Tag Archives: Colorado

Dam Troll

Trolls are a diverse race and can be found in virtually every part of the world. While most are gynormous in size and rather ugly, this is a tale of a small cute troll named Dam that took me for a ride.

It all started inside the old building where I use to live. An old resort back in the 1800’s and part of a community that utilized the springs across the street and up the mountain for healing, the place looked and felt creepy. The American Indians considered this area sacred. Modern folk see it as charming, mystical and sometimes dark.

Looking out the window of my apartment one snowy morning while cooking bunny stew, I heard faint little voices in the hallway outside the apartment door. But the attempt to find out who or what was making them turned futile for several weeks.

That was, until I decided to go shopping at the Trippin’ Trolls store.

Casually checking out the troll dolls inside a giant glass case on the wall, a voice called out to me, “Psst, hey you!”  After regaining composure and focusing on this one troll high up on the shelf, I said, “Huh?” The troll was about six inches tall with white hair, big hazel eyes and wearing overalls made out of a burlap sack. I must admit, it was very unusual talking to a troll.

“Look, I need someone to talk to, the troll said. My name is Dam. Moved from the East coast a few weeks ago for work and took this gig at the Tripping Troll, but hate it. Are you looking for a good servant? I mean, I’m not the typical troll. Seriously, I’m little and don’t take up much space. I can also act, cook and watch your back as much as possible. Figured I’d throw all of that out there since I’m in the market for a master you know.”

“Wow, not sure if a troll is what I’m looking for but that’s one hell of story Are you really a…?”

“Look, Dam replied, I’m about to lose my mind standing like a stiff on this shelf eight hours a day. How bout’ you buy me, take me home and I will be the best servant and confidant you ever had.”

“Mm-all right, I said. But look, you’ve got to ride in my backpack and stay quiet okay. Some people already think I’m nuts.”

Arriving home, I gave Dam his first assignment. Pointing to a door that led to the crawl space underneath my apartment, I said, “find out who’s making the noises.”

Away he went, dancing down the hall singing troll tunes as I closed the door.

Ten minutes later, Dam greeted me with five trolls.

“Whoa! Good job, I said!”

“These guys are like me, Dam said. They just want to find a master. How bout’ we all do some troll shots and celebrate eh’!”

After an hour of intense partying with Dam and the five other trolls, my eyes rolled back in my head and I fell asleep on the couch. But, when I awoke the next morning there was complete silence. I called for Dam and looked for him everywhere, but there was no answer-nothing. Dam and the other five trolls had disappeared. I called the trolls store and told them what happened, hoping that maybe someone knew something. But, there was dead silence on the other end. Then the lady said, “Oh-My-God! Please tell me you didn’t drink with the trolls-did you? Did you?

“Well…yeah, we did troll shots, I said.”

“Oh, let me guess, all of your food and alcohol is gone right?”

“Yep, I said. They took all of the bunny stew, everything in the mini bar and a roll of cash.”

“Well, you know now the lady said, bunny stew and troll shots is their favorite but, they’ll show up here looking for employment after all their money is gone and the drunkenness wears off, that’s how the trolls roll. Hey, look, I’m really sorry about what happened,  just come back in and we’ll set you up with another troll more to your liking okay.”

“Dam troll, no thanks, I liked it better just hearing voices. Besides, I’ve got to make another batch of Bunny Stew.”

MARDI GRAS 2013 – Manitou Springs, Colorado

Mardi Gras Parade
Mardi Gras Parade

Mardi Gras 2013 in Manitou Springs, Colorado was definitely a great time and so glad I made it!  After being chased by wild animals and bad guys in the jungle of Costa Rica the past month or so, getting back to a place I use to call home and hanging out with friends is something that I missed dearly while being away.

Trey and Kelly
Trey and Kelly

 

 

 

It all started at The Stage Coach Restaurant with Trey and Kelly from New Orleans. Trey went to Saint Paul’s High School in Covington, Louisiana and graduated just a few years after I did. Trey was here to visit his girlfriend Kelly who lives in Colorado and  to escape the craziness of New Orleans. But…

Trey couldn’t escape crazy Tony’s craziness!  LOL

 

 

 

 

 

The Mod Squad
The Mod Squad

None of us missed a beat and we went all out for the Mardi Gras celebration! We’re from New Orleans and Mardi Gras has always been a big deal for us Bayou kids and Manitou was the perfect Mardi Gras!

 

 

 

Masked Men
Masked Men

 

If you don’t know the history of Mardi Gras, here’s some trivia:  Mardi Gras or “Fat Tuesday” as some call it is specific to that day. However, the party in New Orleans historically starts about two weeks before Mardi Gras and abruptly ends at Midnight on “Fat Tuesday”. Catholics party hard during this celebration and prepare to “fatten up” before the 40 days of Lent. Contrary to what you may have heard, the first Mardi Gras was actually held in Mobile, Alabama. But, since 1850 or so, New Orleans, Louisiana has taken this prized debacle to a new level and one that many love to partake year after year.

 

 

 

Lady & Dog
Lady & Dog

The exact dates of Mardi Gras vary year to year but, it can always be determined by calculating backwards from the date on which Easter falls on. Mardi Gras – “Fat Tuesday” is the day before Ash Wednesday which begins the 40 days of the Lenten Season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dancing In The Street
Dancing In The Street

 

 

There’s always lots of food, drink and music at Mardi Gras. And, the festivities in Manitou was no exception.

 

 

 

 

 

In Costume
In Costume

 

Thanks Manitou Springs, Colorado for providing a safe and wonderful Mardi Gras for us all!

 

 

 

 

 

This was a great time that my friends and I will never forget.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stay tune for more of Tony’s World…

COLORADO: Cottonwood Pass & Buena Vista

After a few weeks of being cooped up in the house with a broken leg, I was so glad a friend called to take a ride into the mountains to see the turning of the aspen trees.

Aspen Trees Turning to Gold
Aspen Trees Turning to Gold

We ended up at Cottonwood Pass on the Continental Divide. Here I am with my broken leg!

Cottonwood Pass – Continental Divide
Cottonwood Pass – Continental Divide

At one of our photo stops near the end of the day, another photographer we met along the roadside invited us to visit the fishing lodge he was staying at.

Rainbow Lake at Sunset
Rainbow Lake at Sunset

It made for a nice peaceful finish to our day.

Friendly Duck
Friendly Duck

Below is how the day progressed.

 Click the thumbnails below for larger images.