Colorado Rockies Opening Day 2004 -- OR -- The Mayor and the Llama - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Lebell · 04-14-2004, 11:27 PM

Somethings you can't make up.

This is one of them.

Today (April 12th, 2004) was the home opener for the Colorado Rockies.

It was slightly cold when I got downtown and found a parking spot near the restaurant where we were meeting for lunch. The five of us had a great meal and then Al, Rob, Jeff and myself started for Coors Field. (Jay had to go back to work).

Well, Al says that the Mayor of Denver, John Hickenlooper (yes, that's his name) was doing a parade from a local eatery to the ball park and the eatery (The Wynkoop Supper Club for you locals) was just around the corner, so off we went.

Sure enough, even as we were at the light ready to cross, a little white Toyota double parks and out pops a couple of suits followed by Hizzoner, the mayor. Then the state Attorney General, Ken Salazar shows up and starts BS'ing with the mayor.
So we cross and start hanging out at the street corner with NO PARADE IN SITE.

The mayor takes some guy into the Wazee saying, "Let me show you what a good restaurant looks like" (yeah, sure) and we continue to hang, when (and I am not making this up) A LADY WITH A LLAMA SHOWS UP. The llama, named Pisco (I am guessing his name was Pisco, since that is what his jacket said), just hung with us on the street corner while the mayor came out and made some phone calls.

Now the mayor sees us and decides to start politicking, so he comes over and introduces himself to his parade (the 4 of us and the llama) with Ken in tow, who also introduces himself. Further, the mayor felt it necessary to introduce one of the suits as some big wig from Washington (the Dept. of Health, specifically) who was in town to give Denver a million dollars for the homeless.

One lady standing there mentioned that the governor, Bill Owens, didn't want to "parade" but would meet Hickenlooper at the park so they could throw out the first pitch. Or maybe Hickenlooper was catching while Owens was pitching. Hell, if I had my choice, I would rather pitch than catch, if you catch my drift. Anyway...

Ok, time for the parade to head towards Coors.

A couple of cops show up, but the mayor waves them off as the "parade", now up to 10 people and a llama, head off to Coors field.

The mayor and attorney general BS with us for a good several blocks as we wave to the befuddled people watch us (or maybe just the llama) heading east.

Just for grins, I start talking to the suit from Washington, Phil something or other, just friendly talk. Since he is here for the homeless, I ask him his opinion on tent cities.

Bam!

Immediately the politician radar and defense screens go up as he asks me how I am connected with the mayor and, "well, what do you think about tent cities?" I have to reassure him that I am just Joe Citizen out for opening day and that I don't have an agenda (such as being a newspaper reporter). I'm just genuinely curious what he thinks.

Surprisingly, he then actually tells me that he thinks they are a bad idea...and then changes the subject to baseball.

Ok, Ok, we talk baseball for another block.

By this time, we are at The Denver Chop House and one of the local radio stations is outside with a BIG crowd and the mayor can't resist heading for the mic, along with Ken (Ken btw has announced his candidicy for the Ben Nighthorse Campbell's Senate seat).

Phil has drifted off by this time (I think I made him nervous), so we head to the ball park.

Oh, the game?

Arizona was ahead, but had a major pitching melt-down in the bottom of the seventh, putting us ahead 7 to 4 for the win.

But who wants to talk about Baseball on opening day?

Destrox · 04-15-2004, 03:48 AM

Intresting story, yet I enjoyed reading it.

Latch · 04-15-2004, 04:12 AM

Very good

Being in a parade with the mayor and a llama.. can't imagine that will ever happen again!

Fremen · 04-15-2004, 06:19 AM

Sounds like a fun time was had by all.

Btw, was it phreds' birthday llama?

Lebell · 04-15-2004, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fremen
Sounds like a fun time was had by all.

Btw, was it phreds' birthday llama?

No,

BUT!

Interestingly enough, I had my camera.

If someone wants to host it, I can post a picture of "Pisco" the llama and Mayor Hickenlooper "in conference".

Fremen · 04-15-2004, 06:16 PM

Lebell, http://www.photobucket.com/ is a free pic-hosting site that works pretty well.
I'd like to see your pic.

04-14-2004, 11:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
Lebell Cracking the Whip Location: Sexymama's arms...	Colorado Rockies Opening Day 2004 -- OR -- The Mayor and the Llama Somethings you can't make up. This is one of them. Today (April 12th, 2004) was the home opener for the Colorado Rockies. It was slightly cold when I got downtown and found a parking spot near the restaurant where we were meeting for lunch. The five of us had a great meal and then Al, Rob, Jeff and myself started for Coors Field. (Jay had to go back to work). Well, Al says that the Mayor of Denver, John Hickenlooper (yes, that's his name) was doing a parade from a local eatery to the ball park and the eatery (The Wynkoop Supper Club for you locals) was just around the corner, so off we went. Sure enough, even as we were at the light ready to cross, a little white Toyota double parks and out pops a couple of suits followed by Hizzoner, the mayor. Then the state Attorney General, Ken Salazar shows up and starts BS'ing with the mayor. So we cross and start hanging out at the street corner with NO PARADE IN SITE. The mayor takes some guy into the Wazee saying, "Let me show you what a good restaurant looks like" (yeah, sure) and we continue to hang, when (and I am not making this up) A LADY WITH A LLAMA SHOWS UP. The llama, named Pisco (I am guessing his name was Pisco, since that is what his jacket said), just hung with us on the street corner while the mayor came out and made some phone calls. Now the mayor sees us and decides to start politicking, so he comes over and introduces himself to his parade (the 4 of us and the llama) with Ken in tow, who also introduces himself. Further, the mayor felt it necessary to introduce one of the suits as some big wig from Washington (the Dept. of Health, specifically) who was in town to give Denver a million dollars for the homeless. One lady standing there mentioned that the governor, Bill Owens, didn't want to "parade" but would meet Hickenlooper at the park so they could throw out the first pitch. Or maybe Hickenlooper was catching while Owens was pitching. Hell, if I had my choice, I would rather pitch than catch, if you catch my drift. Anyway... Ok, time for the parade to head towards Coors. A couple of cops show up, but the mayor waves them off as the "parade", now up to 10 people and a llama, head off to Coors field. The mayor and attorney general BS with us for a good several blocks as we wave to the befuddled people watch us (or maybe just the llama) heading east. Just for grins, I start talking to the suit from Washington, Phil something or other, just friendly talk. Since he is here for the homeless, I ask him his opinion on tent cities. Bam! Immediately the politician radar and defense screens go up as he asks me how I am connected with the mayor and, "well, what do you think about tent cities?" I have to reassure him that I am just Joe Citizen out for opening day and that I don't have an agenda (such as being a newspaper reporter). I'm just genuinely curious what he thinks. Surprisingly, he then actually tells me that he thinks they are a bad idea...and then changes the subject to baseball. Ok, Ok, we talk baseball for another block. By this time, we are at The Denver Chop House and one of the local radio stations is outside with a BIG crowd and the mayor can't resist heading for the mic, along with Ken (Ken btw has announced his candidicy for the Ben Nighthorse Campbell's Senate seat). Phil has drifted off by this time (I think I made him nervous), so we head to the ball park. Oh, the game? Arizona was ahead, but had a major pitching melt-down in the bottom of the seventh, putting us ahead 7 to 4 for the win. But who wants to talk about Baseball on opening day? __________________ "Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." – C. S. Lewis The ONLY sponsors we have are YOU! Please Donate! Last edited by Lebell; 04-14-2004 at 11:30 PM..

04-15-2004, 03:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
Destrox Metal and Rock 4 Life Location: Phoenix	Intresting story, yet I enjoyed reading it. __________________ You bore me.... next.

04-15-2004, 06:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
Fremen With a mustache, the cool factor would be too much Location: left side of my couch, East Texas	Lebell, http://www.photobucket.com/ is a free pic-hosting site that works pretty well. I'd like to see your pic. __________________ Google

04-15-2004, 04:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
Latch In Your Dreams Location: City of Lights	Very good Being in a parade with the mayor and a llama.. can't imagine that will ever happen again!

04-15-2004, 06:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
Fremen With a mustache, the cool factor would be too much Location: left side of my couch, East Texas	Sounds like a fun time was had by all. Btw, was it phreds' birthday llama?