Anyone who has driven to DIA has seen the mysterious big blue horse.  Yes – it has special powers.  It has killed before (its creator – Luis Jimenez) and may kill again.

I’ve just joined the I am afraid of the big blue horse at DIA Facebook group.  Here’s one of the best quotes from the wall.

Approaching DIA, my heart began to thump. Summoning all my resolution, I gave my Suby half a score of kicks to the gas pedal in an attempt to hasten my journey. At just that moment a splash of blue caught my eye. In the dark shadow of the field, on the margin of the airport, I beheld something blue, so blue, and towering, a gigantic monster ready to pounce upon this weary traveler. "What are you" I whispered, and received no reply. Agitated, I repeated my question. Pushing the gas pedal, I closed my eyes and uttered an involuntary psalm. I opened my eyes. The shadow took shape, a huge horse with powerful frame, whose eyes burned red and followed me, keeping pace. I rounded the curve, bringing the relief of the giant against the sky and I was horror-struck on perceiving it was…art? ~ Jenn Bma (Boulder)

I am – in general – afraid of horses so it’s appropriate that I am fucking terrified of the Big Blue Horse.  I am so glad Facebook has provided me with a place to find some new friends.  Thanks Jill for pointing this out to me.

Congrats to all my friends at Kerpoof – it was announced a few weeks ago that Kerpoof was acquired by Disney.  Krista Marks – the CEO and co-founder – emailed me the Kerpoof mouse ears photo which inspired me to blog about them.  It’s another great example of a local Boulder software / Internet company that had a passion, made something happen, and had a great exit.

I met Krista and her co-founders at a CSIA event and then again while they were gearing up for the 2007 TechCrunch 40.  I gave them feedback on their presentation, started playing around with Kerpoof, and decided that Krista was a star.  They weren’t raising money at the time (they were self funded through consulting work they were doing while building out their service) so I gave them feedback whenever they asked and stayed close to them.  I encouraged Krista to have Kerpoof join the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Colorado – which they did.

Last spring, Krista told me they had been approached by a large company that was interested in acquiring them.  She was looking for advice – both business and legal – on the deal.  I connected her with Mike Platt at Cooley – one of the best entrepreneurial M&A lawyers I’ve worked with.  I also provided friendly feedback to Krista and her partners during the process.  Mike turned out to be the perfect fit for them as a deal lawyer and helped them navigate an extended negotiation very gracefully.

The acquisition closed last fall, but Disney and Kerpoof wanted to do some integration before announcing it.  I’m glad the news is out – Krista can now wear her Mickey Mouse ears and PJ’s in public.  And I especially appreciate Kerpoof’s contributions – through the Entrepreneurs Foundation – to several local organizations, including the National Center for Women & Information Technology.

Oh – and keep being innovators!

I love everything about french fries.  And – much to my delight – Spud Bros. at 2010 10th Street in Boulder is the purveyor of possibly the best french fries on the planet.  They are even poets, having written a poem titled Ode to Spuds.

When I get my first no from Brad
I can count on French fries to take away the sad
When I can’t get tickets to Boulder Ignite
I go to Spud Bros. to get a bite.

Built up an appetite going up Sanitas for a hike
Coming down for some Chili Fries I like
When I’m in need of some WiFi
I know where to go for the Internet and a Fry

After a night out on the town
I head to Spud Bros.
Where everybody knows your name
and they’re always glad you came.

Thankfully the fries are better than the poetry.  And yes – the Brad they refer to c’est moi.

Are you a VP or C-level exec at a Boulder (or Denver) based startup?  Eric Marcoullier, the CEO of Gnip has created a Boulder Startup Exec Email List.  It’s open to people that fit the following criteria.

1. Funded company (at least some angel financing)
2. VPs and C-level folks
3. Any vertical market (not just tech / Internet)

Eric moved to Boulder from San Francisco last month and is getting deep in the startup scene here.  He promises that VCs will not be invited to participate in this list – I tried and was solidly rejected.

While the criteria don’t include “profitable companies that never received any financing”, I’d encourage anyone that is self-funded / bootstrapped that is generating over $500k of revenue a year to get involved also.

I’m always amused by articles that are headlined “Jobs outlook uncertain for 2009”.  No shit sherlock.

I was pleased, however, to learn that Boulder, Colorado is one of thirteen cities (“metropolitan areas”) out of 381 in the US that are actually growing. 

The cities that are growing are Boulder, CO.; Lafayette and Louisiana, LA; Bethesda, MD; Jacksonville, NC; Binghamton, NY; Oklahoma City; OK.; State College, PA.; and Brownsville, El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and San Antonio, TX.

I get LA, but Brownsville, El Paso, Laredo, and McAllen?  Must have something to do with that electronic border fence thing.