Renovation

Our local ABC is under renovation, so we have to decamp early tonight. Next week is Labor Day, so I got my writing group fix as best I could tonight.

Survivor brought his lovely wife, Mrs. Survivor. We hit it off, and even enjoyed a brief interlude outside in the cool evening air talking before we had to pack up and leave. I'm still mulling some of the things we talked about.

All in all, a good night, even if the group part ended too quickly. See everyone in 2 weeks!

Punk Rock 101

Before the Get Happy Tour concert tonight, I met Girlzoot at Brothers BBQ on Washington and 6th Avenue. My KC Brisket tickled my tastebuds greatly, and the sweet bbq sauce tasted just fine. We talked, and listened as we finished our tasty meals.

After finding a good spot to park by Charlie's, we wandered across the street to get our tickets at will call and stand in line. While getting the tickets, we watched some of the members of the various bands (mostly the folks from Bowling for Soup) cross Colfax with a darling french bulldog named Sherman (which GZ found out later). At previous concerts, I have always delighted in seeing part or all of the band before the show.

While we waited in line, Mitch joined us. It really made me happy that the three of us could get together for the concert. While we have kept up in various ways over the last year since Kerri's funeral, it felt good to all be together.

Once inside the Ogden, I noticed that the upstairs had expanded quite a bit, and had wings coming out toward the stage along the walls. It took a few minutes to register this, seeing as I hadn't been in the theatre for a couple of years.

Since this was a 16+ show, we had to prove our age to get up to the balcony where the drinks were. Our tight neon orange bracelets made quite a fashion statement, going very well with our Batgirl and Tinkerbell t-shirts (can you guess which was mine?)

We had a few drinks and I made some impromptu earplugs (so out of practice). Before the show we got in some chatting and talking and laughed quite a bit.

Four bands performed, Army of Freshman, Punchline, Lucky Boys Confusion, and Bowling for Soup. Though I didn't know anything of the first 3 bands but Girlzoot's good word, after they finished, I discovered I definitely like their music. We bought a Lucky Boys Confusion EP for $5, and I now have three albums in my iTunes shopping cart. And I'm looking forward to the new BFS album coming in November *whoot*

The Bowling for Soup set had a total of one song I didn't know, which in itself was awesome, but they also played every song I wanted to hear (Surf Colorado, Ohio, 1985, Two Seater, Girl All the Bad Guys Want, Punk Rock 101, The Last Rock Show, Get Happy). I'm going to be buzzing on this for a while.

Thanks Mitch and Girlzoot for coming out! I had a great time and we should do it again soon (or something like it).

Whooo hooo!

One final look

Saturday I drove into a wet and rainy Boulder to see the last show on my punch card. After much deliberation, I chose to do a repeat performance.

I parked at the Library (huzzah for free parking!) and walked by Boulder Creek under Broadway and up to 13th to the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art. I got my last punch for Arachne and wandered through the muesum until the show was opened. I got a second row seat along the back, where I could see the entire stage (the first time we were to the side and missed part of the story in the stage dressings).

I saw a few of the actors from different pieces at the Fringe, which was fun. Everyone seemed to be supporting everyone else.

With a different persepective, and a different night, the show came alive in a different fashion. Some of the surprise had left the piece, like the skittering spider part, however, the story and the acting withstood the loss of my innocence.

Whereas some of the pieces at the Fringe showed different or updated visions of an older story, Arachne told the myth set in the time and place of its origin. "We tell the same stories over and over again." "If we're lucky and we have a story where we're really smart or really clever, then we tell that story over and over again." Her retelling of this ancient tale not only brought the myth to life again but also gave me a glimpse into the eyes of an angry Goddess and I felt the loss of faith that Arachne purported keenly.

"I am here in the corner, where you don't want me. But I am still here."

Flying Solo

Friday afternoon, I got an email from DJ, he was unable to make it out on Friday night. I pulled out the festival schedule to see if there was anything I wanted to change about the shows we planned on seeing. Luckily, the shows were all in the Dairy Center for the Arts, a nice central location, close to some good eats and relatively easy to park near.

I got off work early, due to summer hours and drove into Boulder. The sky was overcast a bit, with the sun peeking out at different times. By the time I got to the Dairy, it had warmed considerably and I decided to run by Noodles for a bite to eat. With my book (the reading of which I wouldn't be noting on my CV, as it would mean I didn't like to socialize), I walked down to the restaurant and ordered a nice trio of breaded Parmesan chicken, mushroom stroganoff, and a caesar salad (with real grated Parmesan cheese on it). Quite tasty, and I read my book for about an hour before heading back to the venue.

By now, it was raining lightly, like it had last Saturday walking back from *Bux (which, incidentally is next to Noodles). I went into the Dairy to get my tickets and I got a chance to meet Sophie Nimmannit, the artist and actor in Arachne. She was very personable and genuinely excited to hear feedback. Later, while waiting in line, she put on the Athena mask (with mirrors for eyes, which just felt so right for a Goddess) and handed out flyers to her show.

The first show I saw was Something is Rotten, a very off beat version of Hamlet, with puppets, a goldfish as Ophelia, a construction truck as a very convincing Laertes, and a ghost sock with pink stripes. As before in many of the shows we saw at the Fringe Festival, the actors continually broke the fourth wall. All in all it was funny and entertaining, definitely something unique in the treatment of Hamlet.

After a brief break, while the stage was set for the next performance, I found myself in the same seat (front row stage left section). The Decameron Project had large imposing asymetrical blocks for the staging, looking almost like rock formations or distant mountains. Later in the show, everyone had a start when one of the big crags came crashing down by mistake with a thunderclap.

Set in a future where mankind seemed to be nearly destroyed by an undefined plague, six survivors told each other stories to keep the dark at bay and remind themselves of their essential humanity. Some of the stories, like the Family Bed and the Office Sex Toy (my titles, not theirs) touched a deep vein of humor and sexual banter. Others, like Come Back After Death and Wrong Therapist, had humor laced with a piercing meaning, reminding us all of what it is to be human. While the actors physically broke the fourth wall by leaving the stage and sitting on the floor before it, they never spoke to the audience. I loved the storytelling aspect and how the others would participate in acting out the story. It gave a richness of experience and allowed the players to be different people all within the context of the show. Serious, but ultimately uplifting.

After the last show, I was quite tired, and left the beautiful Boulder valley to wind my way home. One more punch for tomorrow and the Boulder International Fringe Festival will be over, at least for me, until next year.

Pearl Street Up and Down

Tonight the plan was for catching a show together at the Trident at 8:30. Since I get off work between 5 and 6 o'clock, I figured I could take in another show before the comedy improv. Plans changed after I heard from DJ. Now we were taking in two shows, after a quick bite at Illegal Pete's (mmm good).

IP's is at 15th and Pearl. We walked down to the Boulder Co-op at 19th and Pearl to see w/e, a one man dramatic piece (picture above). I really liked the way the story unfolded, and how the characters interrelated. The actor, Robert LaRonde, had an amazing grasp of kinesthetic sense as evidenced by the transformation between Miles and Cynthia. Miles' near frenetic pacing and Cynthia's tentative smile stayed with me.

Afterwards, we walked back down Pearl Street to the Trident (at 9th). Along the way a busker was performing for a small crowd, balancing something on her chin. She had a chain demarking the stage, one of the yellow plastic kinds. DJ told me about another performer he had seen, who did an amazing Zip Code trick. He had a chain outlining the continental US and asked for audience members to tell him what Zip Code they were from (preferably out of state). He would unerringly place them in the correct home towns and fill the map with the folks watching the show.

We got to the Trident with plenty of time, and we got some drinks. One of the performers we had seen on Sunday had just finished his set and was staying for the next one. I said hi and told him how much I enjoyed his show. He remembered me and DJ from the other night (most of the venues are very intimate, we're talking inches not feet from the stage at times).

The improv, Comedy a la Carte, was done by Mile Hi-Larity, a local Denver improv troupe. We had an MC and four players varying from Jeopardy to guess the activity with a twist. As always, audience participation was manditory. Occupations, outdoor activities, and favorite colors tumbled over each other vying for promenince and the chance to be chosen. One of my favorite improv activities is always Rewind, and they did a good job with a trucker piece. One I hadn't seen before was Flashback, where the action rolls for a while then the MC calls flashback and the players act out a scene that happened before the last scene. Confusing, but definitely entertaining.

Two years in a row, Kerri and I went to Impulse Theater under the Wynkoop for her birthday (after trying abortively to see something closer to home). It was always fun and we laughed so much we cried. Under the overhang at the Trident, in a place where I was pretty sure she had never been, I could feel her with me, laughing and being amazed at the speed and hilarity ensuing before me.

After the laughter subsided, and I could breathe normally again, we wandered back toward my car, parked at 14th and Canyon. After I dropped DJ off at his car, I wound my way back through Boulder, enjoying the quiet and the cool evening air, and wondering what tomorrow would bring.

Reunion

Today we had a reunion of sorts at my office. We've been in the new building since December last year and we finally have a beautiful new full service cafeteria. Everyone who ever left the company was invited (and I heard quite a lot of opinions about this).

There was a treasure hunt (going around to all the floors and getting stamps from different places, learning that the main executive office is the size of a small apartment) and a prize drawing. Tee-shirts, water bottles, and a long line for some scrumptious finger foods. It was fun to see some of the folks I worked with over the last several years.

At the prize drawing, both my guest (my mom) and I won prizes (gift cards to the new Cafe).

Then we took a long, hot drive to Aurora to enjoy a chocolate malted.

Tuesday at the Library

Well, ok, it wasn't exactly at the library, but I parked at the library, does that count? It's a very lovely building, the Boulder Public Library, and I enjoyed parking there close to the creek and all. While I have dozens of books at my house that are begging to be read, I still could have passed a pleasant evening in the confines of the library... and it might have been slightly more entertaining.

Tonight I met DJ down by the library and we went to another of a series of Fringe Festival events. The venue, the Trident, is set up quite nicely for a little sheltered outdoor patio experience. Before the show, we kept getting peeks of the actors, getting set up on either side of the stage (behind tall white walls). I sort of felt like we were seeing the bride before the wedding. DJ thought they were eager and that was a good sign.

My mother taught me that if you don't have anything nice to say, it's best not to say anything at all.

So after the show, we walked back to the library parking lot and talked for a bit. After the night flies and the 'squitioes snacked on us enough, I drove home under the darkening sky.

Quiet

I got to our local internet cafe and had a yummy chicken cordon bleu panini sammich with a pickle chaser. I spent most of the evening chatting with Shaych, Girlzoot, and Seraphmoon. Fun times.

Not a lot of non-chat writing, tho.

More Fringe to come tomorrow!

A Fringing we will go

Second helping of the Boulder Fringe Festival today. The first performance was at the Trident Bookstore out on the back patio, which had a sand box and a high ceilinged covered section. We saw Curriculum Vitae by Jimmy Hogg, the Brit who approached us yesterday to come see his show. It was wicked funny. During the performance he went from wearing a bathrobe to dressing himself for an interview. We got Star Wars references, surreal moments from my own life, and audience interaction. I would see this one again, if there weren't so many other shows I have planned.

After the show, DJ and I walked down Pearl Street and the entire length of the mall. As I am not a frequent patron of the mall, I walked pretty slow and did a bit of window oogling. I also noticed an It's Your Move game store (one of my weaknesses). We had a quick dinner and walked to the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art for the second show of the evening.

The performance was upstairs in a space with seating on three sides. Before we were seated, we wandered around the galleries with both wood and metal sculptures and paintings with some mixed media. There was also a scary looking open lift. *shiver* My life long fear of heights kicked in and I stepped back while DJ investigated. It did look interesting, sort of reminded me a bit of the lifts in Metropolis (which I need to retrieve from who I lent it to).

Arachne was a one woman show with puppets and masks. The artist came out in a full spider outfit and skittered across the floor in a very realistic, and somewhat creepy, manner. (Note, I am not overly fond of spiders, I try to refrain from screaming when seeing one) The interpretation of the myth explored the story from Arachne's point of view. I quite enjoyed it.

Afterward, we walked through City Park, under Broadway, and over Boulder Creek. Running water sounds soothing and always captures my attention. We stopped momentarily on the bridge where the creek ran under our feet.

Before I knew it, I was back in my own car driving home with a smile on my face. I could get used to this.

Eternal Sunshine...

Can I borrow a piece of your chicken?

And then you just took it, without waiting for an answer. It was so intimate, like we were already lovers.

Clementine / Joel - Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

A Boulder Day

Today was the first day I got a chance to attend the Boulder International Fringe Festival up in beautiful Boulder Colorado. As I drove in along Highway 36, at an outrageous speed, I crested the big hill that opens into the Boulder Valley. The sun was out and my breath caught in my throat. I had forgotten how stunning the view coming into the valley is and for a moment I missed my 20 mile commute into the People's Republic. Then I came back to reality and just enjoyed the view.

With the super spiffy directions from DJ, I managed to find a parking spot not too far from the Dairy Center for the Performing Arts where the first performance was scheduled. The box office didn't have the Frequent Fringer pass I wanted to purchase, so I had to bum a punch off of DJ's frequent fringer pass. The fine folks at the front turned a blind eye to our slight of hand passing the card between us.

The first show we saw was A.C.E. Comedy. It was a three person show with an American, Canadian, and an Englishman. They had cute Scrabble letters on their shirts (which previous audiences took for chemical symbols, a disturbingly intelligent thought completely devoid of cultural knowledge). The show was fricking funny, at one point bologna and American cheese and mayo took part in an oddly fascinating way. Much laughter abounded.

After the fun improv comedy set, DJ and I decided to catch a dance performance next, which happened to be an hour later. We took a walk down to the local *bux and had some icy fruity drinks (mocha raspberry and bluberry non-coffee yumminess). DJ bought mine, which was very sweet (thanks again!) and we chatted about random stuff, the best kind of chatting. We walked back to the Dairy in a light rain, passing a farmer's ditch that fascinated me. I always have had a fascination with running water, and when I was young, we lived across the cul-de-sac from an irrigation ditch where I spent many pleasant summer hours both by myself and with friends.

As we reached the Dairy, Jimmy Hogg, the star of one of the shows Curriculum Vitae, handed us postcards for his show and asked us to come see him at the Trident. I already wanted to see the show, and it's always nice to be asked personally (even if it was kind of a drive by). I purchased my pass and we played the pass the pass game again (to balance the scales).

Twitch, performed by a dance troupe of seven women, had several different pieces. My favorites included the first piece with four dancers all over the stage, doing balance work off each other, and times when their arms or feet moved so fast purple tinged their skin tones. Also, the final piece, three scenes of the corporate world, where the performers went from full business attire (including the omnipresent tie) to completely throwing away the tie as the last vestige of corporateness and jumping thought the fourth wall before the lights fell. I also enjoyed the solo performances, one woman told the story of where she came from with words and dance, and another broke one of the cardinal rules of performance by having her back to the audience the entire time. She looked like a swan at times, just moments from taking off into the great blue yonder.

I picked up a full schedule and we spread it out on my trunk (watched by the heffalumps and woozles in my back window) to determine what other shows we wanted to see. We're probably going to see something together tomorrow as well.

All in all, I quite enjoyed myself. I adore live performance, and the company was marvelous.

Happy Hour

Tonight we went to happy hour at Dave & Busters. It was fun (they had a deal where you could get a meal and a card for playing at a good price). We played trivia and I messed around with some other games (the horse racing is my favorite, but there are not always two players). I got myself two cute little shot glasses that look like beer mugs. And they're even glass (classy!)

Book thingy

1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 123
3. Find the fifth sentence
4. Post the text of the next 3 sentences on your blog along with these instructions:

Don't you dare dig for that “cool” or “intellectual” book in your closet! I know you were thinking about it! Just pick up whatever is closest, then tag three people.

I always get all tense about the tagging, reminds me of the chain letters from bygone years... Feel free to join in the fun.

Caveat - closest book to my computer isn't exactly light entertaining reading...

Find More Time by Laura Stack

Pests are the time wasters and robbers that keep you from being able to accomplish your goals. They are obstacles in your path. My handheld phone/PDA allows me to access e-mail from anywhere; it is a time-saver during the workday and while traveling, but it is a pest when I'm fiddling with it while I'm supposed to be enjoying my son's T-ball game. Sleeping in on the weekend may be a necessary luxury if you've had a hectic week with little sleep, but it becomes a pest when being too lazy on a Saturday morning keeps you from accomplishing the tasks you set out to do.

Hrm... now I'm reading the rest of the chapter... maybe it will help.

Legendary 4 Nikators

I missed Tuesday! What was I doing that I missed Tuesday; I was on such a roll!

Oh, I worked late and got a haircut... so I got home late from that and went pretty much to bed.

Tonight Glender and I went to see the Legendary 4 Nikators at Bands on the Bricks in front of the Boulder Court House. It was fun, I got to dance, and sing, to 50's 60's and 70's dance music, be loud and generally make a fool of myself (which I am wont to do when left to my own devices). Glender had a good time out on the dance floor while I mostly stayed to the side, behind the speakers where it was slightly less loud. The band had fun and they had several members (bass, guitar, two keyboards, and sax, plus female lead vocals and lots of guest musicians and singers).

People watching at these events is always a hoot. The couple next to me was fun. The gentleman wanted to stay to the end, while the lady kept trying to get him to leave for the last half of the show. At one point he asked if I had a dollar and as I don't generally carry cash, I couldn't oblige him. Anyway, at one point he and his ladyfriend (wife, girlfriend, lover, I didn't ask) were smoking a hand rolled cigarette of unknown origin. I don't recall sensing any extra-legal materials burning, but I could have missed it easily...

Neways, it's off to bed for this tired dancing fool.

Monday Night

I love my writing group.

Tonight we had possibly the biggest turn out since, well, since ever. When I got there, EDog, Survivor, Apogee and Julie were already there. DJ and Marie showed up just after I got there. Even Eric came back (and I got a hug!). My biggest surprise was seeing Survivor, who I didn't expect until November sometime (yay for surprises!!).

Right now I'm listening to Bowling For Soup's High School Never Ends... this is a total non-sequiter, however, it's hilarious...

Still care about your hair and the car you drive, it doesn't matter if your 16 or 35...
The whole damn world is just as obsessed with who's the best dressed and who's having sex...
Who's got the money, who's got the honeys, who's kinda cute and who's just a mess
And I still don't have the right look, and I still have the same three friends, and I'm pretty much the same as I was back then

Ok, back to the regularly scheduled post... where was I? Oh, loving my writing group... Anyway, it was a bit overwhelming to have everyone there. EDog is always good at superfocusing and ignoring all the distractions (of which I am one at times, I know). He actually wrote with headphones on, but I'm not sure how much got done, what with all the circus in front of him. Apogee was helping everyone out who needed IT support (we gather at an internet cafe with free wireless), Survivor hung out and talked dirty with me (ok, not really dirty, but flirty dirty). DJ and I usually chat quite a lot, both IM and in person, but the group dynamic (and seating arrangements) seemed to change that tonight. He had a lot of great ideas that never panned out (mostly to do with Apogee and something about tongues). Marie was pretty quiet, and couldn't stay long, but it was very nice to see her for the short time she could stay. Julie occupied Apogee in a laptop buying advising type role for a while then chatted happily with Survivor while I tried to unbreak my IM program (with Apogee leaning over me in that 'I'm a tech, don't mind me and give me your mouse' way). To be honest, I think I'm picking that up at work, the gimme your mouse and let me steer... Of course, sometimes it's better to let the user steer, which is why I'll always be a trainer and probably never IT support. (Gimme the damn mouse!)

Mostly, if I could have the hanging out and the getting writing done both, a nice balance, I'd be in heaven.

Thanks everybody for coming out. I had a great night!

Outing

Today we had tickets for the Rockies / Cubs game. It was a lovely day, cool and breezy, and we nearly won...

Regardless, getting out of the house and in the world was a good.

Back to my regularly scheduled life tomorrow. See you there :)

Shiny Day

I spent most of today with my mother, and we had a lot of fun. First, we had breakfast at the local greasy spoon... yummy bacon and eggs - where we made a map of the world with the sugar packets. Then I got a manicure - I'm wearing Opi Don't Be Koi with Me, a bright orangy color - perfect for summer. We did a bit of shopping then got some dinner fixin's at King Soopers. After a lovely dinner on the back porch (and after chasing Deke into the house twice!) we watched the pilot episode of Firefly, Serenity, and then Shindig. Mom really enjoyed the show. Love me some Kaylee.

Road Trip

I took today off of work, and managed not to get dressed until after 5. After some reading (and falling asleep while reading), surfing the net, talking to Girlzoot, and petting the kitties, I decided I was hungry and it was time to get moving. While chatting with Girlzoot, she suggested taking a drive. This suggestion stuck with me, because after a relatively quick dinner at Red Lobster, I got on I-25 North and just kept driving.

As I drove, I had Bowling for Soup as company, and I thought how nice it was to just drive, not have somewhere to be at a certain time, just to drive. The lure of the open road is quite attractive and I enjoyed watching the sun go down as I drove with the window down and my hair blowing all around. The landscape was familiar. When I went to school at CSU, I drove the highway at least twice a month. Some of the landmarks / businesses had change, but most of the way felt the same. Now, rumble strips lined both sides of the road, and about 10 miles north of home, a little fence ran in the median to prevent people from crossing it to the other side. I suppose they're serious about the signs stating "Median Crossing Prohibited". Who knew?

As soon as I passed my own exit, I knew where I was heading, and today it felt right to be going back to my old stomping grounds in Fort Collins, home of the CSU Rams. Kerri and I spent a lot of time in the four years I attended CSU, both at the dorm and in the two places she lived in off campus. And since I've been thinking of her all day, a trip down memory lane seemed like a good idea.

I got into town before the sun completely set, and drove up Mulberry to Wheedbee. The last house Kerri lived in college was just off Wheedbee and Myrtle. This was the house we played Secret of Mana for hours instead of studying, painted the ceiling, celebrated my 21st birthday with a bowl full of fuzzy navels (I couldn't drink orange juice for months after), where I became Goddess of the Yard (for one night only), and where she had the best graduation party complete with an ice block for shooters and a gaggle of old friends and new faces. We scrubbed jello shots out of the carpet there, and smoked our first cigarettes on the front porch. As I drove past, thoughts and images came to me of the memories and times I spent in the little white house with green shutters. It looked exactly the same as it had 12 years ago when she drove off in her black 4Runner with the dogs in the back and her dad sitting next to her.

After I drove by, I swung back around to Mulberry and went to the 7-11 we used to frequent. The clear plastic lids for the Big Gulps (with or without a cape) are not new, but back in the day, we used to carve our initials in the translucent plastic lid so we could tell who's was who's when we got back to the little house on Myrtle. After grabbing some gum and a drink (putting my initial on the lid in honor of the memory) I swung through Old Town and headed for Walrus Ice Cream, the best ice cream ever. Back when I was in college, it was right on College (basically Main Street) but I think shortly before or after I graduated they moved a block west, just off Mountain. After circling the one way streets for about 10 minutes, I finally just laughed and pulled into the pay parking lot which did have a few spots. I could remember circling the Corbett parking lot every night looking for a spot, and the night of the Billy Squier concert, Kerri was driving and we couldn't find a spot in our lot or remotely near the dorm. Surprisingly the charge was only $0.50/hour, excessively reasonable. Walrus didn't have my favorite (Cinnamon) but I had a nice scoop of strawberry in a chocolate waffle cone which I ate in my car listening to P!nk. Quite tasty.

Next door to Walrus, the Rio Grande has a back porch area gated off under a big arch. Kerri used to love going there, the food was good, the margaritas were really good, so good that there was a 3 margarita limit. I also remembered the Spring Break of my senior year when Shaych and I went to the Rio for dinner. I ordered a margarita (what the heck! I thought) and the waitress asked if Shaych wanted one as well. He said he did but had left his id at home so he'd just have a virgin margarita if that was ok. Well, no, it wasn't, but how old was he anyway? By the end of the evening, he had imbibed his own margarita and mine to boot. Suffice it to say, there is a reason for a 3 margarita limit... But we had fun and talked about the most outrageous things that night.

I decided to take a spin around the Oval then head to my old dorm for a bit of nostalgia. When I got onto campus at the Oval, it had gotten pretty dark. Oddly enough, there were tents and awnings pitched with a bunch of empty animal crates (the big metal bar kind). Apparently some sort of bazzar had happened today, and people were either bedding down for the night or packing up to leave. Part of the Oval was blocked to traffic so I ended up driving on the east side of campus, past the building that was reputed to have stairs ending in nothing and doors that opened to the open air. Now, I'm not sure I believe that, but I remember the story from my days as Campus Mail Delivery.

I made my way back out to Laurel and west toward Corbett Hall, conjoined with Parmalee at the kitchens (where I used to work). I entered the parking lot and circled around, pleased at all the available parking. I slid my car into my favorite spot, right in front of my old room H107, the sweetest single on campus. I had my own entrance separate from the rest of my hall, a nicely sized room, and my own bathroom (the best part, I didn't have to share with any neighbors). I also didn't have any upstairs neighbors, I was under the lounge between A and H halls, so it was blessedly quiet. I got out of the car and wandered up to the door leading into the dorm. Instead of a big lock, a pass card controller rested next to the door, and a nifty call box (like those in some apartments where you have to be buzzed in) was right outside the door. When I was in school, it was before the big cell phone boom (I didn't have one til years later, and it was still 15oz and clunky as all get out) and if you wanted to get in, you had to have your key or know a friend was coming down to get you. Yanno, uphill in the snow both ways and all.

I stood beneath the window where I used to shout up to Shaych to play something, anything, and play it loud so I could hear it. I couldn't smoke in my room, so I would hang out outside and chat with him in his room or he would come down and join me, enjoying a brief respite from the many hours of study and paper writing. I smiled as I walked under the underpass and into the courtyard. Corbett is the biggest dorm on campus, and at the time (and I imagine to this day) is also the football dorm. It's shaped like a big D with two wings flaring off by the kitchen. In the center of the D is a huge courtyard with a sand volleyball court, concrete basketball full court, and a grassy area with several huge trees. By now, it is full dark, and school is not in session yet, so I'm a bit wary, but I wandered in and sat down for a bit and enjoyed the warm night, thinking about my old room and the many many times I crossed the courtyard to go eat or pick up mail or meet someone. I thought fondly of the first time I met Shaych at the mailboxes, his warm smile and friendly manner invited me into his circle of friends. We walked across the courtyard, mail in hand, and went up into his single suite, catty-corner to mine one floor up. He was building a montage on his wall and we talked about music and politics and Madonna among other things. Since that day, he has been one of my dearest friends.

I had one last stop to make, so I gathered myself and drove up North Drive and headed toward Elizabeth Street. Campus West looked as lively as ever, the Subway still a staple of the area, with a new Qdoba and McD's. The little mediterranean food place I loved was gone, and I saw something had taken over the downstairs spot where Marshak's was until the flood of 97 destroyed the merchandise. They reopened down in Old Town and I just learned they closed for good in October 2005. I played my first ever MtG Tournaments there and bought my first serious comic book series there.

When I got to Prospect, I turned west and headed down the dark road that had few streetlights (after the blazing bright lights on Shields, this was sort of a blessing). When I got close, I had to start looking at street signs. Azalea is a winding street that loops from Prospect up to Overland. I found the correct turn and drove past a very quiet neighborhood to the little townhouse that Kerri moved into just before finals our freshman year. We had recruited Jon, the pet store guy and all around fine fellow, to help move the 55 gallon fish tank Kerri had started in her dorm room (and purchased from Jon earlier that year). Kerri's new roommate had a female basenji and during the year she lived in the place on Azalea, she had a litter of four pups, one of each. Male and female red and white and male and female tri-color. Reeses, Caramello, Snickers and Junior Mint (could you tell they were on a diet when the naming happened?)

After my final drive by, I went back to College and drove down the main strip out of town. The local market had been bought out by King Soopers, and there was a Whole Foods right there as well. I waved to the mall where we spent many many nights buying music and visiting Jon. I noticed all the chain restaurants that popped up, Applebees, Olive Garden, Lone Star. As I made my way to the highway to head for home, I saw the moon hanging on the eastern horizon. It was huge and a golden yellow-orange and it followed me all the way back. Weird Al got me home again, and I thought of the time Kerri had bought walkie talkies so we could be connected as we caravaned home for winter break. I told you it was before cell phones...

All in all, I expected this trip to be more emotionally draining than it was. Mostly I smiled and didn't even think to shed a tear. To tell the truth, I really enjoyed my trip and I think it was a great idea. Thanks, Girlzoot.

Sestina for Kerri

Sestina for Kerri

I still remember the day we met, Kerri
How you shared with me your brilliant smile
Our friendship blossomed and soon after
Inseparable much of the time
We played on the roof beneath the stars
And laughed as snow fell in cold moonlight

Among our friends you always were the light
Bright laughter sparkled in your eyes, Kerri
Your home shone like a beacon; it was the star
We orbited eager to share your smile
Arcades and games filled our time
With much giggling after

We grew and laughed and planned for after
High school days that finished fast as light
Soon we tasted freedom, unfettered by time
Remember midnight bowling or Jon at Foothills, Kerri?
Puppy and ferret antics would make us smile
Your love of animals always shone like a star

Then for a while you followed a different star
Your travels and freedom came only after
You searched for home and for a moment lost your smile
Somehow you managed to retain the light
Of your bright blue eyes and easy way, Kerri
And let yourself settle down for a time

Family ties called you forth after a time
Spent with friends in your hot tub beneath the stars,
Along with dancing to fiery rhythms, Kerri,
And hours spent discussing literature even after
You decided to move to back the heat and light
Of the Texas sun that always made you smile

What happened to that beautiful smile?
It shines now only in snapshots of time
Taken in long lost shafts of sunlight
Now you live in gentle twilight as the stars
Twinkle softly above the earth and only after
My eyes have dried do I smile, thinking of you, Kerri.

In my heart you smile at things I whisper beneath those stars
In my heart I hold close our time, making new memories so after
We meet again in the Light we can share them together, Kerri.

Last look at Lyrics for now

He drinks a whisky drink
He drinks a vodka drink
He drinks a lager drink
He drinks a cider drink
He sings the songs that remind him
Of the good times
He sings the songs that remind him
Of the better times
- Tubthumping, Chumbawamba

I look up at your house
And I can almost hear you
Shout down to me
Where I always used to be
And I miss you-
Like the deserts miss the rain

And the years have proved
To offer nothing
Since you moved
You’re long gone
But I can’t move on
And I miss you-
Like the deserts miss the rain
- Missing, Everything But the Girl

Same thing that turns you on
Can turn you off
Same thing that makes you hard
Can make you soft
Same thing you thought was wrong
Could be right
Same words you speak for peace
Can start a fight, start a fight
Same same thing that brings you down
Can make you high
- Higher than High, Tony LeMans

In the midst of my bubble

I'm riding along, in my mist of music and memory, trying my best to reconcile the past with my future, and things just keep happening. As I have learned, life continues on, the world keeps spinning, opportunities are presented and decisions need to be made.

Sorry to be so vague, but since I began this post, it has gotten inordinately late making me somewhat loopy and tired and I'm also in a decision making process (which can be long and painful).

Goodnight for now, I promise more soon.

Songs of memory

I’ve been thinking maybe I’ve been partly cloudy
Maybe I’m the chance of rain
And maybe I’m overcast
And maybe all my luck’s washed down the drain

I’ve been thinking about everyone,
Everyone you look so lonely
But when I look at the stars
When I look at the stars
When I look at the stars, I see someone else
When I look at the stars
The stars, I feel like myself
- Stars, Switchfoot

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life
- How to Save a Life, The Fray

Daniel my brother you are older than me
Do you still feel the pain of the scars that won't heal
Your eyes have died but you see more than I
Daniel you're a star in the face of the sky

Daniel is travelling tonight on a plane
I can see the red tail lights heading for Spain
Oh and I can see Daniel waving goodbye
God it looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes
- Daniel, Elton John

More Lyrics in my head

If someone said three years from now
You'd be long gone
I'd stand up and punch them out
Cause they're all wrong
I know better
Cause you said forever
And ever… who knew?

Remember when we were such fools
And so convinced and just too cool
Oh no no no
I wish I could touch you again
I wish I could still call you friend
I'd give anything

When someone said count your blessings now
’Fore they're long gone
I guess I just didn't know how
I was all wrong
- Who Knew, P!nk

Here comes the rain again
Falling from the stars
Drenched in my pain again
Becoming who we are

As my memory rests
But never forgets what I lost
Wake me up
When September ends

Summer has come and passed
The innocent can never last
Wake me up
When September ends
- Wake Me Up When September Ends, Greenday

I've seen fire, and I've seen rain.
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end.
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend,
But I always thought that I'd see you again.
- Fire and Rain, James Taylor

Lyrics in my head

Come back to Texas
It’s just not the same since you went away
I bet you missed your exit
and drove right on through the Lone Star State
There's a seat for you at the rodeo
and I've got every slow dance saved
Besides the Mexican food sucks north of here anyway
- Ohio (Come back to Texas), Bowling for Soup

If I could I relive those days
I know the one thing that would never change......

Every memory of looking out the back door
I have a photo album spread out on my bedroom floor
It's hard to say, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye

Every memory of walking out the front door
I found the photo of the friend that I was looking for
Its hard to say, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye

Look at this photograph
Everytime I do it makes me laugh
Everytime I do it makes me......
- Photograph, Nickelback

Four take 2

In honor of Shaych's addition

Four Favorite Books:
1. Prayer for Owen Meany
2. Wicked
3. All Quiet on the Western Front
4. The Great Gatsby