The detective called as I was getting ready for the art tour last night. I hadn’t heard from him since August when he texted to cancel plans we had made. He was calling me from the car on his way up to the high country. He sold his house in Denver and moved in with a relative who lives in a small town on the Colorado western slope (five hours from Denver). He had another back surgery to re-repair an injury he sustained when he was hit by a drunk driver while assisting a motorist with car trouble when he was a highway patrolman. The accident ended his patrol days but opened the door to being a detective. He’s still in pain which means he’s still taking opioids. We talked for a half hour. He apologized for past behaviors. He wants to renew our friendship, or whatever it was. I agreed knowing he’ll be five hours away, and, if anything, the detective does not do well with follow up. I’m not going to be proactive in maintaining contact. I’ll meet him for dinner if he’s in town but I’m not sure if I can offer anything more than that.
Archive for February, 2020
Opening Pandora’s Box
Posted in friends, my life on February 29, 2020| 4 Comments »
A Different Direction
Posted in friends on February 27, 2020| 5 Comments »
Kelly had six interviews before being told they were going in a different direction. She was devastated when she got the news from her executive head hunter. I felt for her as I know she really wanted the job and the hefty paycheck would have had many benefits. She’s taking a week off before resuming her search.
A Huge Relief
Posted in my life on February 25, 2020| 7 Comments »
I saw a cardiologist last week. My gene pool is filled with relatives on both sides with heart attacks and strokes. My father, who is now 93, has had several minor heart attacks and strokes but keeps on ticking. After an EKG, and a coronary calcium scan, the cardiologist said I have good heart health. I have a small blockage in my descending aorta which means I have a minor chance of having a heart attack. I guess the low fat/low sodium diet along with exercise is doing some good. It was huge relief. Given family history, I fully expected to be killed by sudden heart attack. I no longer have that fear, which, is a good thing.
Five Openings
Posted in art, my life on February 22, 2020| 4 Comments »
I hit five gallery openings (Spark, Sync, Niza Knoll, Next and Pirate) last night. The best of the night was the Vinni Alfonso/Scottie Burgess exhibit at Pirate Contemporary Art. Both artist took control of their spaces and presented new and exciting works.
Vinni Alfonso, untitled, latex on panel, 48 x 144.
Vinni Alfonso, detail of previous work.
Vinni Alfonso, Out of Thousands, latex on photo paper, 144 x 296.
Scottie Burgess, Abounding Veil, twine, tar and silicone carbide, 42 x 76 x 24.
Scottie Burgess, Unearthed Screen, twine and mixed media, 53 x 53 x 9.
Double A Dates
Posted in friends, my life on February 14, 2020| 15 Comments »
Double A has been dating a guy for two months. This is the first time he’s dated in many years. Double A originally met the guy 20 years ago, but due to circumstances, they never got involved. Double A is 63 while the guy is 56. I had a long conversation with Double A yesterday about dating. During the conversation I reminded him that Valentine’s Day is on Friday. Double A had made no plans. Double A seems ambivalent about dating the guy. He likes the companionship but thinks, at times, sex is too much trouble. It’s not like the sex isn’t exciting or rewarding. Double A simply seems to have lost interest in sex. Perhaps I should introduce Double A to Morgan, who at 70, gets laid several times a week. I wonder if Morgan would have any suggestions for Double A.
Double A is renovating his condo in the city. He’s planning on selling his house in suburbs, which, he bought to please his last partner. He’ll move back into the city when the renovations are completed. He’ll be a lot closer to work, many of his friends and his Temple. And closer to the guy he is dating, which, may not last if he doesn’t start dropping trou more often.
A Break In The Action
Posted in my life on February 13, 2020| 6 Comments »
It has snowed 7 out of the last 12 days. Today marks the start of a break in the snowfall until Monday. I’m looking forward to the break as I’m tired of shoveling snow. And the car looks disgusting but there’s no sense making a trip to the carwash until after the melt. On a positive note, shoveling is a great upper body and cardio workout.
The Institution
Posted in my life, work on February 12, 2020| 9 Comments »
I was in my client’s office this morning. I snapped these pictures of the hallway which runs by the R&D labs. I feel like I’m in a mental institution when I’m in this area as all the doors are looked and only accessible by those with high-level security clearances. By contrast, the customer briefing center, which is beautifully designed to showcase the latest technology, is on the other side of building.
Big Game Hunting
Posted in friends, my life on February 10, 2020| 7 Comments »
Morgan and his husband treated the architect and me to lunch yesterday. Morgan’s husband, Leo, hooked up with a guy who gave him coupons for a free lunch at chain restaurant. It’s one of the perks of having friends in an open relationship. The closest location was in the Denver suburb of Aurora.
Yesterday afternoon Morgan drove us to the restaurant. It seemed like we passed a hundred strip shopping centers filled with nail salons, liquor stores, and other small retail establishments before arriving at our destination. The food was a marginal carb-loaded all you can eat buffet. I knew this going in but went more for the company than the food and an opportunity to get out of the house after days of snowfall. Over lunch, Morgan and Leo filled us in on their extracurricular activities in Palm Spring. The guys shared photos on their phones of their conquests. It was like big game hunters showing off a wall of stuffed animal heads. Morgan and Leo are planning a return trip in May for Morgan’s birthday and more big game hunting.
After leaving the restaurant we encountered a celebration at one of the other spaces in the strip mall. The ninth-richest man in the United States opened a new office. The actor, Sam Waterston, had been in attendance earlier giving a speech about climate change. Morgan has jumped on this man’s bandwagon so we stopped for a chat with an intern. Free t-shirts, posters and yard signs were offered to us. Morgan took a poster to place in his window as the bylaws of his townhouse complex forbid political yard signs.
On the way home, a stop was made at Pacific Ocean Marketplace, the largest Asian supermarket in Colorado. This cavernous market has everything an Asian cook would need. It’s a source for live king crabs, lobsters, fish and frogs. They also have a selection of Russian foods. I think I could wander around this store for hours. Morgan picked up a few staples for his pantry while I bought a package of cinnamon cookies. At least I think they are cookies.
The next stop was home. It was a food cheat day so I took a nap instead of hitting the gym. A carb-fest, sex stories, a billionaire’s support team and live frogs all in one day. What a way to relieve cabin fever!
A Bad Start
Posted in my life on February 7, 2020| 9 Comments »
Snow started falling last night. It will probably snow all day today. Saturday looks clear for now but snow is expected on Sunday. The high country is getting pounded with up to three feet of snow in most resort areas. Highway 70, the main highway to the ski resorts, has been closed off and on overnight. The airport has reported a number of flight cancellations. Many schools have been closed. This is not how I wanted to start the weekend.
Best of Art Night
Posted in art, my life on February 1, 2020| 9 Comments »
I flew solo on a short art tour last night. My first stop was the Denver Art Museum for their Untitled program which consists of a series of short lectures, demonstrations, music and food. I found this piece installed on the second floor:
Nam June Paik, Lady Secretary, Bilingual, Will Travel…, CRT monitors, payhone, typewriter keys and video, Denver Art Museum.
My second stop was D’art Gallery in the Sante Fe Arts District. Jean Smith and Gabrielle Shannon presented new works. My favorite was a Jean Smith ceramic wall sculpture:
Jean Smith, Wall Sculpture #16, ceramic wall sculpture, D’art Gallery.
Then it was back home for a little bit of Netfilx before bed.
The Corporate Slave 