Downtown Action

I was walking toward my gym downtown today, when I saw a formidable police cordon spanning at least two blocks surrounding the Denver Post building. Police yelled - rather viciously - at any bikers or pedestrians that got near the building (they put up yellow police tape around the building shortly after I took the picture to the left). I asked a police officer on the next block what was going on, but he refused to answer, saying only "Trust me, you don't want to be near that building."

What a mystery! After I returned to the office, I found an article in the Denver Post that likely explained this crazy scene. Apparently there was a bank robbery and suspected backpack bomb just blocks away from my office.

Chaos! - Democrats in Denver cont.

Throughout the day I heard sporadic reports from co-workers of protesters outside our building attempting to rouse-rabble, but other than some anarchists getting hauled away from the 16th Street Mall by police, the protests seemed scattered and less massive than most of us anticipated. It did seem that every colorful cause you can imagine had representation out on the streets, from anti-war and anti-China demonstrators, to population reduction pundits, to advocates of free flu vaccinations. One highlight (or lowlight, come to think of it) was the van that drove around downtown, displaying giant pictures of dead fetuses and the slogan, "Abortion is an Obama Nation". Kind of clever in a sick, sick way.

The relative mildness of the day was soon to be shattered however. As the buses seemed behind schedule that evening, we decided to take a cab from work (sharing it with a cool alternative energy stocks blogger who waited with us at the bus stop). On our way home we saw a huge procession of cops in riot gear hanging off of SUVs with their sirens on, flying West past City Park. When we arrived home, we found out there was a sizeable riot downtown, minutes after we left the city. Pepper spray and hoses were used; people were hospitalized; 100 people were arrested. This is definitely not a boring time to be a Denverite!

Living the Corporate Life

What's yellow and white and spends 130 hours a week in a cubicle? Answer: Julia and me!

We've been swamped with work over the last couple of months, and it's been hard for us to find a spare moment to relax and forget about the rat race. While Julia does love her job, I have had some issues with mine, and the good news is that I found a new one!

Our friend Isaac, who used to work at my current company, introduced me to the managers at his new company, and I knew I had to work there. Just this week I received the offer letter, and I couldn't be happier. It's in the heart of downtown Denver, which is exactly where I want to be. It's amazing how many jobs are available in the Denver Tech Center, where I currently work (think of an enormous, sprawling office park, a la "Office Space"), and how few technical jobs seem to be available in our vibrant downtown. I feel lucky indeed.

Now that we work in the same area of town, even if we still are punching in 70 hour weeks, at least we can step outside and grab a drink together on the 16th Street Mall after a long day. When you are living the relentless corporate life, sometimes you have to be thankful for the little things!