It’s not really because I’ve been so productive or anything, it’s not even because I’ve been working hard, or been stressed out, but the last couple of weeks seem to have wiped me out and I’m not sure how long the recovery is going to take. I think it all started with the Widespread show at Red Rocks a couple of weeks ago. I also somehow fit a night out and a picnic at City Park listening to the free jazz concert somewhere in that weekend. My dad’s birthday and America’s birthday were stuck in there somewhere with late night fanfare for both.

There have been BBQ nearly every other day it seems. Counting up real quick-like I can think of three nights I have had hamburgers, one night of hot links, one afternoon of hot wings, another afternoon of hot dogs, kickers for dinner, and oh my god I’ve been eating like crap. Last week Pandy made her etouffee again. It was utterly delicious and probably the healthiest thing I’ve eaten over the past fortnight. Twice this weekend alone, G made her special potatoes that have two whole sticks of butter per batch in them. My diet is definitely not helping my wornoutedness much.

I’ve also spent a bunch of time in the sun lately. The above mentioned concerts were both at outdoor venues. I was out on the boat twice this week for at least three hours each time. All the BBQs (beside the one in last nights deluge) have been held outside. I also fit in 18 holes of golf over the weekend. The sun is tiring, it’s definitely not helping my wornoutedness much.

I know it sounds like all I’m doing is complaining about having fun, but, that is really all I’m doing.

It’s been an eventful week. I’ve been up to a lot but don’t really feel like writing about any of it so I’ll just type out some quick highlights. Thursday evening was spent having cocktails in the old neighborhood - it was great for that reminiscing part of my brain. Later we headed over to the Oriental Theater (nice blog, great venue) for this “420″ thing that was a bit of a dud, but a decent cause.

Friday was rough but after work I rallied and met friends over at the Funky Buddha for a bit and then went home to watch movies.

Slept in Saturday and did tons of yard work (hmmm I guess that’s not a highlight). I then went off to a birthday party at Ogden Street South. It was a complete blast. Highlights include karaoke and the soon to be infamous “Nobody calls her that you fucking bitch!” episode. I’m beginning to determine that me and karaoke don’t mix well.

Sunday consisted of a 24 hour long headache (not hangover induced), another birthday celebration at the West End Tavern, and some serious couch time.

On Friday I went up to Brekenridge.

My brother introduced me to a group of friends who were “displaced” by hurricane Katrina last summer. Suddenly, finding themselves homeless, a group of them decided to move out to Colorado, rent a house in Breckenridge, find some jobs in town, and become ski bums for the winter season. Brilliant! This weekend was the last weekend they were living in town (some are moving down to Denver, another is going back to NOLA). This was my last weekend to take advantage of the fact they lived so close to the mountains. Because it snowed another two inches, on what I was expecting to be a spring day, I decided to opt out of the skiing. I did not fail to take advantage of the hot tub though (and the partying going on around it). This also probably contributes to my not going skiing. As always though, a fun time was had by all.

Easter brunch was spent at my Fathers. All the traditional stuff plus figs. I had three deviled eggs, which has become my deviled egg norm. Afterward, my brother, Pandy, and I went to visit my Grandma. It just so happened that her old neighbors who helped her out so much when she was in the springs were there too. It was nice to see Grandma was getting other visitors and gave us plenty to talk about. Grandma seemed much happier than normal. That makes for a wonderful Easter. Dinner was over at G’s aunt’s house.

That’s a whole lot of ham for one day.

When did I become so irresponsible? Oh yeah, last night, that’s when. These two had it in for me I think. So I’m just going to go ahead and blame it all on them. I don’t know if I’ve ever been two hours late for work in the seven years that I’ve been here. Ouch. In so many ways, Ouch.

Then it was another very eventful weekend. Then it started out with consoling my brother about his recent lay-off. Then I was off to Pearl Street Grill for dinner and drinks. Then I went to the Gothic Theatre to see The Stockholm Syndrome who sucked at first but got sort of decent further into the night. Then it was off to G’s for nightcappers and watched the sun come up, again (this is becoming a problem). Then I went swimming in order to wash off my sleep and hangover. Then It didn’t work. Then I took a nap. Then I got up and fixed flat tires on a bike. Then I biked over to the Freedoms. Then I ate hamburgers and drank old fashioned’s. Then I walked the Rod home. Then I rode the bike back to G’s. Then I had an embarrassing encounter meeting G’s mom. Then we all went to have crepes for breakfast at the farmers market. Then I went swimming again. Then I met more important people, and played with their kids, and drank an ice cream float. Then I went on a bike ride. Then I went to the free jazz show (Convergence played) at city park for a picnic. Then there was a shoot out. Then I went to sleep.

Yesterday started out like absolute crap but got progressively better. I woke up weeping in unconscious tears induced by a horrible nightmare involving the death of my brother and not being told about the funeral. When I got to work I was almost immediately yelled at for a mistake I made in a press release. This was the worst of things though - so don’t feel sorry for me (what are you laughing at?). Then it was off to meet new friends at the old haunt. We had a few drinks and some dinner. I ran into Gideon there and failed to make introductions (for the second time that day), for which I was told off. Apologies to all involved. I have now learned that if a fine young lady bothers to come up to me and say hi, I am obliged to everyone involved in letting them know whom is both giving and receiving the greetings. Afterwards we headed off to the Fillmore to see Modest Mouse. We arrived four songs late and would probably had been later if it weren’t for a heads up call from Gideon. It was a great show if not a little short. I missed a couple of songs that I wanted to hear but I really can’t complain. They sounded exceptionally solid and the beats kept my legs wiggling around all night. Since the show didn’t last as long as we had expected we headed to the uptown for a night-capper, which turned into three night-cappers. Which then turned into a cartwheel contest, drunk dialing, falling off of bar stools, desperate attempts to find the free sonic youth show, gay bars, gay Dan, and gay drinks. We all ended up heading back to my house and staying up to the wee hours talking. I couldn’t even tell you what time it was when they left.

Kick butt buzz-cut dickheads who didn’t like what I said. The good times are killing me. Jaws clenching tight we talked all night, oh but what the hell did we say?

God it was nice having a three-day weekend. This time around it’s not the three day weekend that I treasure so much as the four-day workweek that follows it. I kicked off my long weekend early and left work at 1:00. I went to meet Sabrina at Pasquini’s. We split an early supper consisting of portabella mushroom pizza, pitchers of sangria and good conversation. Afterwards I headed home for a nap and a recharge before meeting Leber and the crew out for drinks at the uptown. To finish off a long day, I went and had a night capper at the hippy bar.

I slept in on Saturday and spent much of the morning napping. In the afternoon I went CD shopping and picked up a birthday present for A.P. That evening I went to A.P.’s surprise birthday party. It was a great time. I had been to maybe only two surprise birthday parties before then (one of them being mine) and they’re tons of fun. The building anticipation and excitement in the minutes before the party’s recipient arrives is wonderful. And it’s all the tension is released in a giant smile once they figure out what is going on. Well, that’s what happened in A.P.’s case anyway.

I slept in on again on Sunday because, naturally, that is what I do on weekends. And although I spent an hour or so doing laundry, I spent most of the morning trying to burn a CD. Every time it got to about the 5th song my stupid computer would peter out and I wouldn’t be able to get the CD made. I wasted about 4 hours and just as many black disks and still never got the fucker working. In the evening I headed over to Lebers for another cookout. Another wonderful evening huddled around the chiminia drinking mai tais and eating burgers and hot dogs.

I slept in again on Monday (are you beginning to see a trend) and spent what little was left of the morning cleaning my bathroom, a chore I hate more than any next to doing the dishes. In the evening I headed over to my moms house for a steak and potato weekend wind-down.

I guess I could have just said work, drink, pizza, drink, sleep, chore, bbq, drink, sleep, chore, bbq, drink, sleep chore, bqq, sleep.

I woke up early on Saturday and headed out to the kickball tournament. Our last to games of the season and record was set for us during each. The first game was our first win in the history of the team. Two full seasons without a win and we finally pulled through. The second game our team accomplished the first female infield grand slam in the history of the league. It was a proud day for us all.

After the tournament I headed over to my pops for a reception. It was a chance for everyone to get together and celebrate the recent wedding. The funny thing was that they just announced it as a party and many of the guests found out it was a wedding reception only after they had arrived.

Team Backwash, Bowles Grove Park, Denver

After the wedding reception I headed up to the Kittlekinnick cabin for the 11th annual chili cookoff. It was, as always, a total blast. It was much smaller this year than the previous few years which was both good and bad. There were only 15 chilies entered this year (compared to last years 20+ entries) and I arrived too late to be a judge. But I did get there on time to have a bowl of all the winners (vegetarian, traditional, and green). I ended up hanging around the camp fire and shooting the shit with people till about 2:00 AM when I finally headed home. I spent most of Sunday being lazy and recovery from a pretty hectic week.

11th Annual Chili Cookoff, Evergreen

Kath & Uncle Squigley, Chili Cookoff, Evergreen

Update: I just found out I won coach of the year in kickball! Whooopdy What?!?!

I can’t remember the first time I met her. She had always just kind of been around - coming to my brother’s birthday parties in Jr. high and high school. I don’t even remember ever being introduced to her. I’ve always just known her. My earliest memories of her were of when I would go down to Durango to visit my brother in College. We would bump into her at parties or just hang out. A memorable time being when we ran into her and her mom while relaxing at the waterfall just outside of town. I remember developing a bit of a crush on her. Her natural almost hippyish looks, sly smile and freckles. She had a great attitude and seemed to be able to brighten everyone’s mood and accept anybody simply for who they were.

After college I got to see a lot more of her, though it was never really all that often, seeing as how she was now a school teacher living in Telluride. But she was always able to find reason to come up to Denver and visit. And I could occasionally find a reason to make it down to Telluride (see Thursday). At the WSP shows in Keystone she got me a t-shirt, it’s dark blue and has the word widespreadmuthafuckingpanic written in gothic letters across the front. It fits me perfect. This ended up being one of the most all around enjoyable days I had spent with her and I cherish the souvenir she got me to remember it by. I’ve got fond memories of keeping each other warm during a late night ride through the woods in the back of a pickup truck. Sharing a blanket and shivering. I remember at one of her many pool parties, the thrilled gasp I let out when she climbed to the tippy-top of the waterslide and dove off headfirst. In high school she was one of the cliff divers at Casa Bonita (only those of you in Denver can realize how incredibly cool that really is).

I can also remember the last time I saw her (though like a friend said this weekend, it was all the times before the last that get me). It was about three weeks ago, she was eating lunch on one of the outdoor patios on 16th Street with a friend. Having spied her, I went over to say hi and ask what she was doing in town (visiting her mom) and how long she would be in town for (a question that was somehow avoided). We quickly caught up and bantered, and I turned down an offer to join them for lunch because I had just gotten done with lunch myself and needed to head back to work. My last words to her were “enjoy your stay”. The prophecy of these last words makes me both smile and cry.

With foggy, blinking eyes and trembling fingers,
I’ll miss you Beth.

Lot’s of good sleep, good times, and an hour mysteriously taken away at midnight on Saturday seemed to make the weekend fly by.

I headed over to my brothers on Saturday where I found out that our kickball game this Friday was canceled due to rain. I wasn’t that bummed, I just hope there is a make up game. In lieu of sports, my brother and me decided to go out and drink beer and play pool. We had a good time messing with the freaks at the Streets of London and ended up closing down the bar despite our inability to win a single game of pool the entire night.

I woke up on Saturday and cleaned up the apartment a bit. Afterwards I went and met the boys out at Wynkoop for some more pool. All my guy friends are married and their wives were attending a baby shower. So naturally they called me to join they in there afternoon out. When the baby shower ended all of their cell phones started ringing at the same time and it was time to go. I walked home afterwards cause I live close buy.

I grabbed a burger on my way home and settled down to watch Dancer In The Dark. It was surprisingly good. I was already a fan of Bjork’s music (I don’t own any of her music but I like it) but was surprised by her acting ability. I’m usually not a fan of musicals but this one gets my recommendation. Not spectacular, but enjoyable.

On Sunday I unintentionally slept in not realizing it was daylight savings day. I spent the morning watching trashy MTV shows, doing laundry, and finishing my book. Later in the afternoon my brother came over to jump my car because I had inadvertently left the lights on the day before. After that I drove around the neighborhood for a while trying to recharge the battery and looking for houses for sale. Afterwards I met some friends a newly visited bar for dinner and a couple pitchers.

I’m fried. Literally and figuratively.

I went up to Winter Park for a ski/cook out. Spring skiing is the best for this. I had friends that reserved parking spots at the base of the mountain so we can ski down to our bbq spot. When I arrived a cop was guarding the “full-lot barricade” making sure nobody else tries to park there.

“Hey buddy, mind if I pull in real quick and drop off some bbq supplies to my friends. They got here earlier and I just want to dump some stuff off to them,” I said. He looked at me, trying to read my face and then over to his partner as if to say, “Should I let this punk get away with his bullshit?” The he steps back and eyes my car up and down, noticing the cracked bumper, both broken tail lights, and web of cracks along the windshield.
“What are you driving?” he asks.
“Oh this. This is just a Mazda Protégé. A ’91,” I reply knowing the there is no way he could be impressed with this.
“Come on in. You’ve been expected.” He says without smiling while lifting up the road block barricade.

I felt like some sort of VIP pulling up to our cookout. About 15-20 good friends. A couple of portable grills and enough hamburgers, hotdogs, beans, pickles, beer and rice crispy treats to feed an army. Sunny, 60 degree weather, and lots of sun screen. Slushy snow, t-shirts and bumps all morning long. It was a great day and left me tired and sunburnt.

That night, after napping for an hour or two I went over to Lebers for more cookout and a bunch of Lebers perfectly created Mai Tais. The I went over another friends and crashed the after perfect circle party they were having. I ended up staying way too late again.

Sunday I spent getting more sunburnt and lazing the day away.

Today I feel like complete ass. Head cold, tired, plugged up and runny at the same time. You know, The Goomba.

I felt it coming on Friday. But the cold didn’t bother me too much then. I was at work till about 8:30 Friday night due to computer malfunctions in the morning. So after work, I went to the local 7-11, got a gas station burrito. Went home and ate said burrito, then quickly fell asleep. No time to deal with colds.

I woke up early on Saturday and headed up in to the mountains as soon as I could. I met Leber and his wife at Winter Park for a day of skiing. It was another perfect spring ski day and the conditions were great. Tons of sunshine and not enough sunscreen. No burn fortunately. The snow was hard in the morning and slushed up real nice by about noon. It was a hard day though because Leber’s lady wanted to ski the bumps all day. Were not sure what got into her but she was tearing it up. We stopped at the bar afterwards to wind down and drink a few beers. We then headed to their condo in Granby. After relaxing and cleaning up a little, Lebers father in law took us all out to dinner and Deno’s Mountain Bistro were I had an absolutely terrible Chicken Cordon Bleu (however, I’ve eaten here before and had some great meals so all is not yet lost for this place). Afterward we went back to Leber’s and watched Shcool Of Rock which was surprisingly enjoyable. I wasn’t sure if I was gonna be able to handle two hours of Jack Black but it all turned out ok because the movie was only an hour and forty eight minutes long.

On Sunday I woke up early and drove back into Denver. When I got home it was time for me to pick up my brother and head over to my dad’s. From my dad’s we went to “cousin” Liz’s. Liz isn’t really my cousin but everyone in my family calls her that. However, we went over there to visit my actual cousin Kim and her kiddies. They were taking a break in town while moving from washington to oklahoma. Most of the time we went to the park and played with Kim’s 6 yr old, Owie, and 2 year old, Piece. It was tons of fun. I haven’t spent a spring day playing in the park in a real long time.

After visiting with Kim for a few hours we all went to dinner at Jax Fish House witch was wonderful despite having to cancel our order of oysters.

It was a really nice weekend filled with friends, family, food, sport and play. And it made me sick.

Either somebody around here is eating Taco Bell or I have some terrible B.O. Last night a bunch of the guys (Bear, Leber, Jimbo, Canta. All of them being mentioned someone along the line) met out at the College Inn for the Av’s game. The game was ok. There was lots of back and forth scoring which made it interesting, but no win. The talk of the night revolved mainly around skiing, our waitress, and making fun of Leber for wanting a minivan despite not having any kids (and well basically everything else), along with the typical meaningless banter. Just my type of evening. The College Inn has some of the best green chile in town in addition to last night being tacos & tanks night. On the way over I realized that the last time I went to the College Inn was when I was dating Adri, around three years ago. That night held some funny/fond memories. I haven’t had a guys night out for no reason since I can remember so basically last night was just really enjoyable. I stopped by the local haunt on the way back home and the bartender threw me four tickets to his bands show on saturday at the Cricket but somehow I doubt I’ll go.

The weekend seemed to fly by for some reason. I left work immediately on Friday. I went home and fixed dinner and started to make plans. I met my brother and Pandy up at the Boulder Theatre for the Hemophiliac show. It was really good, everything I had expected from Zorn and Patton: weird, loud, unpredictable, and very noisy. It was a special show cause there isn’t much of a chance for anyone to hear them. Their album was a one off that only had a pressing of 2,500 copies and the are only playing a small handful of gigs in the U.S. The Knitting Factory is just another reason I want to visit NYC. I tried to record some on my cell phone but it came out real crappy. I did get a few snaps though.

After the show I flew back down to Denver and over to the Rod’s house. A bunch of people were there to see Father Jones off to Atlanta. I was a good night but me and Father Jones and Rod got into a big argument about this gay marriage thing. Thankfully Rod was on my side. Father Jones was against it, and the worst part was he was hiding behind the argument that activists, local municipalities and the court system were demeaning democratic system by bringing the issue forward by breaking the laws. I argued that this is how nearly all civil rights issues are have been fought historically. He finally just admitted that he didn’t want gays to marry. This was a disappointment. Though much of my relationship with Father Jones was is based on differing views, respect towards each others politics, and healthy debate, I couldn’t help but have this argument spoil the evening just a bit. I only wish it could have been a little more lighthearted. Oh well, I’ll miss you Father Jones.

I slept in on Saturday cause I didn’t make it home till around 2:30 am. On Saturday I spent much of the day going to the grocery store, running errands and napping. In the evening I headed over to my pop’s house. We went out to dinner to at Johnny Carino’s. I got the Wild Mushroom raviolis that were pretty good but I wasn’t that hungry cause I had been snacking all afternoon. Afterward we went back to my dad’s house and played a few games of chicken foot.

I slept in again on Sunday cause it took me along time to get back from my dad’s due to snow and forgetting my cell phone and having to go all the way back to get it. I spent much of Sunday in the office which pretty much sucked, but mostly because I had a hard time concentrating on work. I also watched The Matrix Reloaded which pretty much sucked as bad as working on a Sunday, just in a different way. I mean what was of with the lame ass primitive rave scene spliced in with Neo having sex in a pizza oven. Terrible.

Last night I joined some buddies from work for a couple of beers at the uptown. Me and my old assistant started gambling on pool. We were both raised with pool table in our homes so we both pretty good and evenly matched. Unfortunately he won the best of three and I now owe him a lunch. We the hung out with a bunch of married women that were playing pool at the table next to ours and watched the Intern or whatever that Donald Trump show is called. It’s terrible. What a waist of air time. These girls were all into it though. Afterwards I went to the January replacement bar and some old drunk guy at the end of the bar but me PBR’s cause I was able to bullshit with him about baseball. I had no idea what I was talking about but he bought it all (my bullshit and the beer). Now I know how you ladies feel.

Tonight I have to decide if I’m gong to go up to Boulder to see Hemophiliac or see Father Jones for the last time. I’m thinking I might go up to the show cause I got to eat lunch with Father Jones today and his moving away is inevitable no matter how many last times I get to see him. Depending on when the show is over I might be able to fly back down to Denver and see him. We’ll see.