Denver International Airport does not offer free wi-fi, not even here at the Alaska Airlines gate. So I shelled out $7.50 to maintain my sanity until boarding -- the body odor of my fellow passengers is pungent. I've moved seats several times and it does not abate (and yes, I've made sure I'm not the source). Thankfully, the family loudly discussing their young son's diarrhea and possible cures have moved away.

The Downtown Denver Aquarium does not suck as badly as one might presume. In fact, it has quite a good variety in its exhibits, perhaps even better than the Newport Aquarium. That kind of does it for my recent experience with such, but even with such minimal exposure I thought it odd that Denver includes a pair of Bengal tigers among its specimens. And I didn't see either of them dip so much as a claw in the water, so they were obviously fraudulent as far as their aquatic nature goes.

Colorado mountain folk are not to be referred to as "hill billies". Be careful, or they won't offer you a free hot dog when you stop to get a soda at a grocery store in Nederland. Also, be aware that when in Blackhawk, the bleached blond lady at the entrance to one of the casinos offering coupons for free hot dogs is lying; they are in fact coupons for 50-cent hot dogs.

I more-or-less broke even playing video poker in Blackhawk; wagered about $80, won about $80. Hope that doesn't fuck me up come tax time.

And, finally, some of these passengers in this gate waiting area are toting large trophies won at some chess tournamente. Mostly young Asian boys (one wearing a baseball hat saying "Chess Player"). I don't know if this accounts for the body odor or not.