Life in Denver - Global warming???

I have been a dual resident for a little over two months now.  Weekdays in Denver and most weekends in Austin.  Contrary to what I had originally imagined, the logistics of being where I need to be on any given day has become somewhat routine and not too troublesome.  Through the miracle compliments of Orville and Wilbur Wright and Mr. Hertz (not sure if there is such a person but you get the idea), I have managed.

What I really hadn't considered was what the weather implications would hold.  Sure, I knew it was winter and that Denver was at the edge of the Rockies, but having spent over eleven years (this time) in Austin, Texas, sub-zero temperatures and big accumulations of snow were far from my consciousness.  During the past month, I have experienced the feeling of -11 degrees F and wind chills exceeding -30 F!  Of course that is freaking cold but I have been able to learn something from it!  I cannot discern a difference between 0 F and -10 F!  I think I reach a point in being cold that there are no more biologic cold sensors to stimulate after about 0 F.  It appears to be my own personal "absolute zero".

Ok, I know I can wear appropriate clothing to mitigate some of the effects but that being said, I have yet to find a fool proof way to resolve the associated tricky driving issues.  I learned--well I really knew but "learned" sounds better is a blog of discovery--that having an "all-wheel drive" vehicle, while helpful on thick powdery snow, is quite useless on ice!  The other day, the snow had stopped falling, the sun was brightly shining, and the highway on my commute was finally showing actual asphalt as opposed to the white coating I had seen the prior three days.  Yes!  I could now drive faster than 25 mph on an interstate highway!  My line of traffic on 6th Avenue (yes, for some reason, Denver has major highways with names like that), was moving at about 50 mph bumper to bumper and five lanes wide.  I was going to make it to work early and be able to demonstrate my dedication over the 8:30am gang.  For some reason, I accidentally tapped my brake pedal and immediately felt that totally helpless and vulnerable feeling that comes when the wonder of "4 wheel anti-lock braking" causes the vehicle to just vibrate from all four quadrants!  Those of you who have driven on ice and snow know what I'm talking about.  It is the epitome of helplessness!  I looked at the car in front of me (wasn't difficult as it was at least 3 feet ahead of me!), and experienced the second greatest helpless feeling driving on ice--his brake lights!  Thank God he wasn't trying to stop!  The drive continued uneventfully but I admit that I moved out of that piece of real estate that should be deeded to me when I drive--the fast lane--and over toward the right where the old people dwell (or should dwell.  There is always the great grandpa that bogarts the fast lane at 40 mph).

Denver is a beautiful place in the winter as is Austin.  I am privileged to have the opportunity to live in both right now.  Denver lost just a little bit of it's luster as a fantasy land for me since my last post with the death of a valet right outside the front door of my downtown high-rise residence.  It was a hit and run.  With that act of cowardice, Denver became a real place to me much like Austin has become over the last eleven years.  Shit happens in both places.  It's sad but true.

One last thing.. During the coldest day I had experienced in Denver with snow everywhere and living through the terror of my driving on ice, I accidentally hit the "iPod" button on my iPhone and the song in place that began to play was David Allan Coe's rendition of Dave Loggins' timeless classic "Please Come To Boston".  I let it play for a minute until I heard these lyrics: "Please come to Denver where the snowfalls..... (other stuff here)..... "Denver ain't your kind of town.  There ain't not gold and there ain't nobody like me".  Over the years of hearing these lyrics, it always seemed so surreal and like a fantasy land.  It is beautiful but like anywhere else, it loses some luster.  And whoever was supposed to be saying "there ain't no gold and there ain't nobody like me" wasn't totally correct.  There IS gold.  My new venture there is a virtual gold mine.  As for the "ain't nobody like me", if I replace "me" with "Austin", I wholeheartedly concur!

Back in the game.... after 11 years!!!

Well I thought I was finished. When I completed the merger between OpenROUTE Networks, Inc. and Netrix Corporation in 1999, I thought that marked the end of my career and the beginning of a long, peaceful and fulfilling retirement at 38 years old. Well, I was wrong. I won't go into the details of why it wasn't all that peaceful or fulfilling (but it sure as hell was long). My long time friend, business associate, and mentor Jim Norrod called me out of the blue and asked me if I wanted to do it "one more time." That is tech-code speak for "take a hot company with potential, make it visible, and provide a liquidity event for the investors. My "knee jerk" reaction was "no". Since Jim was a long time friend, I decided to at least check it out before giving the firm "no".

I flew to Denver, Colorado in mid November 2010 to take a look at this company called Infinite Power Solutions (IPS). Jim had tried to explain the technology but after hearing what he said, I was sure he was confused. What he claimed IPS does isn't technologically possible! I mean how can a tiny little chip provide power to a device infinitely? It recharges itself while it is powering other things. That is like perpetual motion and I've never had anyone show me the validity of that either. When I got to the company, within about 1 hour, I was floored! It DID do exactly what Jim claimed! I knew instantly that we had a truly hot and unique technology on our hands (notice I said "our"-- I was sold!).

As I sit her in Austin, Texas at the end of January 2011, I have been commuting to Denver for two months (thanks Southwest Airlines and Hertz Car Rental). I remain excited about where we are going to take this new venture. I can't tell you much more than that because it is one of those "I'd have to kill you" kind of things (I guess you could figure out some of our clients from that statement). Until next time... I work on!