Only about five blocks from my new apartment, Denver’s tourist district offered tons of terrific bars and restaurants. One in particular was a favorite, a Mexican restaurant at 16th and Larimer Streets that was a hangout for lots of great-looking girls. I was still avoiding serious relationships, but chatting up attractive young ladies at the bar didn’t cross any of my barriers of caution, and it helped me feel human. On occasion a gal would sit down next to me and let me buy her a drink or two... or sometimes even buy them for me. Great for the ego.