It’s been a long eight days.

Let’s get everyone up to speed. On Monday, October 2nd, Nate, my roommate from Orlando, was in a serious Motorcycle accident near his dorm in Denver. Since he’s from Seattle, his parents flew into Colorado Tuesday morning.

Because his mother didn’t have my number, I found out about the accident Tuesday evening from a bulletin his mother posted on MySpace. Wednesday morning I hopped on a flight to Denver, which is where I’ve since been. I’m currently sitting in Denver International Airport (DIA) waiting for my 8:50 AM flight to Bush Intercontinental.

DIA uses AT&T and charges for wi-fi access, so this probably will not be posted until my arrival in Texas. Ahh, capitalism.

While Nate’s injuries are serious, he has completed two surgeries, with more to come, but has shown significant improvement every day. He has several broken bones (most of them shattered), but no permanent damage, or head trauma. Thankfully, he was wearing a helmet, riding gloves, and a protective jacket.

We later found out from the Kawasaki dealership where he purchased his bike, that the helmet he bought (and paid $600 for, on sale) is the best helmet on the market, and likely saved his life.

For details on Nate’s status, check out the blog we set up at fixnathan.blogspot.com.

I met some great people while in Denver, and renewed relationships with others. Nate’s parents are fabulous, and in the face of disaster handled themselves very well. What they’re going through certainly isn’t easy, but they handled it with class. They’ve made me feel comfortable and part of the family each and every time I’ve been in their company. In the past, they gained my respect, but this week, they earned my admiration.

Nate has great friends, and I’m personally thankful for all of them. They made me feel at home and were willing to help every step of the way. Being nearly 2,000 miles away from home is difficult when you’re not familiar with the city, although today I feel quite comfortable with Denver as I’m making my way back to the Lone Star State. Thank you to Krystal, Jason, Nick (Wee-Man), Katy, and especially Caitlin. You’ve all been great, and Caitlin was often my chauffeur and errand buddy. Thank you all.

If it wasn’t for Tres & Sara, I doubt I would have been able to make the trip, or it would have been much more difficult otherwise. Sara unselfishly gave me her car with no restrictions, and the two of them gave me a place to stay with lots of love and understanding. I certainly won’t forget it, and I love them both dearly.

I can’t wait to get home and see Rebecca. I’ve been away for too long, and I miss her much. Tonight, I simply want to sit at home, hold her, and be thankful that what has happened to Nate wasn’t much more serious than it could have been.

Be thankful. Nate almost lost his life. That could have been any one of us.

Labels: Denver, Nate, Rebecca, Travel

Posted by M. Derrick Davis at 12:18 AM | Permalink | Comments

At a cruising altitude, somewhere over southern Colorado, the week that was is fresh on my mind.

Rebecca and I are planning a move to Denver in early January. We have a trip scheduled for mid-November to finalize housing, schooling, and squeeze in a mini-vacation, so I got a head start.

Because of Nate’s accident, I’ve now spent significant time in the Mile High City, and even found time to squeeze in a Broncos Monday Night Football game. Invesco Field is gorgeous, and even though temperatures were ridiculously cold (for a Texas boy) and rainy, I had the time of my life. Matt, my brother in Phi Mu Alpha, came down from Boulder where he’s getting in Masters in Music to join Krystal, Caitlin, and me for beer and football. The Broncos beat the Ravens 13-3.

Tres & Sara’s apartment, where I stayed, is located in Westminster off I-25, 15 minutes north of downtown Denver. I made the drive every night, and made a point to take a different route each trip.

I’ve come to the conclusion that I love this city. Downtown is constantly busy everywhere (unlike Houston, which has hot spots) and the city is clean.

The drive is amazing. Each direction you turn, the Rocky Mountains are in visual distance, and the view from the hills is so peaceful and captivating. Looking over the landscape puts life into perspective. While Texas will always be in my blood, I don’t think I’ll have a difficult time making Denver my home.

City living is going to be an adjustment. Aside from the fact that I’m going to be away from my family and friends, adapting to the cost of living increase, the different food choices (no more late-night Whataburger or Jack In The Box tacos), and limited access to the Houston Astros, the transition shouldn’t be too difficult. Rebecca’s family (and now my family) will be there, I’ll eat more Panara Bread, and I’ll become a Rockies fan. That should solve most of my problems, but again, finding a job will be my main worry.

Driving through downtown, I had a hard time believing that finding a stable, enjoyable, and decent paying would be difficult. There have to be plenty of opportunities available. Hopefully I’ll be able to capitalize on one of them.

Now I get back to my life. My professors have been great, so it’s time to play catch-up. If I don’t, we might not be moving to Denver.

Labels: Denver, Family, Football, Nate, Texas, Travel

Posted by M. Derrick Davis at 12:19 PM | Permalink | Comments

Whew... after spending nearly four days in South Dakota, I missed a lot in news, sports, etc.  The house we stayed in was a nice home, but unfortunately only had one television, and it wasn't in a place I could gain access. It's not fun to lose touch with society.

• The Astos lost 3 of 4 to the Cardinals, and Lidge blew (I believe) two games. I can't wait for the second half of the season. Maybe it'll get better.
  
  
• I told you fuckers Italy would win!  I also said the Rockets would select Rudy Gay (but I didn't think they'd trade him).  Start listening to me, bitches!
  
  
• South Dakota has a few hotties; I was impressed -- but they're not Texas women.
  
  
• So North Korea is launching missiles? I'm sure the rednecks are foaming at the mouth hoping 'Ol Dubya will blow 'em up.
  
  
• Last year, Kenny Rogers was at the bottom of the baseball world.  Now, he's the starting pitcher for the American League in the MLB All-Star game.
  
  
• After watching soccer (or futbol), I have to ask if these guys are a bunch of sissys.  When they get tripped up, they roll on the ground putting on the best show for the referees. That gets old.
  
  
• Have you ever heard the accent people have from Minnesota/Wisconsin/the Dakota's?  We stayed with Rebecca's family friends, and one of the guys is a 30-something year old construction worker who rides a Harley, has four dogs, stands about 6'5, and weighs about 240 lbs.  He's big and could easily crush me, but that accent simply doesn't scare me.  It doesn't matter what you look like.  If you have that accent, I'll laugh.
  
  
• If I were to laugh in his face, he'd crush me.  He just wouldn't sound cool doing it.
  
  
• Rebecca commented, after she found out about Ken Lay's death, that he's probably not dead, but used his money to ultimately buy his freedom.  I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but I wonder how accurate that is.
  
  
• 18 more credit hours until graduation!
  
  
• Houston is working on city-wide WiFi access. Pretty soon, we'll all be getting rid of RoadRunner, or whatever high speed access you have, and pay the city for internet access.
  
  
• Rebecca and I have talked about moving to Denver -- and it might happen sooner than later.

Labels: Houston Astros, Houston Rockets, Sports, Travel

Posted by M. Derrick Davis at 11:15 PM | Permalink | Comments

Rebecca and I got home this afternoon from our summer vacation.  Of all places, we were in South Dakota -- I never thought I'd have a reason to go.

We attended the wedding of Matt & Diana Evers, and because Rebecca is a childhood friend of Diana's, and my fiancée was a bridesmaid.  The wedding was beautiful, the reception was a blast, and it was great to finally meet so many of Rebecca's friends that I've heard so much about.

This weekend put thoughts in my head about our wedding.  We've never planned to have the traditional wedding in a church with friends and family, but instead have (tentatively) chosen a destination wedding, probably in Jamaica. 

Weddings always bring out the sappy side of me (even though I try not to show it), and this was certainly no different.  I'm so blessed to have found Rebecca.  I told her this afternoon that when I'm with her, I simply have a good time.  Thankfully, I left South Dakota with a stronger love for the woman I plan to marry. 

Diana's father, who's been very ill with cancer, was discharged the evening before the service in order to see his daughter get married.  Afterwards, he'll head back to the hospital to continue treatment, since he's not healthy enough to stay home.  If there was a story to remember, it will be her father gathering the strength to be there for his daughter on the day she's been planning all her life. 

Every day -- more and more -- I realize how lucky I am. 

Labels: Travel, Wedding Plans

Posted by M. Derrick Davis at 11:17 PM | Permalink | Comments

This might be a shitty day. 

1.  It's flooding across town.

2.  Because our flight leaves for South Dakota at 7:55 AM, we're staying with a friend in Houston tonight -- but she just backed out on us.

3.  I believe I failed my International Marketing class. 

4.  A friend (who we'll keep nameless) received some shitty news this morning. 

5.  It's not even noon yet. 

The way this day is going, I'm not sure I want to get on a plane.  With my luck, we'll be delayed tomorrow morning, and onces we finally get in the air, we'll crash somewhere like Oklahoma. 

To top it off, we won't die in the crash, no one will know where we went down, and Rebecca and I will have to live among Boomer Sooners for the rest of our lives.

Maybe I need a McFlurry.

 

EDIT:  Since writing this blog, some things have changed:

1.  The rain has stopped, and since it's so dry around here, the ground soaked up the water.

2. Since we needed to book a hotel room in order to keep us from getting up at 3:30 A.M., I used my Hilton points and booked us a free nights stay.

3.  I got a C in my International Marketing class. 

4.  My friend is mending his shitty news.

5.  It doesn't matter what time it is -- things always work themselves out.

It still would be shitty to be stuck in Oklahoma, though.

Labels: Rebecca, Travel

Posted by M. Derrick Davis at 11:18 PM | Permalink | Comments