Late...

This is why I was late to work today - why do people do these stupid things? I planned to be at work by 9:30 so this clearly happened a train or two before mine. They say there were 16 buses to help, but I waited FOREVER and there were no cabs. If it wasn't so freakin' muggy I would have walked the rest of the way.

My replacement power cord came today for the video camera! Now I can actually download the videos to my MacBook and edit the good stuff from Costa Rica with my new software. Macs are compatible with everything digital, except JVC. Didn't know it was going to be such a hassle, but all is well now!

1/2 Devil

Yes, Anthony is alive.

Please do not leave Iris unattended

...so we had an impromptu Sunday Funday...filled with drama.

Happy Birthday

Timmy didn't eat and has fallen out. I tried to mobile blog a pic but it didn't work. Don't judge, I know what you're thinking.

Mezza Luna...having fun.

KUNT Action News

According to TVSquad.com, the FCC has approved the call letters K-U-N-T for a local Wailuku, Maui TV station. KUNT Weather Watch? KUNT On Your Side? KUNT Live Digital Dopler? KUNT Sports News? How would you like to be a KUNT Anchor? I need to stop. Who at the FCC approved this?

Bionic Woman?

I knew that Isaac Washington was canned from my Grey's Anatomy, but I didn't know he landed a role on "Bionic Woman" during the same time slot as the new Grey's Anatomy spinoff, "Private Practice." According to a post on Everything Jersey (don't ask how I got there) by Alan Sepinwall from The Star-Ledger, this is the case. Check out the complete July 26 Post here.

Strangely enough, I was actually doing tourist search crap and I ultimately remembered to hunt down the gophilla.com gay tourism commercial. It is very well done, so I put it here for all to see since you don't all watch LOGO where it is frequently played. Philadelphia has done a great deal in recent years (according to friends) to promote the gayness of the city. Having only been there once, (this year,) I'd say they are on the right track, but have a little ways to go. I do like the city. Check out the commercial. It is short.

Take It Like A Man

Morning Chirrens.

I was browsing the web because that's what we do when we can't sleep, right? Hector's sister, Suzette, blogged about this band and I'm cracking up at their video. According to Suzy describes their music as, "Pop songs mixed with a bit of rock, a dash of electro and a side of cheese. :) I like that side of cheese. It's genius." I completely agree.

Dragonette's MySpace page describes the transition from, "...singer-songwriter, Ani Di Franco, Lilith Fair, Jewel-type music… tamponics!" to, "...dirty, hook-heavy, electropop monsters...depicting a world of guilt-free promiscuity and sexual predators on the prowl." What's not to like about that? They also make an analogy to singing over Pat Benatar tracks during the transition. Even though I'm not really sure how to take it, they do mention her. And we all know how I feel about my Pat!

Take a quick look at this video. It has a spoofy 70's porn vibe to it. Fun. Nice work Suzy in discovering them!




You can also see their full website here:

Flying Spaghetti Monster

You really need to check this site out. The link is to an open letter to the school board, but click over to the actual blog home page too. Hilarious.

Friends of Corn

FOC ... coming to your neighborhood.

Nellies...again

We've powered through the day.

shot?

Tisha looking innocent while her director casually dines in the background. We're doing shots. No fun to leave work and join friends when your management is eyes in the winder.

Hate Crime

You've got to watch this video. Thousands of people are attacked every year because of their sexual orientation, and there's still no federal hate crimes law to protect them. This video is a powerful statement on hate crimes, and I was compelled to share it. It was created in conjunction with the "True Colors Tour" where Cyndi Lauper raised awareness about HRC and hate crimes



You can also see the information directly on HRC's website or do a YouTube search for hate crimes and you'll see lots of powerfull videos. Time to go to work!

Their wet kisses show they love you!

You have got to be kidding me. Click this link to see the Love 'n Licks Puppy. According to the website, there are only 4 steps and if you click the link you can hear how the dog sounds when it shows the wet love.

1. Love me: I bark!
2. Love me more: I bark louder & wag my tail!
3. Love me EVEN more: I kick my leg!
4. Love me most: I give you wet puppy kisses!

A toy that licks...how many emotionally disturbed children will this create? I guess it isn't any worse than Baby Alive - the first doll I remember that ate and actually pooped. My cousin Starla loved this doll. Watch the video on the website - it shows the doll in "action." Ick.

Bye Bye VB

I was asked to remove it so I did. If you scroll back June 30 to see the bridge video, it is gone. It may be more fun to capture the adventures of strangers. See my previous mobile blog for reference if you have any doubt that this can still be blogworthy!

homeless?

I'm not sure if he's homeless or just trying to buzz someone in my building. I tried to wake him up and he just kept saying, "you're fine," I am pretty sure I am fine, but equally convinced he is not. I tried, not my problem.

Got off the plane and had a quick cocktail at Solly's the checked out the new Nellies. I was the only patron at closing time, but I snagged a quick drink and chatted with the bartenders. Looks like they hired a nice set of very intelligent, chatty, and pretty boys to staff the place. I won't abandon Solly's, but I'll be back.

The drunk dude probably lives here. If it was any other night I'd ask the desk, but since my HOA is trying to save $ it is no longer staffed on Sunday night. Again, not my problem.

Emergency!

I decided to stroll out for a smoke after some drinks and buffalo tenders. The security guard at the exit gate was trying to stop 3 paramedics coming in with a stretcher and an ER room worth of portable tools. They won, yelling that she had no right to detain them. It is hardly comforting to know everyone understands the rules. I sat outside and chain smoked and they quickly emerged with a 20 something Starbucks employee. Interesting. Not as much action as this book, which is surprisingly good, but the added visual action was needed stimulation for this otherwise tiring layover. You will note that out of respect, I waited to snap a photo until they shut the door. I just want to go home.

Cleveland Airport

I hate layovers, especially when I'm laying over to return to where I departed only hours before. She is really going to have to learn to fly on her own next summer! I guess it is better than drivng! We'd still be on the road coming in and then there would be the whole ride back in front of me. At least this way I can have an airport cocktail (yes a double for $2 more) and get lost in my book while I wait!

Brunchy Time!

Whitney's last brunch for the week. Several friends joined us at Alero. We leave in 45 minutes to catch the plane at BWI.

Dags Anonymous

Whitney and I finished our Jumbo Slice and took the Vespa over to Eastern Market for some shopping and flowers. We finished our shopping on 14th St. finding some Asian symbol of Joy for her mom. When Timmy got home we headed out to the burbs so she could play with her friend Hanna. They grilled chicken and served us a delicious meal! Such really great people. Despite Timmy's four hour adventure with just one cigarette, I think he had fun too.

Now for the title topic: Perhaps I am a bit naive, but I did not know what a 'Dags' was. I know who Dags is, but today I found a Dags Anonymous Club and of course I had to blog about it and do a little research. According to the interweb, a dag is, "a lock of matted or dung-coated wool." That's gross. It is also a commonly accepted acronym for Googling, specifically standing for, "Do A Google Search." Apparently, I DAGS'd "Dags" to find out about it. Odd.

I am going to forget all of this and continue to know her as the Russian Royalty that she is. Rumor has it our Dags is brewing up her own adventures blog which is very exciting - more exciting than any of this wasted time I've spent doing nothing today! You might also notice a new blog link to the right. I've set up a TimmyCam blog for him to do some mobile blogging. This could be fun!

dags. (n.d.). The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Retrieved July 22, 2007, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dags

Only the finest...

She wanted to eat here! Jumbo Slice...the dining choice of champions.

Let's start with a pedi

We are both getting mani/pedi so we look good for the day! Whitney's first time! This, my friends, is what happens when you have a gay dad. No camping, hunting, or fishing for this family.

The weekend is here!

We went to Polly's on Thursday where Laura, Michael, and Catrina joined us for dinner. Tish and Donna gave us great service and we also ran into several other friends.

Friday, after a fantastic show of Whitney's art at the Smithsonian, we took Metro all the way to the middle of nowhere (Huntington) to Lissa's to swim with Flora. She is getting SO big. Timmy joined us after work and we ordered Chinese. Flora said, "egg roll." Lissa said that is not in her regular vocabulary, despite the fact that she has a very large vocabulary for her age. (Not surprised with such smart and engaging parents!)

We're off for some great adventures today. Perhaps we'll do some mobile blogging! We plan to finish the week with a child friendly Sunday Funday brunch tomorrow with several friends before Whit catches a plane back to Ohio.

Haircut?

When you need a haircut so bad that it hurts.

I've driven by this many times and never captured it. Today Whitney wanted to walk home from camp instead of taking the Metro. Taking this pic was the only fun thing about walking home from the Smithsonian Castle in work clothes.

Construction Update

I haven't had much time to blog with Whitney here. Monday we had taco night at home and then visited Michael and Catrina so she could see their new place.

Tuesday we visited Rita Jean's garden and then had dinner at Dakota Cowgirl with Dags/RJ. We finished the night relaxing in the beautiful night breeze on RJ's roof.

Here's a construction update photo from Steve. The estate grounds are being drilled for geothermal heating in the mansion (Lisa hates when I refer to it as a mansion...so clearly I will continue to do so!)

Lazy Day on the Farm

We went out last night to a nice Mexican restaurant in Wooster called El Campesino. The plan was to build a bonfire afterwards, but I was exhausted. After chatting with Mom for awhile, I fell asleep. Despite my complete exhaustion, I kept waking up thinking dead people were in the room. The only thing I could think about was my vacation home that I've been talking about for years. Now that they are building, I have building envy. This morning I was up early and went quadrunning with Steve to look at the piece of land I want to buy for this someday to be built vacation home.

We took Mom and Dad to Des Essenhaus for a buffet breakfast and then I took a nap. Waiting on Timmy to get here. Keith is making chili for the church chili cook off, but I don't know if we'll go or not. That might be a little overload for this lazy day with no agenda. Chilling with Lisa now. I added a link on the side to Hottbeef. Everyone should check it out - and don't worry it isn't what you undoubtably think it is. I am particularly fond of The Goat Gallery and feel very strongly that Goat should have an interactive message board or blog so we can effectively communicate directly with him.

Happy Family

I finally get to blog a pic of my own instead of forwarding them!

Astro Blender

Interesting...24 flavors of soft serve ice cream. They pull vanilla and blend it in the Astro Blender. Modern.

We are on the way to my Mom & Dad's. I decided after last nights adventures that I had no business consuming any beverages so it was time to leave Columbus. The Utica Dari Shack was a must stop on the way. I am excited to see Steve & Lisa's house in person tonight! They came to pick me up and we had lunch at M&E. We got some treats for Moose Dog at Village Pet Supply and tried to shop at Tom's collectibles store, but it was closed for a few hours when we passed by. A nice quiet day overall.

I will survive

It's blurry and that is a good thing. We drank away our sorrows and now I've joined my gays at Garrett's Saloon for dix dancers. One of them is currently dancing to the, "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy," song. Only at a country western gay bar. Hilarious.

Phone is dead. So is Erica and she would approve. She'd actually be here...perhaps she is.

Peace

Today is the day. I am sitting on Liz' balcony overlooking this beautiful and peaceful lake. My friends and I drank a thousand bottles of wine and smoke cartons of cigarettes as we reminisced about Eball. I need this calm view to start this day. The coffee is ready. I am not.

"...an incredibly strong woman"

I'm about to head off to Columbus. Steve and Lisa cancelled their movie night trip and Tim unfortunately can't get out of work to go with me. This has been the longest week with every day dragging on without focus. I've cut/pasted the obituary from the Columbus Dispatch below:

BALL (Michael) Erica (Michael) Ball, age 34, of Galloway, passed away peacefully at her home early Sunday morning, July 8, 2007. She was born December 14, 1972 in Columbus and was a graduate of Hilliard High School. She attended The Ohio State University and was a Sales Supervisor in home lending for J.P. Morgan Chase. Erica was an incredibly strong woman who ended her battle with cancer after fighting for eight years. Erica is survived by her parents, James and Elvira Michael of Hilliard. Erica has two children, Matthew McNamee, 18, and Cassidy Ball, 11. Also survived by her husband, Trevor Ball; brother, Frank Michael; sisters, Laura Erwin and Marla Michael. Erica will be missed and loved by them as well as her many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins and friends. Family and friends may call 4-8 p.m. WEDNESDAY at THE JOHN QUINT TREBONI FUNERAL HOME, 1177 W. 5th Avenue. Funeral 10:30 a.m. THURSDAY, St. Christopher Catholic Church, 1420 Grandview Avenue. Rev. Msgr. John K. Cody, Presiding. Burial St. Joseph Cemetery. It is the wishes of the family that contributions be made to the Erica Ball Memorial Fund through any Huntington Bank or the American Cancer Society, 870 Michigan Ave., Columbus, 43215.

Erica Ball, December 14, 1972 - July 8, 2007

My best friend in the world for many many years just died this morning. I received the dreaded call. I don't know what to do when a best friend dies so I am blogging and crying. When I left the company we both worked for, she wrote this William Ernest Henley poem, Invictus, on a lovely card along with a heartfelt message of her own and some Skinny Puppy lyrics on the psychedelic doodled cover. The poem, of course, she wrote from memory. The English Lit side of Erica always shines. I will forever keep this handmade card and forever keep her in my heart.

OUT of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

I miss you already Erica.

Construction (back)

It is really coming together from this view! Back door guests are best ;-)

Construction

It sure is coming together! Steve & Lisa will be here this week for movie night! I hope everyone can make it. This might be the best one ever with authentic Russian food, visiting family, and M/C's gorgeous new home. I'm already quivering with anticipation.

Spending the day with friends...casually hanging out and watching channel 17.

July 4 Dance Party 2007 (the documentary)

Here it is...I decided I couldn't wait any longer. If anyone requires edits (you will know who you are) please let me know!

Mobile YouTubing

I know ... you are waiting for the Fourth of July Dance Party 2007 video aren't you? It is done. I'm deciding whether to post it without having some consent forms signed. Can't have my friends bringing lawsuits against me, and I edited alot. I mean alot alot.

I just figured out how to mobile YouTube. This is frightening because now I can post videos on the fly too! This one is a forward from Steve from July 3 showing some construction on the mansion from upstairs!

Blog Stats

I was checking out my statistics on the blog. I am averaging about 70 hits/week and nearly all of them are coming from URL so I think it is safe to assume that it is just friends reading the blog. I've intentionally avoided publishing to the search engines, but they do link through to the sites as they find them I suppose. One can Google "Vergie Bridges" and find her video debut, but the link is to a third party site instead of my blog or YouTube pages.

Interestingly enough, 31.3% of the visitors this week stayed for over 1 hour. Now this could be just opening it and leaving it open in the background. Regardless...friends...don't you have anything better to do than read this crap? j/k

Construction Update

Something dignified to discuss today instead of the holiday debauchery from yesterday. This appears to be a shot of workers in action! That construction company sure does work fast. They are one of the high end builders in the area and I thought they would take longer than the big chain builders, but I guess I was wrong.

Still Going

Video to follow. I got lots of material to edit this weekend!

Happy Fourth

Is it wrong to order Mr. Chen's delivery on the fourth? We are taking cover inside since it is pouring outside. Hopefully it will clear up for the boom booms.

Roof Party at The Ellington

Dags is sipping a beverage before we head back to our house for an evening gathering and fireworks.

Vanessa being Vanasty

Fun times at Solly's. It is definitely a rock star night. Mission in progress. We've done a little pub crawl and may go to the Gato Negro before the night is up!

Front Porch

They are definitely making progress. Look closely (or click the pic) to see Lisa sitting in her side window.

Another Shot!

I blogged too quickly. Here's another shot from Lisa's sitting room. She says it is so big she may have to rethink her furniture choice and buy a sofa for it. Shopping!

Construction Update

Things are moving quickly. The entire first foor is framed! This shot is looking from the loft into the great room towards the back yard.

I left work and got a mani/pedi then came home to change (OK...so I stopped at Polly's/Solly's on my way here.) Judge not lest... Rock Star 4th of July Eve is about to kick off on U St.

Framing!

Bro Steve and Baby Lisa have some framing on their new mansion on the hill. This is so exciting! Can't wait to visit in two weeks to see it in person.

Home Sweet Home

We made it back to DC in one piece. Unfortunately we had to stop three times (we were hungry and thirsty) so it took nearly 7 hours. I hear some peeps are out finishing Sunday Funday, but we are opting for bed. It has been a long weekend and I anticipate it will be a long week with the holiday on Wednesday. Pattycake may be coming from CMH to visit and we plan to watch the fireworks from our own roof for the first time ever.

Shipment for Catrina!

This semi is headed your way girl.

We are on our way back from OH. Last night turned into a messy adventure, but we had fun. It was great to do a little bar hop and see lots of old friends. No Such Fate played at Club D. Quite a treat to catch them two months in a row without any planning on our part! Grace Kelly even came out and joined us for a few beers.

Heath

Some things never change...his shirt always comes off. We love the Heath at the AWOL bar. 11.75 for 4 peeps to have a round. We love Columbus prices!

Club D

See Richard in the back? He know's Rita Jean's Beth Ann and lives in Fauquier county. Funny we always run into him in CMH. We only see him once a year at the Gold Cup in VA. Perhaps that will be our annual trip back to the East Coast. (Dave, Heather, and Timmy are the photo participants in the front)

We are drinking away the day at Club Diversity. It is warranted.