Celebrate Good Times, Come On!

Ok, so after a wonderfully decadent and super happy fun long weekend in San Antonio with Brandon, Tito Joel, et al, and having returned to kind of a rough past 18 hours, now I got the best phone call I could've gotten today: S GOT HIRED ON WITH THE SHERIFF'S RESERVES!!!!!!!!!!!!

He called me a little while ago and said he had some stupendous news and was I ready. I was thinking: his mom's gonna send us some money, he doesn't have to have his wisdom teeth worked on after all, he got a raise at work, etc. Then to drop this on me! Excellent. Relieved. Excited. Ready to plan! What does this mean?!? What happens now?!? What are we drinking to celebrate?!? Well, first things first is he will not be able to make our counseling session tonight so he can go borrow a Smith & Wesson M&P holster from his cadet friend, and then they are going shooting b/c S has been ordered to appear at the academy this Friday in order to qualify at the range. Meanwhile I am to research where to buy our own S&W M&P holster. And it looks like they are going to place S in the Marine Division, which is of course, where I got my illustrious start! Best of all, I am now going to make S one of the stars of my documentary!

Busy week so far and ahead and it's only Tuesday. I had to run down to the convention center today to shlep a bunch of shit for our exhibit booth. In fact I had to do it twice b/c on my first trip I forgot a bunch of stuff b/c my head is still not functioning at maximum capacity, probably due to too many margaritas drunk in San Antone.

Speaking of the margaritas in San Antone, what can I say about the trip but... applause! Bravo! Not bad, not bad at all. Even though Brandon was not able to come pick me up until after 11pm on Thursday night, we both agreed it was fun driving to S.A. together in the froggy windy night, 40's music on satellite radio as our background music, discussing philosophy and bonding over silly hat pictures taken at 2am.

Friday lunch was the best, as we enjoyed margaritas and chicken enchiladas with a creamy white wine sauce with his friend Jase, Tito J., and my dear friend L. who happened to be in S.A. that day as well. Fun was had by all, pictures were taken, and drinks were drunk. Then Tito J. had to get back to work and L. had to drive home to Austin while Jase and Brandon agreed to be good sports and accompany me to the Museum of Art so I could see the Ry Cooder Chavez Ravine exhibit. Fun! Friday night was dinner with all kinds of friends at Maggiano's. Yum! Late Friday night Tito Joel and I were back at his fabulous downtown apartment for a Rock Band/American Idol party with various comers and go'ers who knew they were no match for us. (At least, until Tito J. got on the drums.)

Saturday Tito Joel and I attempted to go for a run in beautiful Brackenridge park. Hey, at least we were out there. Saturday lunch was back with everyone at Chris Madrid's, famous for the frijole-and-frito-topped burger. Slobber. Also good margaritas. Saturday afternoon was spent at one of my favorite places on earth, the Buckhorn Museum! Good beer! Fun photos! Texas Ranger Museum next door! Guns! Stuffed, dead animals that are happy to see you! Etc.

Saturday night dinner was at Chauma Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse with all friends again and the less said about this place the better b/c I will start to weep thinking of all the things I could not eat there b/c I was full after about only 45 minutes of nonstop eating. The Most Incredible Meal in my recent memory was capped off by the Most Expensive Drink I have ever drunk: orange citrus Grand Marnier in a snifter glass and on fire! ($25 American Dollars. Each.) Brandon, Tito J. and I indulged. Brandon paid the whole dinner bill and for that, Tito J. and I repaid him the next day, which I will describe shortly. Saturday late night activities were Karaoke at a dive bar where we gawked at lesbians, avoided too-long conversations with bikers, and slurped Corona beers!

Sunday late morning found Tito J. and me again attemping to do a run at the park. My now 5-lb.-heavier ass slowed me down significantly. Sunday afternoon consisted of Tito J., Brandon and me sitting on a Riverwalk restaurant patio waving at the tourists float by on their river boat rides. There may have been a margarita or 2 in arm's length as well. My jeans were now way too tight and Brandon took a picture for the record. We met Brandon's friends for dinner at a sushi restaurant and in the parking lot is where we presented Brandon with his gift: one of San Antonio's institutional items, the 3-lb. cinnamon roll! Fortunately it fit safely in the car's childseat.

Sunday night is when Brandon and I bid adieu to his friends by going to their house and eating their cheesecake and then taking Jase out on the town apparently waaaaayyy too late at night. Beer, Kamikaze's, Rum and Cokes, etc. Late Monday morning Brandon and I headed back to Houston approximately 5 min. after Tito J. We made future plans to take the trip I've been wanting to take for the past 11 years: Savannah, GA! Last night I dried my post-vacation letdown tears the only way I knew how: hacking a chunk off my own 3-lb. cinnamon roll and putting it in the oven where it became the perfect cap to my most sass-tisfying weekend in a long time.