CARD SHARKS IN DENVER ...?

                             

Divination was in the cards last night as I stumbled across "Thakiti the Card Reader" while waiting for some colleagues to join me for dinner.  Thakiti spends his days sitting at a card table on 16th Street in Denver, plotting people's futures with a deck of cards and a laptop computer.  For a small donation, he'll plot your birthchart and present you with a confusing printout that will only make sense if you purchase his book for $19.99.  Anyway, I had some time to kill, so I thought I'd give it a whirl.  "Welcome," said Thakiti.  "The future is not as mysterious as you might think."  He went on to explain that everyone has a "birth card" based on their birthdate.  The suit of your card -- hearts, clubs, diamonds or spades -- also reveals your strong suit as a person.  Hearts are emotional;  Clubs are mental;  Diamonds are financial;  and Spades are spiritual.  I gave Thakiti my birthdate and he entered it in his computer.  "Ahhhhhhh," he said after several minutes.  "Very interesting ...!"  At that point, my phone rang.  My colleagues were looking for me.  "Sorry, Thakiti, but I have to run," I said.  "Can you just give me a quick overview?"  "Well," he said ominously, "You are the King of Clubs.  That means you are the most intelligent man in the deck.  You have quite an interesting year ahead!"  He then handed me a printout of my future which looked a lot like a messy hand of poker and tried to sell me a decoder book that would bring it all into focus.  "Thakiti," I said, handing him a modest donation, "You've just told me that I'm the smartest man in the deck.  I think I'll take a pass on the book ...!" 

CEDIA, AHOY ...!

                             

It was an exciting day here in Denver at the CEDIA EXPO, a convention bringing together high-end technology installers (the professionals who install expensive audio-video networks in people's homes) with technology companies and movie studios.  It's a big playground for anyone who likes fancy gizmos ranging from 100-inch flat screen televisions to remote controls that connect practically every electrical appliance in your home.  While I'm here for a board meeting of DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group and for some other events, the real highlight of my trip so far was last night when an A-list movie director asked me and some colleagues at other companies if we could scrape together $4.2 Billion to upgrade movie theaters throughout the U.S.  If anyone has some spare change, I'm accepting donations ...! 

SOMETHING SMELLS ROTTEN IN DENVER ...!

                             

"What's that stench?"  That was the question hundreds of travelers were asking this morning as they boarded United Flight #394 to Denver.  Indeed, an aroma combining the worst qualities of Diesel Fuel and Bilge Water seemed to permeate the cabin before takeoff.  "Something really stinks," I said to the woman sitting next to me.  "Just so you know, it's not me."  "You're right," she sniffed.  "Maybe it's coming from the Galley!"  To be safe, neither of us ate the complimentary "Trail Mix!"

LABOR DAY WEEKEND, IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE ...!

                             

Leave it to my sister, Karen, to take Labor Day Weekend literally.  She went into Labor on Saturday morning and by mid-afternoon my nephew, Jackson Martin Quintal was born.  Here is one of the first pictures of Jackson, courtesy of his proud father, my Brother-in-Law, Doug.  For many months now, throughout Karen's pregnancy, Doug has been whispering the following words of encouragement to Jackson:  "Hurry up and come out, Jackson, I've got yard work waiting for you!"  For his part, Jackson seemed responsive, kicking and moving at the sound of Doug's voice as if to say either "I love yard work and can't wait to see you" or "Feet, do your stuff ...!"  Now that Jackson is born, however, the truth can be revealed.  Doug's first words to Jackson were about the yardwork and, in response, Jackson grasped his father's fingers, looked deeply into his eyes and smiled as if to say "I love you."  Indeed, from now on, Labor Day Weekend will be a Labor of Love for the Gordons and Quintals ... even if Jackson ends up getting stuck with all the yardwork!

NEW RECIPES AT 7TH AND MONTANA ...!

     

Tongues were wagging this morning at 7th and Montana as word spread that Our Favorite Starbucks is testing a new recipe for Blueberry Muffins.  Could it be that the so-called "Merrick Muffins" -- named for world famous "Elephant Man" Joseph Merrick -- have been quietly retired?  I would have asked the New Barista on duty today, but -- according to one witness -- she took an instant dislike to me.  "She's really mad at you," said my neighbor Greg, who was standing behind me in line.  "She's upset that you were taking pictures of the muffins."  After listening to Greg's description of her behavior, I can only conclude that this New Barista needs a New Recipe for customer service.  Stay tuned for continuing reports on her progress ...!

SILENCE OF THE POODLES AT 7TH AND MONTANA ...!

                             

Heads were turning at 7th and Montana this morning as a Toy Poodle named Napoleon made the scene wearing a restraint mask that would make Hannibal Lecter proud.  The doggie "mouth guard" -- pictured here -- prevents the adorable pooch from doing harm to himself or others while he makes the rounds at Starbucks and beyond.  Evidently, like his namesake, Little Napoleon has a nasty habit of biting off more than he can chew.  Rumor has it he nearly met his Waterloo some months ago when he tried to swallow a large plastic object on 7th Street ...!

CRYING UNCLE AT 30,000 FEET ...!

                             

Good news, friends!  While I was busy making my way back to the U.S. today, my nephew, Jackson Martin Quintal, was busy making his way into the world.  Jackson was born this afternoon, three weeks early but healthy, happy and cute as a button, weighing-in at just over five pounds.  The whole family is thrilled, especially Proud Parents Karen and Doug.  My parents recently gave me a candle to light when Jackson was born.  The message on the candle reads, "Here's a candle for you to light, Once the stork has made his flight, With a flicker of the Flame, Please send good thoughts in Jackson's name."  Welcome to the World, Jackson!  I'm sending good thoughts your way from 7th and Montana ...!