Gold” standard hand-crafted cocktail.

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(photo taken San Antonio, Texas; 2009)

(photo taken Houston, Texas; 2009)

(photo taken somewhere in East Louisiana; 2009)

(photo taken San Xavier Mission, Arizona; 2009)

(photo taken San Xavier Mission, Arizona; 2009)

(photo taken Lake Tohopekaliga, Kissimmee, Florida; 2009)

(photo taken Walnut Canyon, Arizona; 2009)

(photo taken San Antonio, Texas; 2009)

Melissa Archuleta, originally from Colorado, has been living it up in the expansive New York City for the past 3 and a half years. She comes from a lineage of travelers, a family with adventure and incurable wanderlust.

She found out recently that her Grandfather had a passion for photographing train tracks of which she recognized as a symbol of this travel bug. She loves nature and misses the mountains but also has affection for the city life and all the wonderful and interesting marvels they behold.

I tried to incorporate elements of all this within these shots. The city, train tracks, mountains, and trees.

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It’s officially Spring tomorrow and it’s basically a blizzard outside my window right now. I’m done..I’m done with it. While I must have the incorporation of all 4 seasons in my life, I think I get a bit of seasonal depression towards the end of each, wishing the next would arrive already.

In which case, I’m eager to welcome green leaves and the color of new life. I love a good Winter, and this one was good, but I’m ready.

Spring is a rejuvenating time of year and a time to clean not only your possessions and the space you live, but your mind as well. Perhaps become a bit more active, think a bit more positive + clear, and embrace your vision with another years worth of experience.

I captured this picture while on a personal photo walk around downtown Denver yesterday and thought it a perfect perspective and representation of the next season.

On today’s unbooked day, I deliver you a message of what I’m feeling, which comes in the form of having a couple drinks and just Monkeying around.

Amazing little buggers they are. I captured this while on a trip to Bali, Indonesia and I think observing these creatures in their natural habitat was one of the most anticipated points of the trip. Achieved that goal and many more. Cheers!

“I’m a more solid me. Kinda like beginning to reshape the mound of clay that is myself.”

I asked Ashley to conjure these words, and from this, inspiration. Ms. Moore was the winner of my Twitter promotional give-away. I don’t think fate could have delivered a better subject. This shoot had to come together in less than a half a day as I got busy and waited too long to create proper plans. Somehow, everything aligned and the day turned out spectacular.

I, perhaps purposefully devious, left Ashley in the dark about the concept of today’s shoot until she arrived. She came curious as predicted, but her eagerness to participate, assist, and take the time to create a strong photograph was unexpected. She was an awesome model to work with, which made for one of the more pleasant days of the year.

The theme today was one of removing a veil and exploring the next phase of life + understanding. It’s the same world but no different. The point when something gels and the change is embraced with courage + confidence. I think I understood her message louder than any.

Ashley moved here 3 years ago from Pittsburgh, PA with a degree in Biology and is settling in and pursuing her dreams.

I’m too old. I’m not in shape. I’m not strong enough. I could never run that distance. I’m not flexible enough. I don’t have time. I’ll look silly. Most anyone has said or thought these things. The truth of the matter is that once you put the excuses out of your head you can truly achieve a balanced state of mind + happiness.

Expand Outdoors, owned by Amy Christensen, provides specialized life coaching sessions to empower you with the knowledge and tools to become active and confident. Amy’s services are different; while therapy tends to delve into one’s past for answers, she works with the individual challenges of today and provides clear steps with helping you define the path towards tomorrow.

Amy works remotely with clients the world over through phone or Skype sessions. To achieve ones goal takes commitment and requires time and patience. Expand Outdoors offers a few different packages to fit your needs and extends a free, no strings attached, 1/2 hour discovery session to ask questions, share your goals, and get a feel for whether you’re ready to move forward.

This month, Expand Outdoors has donated 12 coaching sessions for silent auction in support of Gear and Cheer 2010, an annual event held in Boulder, CO. The Gear and Cheer is an event benefiting The Women’s Wilderness Institute and provides an evening of live entertainment, a fashion show, local beverage and food tasting as well as an amazing auction. Make a start, grab some tickets while they last and join the action for a great cause. I guarantee you’ll be pleased by the effect.

Contact Amy for a FREE discovery session and don’t forget to ask about student discounts, tailored coaching, or group packages. Go now, Renew your Spirit.

[About this Shoot: I've had communications with Amy for the last month about the booking of her day. While she's in Hawaii completing a certification, we've contacted through email and phone. It's a delight each time as her response is intelligent and warm.

She's been so easy to talk to, which made the concept for the photos + article information easily obtainable.

For the shot, myself and two friends hiked to the summit of Mt. Sanitas which overlooks Boulder, and beyond, in a late afternoon sun.]

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After 27 years of marriage, Jim + Robin Burhorn are living happily in Broomfield, CO.

Empty-nesters with a child in Phoenix working as a chef, one in Las Vegas in the furniture business, and another here in Colorado gaining a masters degree, they’ve endured the times and created a wonderful family.

With the kids away and their dogs, Harley + Oxford, as company, the Burhorn’s are enjoying the simple life, cruising towards retirement.

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