Happy Halloween!

Today is Halloween, one of the most popular days in Denver.  It seems like everybody here likes to dress up in costumes and party.  I am pretty sure most of the partying took place last weekend, but nevertheless, in the spirit of the thing (no pun intended), I am featuring a photograph of my mother Mary and her cousin Junior on Halloween, probably taken in the late 1920s or early 1930s, back on the south side of Chicago. My mother and her family lived around 57th and Prairie Avenue, not far from Chicago's Washington Park, and I am guessing that is where this photograph was taken. Of course, it goes without saying that the costumes are homemade.  Nobody in our family had any money back then, especially during the depression.  It was my mother, in fact, who instilled in me my thriftiness (that sounds a lot better than cheapness), learning from her to save as much as possible, in case the next depression is just around the corner.  And who knows?  And with that said, Happy Halloween Everybody!

City Of The Dead

Tomorrow is Halloween, and for weeks now people in Denver have been anticipating this day.  The young hipsters here love an excuse to party, and love even more the chance to dress up in costume, which makes Halloween one of the most popular days of the year.  And throughout the metropolitan area, "haunted houses" have been set up to entertain and scare the masses.  I myself have never been to one of these places. For one thing, they charge money - a lot of money - and for another, I think that reality is far scarier than anything these guys can dream up.  And by the way, City of the Dead, seen in the photograph above, does NOT refer to Denver, but to one of these haunted houses.  I have been tempted to take a guided ghost tour of the Stanley, the model for the hotel in Stephen King's The Shining, but it is located in Estes Park, an hour and a half's drive from Denver.  It would be on a school night, too, so I usually just say forget it.  However, I just saw on the local television news that somebody went on this tour recently and took a photograph on their iphone.  When they looked at it, it showed the ghost of a little girl, and the photograph, according to the experts (per the news story), is not doctored.  I MUST go on that tour.  Perhaps next year.

Further Thoughts On Final Friday

As I mentioned in yesterday's blog post, I attended the Denver Art Museum's Final Friday event and was kind of disappointed that not only was there nothing new on display (unless you paid $12 extra for the Women Artists in the Age of Impressionism exhibit, which I intend to see, but not now), but two full floors of the museum were closed either for the installation of new exhibits or for renovation.  However, Common Ground, an exhibit of photographs by Fazal Sheikh, is still going on, and I really enjoyed seeing these photographs again.  Sheikh, who was born in New York City, but whose family comes form Nairobi, Kenya and before that India, has dedicated his life to taking photographs of refugees and the dispossessed, and his style reminds me a lot of Sebastiao Salgado.  I was especially fascinated by his photographs from India.  I have mentioned in a previous blog of seeing his photographs of the women of Vrindavan, a community of widows who have been thrown out of their homes after their husbands die, left to fend for themselves.  This past Friday I focused on his photographs of the children of India,  whom he encountered on the streets of it's cities.  In the photographs above, clockwise from the top left, are a girl selling flowers, a child living in a squatter's settlement, a child bride, and a street performer.  I really want to visit India - it is a fascinating country and a photographer's dream.  But when you look at their society, you have to wonder why the government and the wealthy aren't overwhelmed with shame about what goes on in their country, and do something to change things.  Be sure to check out Sheikh's web site at https://www.fazalsheikh.org/.  And just a hint - to get to his photographs, you have to click on the three horizontal lines on the right.  It took me about half an hour to figure that out. I really must be getting old.

The Final Friday Of October

I attended the Final Friday event at the Denver Art Museum (The DAM) last night.  Since I didn't feel like shelling out $12 to see Women Artists in the Age of Impressionism just yet, there wasn't anything new to see. The entire 4th floor of the Hamilton Building was closed for an art installation, and the 7th floor of the North Building has been closed for months. Plus, the fact that the North Building is closing for renovation, eliminating the free buffet table, takes a little luster away from the evening, too.  One museum patron was standing where the buffet table used to be, waving his arms up and down, clearly distraught.  I feel your pain, guy.  There were still the various talks and tours during the evening, however.  Two drag queens were giving a tour of the Animals in Art exhibition (I'm not sure why the DAM considers drag queens experts in art, but whatever), the artist in residence was a rap singer who painted a bit, and then sang rap tunes, and finally there was a group painting ballerinas, who were striking poses for them (as seen in the photograph above). At least that event seemed to have a more solid connection to the art world, but just how long can you stand and watch that?  It was therefore a short visit.  Maybe next month will be more interesting.

Another Great Colorado Sunset

I came out of the bookstore where I work last Sunday night and was so impressed with the sunset that I spent about half an hour trying to capture it on film (or pixels, or whatever).  I crossed the street onto the grounds of Denver's East High School and snapped the photograph on the left.   It was a very weird cloud, almost round in shape, perhaps one more sign of the apocalypse, after last year's Chicago Cubs World Series victory and the election of Donald Trump.  Now I know that sunset photos are supposed to be a cliche, but so what? Especially if they are both pretty AND a sign of the apocalypse.

After I took the photographs on the East High side, I turned around and snapped a photo of sunset over the complex in which the bookstore where I work is located.  The store is located in what was once the Bonfils Memorial Theatre (and later called the Lowenstein Theatre).  Various elements of the old theater have been preserved, including the stage, the orchestra pit, and the grand lobby. The most interesting part of the building to me is that there is an underground river (the Farmers Canal) that runs right underneath the place.   Sometimes when they need to open up panels on the floor you can see the water.  Stick a fishing pole down there and you could catch a fish as well as shop for a book.  How weird is that?

The Shadow District

I recently finished reading a review copy of the soon to be released The Shadow District, a mystery novel by Icelandic writer arnaldur Indridason.  The story takes place in Reykjavik, Iceland, and features retired police detective Konrad, who is asked to help investigate the murder of an elderly man by the head of the short-staffed Criminal Investigative Division.  The motive for the murder goes back to the Second World War, and the story alternates between the original investigation back in 1944 and Konrad's investigation in the present. It is a very good story, and I am looking forward to the next installment in this new series.  I have also, by the way, picked up a new advanced reading copy of a mystery by a Danish writer.  Is it just me, or are there an awfully lot of mysteries that take place in Scandinavia these days?  I myself blame that girl with the dragon tattoo for it all.  In any case, The Shadow District will be released November 7th.  I recommend that you pick up a copy at your local bookstore or library.  Get on the waiting list NOW!

The Zoo In The Fall - Part II

As I mentioned in yesterday's blog, I went to the Denver Zoo this past Saturday afternoon, where the annual trick or treating event, Boo at the Zoo, was taking place.  It was a cool day (53 degrees) with a strong wind, so a lot of the animals, especially the monkeys, were not outside.  However, all the big cats were out, sunning themselves under the blue skies, and almost all of them were willing to look me in the eye and pose for the camera.  The one exception was that damn cloud leopard, seen in the bottom right of the above collage, who was pacing the cage and never looked up once.  No doubt hiding something.

The Zoo In The Fall

This past Saturday afternoon I went to the Denver Zoo and was surprised to find the place was packed, evidently because Boo At the Zoo was going on.  This is an annual event that takes place on the 2 weekends before Halloween.  All the kids - not to mention many of the parents, too - were dressed up in costume and were wandering around the zoo, trick or treating and collecting candy from booths set up by sponsors.  There was a strong wind blowing and it was a coolish 53 degrees.  I had to admire all those coat-less parents and children in their costumes.  I myself was wearing my winter jacket and quite comfortable, and so was able to enjoy all the fall colors.  I was tempted to ask for candy myself.  Maybe next year I'll wear a costume and go trick or treating there, too. I'll blame it on early senility.

Homecoming Weekend

It was homecoming weekend at the University of Denver this past Saturday and Sunday.  As an alumni, I am sure I got an e-mail inviting me to attend, but forgot all about it until I cam home Friday evening and saw some sort of outdoor party, including a blue grass band, going on across the street in from of DU's Ritchie Center.  It was evidently a warm up for the hockey game that was taking place that night (DU does not have a football team).  It was the same on Saturday night, too, except that night featured a big bank sound.  For all of you keeping score out there, DU and Lake Superior State (from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan,  no less) tied 3-3 Friday night, while Saturday night DU beat them  5-1.  Go Pioneers!  I guess).  And by the way, the above sign was built in preparation for the presidential debate held at the University of Denver in 2012.  DU spent millions to host the debate, in hopes of bringing prestige to the school.  Ironically, the following Saturday, Saturday Night Live put on a skit that satirized the debate, which they said took place at the University of Colorado.  Oops...

Hipster Heaven

As long as the subject of LoDo (Lower Downtown Denver) came up in yesterday's Blog, I thought I would mention something about Denver's Union Station, mainly so I could use the above photo.  Union Station was remodeled into quite the people zone a few years ago, and now features hip restaurants, bars, boutiques, and even a branch of the local Denver bookstore chain that I work for.  The old ticket office has been turned into a place to order drinks, and most of the main hall has been turned into a very comfortable cocktail lounge.  It is a great space for people-watching and to just hang out.  Plus, it is just a short light rail train ride from home.  How great is that?

Up On The Rooftops

Rooftop bars are all the rage in Denver these days, and LoDo  (Lower Downtown Denver) is where all the action is on Friday and Saturday nights, although you certainly can't tell it from the above photograph..  I took that photo of the rooftop deck of The Tavern Downtown on my way to the light rail station, after attending the Oktoberfest Festival a few Fridays ago.  Of course, it was still relatively early, and I assume the patio would get much more crowded later on.  One of the big issues a few years ago here in Denver was that all the bars and restaurants close at the same time (2:00 A.M.) on Friday and Saturday nights, leading to traffic jams, public brawling (not to mention public urination), and occasional shootings.  The proposed solution was to have staggered closings, with some places staying open until 4:00 A.M., just like in Chicago. However, the idea was never pursued.  Perhaps the City Council members couldn't stay up late enough to do the needed research.  If so, I feel your pain.

Cubs Lose! Cubs Lose! Holy Cow!

Last night I watched the Cubs and Dodgers play the final game of the National League Championship Series, which the Chicago Cubs lost by a score of 11 to 1 (the game was not nearly as close as the score indicates, by the way).  The Cubs did not look good, and will not be repeating as World Series champions this year.  It looks like the Los Angeles Dodgers will probably be facing the New York Yankees in the series, unless Houston can make a comback.  Yawn. Nothing like watching the top two fat cat teams in baseball duel it out with their high paid mercenaries.  Oh well, hopefully it will be my south side heros, the Chicago White Sox, in the World Series next year.  White Sox  color commentator Steve Stone practically guaranteed it in his last broadcast of the year, and I am holding him to it.

Free Beer AND A Cubs Victory At Old Chicago

I had burgers and beers with my friend Stuart (seen in the photograph above) at the Old Chicago Restaurant in beautiful, exotic Lakewood, Colorado last night.  Stuart had a coupon for a free second beer, to encourage people to come out and support the Chicago Cubs, who were in danger of being eliminated from the National League Championship Series.  And I am happy to say it worked.  The Cubs won and will continue their struggle to reclaim their World Series title tonight.  Now, if they decide to give out free beer every night, the Cubs return trip to the World Series is assured.

The October Mutts Of The Month

I am featuring not one, but two mutts of the month for October, both of them seen in the photograph above peering out from custom made holes in the fence surrounding their yard.  They live in a fairly ritzy house on the east side of Washington Park here in Denver (the side with a great view of the mountains), which I passed during my walk around Washington Park last Saturday.  I imagine they probably have matching dog beds, matching sweaters, and matching food bowls, too.  Life is good for pampered pets. I'll check back in December to see if I can get a photograph of them poking their heads out wearing matching Santa caps. Stay tuned.

Paradise Valley

I recently finished an advanced reading copy of Paradise Valley, the latest book by mystery writer C.J. Box. Box usually writes a series featuring Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett, but Paradise Valley is a stand alone mystery novel featuring North Dakota chief investigator Cassie Dewell.  Dewell is on the trail of a truck driver/serial killer she has been tracking for the past three years, and she lures him to North Dakota, with drastic results. This is an exciting story, and features a dramatic finale in Yellowstone National Park.  I heartily recommend it.  Pick up a copy at your local bookseller NOW!

Celebrating A Non-Anniversary

Today, October 16th, was the day my ex-wife Lisa and I got married in Golden, Colorado back in 1982. We separated in 1987 and were divorced the following year, evidently not destined to live happily every after.  Lisa now lives in San Francisco and we still exchange e-mails once in a while. I always remember this day fondly, even if it is a non-anniversary.  In any case, I took the above photograph on our honeymoon, standing in front of the Maroon Bells near Aspen, Colorado.  We stayed at a condo in Silverthorne, Colorado called Timber Ridge, part of a complex called Wildernest, and drove over Independence Pass to Aspen for the day.  It was really nice staying in the mountains, and I have often been tempted to go back again for a long weekend.  I recently checked the internet (something we couldn't do back in 1982) and typed in "Wildernest."  It took a few minutes to realize that the Wildernest I was looking at was in Southern India (I have to admit I am not quite as sharp as I used to be).  I tried again and found the Wildernest in Summit County, Colorado, but they wanted almost $400  for a three day stay (a one bedroom condo, no less).  Forget that!  And you wonder why I am divorced?

A Walk Around Washington Park

I was planning to drive up to the mountains to check out the fall colors, but waited too long. There has been a lot of snow up there, and unfortunately those golden aspens are now well past their peak colors.  And so instead of driving up to Breckenridge and Boreas Pass, I decided to take a walk around Washington Park Saturday afternoon. The trees have started to change colors here in Denver, and it is an easy walk to the park from my condo.  It was a mild fall afternoon and made for a very pleasant stroll.  I took the above photographs as I made my way through the park, and made a detour to check out the shops a few blocks away on Old South Gaylord.  This street is a block long business district with a number of locally owned shops and restaurants, and holds a lot of memories.  One of my favorite places here was Hemingways, a bar and restaurant popular with the University of Denver crowd,. which was forced by the Hemingway family to change it's name.  It is the same place as before, but is now called Max's Gill and Grill.  I know it still has a South Florida motif, but I haven't been there in years.  I wonder if the Hemingway family made them take down the photographs of Papa that used to line the walls, too?  One of these days I intend to check it out and see. Meanwhile, it was back to the park and the short walk home.

Lunching With Peter At Pepper

I had lunch yesterday with my office-mate Peter at Pepper, a Chinese restaurant just down the block from the bookstore where we work.  Peter is the Accounts Payable person for the 4 store chain, while I am the bookkeeper.  Peter is, like many people I know, camera shy - probably in the witness protection program, too, like so many others I know - and the photograph on the left is the best I can do.  The store we work at is located on East Colfax Avenue here in Denver, and Peter lives in southwest Denver, so he commutes each day on the Colfax Avenue bus, which some people have referred to as "the rolling asylum."  I personally think riding that bus would be a fascinating look into a different world.  Peter not so much - he just grumbles about it.

Next door to Pepper is a tattoo parlor, and there was a huge line to get in yesterday afternoon, which extended all the way down the block. Peter asked somebody at the restaurant what the deal was with that, and was told they were doing $20 tattoos, hence the big crowd.  When we got back to the bookstore, Peter asked some of the younger employees if this was a good deal or not, and one of them told him she paid $100 for a small tattoo on her ankle.  And so it evidently was a very good deal, if you wanted a tattoo, that is.  I myself would gladly pay $20 not to have a tattoo, and think it a tremendous bargain.  But this does give me an idea.  If it costs you $10 per tattoo, and you charge $25 for it, your fortune will be made.  Still another idea to supplement my retirement income.  I wonder if these kids would like Chicago White tattoos?

Still Another Senior Moment - Or Is It Just Nostalgia Gone Wild?

I have been going to various chain stores here in Denver  looking at range ovens for my sister Susan and my condo down in Stuart, Florida.  I went from place to place looking for the best deal on a gas range, and when I finally found the right one and called a branch of the store down in Florida to place an order, I was asked whether the connection was liquid propane or natural gas.  I had to call the condo complex's office down in Florida to answer that one, and was told - to my great surprise - that all the stoves in the complex were electric, not gas.  That tells you, for one thing, how long it has been since I last used that stove.  But why was I so sure it was gas?  My only answer is that the condo was what I consider our last family home.  So much so that I confused the stove in the condo with the one in our house in the south side Brainerd neighborhood of Chicago, where I grew up.  I know for damn sure that one used natural gas.  Maybe Doug - my friend and former University of Denver Bookstore co-worker - was right when he referred to me (jokingly I assumed) as "crazy old man Hoyt." And so therefore, nostalgia freak that I am, I am featuring a photograph of my mother proudly sitting on the railing in front of that house in Brainerd she loved so much. And I definitely now realize that I need to retire pretty soon with at least a few of my marbles left.

Forget About The Zombies? No Way! Well, Maybe...

As regular blog readers know, Denver is beset by a serious zombie problem.  In fact, every year a special day is set aside for them, when they can stroll the 16th Street Mall and just be themselves.  It turns out that this "zombie festival" was this past Saturday.  I usually go downtown to take photographs each year, like the photo above that I took last October, but .this year I completely missed it.  My office-mate Peter, who also attends this event every year, almost missed it too, but caught a reference about it at the end of a local newscast the night before.  Oh well, I'll just keep my camera with me at all times, in case some of these zombies happen to wander into the bookstore where I work.  Goodness knows, East Colfax has it's characters, so it wouldn't be surprising.

Tis The Season! Or Is It?

I spent last night going to various stores looking for a new gas range oven for the tenants in my condo in Stuart, Florida (don't ask).  My travels brought me to the Lowe's Home Improvement Store in some desolate, hellish south Denver suburb, where the first thing I saw was an absolutely huge Christmas display.  On October 10th, no less.  I personally think that is much too early, but then again I am turning into quite the curmudgeon these days.  Just for fun I decided to google the phrase "tis the season," and I wound up getting a definition from urbandictionary.com.  And it turns out their definition is "the period before Christmas that can range from October through December 24th."  And so I stand corrected.  This is indeed the Christmas season, after all.  Have you finished your shopping yet?  Better hurry.

The First Snow Of The Season

Monday Denver received it's first snow of the season.  It usually arrives around this time of year, so it is nothing unusual, but after a weekend in the 70s and 80s it was still a shock to the system.  As I was heading downstairs and through the clubhouse of my condo building, I saw steam rising from the pool.  I knew the water was warmer than the air, but I still don't think it was a good day for a swim.

I got in my car, and headed to work through the snow.  The weather forecasters said we received 2 to 6 inches, with the higher totals to the west of town, but since the ground was so warm, the snow melted as soon as it hit the pavement - at least here in central Denver.  I had the radio on, and the traffic report said that University Boulevard was closed between Exposition and Alameda due to downed power lines.  I thought to myself, "hey, wait a minute, that's right where I am."  No wonder I was stuck in traffic.  I wound up having to make a detour and wait in still another line to make the turn back onto University Boulevard, which of course made me late for work.  And let me get this straight - I own a condo in Florida, but rent it out and live here?  The mind boggles.

The Calm Before The Storm

It was a beautiful weekend here in Denver, but by the time I left work Sunday afternoon it was getting dark, and a strong, cold wind was starting to blow.  It was dusk when I took the above photo of the boathouse in Washington Park.  The boathouse, by the way, was remodeled a number of years ago, and is now rented out for events.  One such event (most likely a wedding reception) was going on while I was walking around the pond. I just hope the guests brought their coats.  It was starting to get pretty chilly.  The weather forecasters were predicting Denver's first snowstorm of the season on Monday, and for once I believed them.  And they were right, too.  As I write this on Monday morning, I am gearing up for a trip to work through a winter wonderland.  Bah humbug, I say.

Deja Vu All Over Again...

Wasn't I just here?  Yes!  For the second weekend in a row, I attended a soccer game with my friend Mark, who as everyone now knows works at the University of Denver's Anderson Academic Commons (known as the library to the people of earth).  Last week the Colorado Rapids played the Montreal Somethings, and this week the Rapids played FC (Football Club) Dallas.  And for the second week in a row the Rapids did not lose (the game finished as a one to one tie).  I wasn't planning to go to another soccer game this year, but Mark got tickets from a co-worker for free, and when I hear the word free, I can't resist.

It is fall, of course, and so there was a chill in the air, but not too bad with a coat.  After the game, as we were walking through the stadium and through the parking lot, I noticed just how many young children were at the game.  Far more than I see at Rockies games, in my opinion.  Soccer is very a very popular sport in schools and youth leagues these days, and kids are far more likely to play soccer than baseball.  Does that mean the youth of America will desert baseball when they grow up?  I certainly hope not. Although if so they would probably stop playing all that loud, horrible music at Coors Field, and go back to songs that won't threaten  your hearing, so I guess it might be considered a mixed blessing.

Stopping By To Visit Wally (And His Pets)

I stopped by to visit my friend and former University of Denver Bookstore co-worker Wally at his home last night and talked with him about what's happening at the DU Bookstore (Wally still works there) as well as all the trips he and his wife Linda have taken recently.  Since Wally didn't feel in a photographic mood, I took a few photos of his dog Sailor and cat Stella, just to have something to put on the blog.  They are both really nice animals, and very friendly, but whenever Wally and Linda go out of town, they have to hire a pet sitter, which to me would be a pain, but that's just me.  In any case, Wally is a homebody, and much prefers to stay home and read in his library or do some woodworking in his workshop, which used to be the garage (as his wife Linda likes to frequently point out).  In any case, for somebody who doesn't like to travel , Wally and Linda have done a lot of it this summer and fall - a trip to Cape Cod to stay at the family summer home, a weekend trip to Martha's Vineyard to attend a wedding, a trip on the Queen Elizabeth II to Scandinavia for a family reunion/cruise, and  a trip to the Colorado/New Mexico border for a day trip on the Cumbres and Toltec Narrow Gauge Railway, which Wally seemed to like best of all.  In any case, he is done with trips for a while (he hopes), and glad of it. Back to the woodworking shop.  Good to see you again, Wally!

Discussing The Cubs Chances At Old Chicago

I had burgers and beers with my friend Stuart (seen in the photograph above) yesterday evening at Old Chicago, where we discussed the chances that the Chicago Cubs will return to the World Series.  Now that the Colorado Rockies have lost their one game playoff to Arizona, and the Chicago White Sox  finished the season mired in the lower division, the Cubs are the team of choice during the playoffs for ex-Chicagoans at the Old Chicago Pizza and Taproom here in Denver.  The Cubs started off slow this season, and were 6 1/2 games out of first at the All Star break.  However, they finished strong and stand a good chance of going all the way, proving once and for all that winning the World Series last year wasn't the first sign of the Apocalypse.  Donald Trump getting elected president was, of course, the second sign, but I won't get into that.

Feeding The Giraffes. For Free!

I went to the Denver Zoo this past Friday afternoon after the software at the bookstore where I work crashed, and it was suggested I just take the afternoon off and come back Saturday.  That worked for me, since it was a really beautiful fall afternoon, and I wound up visiting the Giraffe Encounter.  And I was shocked, truly shocked, to see that feeding the giraffes was actually free.  They used to charge you $3.00 or so for a handful of grass, but Friday they just handed it to you and let you walk right up there. Was this just a Friday afternoon thing, or a permanent change?  Regardless, it let people who wouldn't otherwise do it get up close and personal with the giraffes.  Talk about a win-win, as we say in the business world, when our software isn't crashing.

Friday Afternoon At The Zoo

I went to the Denver Zoo this past Friday afternoon, after the software system crashed at the bookstore where I work, and stayed down most of the day.  Since I didn't expect to be spending Friday afternoon there, I did not bring my Nikon single lens reflex camera, with the long lens, and so had to make due with the camera I had. As always, the lions were more than willing to pose for me, but I couldn't get as close a photograph as I wanted.  I would have jumped over the fence to get a better shot, but the last time someone something like that, they were banned from the zoo for life.  Now I ask you - is that fair?  What could possibly go wrong?

The Final Game Of The Regular Season

Each year I go to the final Colorado Rockies game of the season.  Not only is it the last chance (usually) to go to a baseball game for the year, but after the game the players walk around the field to thank the fans for their support and toss souvenirs to them.  I took the above photographs this past Sunday, but since it was pretty cold out, most of the players wore their jackets, so I didn't know who they were.  For all I know, it was the grounds crew dressed in Rockies gear tossing those trinkets into the stands.  Most years this is the last game the Rockies play, but for the first time in years they have made the playoffs.  The Rockies will play a winner take all game Wednesday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks to see who moves on to the National League Division Series.  I have little hope they can win it, but I have been wrong before, and so "Go Rockies!"  There - I've said it, despite my reservations about their chances.

A Sports Doubleheader Weekend

My friend mark and I took in both a Colorado Rapids soccer game and a Colorado Rockies baseball game this past weekend, and lived to tell about it. Saturday night we went to see the Rapids play the Montreal Impact, and the Rapids (solidly in last place) actually won the game 2 to 0.  Mark (seen in the photograph on the left) has not seen the Rapids win a game the entire year, and so it was a major surprise for him.  Mark, as regular Blog readers know, is obsessed with soccer, but won't seek treatment for this "soccer bug."  What can I say?

Sunday afternoon we went to see the Colorado Rockies play the Los Angeles Dodgers in the final game of the regular season.  We sat out in left field, as seen in the photograph on the right, and I must say it was more like a spring training outing than a regular baseball game.  Both teams are in the playoffs, and seemed to be resting their regular players for the upcoming contests.  The entire lineup for both teams turned over 100% over nine innings, and I'm not even sure some of those players were actually part of the team.  I suspect they were fans who won some kind of contest.  They certainly played like it.  The Rockies lost 6 to 3 in a game neither team seemed to care about.

And a final word about security.  At Coors Field, the Colorado Rockies mainly employ laid back retirees to check tickets, guide people to their seats, and enforce the rules.  And so I was shocked to see the type of security employed by the Colorado Rapids.  I guess soccer fans are a much more rowdy bunch, but I was surprised to see this type of force, as seen in the photograph on the left, which shows the arrest two young miscreants.  I am not sure if they wound up in soccer prison, were thrown out of the game, or just beaten and released.  I suspect they must have tossed their chewing gum on the concourse, which should be dealt with harshly, but perhaps not that harshly.  Be sure to e-mail your complaints to the Colorado Rapids organization.

The Ghost Notebooks

I just finished an advanced reading copy of The Ghost Notebooks, a novel by a fellow named Ben Dolnick. The book is not scheduled to come out until February, and so you better write the title down if you want to read it when it comes out.  The book starts out pretty good, and is the story of a young couple named Nick and Hannah who move to a small town in upstate New York where Hannah gets a job running a small historical museum.  Slowly she realizes the place is haunted, and the story goes on from there.  I liked the story up until the last few pages.  I thought the ending, which revealed the "horror" the book has been leading up to, was pretty lame.  It was not a believable ending at all, even for a ghost story, and was in fact a bit preachy.  On the bright side, there is still 4 months to go until it is published, so Ben still has time to come up with something better.  Let's hope he does.