iFest Hella Fun!

Man oh man, was this a stellar weekend! Joyous! Musical! Rightous! FUN!!! Well, except for the 20-year reunion stuff, but that's ok b/c Mr. Wonderful Stefano and I totally managed to salvage the evening!!!

So I have to admit it was nice to take Friday off from both jobs so I could deal w/my mom and brother. Me bro and I had to take Ma to get her colonoscopy. I picked up bro early, we got a bunch of kolaches for the day, then picked up Ma at our stepdad's. Took her to the clinic and prepared to wait around for awhile. I finished one of my library books and was going to begin another but got distracted w/phone calls and reading the NY Times Magazine. Bro was cracking me up constantly all day long. He is so fucking funny!!! He was good enough to go wait w/Ma in the pre-op area and let me stay in the waiting room and read and chill.

My ex, M., called me to say that I'd received an envelope at his place and he was actually willing to come all the way down to Pasadena to hand-deliver it to me. I said that was up to him and sure enough, he came all the way down to meet me at the clinic, riding his new motorcycle. I was impressed--it was a Triumph, and he let me sit on it and I could totally ride that thing, if I weren't so out of practice. He got there in time to see Ma released and she gave him a hug. Then we all had to leave. It was nice to see M.

Ma was hungry of course so we took her to eat comfort food at the country kitchen. Then dropped her off, dropped off li'l bro, and I had just enough time to get home and change into something fabulous for the 20-yr reunion happy hour. I put on a new clingy, sexy dress I just got and I have to say, I looked pretty good. Then Stefano and I went to the venue, a Vietnamese restaurant. We walked in and I knew most of my ex-classmates that were there of course, but none were "friends" of mine. I did see 1 of my pals from Facebook and chatted w/her for a few minutes. I also saw an old somewhat-pal of mine, and we chatted too. But then I just wanted to drink my drink and talk to Stefano. So after we'd been there for 1/2 an hour I told Stefano I wanted to leave, so we did. OK! At least now I know the 30-year will also be a waste of my time!

So we were dressed up and needed a cool place to go now. We weren't really hungry, so I had a killer idea and I suggested going to Marfreless, a groovy hidden romantic bar that only the hip people of Houston know about! Stefano was delighted and we shot over there, not too far away anyway. We got our drinks, went upstairs to the couches, and made out. (I told Leo when I saw him this weekend that Stefano and I had gone there and he cackled, then told me about the time he "shagged" a chick upstairs on one of the couches!) I actually know about it b/c Rozzy took me there years ago. After our drinks there we went to have sushi at Stefano's parents' fave sushi place, where we took them to a couple months ago. But we ate lightly and shared a sake, then headed to his house to settle in for the night.

Sat. a.m. was my SLEEP-IN day of course! Mr. Wonderful had the capitol idea for lunch to go get full of Mexican food at our fave Mex restaurant. That way he'd be full of fuel for his gig that evening and I'd be full for my day at iFest! We did just that and then bid adieu to each other and I went to pick up li'l bro. We snuck my flask in, got snowcones, and spiked 'em, heh heh. Walked around, saw some good music--including this KILLER band called the Zydepunks! Holy crap they were hip!--visited w/Leo, etc. etc., saw my usual festival friends, then got in place for George Clinton! My festival/music friend B. texted me that the stage was already getting crowded an hour and half before, so we scooted over there and got our place front row, right against the railing. B. reminded me how last year our knees were killing us from getting continuously banged up from dancing in front of the rail--I'd totally forgotten about that! Li'l bro's friend found us and stood behind us. We were ready! I smoked a cigar and this photographer kept taking pic's of me.

This was my 4th time to see George and co. As usual it was a crazy party scene! B. grew impatient however, saying George hardly sings anymore, but as Stefano pointed out later, he never sang much anyway. He's always had 30 people in his band to do shit onstage for him! B. left after about an hour, also citing the aggressiveness of the crowd, which is true. I almost killed that crazy rude girl 2 years ago at that very stage, and there were some nasty blacks standing behind li'l bro's friend bitching and complaining, I think b/c li'l bro's friend is very tall. B. said it was b/c we were white ("Speak for yourself!" I laughed), but she kinda had a point. I was waiting for a fight to break out, but it didn't. Anyway, I danced and danced and it was sooooo loud at one point I swear to God I had to put a finger in my ear and I NEVER do that. Great fun though and I got some great pic's!!! 2 1/2 hours of George, man!!! After which li'l bro took off w/his pal and I headed home to Stefano who also got home from his gig the same time as me.

Sunday was another gloriously beautiful sunny day, perfect for iFest and I was sooo happy b/c Stefano would be joining me and li'l bro. I am always so used to going to iFest by myself, which has its perks such as being able to weasel my way to the front of every stage, but frankly I prefer having friends and loved ones with me. This time Stefano and I fueled up on Italian food for lunch--my idea! We picked up li'l bro and this time I had 2 flasks on me, so I needed to badge my way in w/the po-lice, which worked out well. We got snowcones again and spiked 'em before seeing Janiva Magness in concert, which was li'l bro's idea. And a killer idea too, as Stefano and I'd never heard of her but found many of our musician friends also at the stage! Damn! Good idea on li'l bro head!

The rest of iFest found us visiting w/Leo, smoking cigars, getting jello shots, seeing Sara Hickman do a quick song at the kiddie stage, and running into my drummer George and his wife at the final show of the day, Steel Pulse. Many of our other musician friends were there as well. We watched (really listened) from the grass on the duck pond side... sooooo nice! I killed the coco rum in the big flask and was feeling pretty good by the time we headed home. Stefano came home with me and we had a good night's sleep to start off the work week.

Tonight I have our monthly sheriff meeting. Tomorrow I'll be in Lufkin TX all day for my annual outreach event. Weds. morning I have a court hearing to see about scheduling mediation w/el jerko S. I asked Leo if we could please schedule rehearsal for Thurs. night so that I can have some breathing room on Weds. night, to which he agreed. If I can just get through this week then I have the upcoming incredible, legendary weekend to look forward to... where Stefano and I will spend 2 nights in the Woodlands and see Van Morrison in concert on Sat. night!!! Legendary, I tell you, legendary!!!