Rocktoberfest

It's funny what having a sports team in (or on the verge of) the playoffs will do to a city. For the last week, Denver's been gaga over the Rockies, and as someone who has lived in Denver for over half the years the Rockies have even existed, I have to tell you, it's really disorienting. Because normally, it seems hard to find someone who gives a crap.

During trivia last week at my group's regular spot (this would be the spot showing opera on the television a week earlier), the place was loaded with people screaming their heads off for the Rockies. There was more apeshittery than that place has seen since March Madness. And I just couldn't get over the fact that they were cheering for the Rockies. It's really a Twilight Zone moment.

Coors Field, which I think probably hasn't been more than half full (outside of opening days) since 1995, was sold out and surrounded by scalpers for yesterday's extra game against San Diego, and with my work located just a block and a half from the field, it made for a fun "people watching" afternoon. Even that morning, just driving in to the office, the stadium was already completely surrounded by news vans (for a game not scheduled to begin for eight hours). And when the game did begin, we could clearly hear the cheers from the stadium any time something went well for the Rockies, even with the windows shut.

I think the situation is magnified further by the fact that the Broncos, Denver's usual outlet for sports mania, have lost their last two games. But whatever the reason, I'm sure things are going to get nuttier in this city for however long the rest of the ride lasts.