Orange Juice Blues

Blues for breakfast! Actually I didn't have any breakfast. I couldn't. I was too drained and weary and hurtin' from a night of drinking, carousing, and raising hell. I blame Philipo! We're a bad influence on each other. It was FUNNNNNNNNNNN though... We started our evening at dinner at Pappadeux near my house where Philipo treated, as he had a $150 gift card, and we grubbed seriously! We were good though and only had 2 glasses of wine each. Then we left my car and took Philipo's truck to the blues jam. He'd requested, and I'd brought, setup booze of Crown Royal and some of this awful cheap whiskey I've had for years and was looking forward to getting rid of. I figured Philipo and I would feast on the Crown and if anyone was looking to make friends with us, I'd give away some of the cheap shit.

Some of our usual musician friends were there, of course. Philipo had texted me 3 videos of songs he'd wanted me to play w/him that night, and he brought his key-tar! Seriously! A key-tar! We settled in and started drankin and sho'nuff, a couple people we knew and a couple we "kinda" knew asked for some drinks and even offered to buy drinks from me. This one girl gave me like $3 or $4 so that was cool, but I just poured the cheap shit and kept the Crown hidden in my little pink canvas grocery bag! Later on though a couple of our musician friends who I love and admire availed themselves of the Crown and I was happy to share with them.

We played Philipo's 3 songs; I danced a little with this locally much-beloved old singer guy; we killed the Crown; I was gifted a CD by a musician friend; then we got the hell out of there at a somewhat decent hour, I'd guess midnight or a little after. I was hoping Philipo wouldn't want to try and spend the night at my house again but he did, and I agreed but I said we had to get into bed and watch The Blues Brothers! After picking up my car we got to my place and unloaded the guitars, then got a nightcap and got into bed. We were both drunk, although Philipo was drunker than me b/c I was determined not to repeat the hangover pain from last week. Consequently he kept getting too cuddly and close, which I kept having to put a stop to. It was totally amusing though.

Tonight I'm gwine to be w/Mr. Wonderful and then all weekend long! I wish he wouldn't leave me alone so much during the week, but his schedule just doesn't jibe with mine since he goes to the gym so early and works so early. Tomorrow I have to teach a very short class in Richmond, TX and then get to Stefano's gig at 3pm; they're opening up for an all-day harmonica clinic at the same place I was at last night. We'll take a break after he's done and then return that night for some of the concerts and we'll play in the all-star jam finale. Should be tons of fun! Sunday: a day of rest, though we might go to the science museum w/li'l bro to see the exhibit on Magic! I love magic!!!

At Work... As Usual...

So I've started doing this thing where I give myself a night off from Job #2 in the middle of the week. I used to work there straight thru Mon-Thurs. which meant I only had Job #1 on Fridays, then I could head right home and get my weekend started. But for the past few weeks I've been letting myself take Wednesdays off usually--unless there's something cool going on Tues. or Thurs. that I want to go to, which happens sometimes, and then I just switch the mid-week "off" night to that night. This is working out pretty well for me b/c all that non-stop working of 12-hr days was getting to me and exhausting me emotionally and taxing my morale by around each Wednesday, so now it's really awesome to have a mid-week break. The only thing is, it's getting me to Stefano on Friday nights later than I'd like. I didn't make it to his place 'til 10pm last Friday, but shit, when it's a perfect world someone needs to let me know. One of these days when I have money I'm going to hire a personal assistant to do all these mundane little tasks that take up all my time after work: putting gas in my car, checking/reading the mail, picking up the few groceries I do pick up from time to time, going to Target for household necessities, turning in library books, loading the dishwasher, etc. etc. etc!!!

The open Wednesday night thing also works out well when Leo calls rehearsal which he hasn't in a couple of weeks and which I have TOTALLY been enjoying! But I fear he's gonna call it either this week or definitely next b/c he's got a few gigs for us lined up. We gigged this past Saturday and I got a little miffed at the fact that George totally fucked up the end of "Rude Mood" and then Leo (or maybe it was George too) fucked up the end of "Roxanne." See, my problem is that things like that happen and then Leo says "See! We need to rehearse!" I want to retort, "No, motherfucker, YOU AND GEORGE need to rehearse!!!" I got my shit down, baby. I've been a professional musician for 20 years and I know what I need to know. I'm not a total slacker; when I get an assignment I fucking take care of it. I hate being embarrassed on stage so obviously I do what I can to make sure it doesn't happen by any fault of my own. I go out and I buy the CD's of songs I need to learn or download them and I make copious notes on legal pads. Why should I be punished by driving all the way across town for rehearsal after I've just worked a 12-hour day???

So anyway, the gig was all right except for it was outside in the damn heat with mosquitoes trying to suck my sweet blood. As a Texas girl I don't MIND the heat--it's just that I had to wear the same dress the entire day b/c Saturday was KILLER and NONSTOP. Meaning, I had to also find a dress that would serve appropriately at several different kinds of events. I had my great-aunt Rosie's funeral at 10am in fuckin' La Porte. Then I had my eyebrow appt. at 1:30. Then I had to get to the gig by 3:30 but before that I had to pick up my brother and find a Quinceneara card for that night. (Mr. Wonderful Stefano had bought one for me on Fri. night when he was at the Mexican grocery store but it turned out to NOT be a Quinceneara card, so I had to end up trying to replace it.) The Quince started at 5pm so I told Leo we could play from 4-5 but then I had to SPLIT. My brother and I raced up to NW damn Houston for the Quince but it was ok to be a little late b/c the reception was casually getting started (Hispanics are always late anyway) and it was there that I finally got to have some kind of breather. The Quince was for the daughter of my BFF in junior high, and I hadn't seen her and her family in around 12 years so it was great to see everyone. Although I simply didn't have time to find a good Quince card I just stuck the 2 checks my mom and I wrote into the envelope for the non-Quince Stefano card and stuck that into the gift bag w/a couple small girlie items.

Then bro and I snuck out around 7:30 b/c there was really nothing going on--the mariachis had already finished playing and we'd already taken our pic's with the girl and the photographer--so we actually got a little bit of down time before the Brave Combo concert that night. I knew there was an opener so I figured BC wouldn't hit the stage 'til around 10. Because poor Mr. Wonderful was trapped at work literally all day from 9a-11p (the one Saturday he's had to work since we've been dating) I did get permission from him to invite DA to come to BC w/me since BC had put me+1 on the guest list. (My bro was on the guest list on his own accord.) So after dropping my bro off at his apt. I got to go home and just lie down for an hour while waiting for DA, tho' I also had to redo my hair and makeup, etc. DA was a little late getting to my house (as I joked later, he's 1/4 Mexican! ha!) but it worked out perfectly b/c after picking up li'l bro and getting to the gig, we got there literally about 5 min. before BC hit the stage. Perfect!

There were, as always, a few people there that I knew. My mom and stepdad were busy selling BC's merch, as they always work the BC merch table when BC is in town. So me, DA, and bro got drinks and danced and drank and had fun the rest of the night. It was way fun I have to say, and DA really enjoyed the band but then, it's impossible not to love this band. I was even encouraging DA to get some action, as there were some cute girls in attendance! Am I the coolest ex-girlfriend or what? But he just danced with me all night. He still loves me. But then, it's impossible not to love me! At the end of the night we took li'l bro home and I was actually hungry so I drove thru Jack in the Box and got the 3-mozzarella stix but only ate 1. I was hoping DA wouldn't ask to stay the night b/c I knew Mr. Wonderful would not approve, but he didn't and I sent him home when we got to my place around 1am.

Sunday I SLEPPPPPPPPTTTTTT. And lounged around and caught up on my DVR'ing and read my library book and worked on my personnel file, actually finishing it! It was such an awesome day, not having to be anywhere. I did Pilates on Demand that evening and I loved it! I am still hurting today, which is a good sign! Stefano came over that night and we made up for not seeing each other all day Saturday. He came over again last night after I got home from my monthly sheriff meeting and we watched The Runaways which was eh. Tonight: R&R. The rest of my week is booked with odds and ends so tonight is really only my free night. Gotta enjoy it while I can!

Oooh Texas Hangover. Bad. Real Bad.

That Philipo and I painted this town all kinds of colors on Tues. night and I suffered dearly for it yesterday. You know, the older I get the harder it is to recuperate from the kind of partying I like to do. The kind with lots of running around, lots of music, and lots of booze. Mr. Wonderful says I'll come to a point when I hit the wall and admit defeat. Perhaps, but I know I still got a few good years left in me!

1st Philipo took me to a Thai restaurant that he likes. I had a Pinot Grigio in honor of having just watched Sideways on Sunday night and he had a glass of Shiraz. We grubbed seriously and they brought us our individual rice in the shape of a heart which I had never seen before and was tickled! They musta thought we were on a date or something. Then I decided that after years of not having drunk red wine b/c it always gave me a headache in the past, we should order a whole bottle of the Shiraz to share. And it was fine! It went down nice and easy, yummmmm... we ended with a dessert of the fried bananas and coconut ice cream and then it was time to really get going!

We figured we'd go to a nearby blues jam but it didn't start for another hour or so, but fortunately we were right around the corner from my favorite karoake spot. We went there so we could have a drink and a song! We each had 2 Crown and diet cokes and since the place was dead we each sang a couple of songs. I was drunk by then and proved it by singing Bonecrusher! Philipo and I also did a duet for our final tune. Then it was time to head to the blues jam and I left my car there; we carpooled for the rest of the night.

At the blues jam we ran into a couple of our knucklehead musician friends. I switched to coco rum on the rocks and we went outside to play a game of pool which was actually kind of fun. Philipo drank beer and I had a few sips and another coco rum. Then we decided to skeedaddle and I snuck a beer out. We went to the Continental Club as I thought one of my friends' bands was playing, but when we arrived it was after midnight and the joint was locked down tight and dark! So we had to go to the club a few doors down that always seems to have juveniles hanging out in front. But since it was a Tues. night it wasn't too bad. Philipo and I split a mojito and I made friends with these guys sitting near us. One of them offered to get us into Ratt tonight for free, which now that I think of, is quite funny! He gave me his card but God knows what I did with it.

We had to go back to the karoake and get my car and we decided Philipo would crash at my place and we'd have cigars and Frangelico. We chilled out on the couch and talked and he gave me the lightest foot rub I'd ever had. Then we headed up to my bedroom, got into bed, and crashed somewheres around 3am. I'm glad he was up there with me however b/c I sent him downstairs to bring me ice water and I somehow had the mental capacity to be realizing I should drink some. I got a grand total of 3 1/2 hrs of sleep b/c I had to be up way early for a library forum at Rice University. So that was the other reason it was good Philipo was in my bed b/c I was like, ok, Philipo's here, I don't really want to be lolling around my bed with him, so time to get up and at 'em.

So yesterday I was aching and hurting all day and was totally miserable but Mr. Wonderful came over last night and made it all go away. Tonight I'm going to see Rozzy's jazz trio but I am only going to be able to handle 1 rum and coke. Ugh. Live now or forever hold your peace!

Missouri Hangover Pt. 4

Jeez, how did the final recap get away from me? Anyway, suffice it to say the Levon Helm show ROCKED. I stood and danced pretty much the whole night. He opened with "Ophelia" which was followed by "Look Out Cleveland"! I was rockin' and rollin'! At one point Brandone texted me "Down in front!" and I responded with "I paid good scratch for this seat!!!!" And what's more the LEGENDARY Howard Johnson was there on tuba!!! Holy rock and roll legend!!!!!!!! And it was soooo groovy to see another legend, Larry Campbell, in person. Levon's band was huge. Horns, organ player, upright bassist, it was so fucking awesome. SIIIIIIIGH.... I was a little miffed at the encore which was of course, "Cripple Creek" and all the people who finally stood and sang along, whereas I was singing along to all the old songs, not just the one that hit the Top 40! But as I stated later, you gotta give Levon his bread and butter!

After the 2-hour show I wanted to try and say hi to Levon, Amy, and Jim. I did get to meet Howard Johnson and I said "Glad to see you're still blowing after all these years!" and he said with a laugh, "What else am I gonna do?" We ran into Amy and she said she told her dad that it was me and he said he wanted to say hi to me! Gush!!! Then we ran into Jim Weider and he said I looked familiar and I reminded him who I was. We didn't hang around long enough to say hi to Levon however, to my disappointment, but we were hot, sweaty, and drained and God knows if he was ever gonna come off the bus anyway.

We headed to a nice little convenience store as we wanted snacks. I got this decadent peanut butter filled pastry to split w/J2 and a corn dog to split w/J1. We also got some fruit. Back at the hotel Brandone played "Grape Toss" and tried to get grapes in our mouths. We agreed to meet early downstairs for the complimentary hotel breakfast before they had to hit the bricks back to Jeff City by 8am. Unfortunately I woke up with several red small welt-like insect bites on me which were clearly from bedbugs. I've stayed a thousand nights in a thousand hotels and have never experienced this! But it was bound to happen sooner or later, I guess.

The funny part at breakfast was when J1 and I decided to split a waffle. He got up to go make it but then asked, "Do I know how to make a waffle?" I walked them out to B's car and we all hugged and kissed goodbye and as they drove out of the parking lot I made sure to run alongside and wave, like so many wives running alongside a train as their soldier husband goes off to war. Chuckle!

Sooooo... my next trip will be in August to New Orleans for a weekend w/Mr. Wonderful and his sister and her daughter. I can't remember if I posted this yet, but he got us a hotel with a rooftop pool! Oh hell to the YEAH!!!!!! Speaking of my beloved Stefano, we had a great weekend together. We went back to the Middle Eastern market so I could stock up on their killer chicken salad for the week. Stefano bought a baby octopus salad and I could only take one bite. "The poor baby octopusses!" We watched The Insider at his house on Saturday and last night at my house I showed him Sideways, one of my all time faves! I got more work done on my file; I really wanna finish that report this week! My Lt. sent me an email response to a couple of follow-up questions I had and he said "You will do good at this, you're asking all the right questions." Well, of course!

Slight Interruption Before Missouri Hangover Pt. 4...

Ah, we're riding a bummer over here. Poor Mr. Wonderful Stefano is going through some crappy stuff right now! On Sunday he got a call from his dad and it appears his dad and mom are suddenly and definitely going to have to move out of their luxurious high-rise--perhaps even all the way to New Jersey so they can live w/Stefano's sister and her family. It's not my place to discuss why, but suffice it to say this is all thanks to the plummeting stock market of the past 2 years and his 'rents being well into retirement. My poor baby was freaked out sufficiently all day Sunday and he had to spend much of the day on the phone w/his sis and brother (who lives in Maryland). I felt bad but all I can do is be supportive, positive, and loving.

I had the idea for them to buy a small condo/townhouse to live in and for the financial and emotional security. After all, this is Houston and very decent ones can be bought for 5 figures (which is how much mine cost and mine is nice and spacious and conveniently located). Turns out this morning I spoke to Stefano and that is indeed what his sis/bro/he decided to do for the 'rents! This way the 'rents can stay in Houston which is where all their friends and their whole life is (plus their favorite son, ha!), Stefano and his sib's go into "business" together, and then they'll have a rental property someday when the 'rents no longer live there.

However, now that his 'rents' near future plans are now on the action course, my beloved Mr. Wonderful found out via Facebook early this a.m. that one of his friends, a guy he grew up with, dropped dead suddenly yesterday. Stefano is friends w/so many people he grew up with and I've met many of them but I never met this guy, although we just shared Facebook comments on Stefano's wall last Friday. I am guessing cardiac event, or maybe a stroke--after all, cardiovascular disease is this nation's #1 killer. So my poor baby is further freaked out about that and I know it makes his own mortality that much more real. Since he's 11 yrs. older then me he's already shared with me about how so many of his friends' parents are all passing away.

But of course I am always the voice of looking on the bright side of things and making gators out of Gatorade. I've taken tonight off from Job #2 and me and Stefano are going to the House of Blues for our radio DJ friend's monthly musical show and one of my fave old skool country acts will be playing. Stefano and I will have drinks (and we'll toast to his friend), I'll get some yummy fried appetizer thing, the klassic kountry will be healing, and we'll just enjoy our evening together. Then he'll come spend the night w/me and get all the hugs and kisses he can stand. And I know all things are relative, but I couldn't help but remind Stefano that his 'rents' situation could be worse, a lot worse.

Health note: I still can't run due to me screwing up the ball of my foot last week so I went to the pool after I got home from Job #2 last night. The water is always sooooo warm and decadent and I had the pool all to myself since it was so late, around 8pm. I did a bunch of backstrokes the length of the pool and then, resting on my noodle, swam the perimeter of the pool a few times. It was awesome; it ain't running but it's something. Earlier I'd invited LDB over via Facebook (he made a comment lamenting he had no pool) and then texted him last night to chide him for missing out. He responded saying tonight would work but I told him about the House of Blues show, so he said he'd see me there.

Missouri Hangover Pt. 3

Okey dokey, so after the movie was over me and Brandone headed out to meet everyone downtown for fireworks and festivities. I couldn't get over how parking is freakin' FREE everywhere we went! Shit, you want to try parking anywhere near the Austin capitol for any events, be prepared to fork over $20!!! And downtown Houston is a financial parking nightmare for a frugal gal like me! Anyway, so we trekked to the capitol and found everyone, including J2's dad and infamous "Mominator" who I had not seen since the wedding, 8 yrs hence. They had the baby w/them in a small stroller. They and their friends headed one direction and J2 and I left the boys in the Beer Garden so I could go get some fried ravioli. I was proud of myself for having kept the red, white and blue Beer Garden wristband on from the day before and getting in free again, saving another $1! (Or, as J2's li'l bro called it, "working the system"! Ha ha ha!)

I separated from the group at one point to see the Michael Jackson impersonator do a few tunes on the big stage, then everyone found me and I insisted in pushing the baby's stroller. We tried to find J2's girlfriend and then I tried to find Brandone. The JW's found their friend and settled in, J2's li'l bro found me and B, and the 3 of us decided to get away from the crowd and watch the fireworks from the parking lot, which was a capital idea! Although... I'm sorry but fireworks always fail to thrill and chill me. I'll watch them every year half-heartedly, but always wonder if that's one reason I play the blues, b/c fireworks don't turn me on the way they do everyone else?

After the fireworks we figured we should appease the Mominator by stopping by her house to set off additional fireworks and since I was both hungry and thirsty, for "wine and snacks" which I repeatedly asked for and which J2's li'l bro assured me would be in stock. I got the tour of J2's childhood home and I was amazed and impressed, as it was a huge, beautiful house with a huge, awesome backyard including groovy vegetable garden tended by her dad! At one point J2's li'l bro offered me a beer and I asked him, "Which part of 'wine and snacks' do you not understand???" Ha ha! J2 and I got white wine and I got some crackers, cheese, and Mominator's yummy crab dip. Then we trekked out to the far back of the yard so we, along w/the 'rents and their friends and J2's other friends, could watch her bro and dad set off more fireworks. Yawn. Bleh. The best part was closing down the night in the enclosed back porch, chatting, yukking it up, and sipping wine. Brandilicious and I headed home at a decent enough hour.

The next morning was the big day! Levon Helm in Kansas City day! Aaaaaaaaaaah!!!!! I was sooooo freakin' excited, and looking forward to a fun little roadtrip w/the JW's. B and I armed ourselves w/drinks, picked up the JW's, kissed the baby goodbye, and headed west! Naturally we had to stop at one dive bar for a drink and a couple quick games of pool. Also J2 and I blasted the ghetto rap and sang loudly and obnoxiously along during the drive. We knew once we got to KC we'd be ready for some KC barbeque and we found it at Jack Stack in the Plaza. First though we did a drive-by by the outside of the JW's investment condo, a cute li'l place not far from the Plaza. I remembered the Plaza from the last time I was there w/Bean, somewhere's around 1997 or so. Jack Stack was deeelish! Mmmm, burnt ends!

After bbq we had just enough time to find our quaint La Quinta, unload, and get to the gig. Once we found the place, I STILL couldn't believe parking was right there and free!!! Again, in Houston, $20 easy, man. We had splurged on the "VIP" level tickets and it was soooo worth it b/c we got our own line to enter the outside venue and once inside, I rushed for the folding chairs to set them up right against the stage barricade! Me and J2 were in front and the boys were right behind us. Everyone knows that I MUST be front row!!! We immediately bought double Crown and Diet Cokes and beers, and for cryin' out loud, we VIP'ers enjoyed a barrel of free bottled water as well as free snacks (crackers, pretzels) for the taking! How #$%@ing cool was that?!?

We waited only an hour for the opener Justin Townes Earle to come out. I'd never seen him before but naturally, had heard a lot of good things about him. He and his fiddler did an enjoyable set and I thought he was cute even with his incredibly flat ass. But I also thought he looked like trouble--which he is. J2 also enjoyed his set. Then it was time for Levon--after all these years! When he came out I waved like mad at him and blew him a kiss and he smiled hugely and pointed back at me, as if he recognized me. His daughter Amy definitely recognized me and waved and smiled at me. Jim Weider was also there and I waved at him and he waved back as well, seeming to recognize me too! Then again... this is ME we're talking about!

Ok, I guess this is gonna hafta be a 4-parter. I'm at Job #2 and have to do some sheriff personnel work on my file. This past weekend was mostly great and Friday night's dinner at the fish place was so nice. I had the parmesan-crusted shrimp and tilapia over linguini and we had the oyster nachos as an appetizer! Since we had a $50 gift certificate to spend we each ordered a dessert: I had the bread pudding and Stefano had the apple crisp and I can't believe we finished it all. We went walking around the Sugar Land Town Square and ran into several of our musician friends at 2 separate gigs! We even ducked into one and danced for a couple songs.

I had the Whole Entire Day off yesterday which was KILLER--I got so much done and relaxed a LOT. I had Saturday off too but Mr. Wonderful took me to the middle eastern market to get supplies for dinner, so my afternoon was interrupted by that, although it was sooo incredibly fun! Their bakery is very much what I imagine heaven to be like, and I spotted next year's birthday cake for me! I got a lot of work done on my personnel file on Sat. too. I got caught up on some of my DVR'ing and finished one library book. I did little things around the house. Sat. night we did indeed head out to the Continental's 10th anniversary and I'm so glad we did b/c it was packed with tons of people/musician friends we knew and the music was awesome and we had a couple drinks and even ran into my cousins. (However, I didn't drink too much as I'm still a little scared straight from the Tequila Dive Bar Adventure with Brandog!)

Missouri Hangover Pt. 2

So where I left off? Oh yeah, walkin' round the Capitol w/the JW's and little brother. It was a hot ass day which I loved, and we took some pic's of the Lewis and Clarke memorial and then found a fountain in which to play. We took pic's in front of the Missouri River. The city was setting up for the weekend's 4th of July celebrations. We walked the streets of downtown which was lousy with townfolk and their chirren and I ducked into a hair/beauty place and found some cool clip-in colored hair extensions, which I'd been needing since Stefano allowed me to lose mine in Palacios TX! We went to the Beer Garden which cost $1 to get into, to my outrage! I still couldn't drink, and I only wanted a Diet Coke but all the Beer Garden had was beer, water, and cheer beer, so I went out and got myself an iced tea. We then headed to a local bar to cool off/use the potty and I was able to have a tiny sip of J2's Bloody Mary.

Sometime after that we decided to head to a new bar (crikey! all these bars and not a drop to drink for me!!!), Paddy's. J2's li'l bro decided that I could be designated driver--something I've never been in my entire life--and I agreed. I got to drive his big ass truck which was fun. Brandilicious met us at Paddy's and I got my Diet Coke. Unfortunately I started to get the "rumble gut" thanks to my moderate-lactose intolerance protesting the fact that I'd eaten an ENTIRE pint of ice cream, something I NEVER do. I got some tater skins at Paddy's and that helped a little. After that it was time to head to another venue, Prison Brews. Man, oh man! They had delicious beer-soaked everything and all kinds of yummy beers on the menu! I had my Diet Coke again, sob! Also, I couldn't eat anything due to the rumble gut and the tater skins. I had a couple bites off everyone else's plates. A trio was playing in the corner so it was nice to get a little live music in our experience.

After that we decided it was Karoake time! By now it was around 9pm, so we headed to a little bar that offered Karoake. There was like, no one in the place so we immediately got our song on. Brandone did "9 to 5." I did "Heaven" by Los Lonely Boys. J2's li'l bro did a Rolling Stones song in honor of his sister and J2 also did a Stones song. I spent some time outside talking to Stefano on the phone, who I missed terribly! Brandone spent some time on the video game machine. They all got their drink on and I enjoyed my Diet Coke, sniffle! By around 10:30 the place started to really get packed, and we left soon after that.

Sunday was the big 4th of July day and it was the day I'd agreed to go on a run w/J2 and her bro. After sleeping late they came over and we ran in B's neighborhood, including up a hill which burned my ass off but which I knew was nothing but good for me. It was gray and sprinkling on and off, which I love to run in. We did almost 2 miles, I'd say and it was good to have li'l bro along as he stopped with me when I needed to stop and walk periodically. It'd been 2 weeks since I ran and I suck at running to begin with! I was just glad and relieved my knee seemed to be holding out. We made out way back to B's and he was getting the burgers ready to grill. He had a KILLER burger recipe obtained in Hawaii: special sauce w/cinnamon, Caribbean jerk sauce, etc., bacon, pineapple rings, and peppercorn jack cheese. J2 cooked the bacon and I was proud to be in charge of buttering the buns! At this time I was also ready to begin drinking and I had a coco rum. I was mad at J2 for putting mustard and ketchup on her burger, as it needed NOTHING additional and was SCRUMPTIOUS as is!

Then it was time for the JW's and li'l bro to head to a scheduled family event w/their Mominator, et al. I'd thought maybe me and Brandone could take in a movie; alas nothing good was showing so we headed to the Redbox to get something off my "To Watch" list which turned out to be The Informant. B also drove me a little bit around the city to show me his favorite hiking/exercise spots. After getting back, showering, refilling my coco rum and relaxing on the couch w/my book for a bit, we turned on the movie and I paid attention to 80% of it. But the 80% I saw was very good!

Alrighty, gonna hafta finish this post later as well. Right now I am looking forward to a weekend of mostly R&R. Rehearsal went well on Weds. night, though we found out yesterday our gig this Sat. was cancelled which frankly, is fine w/me. I had to take yesterday off from Job#1 as I'd gone to the Target after rehearsal to get anti-itch creme (my scratching of the bedbug bites was making them worse) and I also popped a Benadryl before bed so I knew I wouldn't be able to wake up on Thurs. I ended up sleeping 'til noon yesterday and it was MUCH needed. I spend the afternoon doing things around the house, spending some time (not enough) on the couch reading and catching up on some DVR'd shows, then heading to Job#2. I went for my bayou run last night which was also much needed and did some grocery shopping.

Tonight Mr. Wonderful Stefano is taking me to have seafood at this place he gigs at, which gave him 2 gift cards so I is gwine to get my shrimp on! Now that my gig is cancelled tomorrow I'm gonna do some of my sheriff personnel background work and then Stefano's gonna make falafel, which means a trip to the Greek market for us and my 1st time ever there! Also tomorrow night is the Continental Club's 10th anniversary so we'll probably go check that out too. Sunday I have been asked to hang out w/DA and I'm kinda sorry I agreed to do that, just b/c I would appreciate a day that is completely and fully free for once in my life. Oh well, I guess it's nice to feel wanted...

Missouri Hangover Pt. 1

Literally and figuratively. I'm missing the big MO! And my MO crew! That provincial village of Jefferson City ain't too bad. The last time I saw it was in 2002 and it was snowy and miserable; this time it was beautiful and warm and sunny and hilly! I got the post-MO vacation letdown blues. It doesn't help that I'm suffering from several bedbug bites obtained in our La Quinta in Kansas City on Monday night. I keep scratching and itching and thinking back on recent times and my crazy ass MO thugs...

So Friday's travel began auspiciously, unfortunately. I might've guessed that would set the tone for the day when the covered airport parking I have begun using was out of covered parking spaces and it was sprinkling rain; then an encounter with the World's Most Unfriendly Shuttle Driver With Blinders On To Ignore the Pickups! But I was so proud of myself for packing only carry-on in order to avoid extra fees and aggro so I got to my gate in plenty of time, even having to ride the tram to my terminal. However I kept hearing flights getting cancelled due to the rain/weather/Hurricane Alex (I guess). My flight was delayed once, twice, then thrice. Then it just disappeared! It got cancelled! Aaaaarrrrgh! And poor Brandone was waiting for me in Kansas City, having driven 3 hrs from Jeff City.

The good news was that I bought these lovely glass-blown wine stoppers at the airport while killing time, walking around and getting some exercise. 1 for me, 1 for Stefano. His was a blue guitar w/an "S" on it! Lovely! Mine was a pretty mermaid. The other good news was that although they had 1st offered me "standby" status for the remaining 6-7 KC flights outta there that day, at the last minute they found 1 guaranteed seat for me on a flight leaving "right now"! So I raced over to that gate but the plane was running a little late. Didn't matter, as I finally got ON MY WAY.

A reasonably short 2-hr plane right later and I landed in KC. I came right out of the gate of the tiny airport and bumped into Brandone, a sight for sore eyes if there ever was one! We hopped into his still-new smelling Nissan Truck and proceeded to head to 18th and Vine to check out the Jazz Museum that Stefano had hipped me to. The museum was just ok. I like lots of artifacts and shit in my museums, not just a bunch of blown up photos! There was a jazz band setting up to play in the adjacent club, however it was jazz funk which I don't like. Strange, since I love jazz and I love funk, but when they mate I am not into it. Then since I was hongry, we headed to a place I saw advertised in the Pitch, Pizzabella!

Brandone insisted I should be drinking tequila shots, so during the course of dinner I had 2 glasses of Reisling and 1 shot. The pizza was delightful if very light and small. I got pretty tipsy and kept shouting "Hey, Texas!" at this nearby older man wearing a UT Longhorns cap. Finally he noticed me and I went over and began a lively conversation with much shucking and jiving until Brandone, having apparently noticed the man's wife's increasingly desperate expressions (HE says!) pulled me away. However when the man left he turned and smiled and waved at me!

Finally it was time to make the trek home. However Brandone insisted on stopping at dive bars so we could get our dranks on. At the 1st bar I had a cigar and a couple coco rums. After this my memory is hazy, although I remember one bar where I was the hottest chick in there and announced it to Brandone. Then I tried to shoot my tequila shot, dribbled it down my chin, and went to the bar to look for a napkin. The bartender took one look at me and without a word, handed me a napkin. I returned to Brandon and, offended, reported what happened and, angrily drunk, asked how the hell that psychic bartender knew I was needing a napkin?!? I said, "Fuck you, Nostradamus!"

It may have been the next bar where I made Brandone give me a piggy back ride inside. I think I had coco rum there as well. After that I sorta remember plugging my iPod into his car and rapping very loudly to Salt N Pepa, Kanye, and Bonecrusher. We finally got to his house around 10:30pm? Maybe? And the 2 J's were already there waiting for us with newly mixed drinks! I was so happy to see them! I kissed them and hugged them and kept jumping on J2. Pictures reveal my drunk googly eyes. After awhile I passed out on Brandone's couch, he apparently carried me to bed, at which time I sweetly motioned for him to come close, come closer, closer, and SLAPPED him, dissolving into uncontrollable laughter. He says!

The next morning I woke up to find myself in a strange bed and seeing a strange bedroom. I had no idea where I was. I didn't remember flying, traveling, any of the night before. The wall color kind of looked like Stefano's bedroom except this room was a lot smaller. It took me a few minutes to remember that I was in Jeff City, MO, in Brandone's house. I slowly got up; Brandone was already awake. I went back to bed. The J's came back over and they had little J3 with them! Finally I got to meet my adorable little niece! They deposited her in bed w/me and I tried to entertain her. But shortly after we made our way to everyone else and I left her w/them so I could go throw up. Niiiiiiiiice, except for I still didn't feel that well after doing so.

We got ready to go to Mexican lunch w/Brandone's chick friend who very badly wanted to drink margaritas w/me. She met us at B's house and while it was very nice to meet her, I still was walking kinda hunched over. She was also hungover so that was nice camaraderie. We got to the restaurant and I sat down, only to jump back up and head to the restroom to puke once more. Niiiiiiice, and actually this time I did feel much better after which told me I had finally got it all out of my system! Except I still couldn't even look at the margaritas. The J's showed up sans baby but w/J2's little brother. We all ended up having a very nice lunch together and I was even able to eat!

After lunch I decided I really needed a haircut so we all parted temporarily and B and his friend dropped me off at this cute li'l salon. Actually I've been needing a haircut for over a month and she did a nice job; she even curled it for me so I looked very girly! Then B picked me up and we went to get ice cream at the legendary local Central Dairy. I can't believe it but I got a PINT of birthday cake on the bottom and Peppermint creme on the top and I actually ate the Whole Damn Thing. Whooo! B and I walked around while waiting for the J's to meet us again and they got ice cream too except for J2. Next it was time to bid adieu momentarily to B while me and the J's and li'l bro walked around.

Post to be finished tomorrow as soon as I remember more of it, ha! Supposed to rehearse tonight and it's raining perros y gatos here so I don't really wanna go but I know I must.