Category: Uncategorized

Today is the anniversary of statehood for Colorado (1 August 1876). Happy 136th!

So, something happened to me yesterday that I’m having a difficult time understanding. Unfortunately, I have to be quite vague about this because I don’t understand the long-term ramifications of what happened (and what didn’t happen) yet to put any details into a public forum such as this. I probably won’t ever detail it much here.
The problem is that I’m very disturbed about what happened and I get to think about it for the entire long holiday weekend now. Since this happened yesterday, each time I try to calmly think through the event I get angry, saddened and frustrated to the point where I have to distract myself and go on to something completely different.

So, I apologize for being so very vague about what happened. I hope that someday I can speak of it publicly… but not today.

As a follow-up to the smash-n-grab stereo theft saga just prior to Labor Day, let me first say that Allstate performed admirably in getting everything resolved. The window had been replaced about 14 hours after the crime and the next morning I visited Allstate’s drive-in claim center near my house armed with the original receipt for the stolen Pioneer stereo system. The claim agent transferred the numbers into his document without any deductions, added in the paint scratches and damage compensation figures and cut me a check on the spot. Took about 20 minutes total. I was then able to get to the stereo shop that morning and have everything replaced by lunchtime. So, great work Allstate! At least until I pay my next 6-month premium and then it will be back to “scum-sucking bastards.”
So I was up late last night/this morning watching TV and surfing the web, doing some research for my upcoming vacation. A cold front had come through the area so I had closed the windows and front door to cut off the cool breeze. About 1:40 I heard a car alarm, slightly muffled since the windows were shut. I jumped up and ran out the front door to see it was my alarm. I saw no person(s) or vehicles out there and hadn’t heard anything prior to the alarm sounding. I grabbed a flashlight and my mobile phone and headed out to see:

I guess I had ran outside fast enough, along with the alarm sounding, to scare off whomever had been screwing with my truck. Unfortunately the driver’s-side window was shattered. Nothing was stolen this time but still a pain in the ass.

An hour later, police report filed and having removed tools and other personal items from a now insecure vehicle, I tried to lay on the couch and fall back asleep. Did you know there is a version of the Today show that airs at 4 AM local time here in Denver? And would you believe it’s nearly as bad as the regular Today show and its late-morning variants? Dozed off a bit after that but didn’t really get any sound sleep until about 6:30.

The auto glass guy was just here to replace the window. I look forward to the increase of auto insurance rates.

I took the girls up to Golden Gate Canyon state park today in search of some cooler temperatures. We found some low 80’s at altitude but the blazing sun and thin air made it feel pretty miserable up there, too. We took a hike through the forest and enjoyed the shady areas wherever we found them.

We drove back down the hill and met 100 degree temps back at home.

We visited Dr. Stubbs again today and he removed the bandage. He also said Lucy was okay for short walks around the neighborhood and a little activity, but certainly she needed more recuperation time. She’s done well so far on our walks.. we’re working our way up to two miles for the Denver Dumb Friends’ League Furry Scurry charity walk event.