Message from your friend

Hi, CAM
Your friend C thought you might be interested in this article.

http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=177644&catid=339

I don't usually get too caught up in matters such as this but I guess today I am avoiding my work and looking for excuses to blab. OF COURSE HE IS INSANE - no sane person does this, just as no sane person commits suicide bombings or shoots up his workplace or a student shooting up his school. That is NOT sane behavoir. To me there needs to be an overhaul of the judicial system's approach to "Not Guilty by reason of insanity" I think we should not only look at whether the individual had the capacity to know and/or be aware of the consequences of his/her actions but also the basis of ones claimed insanity. Obviously what I propose is very subjective, but when matters of insanity we're already being subjective so let's add another step and go a little deeper. People lose their minds over ANYTHING and just because they CLAIM insanity does NOT excuse them from prison in all instances. We have all been around truly insane people . . . or maybe not, but I have seen a few on 16th Street here in Denver and experienced some on the light rail and from my, albeit, bird's eye view THIS man should not be found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Store advertisement and mountain fashion

I pass this store almost everyday, DinEa, and almost everyday I say I'd like to step in there and see what they offer.  They are on the corner of a pretty main street just on the edge of the Denver University area but not really in the little "shopping" area on Pearl Street or University.  I've been noticing it since my first visit to Denver and STILL have not been in the store.  Regardless, here is the point I'm here to make.  Last week I noticed there outside advertising board said something along the lines of "Be different, be in style."  Now this just made me laugh out loud and of course, K asked me  what I was laughing at and when I tried to explain why this was funny to me, I'm pretty sure the point didn't go across the gender barrier.  I've already noticed to myself, not in any kind of a judgmental way at all, but that fashion is just not a big thing here in Denver, at least not the fashion that a lot of the world is consumed with.  Just like you've always heard, a lot of women don't wear makeup and are often in slouchy, comfortable clothes and shoes.  The Colorado-fashion, or rather mountain-fashion, is found at REI, Inc. and other outdoor stores such as local cycling and board shops which have high-end outdoor gear and wear.  You don't care about heels, sassy tops, shiny jewelry and fancy makeup so much out there when the wind gusts up to 25 mph frequently, it snows in the morning then is 55 degrees in the afternoon, and you very well may be commuting to work/or wherever on a bicycle or planning to participate in some other outdoor activity at some point that day.

Now, of course I am way over simplifying the reality.   Women do have on makeup, wear heels, and all the other "fashion" trends; however, after observing them for quite some time now I can earnestly say that fashion trends do not drive the average Coloradan.  I am sure that the market research and those that study all that have long ago made this distinction about the Front Range, but back to the store's slogan . . .  it was hilarious to me because no where else that I can think of would a store really have to encourage women in that way to be "in style."  From my experience, limited albeit, most women I know and have been around are trying hard to follow some of the stylish trends. 

Maybe it was just the charismatic mood I was in that day . . .   - NO, I still find it funny.