a short lesson from a master craftsman...

o henry wrote this opening paragraph to his short story...the defeat of the city...a hundred years ago...it would still be true...if it was written tomorrow...

"Robert Walmsley’s descent upon the city resulted in a Kilkenny struggle. He came out of the fight victor by a fortune and a reputation. On the other hand, he was swallowed up by the city. The city gave him what he demanded, and then branded him, with its brand. It remodelled, cut, trimmed and stamped him to the pattern it approves. It opened its social gates to him, and shot him in on a close-cropped, formal lawn with the select herd of ruminants. In dress, habits, manners, provincialism, routine and narrowness, he acquired that charming insolence, that irritating completeness, that sophisticated crassness, that overbalanced poise that makes the Manhattan gentleman so delightfully small in his greatness."

here's your preview of the new Denver Art Museum Frederic C. Hamilton expansion...

and then, we went to a party in someone's basement...

it's not you....it's me...

dear innernets,

this thing we have...it can't be called love...it's more like...a fascinating...infatuation...we have a lot of fun...share great music...make fun of the world's madness...and...mostly...entertain each other...and that's kind of the problem...you're great for a quick creative fix...short term fun...playtime...you've probably already noticed that i don't come around as much as i used to...hell....you've probably already moved on...that's okay...because really, there's no long term future for us...there are things i want to accomplish...and spending time with you is an easy way to avoid doing those things...it's so easy...and comfortable...between us...i'm ready to challenge myself...to grow creatively and emotionally...and...it's difficult for me to do as long as i have you...as a distraction...so...keep in touch...i know you'll be just fine without me...let's stay friends...hey...you never know...you might just miss me...i want you to know that you can always call me...for whatever...i'll be here...doing my thing...

everyone's got a september 11 story...

especially if you were in new york...i haven't told mine yet...for now there's this...

where am I...

st louis...a friend is getting married...this place is okay...once you get away from the strip mall suburbs...ms scribe and i checked out the st louis art fair...hot would be the word...it seems summer arts festivals are designed to make people miserable...but then again...i'm an indoorsman...which is why i love...kilkenny's pub...dark, worn, wood...roomy boooths...sturdy barstools...lots of hometown flavor...and a warm waitstaff...I could do without so many televisions...but...if you don't feel at home the second you walk in the door...well...you're just not an indoorsman...