Trip to Colorado

Back in April, when I was a full-time employee with three weeks of vacation due in May, I made one of the more larkish decisions of my life and purchased tickets to see Leonard Cohen in Red Rocks Ampitheatre (just outside Denver, CO).

Sure, Denver is not Hawaii, which Heidi and the boys have been planning and pinching for, but a concert like that would be a fine centerpiece to a week's vacation. And there really is quite a bit to see in Colorado.

One week later, I was laid off.

In the ensuing 5 weeks, as I combed the job-sites for relatively scarce openings, I contemplated the ethical complications of funding a road-trip to Denver on unemployment checks. It never came to that fortunately, so I was spared confronting that dilemma.

As it happened, I found a fine contract job that surrounded the date of the concert (June 2nd) on each side by nearly 2 weeks.

After debating the wisdom of asking for time off of a one month contract, as well as spending disproportionate amounts of money to see a concert, I decided wisdom would have no part in this decision.

Unless I'm mistaken it is well-documented that many people maintain their entertainment budgets even as their budget for "necessities" decreases. Such was the case on this occasion. I simply wasn't prepared to relinquish my fun, no matter the cost.

I worked the weekend before and rescheduled my flight so that I would have minimal impact on my contracted hours.

Heidi and the boys kept to the original schedule and so were waiting for me at the Hotel, when I arrived just after 10pm mountain time Monday, June 1st.

The day of the concert, we had to buy me a jacket, the boys ponchos and Heidi and umbrella. That's right, Denver, Colorado. In June.

Nevertheless, we did the downtown, viewed the Denver Mint from the outside (tip: make reservations if you want to see inside), viewed the Denver Art Museum from the inside and visited my aunt Jane and her two adorable daughters Annika (pronounced ah'-ni-ka) and Mikaela (spelling?).

Finally, after a good long visit with Jane et. al., we headed out to Red Rocks to see my personal favorite artist, Leonard Cohen.

After scouting the site for food vendors and noting a lack of traffic, we pulled up to two orange-vested young event staffers and asked where to find a sandwich. In turn they asked if we knew the concert was postponed; it was too cold to perform.

At this point I rubbed my forehead in my hand, grasped my hair and scratched my head, in what I imagine to be similar to the way I've seen my brother do it when he's reached near the limit of his patience.

Heidi and I were both queasy.

We drove back to Denver.

On the drive back, Jamey noted his sincere empathy. (He also noted the silver lining, which was that we would get to go swimming back at the hotel.)

I tried to let my rational side take over while discussing the events in the car; my emotional side was thoroughly defeated.

Cohen at Red Rocks! It was to be mythic in its wondrousness. A great man and artist, an iconic locale, a logistical feat just to attend. And yet, it was not to be. At least not for me.

I've just read the concert was a resounding success:

http://blogs.westword.com/backbeat/2009/06/last_night_leonard_cohen_at_re.php

The show began immediately with "Dance Me to the End of Love," and it was obvious that Cohen had lost none of his emotive powers as a singer. If anything, he was able to hit incredibly low notes, especially during "In My Secret Life," that were a marvel to witness.

There are lessons in all of this, I'm sure: plan better, don't count on concerts, don't be foolish with money, buy the $550 VIP tickets in Seattle, because they are cheaper than the alternative, etc....

The lesson I'm choosing to focus on is this: Life can drop you on your face with no rhyme or reason. Pick yourself up and keep going. Maybe, just maybe, you'll get another chance.