Yesterday evening, I was lucky enough to attend an event at the Ft. Collins’ City Hall during which Mayor Emily Francis issued a City Proclamation declaring October 2026 as Arts & Humanities Month.
I believe my invite –
stemmed from my presentation this past summer at the FoCo Comic Com.
Living The Writer’s Life – The Wise Novelist
which means that my strategy of getting myself out there in the local NoCo community is slowly working.
I met a lot of nice people, including the group of welcoming young women who were working as the liaison for the event, but I spent a lot of time just videoing my surroundings, listening to the talented live band and observing some of the local artists at work.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1FV1w3EdsT
I did enjoy an extended and creatively invigorating conversation with a young artist name Myka Baird –
who showed me some of his really impressive paintings on his phone, as we people watched the other creatives at the event, talked about the common trials and tribulations of struggling artists, the importance of endless and shameless self-promotion and the finer points of how the Law of Attraction impacts the artist’s journey, as viewed from our distinct age differences and as influenced by our concurrent and endless roles and responsibilities as father, husband and family provider.
I reiterated my belief that one should always passionately chase their dreams, do whatever else it takes to support one’s familial obligations, and that no matter what setbacks or roadblocks appear during that pursuit, one should never, ever give up.
I also told Myka that when I get “fuck you” money from optioning one or more of my novels to one or more film producers, I expect him to sell me some of his work at a major discount.
Yep, his work is that good. I wish him all of the success he deserves.
In the end, the proclamation ceremony itself was professionally and economically performed, the Mayor did a wonderful job, and as I stood among the crowd of NoCo creatives who joined Mayor Francis on the podium, supporting the proclamation, I did feel a sense of creative community. And it felt good.
Well, my fine, five readers, another Hump Day presents itself.
Finish that last cuppa, slip on those skates and attack the hill, throwing yourselves into whatever work needs your attention. Do not forget to wave at Friday, waiting anxiously in the shadows behind Thursday, as your cross the week’s peak, then tuck on that descent as you hurtle downhill through the last few obligations of your work week.
I’m off to take care of my chores.
But no matter what else we get up to, let us make today a great one.
