Denver 2nd Impression

Okay, there is a Starbucks on every corner. Unlike Chicago where there is a pub, (excuse me a tavern on every corner). I don’t want to piss off Chicago. Was it yesterday that I rode the escalator down in the convention center and I heard laughter, recorded laughter, all the way down? This I latter learn is a public arts project. Being an insecure writer, I feel the escalators in Denver are mocking me. Somehow, the escalators here are sharing some kind of insider info on me and they are judging me. Smug fucking escalators. Later, I’m walking down the street and I hear seagulls and ocean sounds coming from sewer drains. Another public arts projects. Okay, cool I can dig that, but seeing as it snowed 6 inches here yesterday I consider that to be a teasing gesture. Ha, ha bitch you left temperatures in the 90’s for this. You could be at the beach.


I’m still not sure what to make of Denver. It has such a small town feel, I keep running into people that I just met (locals) repeatedly. I comment on this to one of them and they tell me this sort of thing doesn’t usually happen. Usually, they say you run into people you don’t want to see over and over. I’m assured this is not the case with me. I’m all good they say. Still sounds small town to me, which is why I originally left my small town many years ago. If you were raised in a rural environment, you seem to gravitate to an urban environment. I’m just saying this is my experience and if yours differs please comment.

I sleep really well in Denver. I notoriously don’t sleep period. I take pills sometimes to sleep, but I don’t like to. Unfortunately, after several days of no sleep, you start to hallucinate and then you walk around like a college student during finals week. Drugs are better for old folks. Besides, I come from a generation very accepting of drugs. We are, however; wary of over use. Addiction was never very hip back in the day, so I suffer from the lack of sleep quite often because I’m afraid of addiction. I guess what I’m trying to say is thank you Denver for letting me get some rest. In addition, I’d like to thank Denver for the nice respite from the ocean of yellow (pollen) that gave me the plague (allergies).

So far, I like the city, but I’m undecided. The conference, I’m also undecided about. In general, I feel there’s too much competition between the arts, between writers, publishers, and academia. It’s political and sometimes unpleasant. I’m sick of the I’m more indie or traditional than you. Hell, we should all support each other because none of us are making any money. It is a labor of love.

On a personal note, I’d like to thank the folks at Falling Rock Tavern here in Denver. Good food, great service, and good beer. Two thumbs up!