This just in...

I just got a phone call from my buddy Brook, from SLC, that he will be coming to the desert in a week! I'm very excited, as he wants to spend some time with me. That will be way cool. He seemed to indicate that he will have his own place to stay, which I think means that we will be able to spend some time alone. I knew that extra training with the "bump master" would come in handy...
Way cool!
Seriously, he is a very nice guy that I feel very comfortable with. This will be a nice distraction...

The LimeLight

Made myself dinner last night, got my tux garb together, and went to the Desert Air Museum around 1900. We hung out in the offices upstairs until it was time for us to perform. We came on right after Sally Struthers, carrying electric candlesticks to the stage. The front row, which I was a part of, crossed in front of the stage before entering by the steps on either side. A very dramatic entrance, indeed. We sang our song, got very nice applause, and then quickly exited. Went back upstairs to change into our military drag. The gave us shirts earlier, brand new in the bag, which were ours to keep. I ironed mine, but it would have been better to have laundered it first. They had a box of clip-on ties and caps (those with the two points) which we just wore with the shirts and our tux pants & shoes. I thought it was going to look real bad, but it ended up being kind of nice. The professional dancers actually had the matching pants as well. The looked really cute all dressed up. We then were ushered back to our waiting positions and got to see some of the performers. They opened the back wall, which was a hangar door, and one of the stars was a big military plane. It might have been a B-17 or something monstrous like that. The music started and we headed to the stage to sing "You're a Grand Old Flag" with the dancers doing their routing in front. It was a medley of different patriotic songs, ending with "America the Beautiful." Somebody came on stage and passed us confetti "cannons" which we used at the very end to shoot the audience with. That was fun!
I brought a change of clothes and went to Spurline afterwards. Delorian Chase, the current Miss Gay California, was having a drag show with Greg, who I know from karaoke, EmCee'ing in drag. It was fun, and I left after the first act was over. I was getting tired. But I got two glasses of beer, which really hit the spot after performing and dealing with the heat. Nasdrovia!

Edna

So, through some twist of fate, I am now singing the role of Edna Turnblad in our "Hairspray" medley for the chorus. The guy who originally got the solo cannot perform our show in Riverside next Saturday, so Alan gave me the part. I don't know about the shaving, plucking, & wearing of the fat suit. It's not an actual theatrical performance, so I think dressing up in drag is out.
We just had our tech rehearsal for the benefit at the Desert Air Museum which will be later tonight. I'm going to be front and center on the stage. I don't know how I became so popular all at once. I was chatting with the musical director for the show on A4A the other night. He is a big muscle bottom. All in all, it should be a fine show. Can't wait till it's all over.

BARACKY

Party Boi

So I went to Steve Smith/Conrad's party in Cathedral City yesterday. It was actually fun, despite my reservations about it. Got some admiring looks from guys I wasn't interested in. There was one guy, Christopher, who was nice, but kind of a mess. Not being judgemental, but he is just out of a 19 year relationship that I'm guessing he didn't want to end. He got quite drunk, and is a smoker to boot. I think most of the guys at the party Steve knew from the various smoking patios on Arenas, if you know what I mean. I had offered this guy a ride home, and he accepted since he didn't drive and wanted to leave. A minute later, he is outside dancing around the pool. Then he comes back in, and says he is ready to leave. Not to make it look like we are leaving together, I go get the car to pull it up to the house. He is saying his goodbyes, then I assume he thought I ditched him. He ends up getting into a car with another couple. He was so trashed at that point, he probably didn't even realize what was going on. I'm sure there would have been drama if I ended up taking him to his home, so I guess it happened that way for a reason.
I made my lentil soup this morning, and now I'm doing laundry. Getting ready for the next two weeks at work, when I get to be Cuqui. Coneyo Carraho!

Goodbye Doug, We'll miss you

Today was the memorial for Doug. Got to meet his daughter, Emma, who looks so much like my niece it was almost odd. She was very sweet and I was glad to tell her how much I was going to miss her father. The chorus sang "Let the River Run" and "The Prayer" at the service. I had a Bloody Mary in Doug's honor, although I don't care much for tomato juice. It was a very nice tribute to Doug and I'm so glad I was a part of it.
I got home around 1:30 and decided to make some lunch. I ended up dropping a jar of spicy carrot bits on the floor, causing glass to go everywhere. I cleaned it up, and then threw out the carrots 'cause there was no way to be sure that all the glass bits were gone. I hate wasting stuff, especially food.
I have been to the gym in a week, and my stomach is looking the smallest I can remember in recent weeks. Funny how that can work. But I really need to add some muscle to my torso, sometimes I can see what can be and it can be inspiring. Sigh...
I tackled the bump master and was able to get past the 8th one. Other than the base, that's as far as on can go. I guess I'm ready now...
Started chatting with Jed on A4A. He is an interline guy that I know from the counter at work. He recently updated his pictures on A4A and they are quite nice. But already I have a strange feeling about him. Very long delays between mail. Will have to see...

CSA

Yesterday I had dinner with Cuqui, Danny, and Gary at Angelina's over by the Ralph's shopping center. It was very nice, although the food was the best Italian I've ever had. But being from NJ, it's a pretty hard order to fill. Gary is visiting this week, but is planning on going back north before the weekend. I got two calls during dinner, which of course I couldn't answer. One from Don and one from Marienne. Since both are from the east coast, it was too late to call them when dinner was over. Bummer, would really have liked to talk to both.

A Taxing Day

So yesterday I finally signed my tax returns and mailed them to the powers that be. The Post Office wasn't bad at all; found a parking space in the lot immediately and only had to walk into the lobby to put my envelopes in the mail slot. The bad part is that it was 2PM when I drove there and it is a mess on Avenida Caballeros with the middle school letting out at that time. But it is done, and that is one less thing to worry about.
I went grocery shopping around 4PM, deciding to go to Ralph's since my chorus is part of the rewards program there. For every purchase that I make using my card, the supermarket will send in a donation to my non-profit organization. We need every penny we can get, so I'm doing my part for the cause.
I barely had enough time to race home, warm up some leftover pasta, and then head over for my Los Amigos rehearsal. Don called just as I was heading over to the rehearsal hall. Would have loved to have chatted with him, but they had already started singing.
Dan tried calling while I was in rehearsal with the general chorus later, but I had already turned all the sounds off my phone. Gary is back in town, and they are planning a dinner out with him. It sounds like lots of fun, and I would like to do that.
I went to Streetbar after chorus, and had my Scotch & soda. I only sang one song, one I hadn't done before, the Nat King Cole arrangement of "Love is Here to Stay." It's very nice, but I had trouble hearing my voice over the crappy sound system. I think I had some nice moments, none-the-less. There was a younger guy, maybe mid 20's to 30's, who was singing later in the evening. At one point, he was singing that Neil Diamond song about the traveling medicine show, or whatever the hell it is, and came down off the stage to involve me. I put my hand in his, which was nice since he was pretty hot, but he reeked of cigarette smoke. I mean, really bad. What a turn off! Still not sure why guys do that to themselves.
I actually stayed until closing; the dreaded lights came on at the bar! After yelling, "Oh, no you di-n't!" to Paulie, the bartender, I decide it was time to pour myself in the car and put it in autopilot. Had a rough time getting up this morning, but thank goodness no work today.

Miss you, Donny Sparkles

Just in time for the cooler weather!

A Week Off

Today is my first day of vacation. I was tentatively planning on going back east to visit my mother, but this Sunday is the memorial service for Doug, our fallen member from the chorus. The chorus is singing for him, and I really want to be a part of it. And will.
I did my taxes today, and I am paying the government due to my mutual funds doing so well. I have converted from class B to class A, which has a higher yield. This off sets my mortgage interest credit enough to where I have to pay. Which is weird because I get taxed on my capital gains AND I get taxed if I then cash in those stocks. So it's double taxation which doesn't make much sense to me. Nothing sure in this life except death & taxes.
My afghan is coming along quite nicely, just working on the border right now. Since it is in the high 90's, it's perfect timing. Ha!
I looked into cashing in my rewards on my credit card for my upcoming trip to Miami in July. I would have to use 25,000 points and still pay $320 for a round trip ticket. Will also have to pay for the hotel all the days that I spend there. Haven't heard back from Don yet, so I'm not sure if I'm splitting my week in half. I would really like to see the knuckle-head again, but I need to confirm the details since there is a conflict with the dates.
I took out the "bump master" on Saturday; popped in a T.I.M. movie; broke out the "elbow grease;" and went to town. Surprised about how much I was able to get in after a long absence. I still can't get to the base, but I think I'm off by two bumps. Which means that I still can't accommodate myself - not that it would be physiologically possible anyway.
Bathroom remodel has come to a crashing halt. The contractor has been AWOL for about a week now. Don't have any explanations.
I think Dr. Michael is history. He said that his sister and her family made a surprise visit this past weekend. I'm ready to write that one off.

This Week's Not As Busy

This week started on Sunday with our gig at Tamarisk Country Club. Los Amigos sang a short program, starting with "Brand New Day", "Broadway Show Stoppers Medley", "Seize the Day", "They Can't Take That Away from Me", and "Xanadu". After we finished the last number, the audience erupted in thunderous applause and then started shouting for an encore. Well, we didn't have one planned, but Alan thought for a moment and decided that we could sing "Seasons of Love" from "Rent". We performed it at our last concert and since it fits the theme of the upcoming one, we are going to use it again. The piano did the intro, and then we started singing the opening lines, "5 hundred, 25 thousand, 600 minutes..." and then the audience started clapping again. It was so cool, I don't think that ever happened before. After a moment, they stopped as we continued to sing without missing a beat. They liked us. They really liked us!
Monday, I had the rehearsal for the benefit for the new Family Services Center that will be held at the Air Museum. We are performing "Night and Day" and "You're a Grand Old Flag". We had to give our measurements because we will be wearing military uniforms while we sing. It should be very interesting.
Had the regular chorus rehearsal on Tuesday night. It is going very well, and I did most of my singing "off book". I listen to the rehearsal CD in my car several times I day, during my short approx. 10 minute commute, and really have the words and notes down. I love that. Frees me up to look at the director for musical direction.
Went to Streetbar afterwards for Scotch & Soda and karaoke. There was a pretty good crowd there. Australian soldier boi was there, and I have never seen him so f*ck*d up as he was that night. I thought for sure he would pass out at some point. Very sad.
Last night I got to relax at home; put some music in the computer and crochet a little. I had to stop at Michael's (the store, not the doctor) and pick up another skein of black yarn. I just fell short of completing the last "granny square" for my throw. I went after the gym (which I also went on Monday!)
That is going very well, I'm doing the elliptical, about 350 calories, and then the treadmill with incline, for another 50+ calories. I workout enough to sweat, which necessitates taking a shower. Makes me feel productive that way. Haven't seen anyone really hot in the locker room lately. I think about that one guy with the beautiful body. Looked like his butt was sculpted out of stone. And it was just inches from my face at one point. Ahhh...
Did some laundry last night, need to take the colors out of the dryer sometime today. It was still running last night when I was ready for bed.
Dr Michael is not mad at me, as I previously thought. I think he is just very busy. He has to be on-call some nights, and I think he had a lot of them last week. He does seem to be a little distant still, however. Hopefully, I will know what's going on soon.

I'm Tired!

What a week! Had a rehearsal on Monday night, Tuesday (long assed rehearsal!), Wednesday, and then an "all day rehearsal" today, Saturday. There is a paying performance tomorrow at the Tamarisk Country Club, where Los Amigos is performing a few numbers.
I think I ticked off Dr. Michael Thursday night. We were chatting on A4A, and he was hinting about me coming over to spend the night. I hadn't eaten yet, and I was exhausted physically and mentally. So I didn't pick up on his "invite" as quickly as I guess I should have. He gave me a quick "sleep tight" response. He sent me a message on Friday night, I guess after I had already left to get some dinner. When I got back, I sent him a message asking how his weekend was looking. He read it, but never got back to me. Oh, well, this isn't supposed to be serious and of no drama. We'll see how this plays out...
I got a new iron, so I get to try it out on my new tux shirt. I will look very spiffy for tomorrow. I can hardly wait. :::Insert sarcastic smilie here:::