The banner in the Denver airport welcomes everyone to the 2008 National Performing Arts Convention, a gathering of presenters, artists, advocacy organizations and other interested parties from across the country. I'm specifically here to take part in the annual meeting of the Music Critics Association of North America, which I haven't been able to attend for quite a few years now. Ironically, the last time I attended was the 2004 meeting in Pittsburgh, which was also the inaugural NPAC gathering. (Among the people I met there for the first time were Marc Geelhoed and Vivien Schweitzer, both of whom have been valued colleagues and good friends ever since.)

The answer to the question in my header has nothing to do with the cruddy quality of the image — I'd just managed to exit a plane after spending four hours wedged between a reclining seat and a bulkhead, so you'll have to forgive me — but the time on the clock under the banner: 9:20pm.

I was originally supposed to arrive at half past noon, but United Airlines canceled my morning flight. No mingling, hobknobbing or networking for me this afternoon, then, and I also missed a performance by the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. That last bit is the real disappointment: I'd been looking forward to hearing Natasha Paremski play John Corigliano's Piano Concerto, and Giya Kancheli's Styx was on the program as well.

So instead I'm sitting in my room on the 19th floor of the Comfort Inn, getting ready to do a revision on a story I filed before leaving New York this afternoon, before calling it an early night. There's going to be a lot to see and do during the next two days, so I'd better take a moment to get ready — and to remember how to use my camera, as well.

Playlist:

Joel Harrison – The Wheel (Innova)

Donna Summer – Crayons (Burgundy)

Magma – Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh (Seventh)

Van der Graaf Generator – Real Time (Fie!)

Grateful Dead – Road Trips, Vol. 1, No. 2: October '77 (Grateful Dead)